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ARC 9-18-2019 MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES September 18, 2019 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at Mendota Heights City Hall. 1. Call to Order Chair Sloan called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. 2. Roll Call The following commissioners were present: David Sloan, Gina Norling, William Dunn, Sally Lorberbaum, Jim Neuharth, and Arvind Sharma. Absent: Kevin Byrnes. Also present: Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, and City Administrator Mark McNeill. 3. Approval of Minutes a. Approval of Minutes of the August 21, 2019 Meeting Commissioner Lorberbaum noted changes, which she agreed to relay on to staff to change. Motion by Lorberbaum/Second by Neuharth to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2019 ARC meeting, as amended. Motion carried 5-0. Sharma abstained. 4. Unfinished and New Business a. Follow-up to Resident Noise Complaint—Ms. Jacobson reported that she had contacted Brad Juffer of MAC regarding the complaint registered by Mr. Roger Grabowski, who had appeared at the August meeting. Mr. Grabowski had said that airplane noise over his Friendly Hills neighborhood had increased significantly over the past several months, and had wondered if it related to the Minnesota Vikings development. Ms. Jacobson said that in checking the charts, the MAC Noise Program Office determined that any perceived variances would likely be a result of weather, and because of more people being outside during warm weather. While he had no data to show, Mr. Juffer had said that he did not see anything that would confirm changes as a result of the Vikings development. This information was relayed to Mr. Grabowski, but there had been no response. Commissioner Dunn did say that more C-130’s were flying over now, as shown by noise monitors. Ms. Jacobson also reported that a resident of the Hidden Creek area had also contacted her about an increase in noise in her area. Mr. Juffer had again been contacted, and it was found that current charts showed no significant changes vs. the previous year. Any changes might be from military planes. Commissioner Airport Relations Commission Minutes September 18, 2019 Page 2 Neuharth said that ARC should be concerned because the complaint is so far north in the City. The ARC also discussed the procedure to follow-up on complaints. It was determined that Ms. Jacobson would respond on behalf of the ARC so that there would be one point of contact, but that Commissioners would be blind copied and a copy of future responses placed in the ARC packet as information. b. November Meeting Date—Ms. Jacobson noted that the normal ARC meeting date will conflict with the November meeting of the Noise Oversight Committee. It was decided to meet on November 13th, pending the availability of the MAC Commissioner who has been invited to speak. Ms. Jacobson confirmed the ARC’s desire to have the meeting televised. The meeting time will be 6 PM, unless the MAC representative is unable to attend at that hour. Regarding the MAC representative’s attendance at the November meeting, the Commissioners asked that he be prepared to present for about 30 minutes, and that the ARC will present a high level overview of what the ARC does. ARC will ask questions of the MAC representative. There was further discussion as to how to best publicize this meeting. It was determined that social media and website postings, and information in the City’s electronic newsletter would be appropriate. Ms. Jacobson would put together an outline of the agenda with questions, and provide it in advance to the MAC representative, and to the ARC. Ms. Jacobson reviewed a letter from the Eagan City Council regarding Runway 17 departures, which had been discussed by the NOC earlier that day. She reported that several Eagan residents had spoken at the NOC meeting, and stated concerns about noise, and asking that departing planes fly higher and further out before turning. The FAA community representative in attendance then had stated that there were specific procedures to be followed in consideration of Eagan’s recommendations. Commissioner Norling expressed her concerns that this might mean more noise over Mendota Heights. Ms. Jacobson said that more information would be forthcoming, and that this topic could be discussed at the November NOC meeting. c. ARC Meeting Agenda Order and Public Comment Placement—So that members of the public who wish to speak to the ARC can be handled expeditiously, the consensus of the Commissioners was that the Public Comments section of the meeting agenda would be moved ahead in the agenda order. d. Review of NOC Meeting—In addition to the previous items discussed regarding the NOC meeting that afternoon, Ms. Jacobson said that MSP Executive Director Brian Airport Relations Commission Minutes September 18, 2019 Page 3 Ryks made his annual State of the Airport presentation, and that Rebecca McPherson of the FAA gave an update on Converging Runway Operations (CRO). She said that CRO’s had been found to have had no significant impact on noise. Ms. Jacobson said that the DNR is proposing to put 215 housing units on the Upper Post of Ft. Snelling. This units would be rented to for moderate income families and individuals, with a preference for military veterans and their families. While MAC does not appear to be supportive, the location is not within any city jurisdiction, and so there are no zoning restrictions. Finally, she said that the MAC staff had also presented the 2020 NOC draft work plan. They ask for comments by October 31st. e. Review of Airport Operational Statistics i. Complaint Information. Complaint charts were reviewed. Commissioner Lorberbaum noted that July, 2019 had more flights than the previous year. There were no changes seen in the August noise events. ii. Turboprop Charts. Commissioner Neuharth said that he didn’t have turboprop charts, but that he would work with Brad Juffer to get those. Otherwise, there were no issues. He did say overall operations were down, which meant some relief for 12R iii. Noise Monitor Charts. Commissioner Dunn said that the readings from monitors have been very consistent over the past several months. Commissioner Norling discussed rolling wave average; sensor 13 confirmed that 2019 was a noisy year, and monitors for May, June, and July showed more noise events. iv. MAC Meeting. Commissioner Sharma said that there were nothing to update, as Labor Day had caused the MAC meeting to be cancelled. Commissioner Lorberbaum asked if Monday holidays would also impact Columbus Day and Veterans Day? Commissioner Sharma said that that will need to be researched. He reported that they had announced at the August meeting that 2019 was on track to beat 2018 as a record year for traffic at MSP. There was also an announcement of new non-stop service to Dublin. 5. Public Comments No other public comments were received. 6. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Lorberbaum asked about the proposal from the City of Eagan regarding traffic from Runway 17/35, and asked if the Mendota Heights ARC should plan a joint Airport Relations Commission Minutes September 18, 2019 Page 4 meeting with them. Chair Sloan suggested waiting to see what will happen, as NOC was scheduled to respond to the Eagan request in November. The ARC could look at it in January or February. 7. Adjourn Motion Neuharth/Second Sharma to adjourn at 7:13 pm. All voted in favor. Minutes Taken By: Mark McNeill City Administrator City of Mendota Heights