ARC Minutes 1 13 16CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
January 13, 2016
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Mendota Heights City Hall.
Acting Chair Lorberbaumn called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
The following commissioners were present: Sally Lorberbaum, William Dunn, Arvind Sharma,
Gina Norling, and Jim Neuharth. Absent (excused) were David Sloan and Kevin Byrnes.
Also present: City Administrator Mark McNeill, Public Works Director John Mazzitello
Approval of Minutes
Neuharth noted that the November 10, 2015 minutes, contained an incorrect spelling of his
name, and that there had been discussion to ask Dana Nelson of MAC as to the lack of a balance
in use between Runways 12 R and 12L. Lorberbaum asked that changes be noted in the minutes
of that particular meeting.
Motion by Dunn, second by Sharma to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2015 Airport
Relations Commission meeting as amended. Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished and New Business
4.a Discussion of the March 9th Public Open House. McNeill said that an Open House would
be held in the City Council Chambers on March 9th and hosted by the ARC. The public will be
invited to hear updates on MAC plans, and de-confliction actions which have been taken or
considered by the FAA. Dana Nelson of MAC, and Elaine Buckner of the FAA have been
invited to present.
The ARC Commissioners made the following suggestions regarding topics:
• Speak about the MAC’s economic impact on the Twin Cities region, and that of Mendota
Heights. Sharma said that Jack Hart had something like that regarding Delta’s impact on
the region.
• Invite Sun Country to attend, as a Mendota Heights-based business.
• The relationship between the NOC and the City should be highlighted—what does it do
for us?
• Ask Ms. Nelson and M.s Buckner if they are OK with taking questions.
It was decided that the Eagan ARC should not be invited, as it has issues which differ from that
of Mendota Heights.
XXXXXXXX
4.b Airport Overlay Zoning District Discussion McNeill said that Public Works Director
Mazzitello had distributed Chapter 4 “Aircraft Noise Attenuation” of the Mendota Heights City
Code at the previous meeting. He had then asked that Commissioners review it for discussion at
this meeting.
The Commissioners discussed which noise footprint would be used to designate noise
attenuation construction methods. Commissioners commented on the fairness to the property
owners who had built their homes to higher noise standards, when the L-65 delineation
periodically changes. Otherwise, they might have been excluded from the need for additional
noise-proofing.
The consensus of the Commission was to table this discussion until the next meeting. They
asked that Mr. Mazzitello be prepared to make a presentation at that time, and show how the
noise area has changed over the years. They asked that a City staff member be present to
describe how different lots are determined to be either inside or outside of the noise attenuation
area, and how building inspections are made. Finally, they asked that the City contact similar
cities (i.e. Eagan, Richfield, Minneapolis, Bloomington) to determine how they treat shifting L-
65 delineations, and whether any of those practices might be appropriate for use in Mendota
Heights.
4.c Review of Airport Operations Statistics The information which had been previously
distributed to the Commission was noted.
Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence
Commissioner Sharma reported on new destinations for Delta, and other news from the October
19th MAC Board meeting, including that Delta will be adding flights to Reykjavik, and
Dallas/Ft. Worth. He also said that MAC does an annual survey pf customer satisfaction on 35
variables, He will forward it for the Commission’s review.He distributed a memo, showing
MAC financials. It showed the airline capacity by seats, and which airlines were increasing and
decreasing in capacity. The trend is to larger planes.
Sloan reported that he would be attending the meeting the NOC meeting the following week.
The Commission reviewed the distributed September NOC Technical Advisors Report
information from the September Technical Advisor’s report.
Neuhardt reported that John Mazzitello had contacted MAC about the anomaly for 12L, and
Dana Nelson responded.Norling said that she understood that wind patterns were different, but
wondered why there was more activity on 12 L than 12R?
Lorberbaum noted a higher number of complaints in September, but said that it was likely due to
a warmer September than normal, with an unusual wind pattern.
Dunn said that he had biked into the plane viewing area, which is accessed from the cargo road.
It is fenced off, and has picnic tables. He said that it was worth a visit. Lorberbaum suggested
that as a summer ARC meeting location.
Public Comments
There were no members of the public present.
Commissioner Comments
None.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Airport Relations Commission will be January 13, 2016. Commissioner
Dunn said that he would not be able to attend.
Adjourn
Neuharth made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Dunn at 7:37 PM. All voted in favor.
Minutes Taken By:
Mark McNeill,
City Administrator