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ARC Packet 05-17-2023CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION May 17, 2023  6:00 p.m. City Hall  1101 Victoria Curve 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes a. March 15, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes 4. Public Comments 5. Unfinished and New Business a. FAA Noise Policy Review Public Comment Period b. ARC 2023-2024 Work Plan 6. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports and Correspondence a. Review of Airport Operational Statistics (link: https://www.macenvironment.org/reports/) 1. Complaint Information 2. Runway Use Information 3. Noise Monitor Information a. MAC Reports b. News Articles 7. Commissioner Comments 8. Adjourn Meeting Alternate formats or auxiliary aids are available to individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact city hall at 651-452-1850 or cityhall@mendotaheightsmn.gov CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION City Hall  1101 Victoria Curve Meeting Minutes March 15, 2023  6:00 p.m. The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. 1.Call to OrderChair Norling called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. The following commissioners were present: Gina Norling, William Dunn, David Sloan, Jim Neuharth, Bruce Bobbitt, and Arvind Sharma. Absent: Jeff Hamiel.Staff present: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson and City Clerk Christine Lusian. 2.Election of Officers—Chair and Vice Chair Motion by Dunn and second by Bobbitt to nominate Gina Norling as Chair for 2023. No other nominations made. Motion carried 6-0. Motion by Sloan and second by to nominate Arvind Sharma as Vice Chair for 2023. No other nominations made. Motion carried 6-0. 3.Approval of Agenda Motion by Neuharth/Second by Dunn to approve the agenda. Motion passed 6-0. 4.Approval of Minutes a.January 18, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes Motion by Dunn/Second by Neuharth to approve the minutes. Motion passed 4-0-2 5.Public Comments None. The Commission welcomed new member Bruce Bobbitt. 6.Unfinished and New Businessa.ARC Rules of Order City Administrator Jacobson stated that the Commission’s Rules of Order were approved in2010 and need updating to incorporate City Council directed changes relating toCommissioner term limits and attendance requirements, in addition to general housekeeping changes such as meeting dates and times. 3a City Administrator Jacobson noted that the City Council has asked that term limits be reinstated for the Commission and noted that language doing so has been added to the bylaws. Going forward, Commissioners will serve terms of four years, with a maximum of serving three consecutive full terms. Additionally, the city council has asked that the terms be staggered, so that at least two members shall expire each year. To achieve a reorder of staggering, existing commissioners will be grandfathered in. Commissioner Dunn asked that the City Administrator determine the staggering of terms and which commissioner is placed in which term. City Administrator Jacobson highlighted the council attendance requirements noting the uniqueness of the Commission and its schedule of meeting every other month. She noted that absences in a calendar year shall not exceed two consecutive meetings or more than 25 percent of the total meetings. Commissioner Bobbitt suggested that the language regarding notification from the city administrator shall be received after two absences, removing the reference to missing two consecutive absences. Commissioner Bobbitt asked if the Commission uses a specific parliamentary procedure for conducting meetings and it’s there was a parliamentarian or expert attending. City Administrator Jacobson explained that the city (council) generally uses Robert’s Rules of Order but that no specific procedure has been approved for use. She and the other Commissioners noted that the ARC is less formal and generally follows Roberts Rules for conducting meetings. Motion by Dunn/Second by Sloan to adopt the ARC Bylaws with the proposed amendment to Section 5 regarding attendance notification. Motion passed 6-0 b. ARC 2023 Work Plan Norling introduced and City Administrator Jacobson presented for review and discussion its current work plan for recommend updates or new action items for inclusion. Jacobson explained the higher level vision and values that is needing update versus the more measurable goals and tasks that agency staff carry out. Various other work plans feedinto ARC work plan, such as the City Council, NOC, FAA, MAC, NRC, etc. ARC's specificpriorities may include education and outreach and mitigation of noise exposure. Action: Jacobson to email ARC. Norling to create a one-page document by strategy. c.FAA RNAV Project Update City Administrator Jacobson provided an update of information received as part of the NoiseOversight Committee meeting. An online slideshow showed departure assignments, south flow layers of arrival and departures, project preferred alternate list, and concourse and gate changes primarily. Older navigation technology (VOR) is being phased out and replaced with satellite based technology (RNAV) during summer 2025 with no change in departure procedures. NOC would like to update federal representatives about the FAA RNAV project, as a past project didn't go well; Olson is leading discussions on the concerns. Action: Jacobson to send NOC link to ARC where the presentation is and when the upcoming stakeholder event is. 7.Acknowledge Receipt of Reports and Correspondence a.Review of Airport Operational Statistics (link: https://www.macenvironment.org/reports/)i.Complaint InformationCommissioners present reviewed complaint information. ii.Runway Use InformationCommissioner Neuharth reviewed 12L total operations, 12L night, 12R total, night, and north of corridor and had no concerns. iii.Turboprop Information City Administrator asked if the Commission needs to continue to track thisdata. Commissioner Neuharth and City Administrator Jacobson suggested talking with Michele Ross of MAC about trends. If the data continues to trend downward, then the Commission can take it off its monitoring list. iv.Noise Monitor InformationNone. b.MAC Reports None. c.News ArticlesNone. 