ARC 11-16-2022 Meeting MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION
November 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, November
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: Gina Norling, William Dunn, David Sloan, Arvind Sharma,
and Jim Neuharth. Absent (excused): Kevin Byrnes and Jeff Hamiel. The following guests were present:
Rose Agnew, Scott Norling, Michelle Ross, of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and Dana
Nelson (MAC). Staff present: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson and Office Support Assistant Sheila
Robertson.
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Neuharth/Second by Dunn to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 5-0.
3. Approval of Minutes
a. Approve of Minutes of the September 21, 2022 Regular Meeting
Motion by Dunn/Second by Sloan to approve the minutes.
Motion passed 4-0. Commissioner Sharma abstained.
4. Public Comments
Scott Norling, Mendota Heights resident, asked the MAC representatives present if it was possible to
add the Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor as an overlay on the MAC maps.
5. Unfinished and New Business
a. MAC MSP Airport Updates – Michele Ross, Community Relations Manager
Michele Ross, who had spent three years as the Assistant Manager and was newly promoted to
Manager, shared MAC’s information on the following items: Operational and turbo prop trends,
complaint data from Mendota Heights households, average passengers per flight data,
Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) runway use, Bemidji Aviation departures over Mendota Heights, and
COULT departures.
i. Turbo Prop Operations
Ms. Ross noted that the MSP operations have been steady over the past decade, and they’re
starting to see an increase since the recent dip from the 2020 pandemic data. She also
discussed the runway usage, noting that Mendota Heights arrivals at 30R have increased
11% this past year, and departures at 12L have decreased 17% this past year.
ii. FAA Implementation of Eagan Request
Ms. Ross noted that the MAC spent 400 hours moving needles and analyzing results, while
needing to wait until January, 2022 to implement the request; post-pandemic. She noted
the initial departure fix will be called COULT. Mendota Heights household complaints were
down during the study period. The commission noted they’d like to see the complaint data
points on a quarterly basis.
iii. Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Workplan
Ms. Ross shared the NOC’s 2023 workplan, noting there will be runway construction in 2023
and 2024.
Commissioner Neuharth asked if there would be communication and notification of the
closures.
Ms. Ross noted there will be emails, news releases, etc. published.
b. 2023 Meeting Dates
The Airport Relations Commission is scheduled to meet the third Wednesday of odd number
months. Following this schedule, the 2023 meeting dates would be as follows: January 18, March
15, May 17, July 19, September 20, and November 15.
c. Chair Norling added an item to discuss the commission’s 2023 workplan and strategic goals
planning.
Commissioners Sloan and Dunn suggested waiting until January, after the City Council has more
direction.
d. Chair Norling added an item to discuss the homeowner’s pamphlet previously produced by the
commission. She wants to ensure that future homeowners are advised of the information, and
asked what the best way to distribute it is.
City Administrator Jacobson noted that the Community Development Director has access to the
document and can distribute it in the planning phases of some city projects. She also mentioned
that a “realtor day” could be a possible way to distribute the information but was uncertain whether
or not the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors hosts those any longer.
6. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports and Correspondence
a. Review of Airport Operational Statistics (link: https://www.macenvironment.org/reports/)
i. Complaint Information
City Administrator Jacobson noted that complaint information is compiled by city staff and
has not been assigned to a commissioner. She added that when a new member is
appointed assignments should be reconsidered.
ii. Runway Use Information
Commissioner Neuharth noted some potential errors on the 12L and 12 R total operations
charts. Commissioner Neuharth agreed to take over the commission duties related to
runway use information and data.
iii. Turboprop Information
Commissioner Neuharth stated he’ll work with Michele Ross (MAC) and Bemidji Aviation
regarding turbo prop information.
iv. Noise Monitor Information
Commissioner Dunn noted there will was no significant change over the last six months.
b. News Articles
City Administrator Jacobson will send out to the commission. Chair Norling will take over the
commission duties related to News Articles.
7. Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Sharma suggested providing a thank you card or gift to Commissioner Byrnes before he
leaves the commission.
8. Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Neuharth/Second by Dunn to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed 5-0.
Chair Norling adjourned the meeting at 7:18pm.
Minutes taken by Sheila Robertson
Office Support Assistant