ARC 1-19-2022 Meeting Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
January 19, 2022
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
1. Call to Order
Acting Chair Sharma called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The following commissioners
were present: Arvind Sharma, David Sloan, Kevin Byrnes, William Dunn, and Jim Neuharth.
Absent (excused): Gina Norling, Jeff Hamiel.
Staff present: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson and Office Support Assistant Sheila
Robertson.
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Dunn/Second by Byrnes to approve the agenda.
Discussion: Commissioner Sloan asked if the commission could address the strategic priorities
without Chair Norling present. City Administer Jacobson stated that the commission could do
so, if acting chair Sharma was comfortable with that. She noted that item 4a. should still be
discussed tonight.
Motion carried 5-0.
3. Approval of Minutes
a. Approval of Minutes of the November 17, 2021 Regular Meeting
Motion by Neuharth/Second by Sloan. No discussion.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Public Comments
No public comments.
5. Unfinished and New Business
a. Strategic Priority- Communications Plan
City Administrator Jacobson summarized where they left off in relation to ARC
Communication Priorities and noted that ARC is slated to publish an article in an
upcoming newsletter. The City will increase the frequency of the quarterly “Heights
Highlights” newsletter to a bimonthly publication. The deadline to submit an article
for the March/April edition is on January 21, whereas the deadline to submit an
article for the May/June edition is on March 25.
Acting Chair Sharma suggested they try to get an article out in the spring or summer
when the weather gets nicer and complaints increase.
Commissioner Neuharth suggested May/June as a good option and noted he’ll work
with Communications Coordinator Sharon Deziel to get some ideas together and
send back the committee.
Commissioner Dunn noted that one topic idea could be the explanation of 5G
frequency band in regards to MSP Airport.
City Administrator Jacobson asked if that topic would be too difficult to explain in a
text format. Perhaps the article could relate 5G frequency band in regard to safety
and technology.
Commissioner Neuharth suggested that Brian Ryks, Executive Director of the MAC,
would be a good resource on that topic.
Acting Chair Sharma noted that for more information they could also ask a cell
company such as Verizon. He suggested we use an article to explain why we have
more noise.
City Administrator Jacobson suggested we do a “general airport” piece, and then
follow up in another issue to go deeper into a detailed topic.
Commissioner Byrnes agreed that in May/June it’s noisier, and an article in
November could provide a data recap or education to educate residents.
Commissioner Sloan asked if there’s any value to explaining the ARC’s role.
Commissioner Byrnes suggested that is a good idea, and could note at the end of an
article.
City Administrator Jacobson noted there has been some published notes about what
ARC is in the weekly “Friday News”.
Acting Chair Sharma suggested they review the article drafted by Commissioner
Neuharth at the next meeting on March 17. This will allow the commissioners to
edit and approve in real time.
Commissioner Neuharth will send out a draft to the ARC members prior to the
March meeting so edit.
b. Strategic Priority- Noise Mitigation
Commissioner Byrnes offered the idea to offer options for noise mitigation to those
applying for permits.
Commissioner Neuharth thought there once was a method to review prior to
building in certain high noise areas.
Commissioner Byrnes asked if the City’s permitting department could comment
whether it’s an issue they see a lot or not. He will put together a draft of
information for residents to use as a resource.
City Administrator Jacobson will put that information on the City’s website and will
review a physical handout/tip sheet for homeowners draft once Commissioner
Byrnes completes it.
6. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports and Correspondence
a. Review of Airport Operational Statistics (link:
https://www.macenvironment.org/reports/)
i. Complaint Information
ii. Runway Use Information
iii. Turboprop Information
iv. Noise Monitor Information
There are no new stats to review as the MAC’s website is currently down. City
Administrator Jacobson is working with Michelle Ross for support and will hopefully
have it resolved soon.
b. News Articles
There are no news articles to review.
7. Commissioner Comments
There are no commissioner comments.
8. Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Sloan/Second by Dunn to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
Acting Chair Sharma adjourned the meeting at 6:40pm.
Minutes taken by Sheila Robertson
Office Support Assistant