ARC 3-16-2022 Meeting MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION
March 16, 2022 6:00 p.m.
City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Mendota Heights City Hall; 1101 Victoria Curve.
1. Call to Order
Chair Norling called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. The following commissioners were
present: Jim Neuharth, Gina Norling, William Dunn, David Sloan, Jeff Hamiel, and Arvind
Sharma. Absent (excused): Kevin Byrnes. Staff present: City Administrator Cheryl
Jacobson and Office Support Assistant Sheila Robertson.
2. Election of Officers—Chair and Vice Chair
Motion by Commissioner Sharma and second by Commissioner Sloan to nominate and
reelect Gina Norling as ARC Chair for 2022.
Motion carried 6-0.
Motion by Commissioner Hamiel and second by Commissioner Dunn to nominate and
reelect Arvind Sharma as Vice Chair for 2022.
Motion carried 6-0.
3. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Dunn/Second by Sharma to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 6-0.
4. Approval of Minutes
a. Approval of Minutes of the January 19, 2022 Regular Meeting
Motion by Neuharth/Second by Dunn to approve the 1.19.22 minutes.
Discussion: Commissioner Hamiel noted a correction needed to item 5a; “Brad” Ryks
should be correctly named “Brian” Ryks.
Motion carried 6-0.
5. Public Comments
No public comments.
6. Unfinished and New Business
a. Review of Chair Norling’s meeting with the Eagan ARC chair
Chair Norling noted that the Eagan ARC has a newly elected chair, Bill Raker. They met
in February to discuss joint meeting goals and he shared a copy of the Eagan ARC work
plan. Chair Norling suggested taking a tour of the MSP Air Traffic Control Tower as a
combined field trip with Eagan, planned for June 14. She also suggested attending a
joint meeting at Eagan on July 12 for a presentation by Brian Ryks about the MSP ARC
“State of the Union”.
Commissioner Neuharth noted he’d be absent during those events.
Commissioner Dunn commented that Brian Ryks did a great presentation recently, and
the last tower tour was perhaps in 2015 or 2016.
City Administrator Jacobson added that these would be considered special meetings in
addition to regularly scheduled ARC meetings.
b. Heights Highlights Article Review & Building Permit Message
Chair Norling noted that an ARC article will be included in the upcoming May/June
edition of the Heights Highlights. Communications Coordinator Sharon Deziel and
Commissioner Neuharth are drafting an article with at March 25 deadline. The most
recent edition of the Heights Highlights included a brief introductory paragraph about
the ARC. Commissioner Neuharth will draft an article and send to the other
commissioners for approval prior to March 25. The article will focus on ARC’s
participation with the NOC and MAC, as well as a data monitoring chart illustrating noise
control reports and public access to report noise events.
Included in the packet was a draft of an informational handout regarding “remodeling or
building”, written by Commissioner Byrnes. Chair Norling noted the purpose of the
article is to provide builders, residents, and homeowners some general “for-your-
information” tips.
Commissioner Hamiel commented the article is very great and readable, and asked how
it will be distributed and when.
Commissioner Dunn added that the homeowner needs to have a good way to find this
handout that might not necessarily be through their contractor.
Commissioner Sharma noted one grammatical error at the end of the first paragraph;
needing to add the word “not”.
Commissioner Hamiel added he’s sensitive to this issue and wonders how we can get
this to people moving into the city or those doing new building. He asks how they get
this before they reach the permitting process.
Chair Norling suggested we add the article to an edition of the Heights Highlights
publication.
Commissioner Hamiel asked if there were certain contractors in the community that
build most of the Mendota Heights homes. If so, could we provide this to those who
work in the community. He feels it’s our responsibility to let the community know and
be proactive on this matter.
Commissioner Sloan suggested getting the article to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Neuharth clarified that the original intent was to notify people in the
affected zone, which would limit the amount of distribution needed. He suggested
developing the areas of focus first, and then expand to more residents afterwards.
Commissioner Dunn noted that the last mitigation was in the 1990s so some current
homes will need new windows, roofs, etc.
Commissioner Sharma suggested offering the article as a general handout as well as
putting it on the City website.
Commissioner Hamiel offered to think about what options might be available and will
come to the next meeting with more information and ideas.
c. Review 2022 action items and meeting planning
Chair Norling laid out the upcoming meeting plans and agenda items that would relate
to the ARC’s priorities and action items. She noted the ongoing action items and the
strategies that will be covered when they coordinate with the Eagan MAC.
Commissioner Sharma suggested they “park” the Bourne Lane property strategy and the
2040 Comprehensive Plan strategy.
Chair Norling decided for the May meeting the ARC will review the building/noise
mitigation article and Commissioner Neuharth’s data and metrics recommendations
with COVID-19 considerations. In July they will meet with the Eagan ARC.
7. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports and Correspondence
a. 2021 Noise Contour Report
Chair Norling suggested they defer due to the length of the report.
City Administrator Jacobson offered an overview: There was a NOC update and the
actual contour didn’t qualify any additional homes for the noise mitigation program.
Commissioner Dunn will look at the included maps for more data and follow up soon.
Commissioner Neuharth noted that was good news that the contour area shrank.
a. Review of Airport Operational Statistics
i. Complaint Information
Commissioner Sloan noted there were low complaints at this time.
ii. Runway Use Information
Commissioner Neuharth wondered if because of a decrease in flights, is there data that
needs to be moved over COVID dates, 2020-2021, and then recalculated. He noted the
current data is looking normal.
Commissioner Sharma noted the 24 month trailing period and will have more info at the
May meeting.
iii. Turboprop Information
Commissioner Neuharth noted the turbo trend was down and asked if we need to
follow this data any further.
Commissioner Sloan suggested they set up meetings with AirFree companies to gain
rapport and learn of their future plans.
Commissioner Sharma added that the reason they sent so many more flights north of
the corridor was because there were jets behind them.
Commissioner Dunn thinks we’re the only group monitoring this data still.
Commissioner Neuharth added that Brad Ryks was interested in speaking to the group
again about this in the future.
iv. Noise Monitor Information
No comments.
b. News Articles
Three articles included the topics of; Duluth Airport, Denver, and Minnesota Birds.
8. Commissioner Comments
There were no commissioner comments.
9. Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Neuharth/Second by Dunn to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed 6-0.
Chair Norling adjourned the meeting at 6:58pm.
Minutes taken by Sheila Robertson
Office Support Assistant