ARC 07-13-2021 Joint Meeting MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES
CITIES OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS AND EAGAN
EAGAN CITY HALL
JULY 13, 2021
A joint meeting of the Airports Relations Commissions of the Cities of Mendota Heights and
Eagan was held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Eagan City Hall.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Chair Michael Johnson of the Eagan ARC called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. Eagan ARC
members in attendance included: Michael Johnson, Jeff Spartz, William Raker, and Louis
Lundberg. The following Mendota Heights commissioners were present: Chair Gina
Norling, David Sloan, William Dunn, Kevin Byrnes, Arvind Sharma, and Jeff Hamiel. Absent
(Excused): Jim Neuharth.
Eagan staff present: Assistant City Administrator Dianne Miller
Mendota Heights staff present: City Administrator Mark McNeill
MAC staff present: Dana Nelson, Brad Juffers, Brian Ryks
2. Introductions
The individuals present introduced themselves.
3. Presentation—State of the Airport
MAC Executive Director Brian Ryks discussed the current state of the MSP airport and the
impacts of COVID on airport operations. He said that they had made efforts to retain
employees as much as possible, and so had lost only about 50 of the original compliment of
650 pre-COVID employees. He reported that the Airport had received $158 million in CARES
Federal assistance, and another $118 million in American Rescue Plan funds. Passenger
flights have picked up since Memorial Day, and were currently at 72% of 2019 numbers.
Parking was at 60% of pre-pandemic totals, and international flights were at 40%.
He discussed CDC issues and cleanliness. Ryks also stated that one of the biggest challenges
was obtaining enough employees—there were currently 400 openings for concession
workers alone.
5. Updates on Current Efforts
Eagan Chair Johnson reported that they were keeping an eye on Runway 17, now that flight
volumes were increasing. He said that Eagan had been approached on the Consent Decree,
along with Minneapolis and Richfield. That was being considered for an extension, rather
than a sunsetting. He also said that they were looking at their strategic goals, and that
those would be reported to their City Council.
Chair Norling of Mendota Heights said that the Mendota Heights ARC was working to align
its strategic goals with the City’s strategic planning goals. She suggested that the Chairs
and Vice-Chairs of each ARC should meet jointly at the end of this year so that an agenda for
the next joint meeting could be set. Chair Johnson agreed that that might avoid possible
duplication of efforts.
6. Other Business
There was no other business presented.
7. Adjourn
Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:25 PM.
Minutes Taken By:
Mark McNeill, City Administrator