8.Commissioner CommentsCommissioner Bobbitt expressed his appreciation for the welcome and introductions. 9.Adjourn Meeting Motion by Neuharth/Second by Dunn to adjourn the meeting Motion passed 6-0 Chair Norling adjourned the meeting at 7:32pm. Minutes taken by Christine Lusian City Clerk _____________________________________________________ Airport Relations Commission DATE: May 17, 2023 TO: Airport Relations Commission FROM: Cheryl Jacobson, City Administrator SUBJECT: FAA-Noise Policy Review Comment Period INTRODUCTION On Monday, May 1, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published in the Federal Register a Request for Comments seeking public input on four key considerations of its Civil Aviation Noise Policy. The FAA is asking the public for input regarding how the FAA analyzes, explains, and presents publicly changes in aircraft noise exposure to affected communities. BACKGROUND The Request for Comment builds on and responds to public feedback on the FAA’s January 13, 2021 Federal Register Notice. That Notice provided an overview of the FAA’s noise research portfolio and sought input to assist the FAA in assessing how resources should be directed to better understand and manage the factors underlying concerns from aircraft noise exposure. The primary question of interest that the FAA is now seeking input on is, should FAA transition away from a monolithic noise policy with a single metric comprising the system in favor of an expanded system of metrics? As part of the review, the FAA is: •Looking at current use of DNL or Day-Night Average Sound Level as the primary noise metric for assessing cumulative aircraft noise exposure. •Reviewing whether to continue to use the DNL 65 dB level as the metric and threshold for determining significant noise impacts in environmental reviewsunder the National Environmental Policy Act or the definition of the limit of residential land use compatibility. •Considering if and how alternative noise metrics may be used in lieu of or in addition to DNL to better inform agency decisions and improve FAA’s disclosure of noise impacts. 5a Additional information, including a series of short videos explaining the Noise Policy Review at: https://www.faa.gov/noisepolicyreview. Attachments: Noise Policy Review MAC Letter dated March 15, 2021 MAC-NOC Letter dated February 17, 2021 ACTION REQUESTED The posting of the Request for Comments started a 90-day comment period during which the public can share their input by submitting a written comment to Docket FAA- 2023-0855 at www.regulations.gov. The comment period closes Monday, July 31, 2023. The Commission should discuss the Request for Comments and determine if a comment letter from the city should be submitted. Metropolitan Airports Commission 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450 • 612-726-8100 • metroairports.org Minneapolis-St. Paul International • Airlake • Anoka County-Blaine • Crystal • Flying Cloud • Lake Elmo • St. Paul Downtown March 15, 2021 Mr. Kevin Welsh Director, Office of Environment and Energy Federal Aviation Administration Docket Operations, M-30 US Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Room W12-140, West Building, Ground Floor Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket No. FAA-2021-0037 “Overview of FAA Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts” Dear Mr. Welsh: There is a long history of efforts at Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) operated airports to reduce noise impacts from aircraft operations. As Chair of the MAC, I am keenly aware of the challenges airport noise continues to present in communities around MSP and our reliever airport system. These challenges exist even though our organization has a decorated history of proactively addressing noise issues, funds one of the most extensive noise mitigation programs in the nation and maintains a robust community engagement calendar. The MSP Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) operates as an advisory board appointed to provide a balanced forum for the discussion and evaluation of noise impacts around MSP. Among other things, the NOC is tasked to provide policy recommendations or options to the MAC Commission regarding airport noise issues. In its history, the NOC has amassed a distinguished record of identifying and analyzing airport noise issues around MSP. In February, the NOC unanimously approved the attached letter for filing on the Federal Register Notice titled, “Overview of FAA Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts: Request for Input on Research Activities to Inform Aircraft Noise Policy” published on January 13, 2021. The recommendations offered in the NOC’s letter are sound and originate from the collective experience the Committee has garnered in this field . The MAC Commission has reviewed and unanimously endorses the NOC’s letter. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to study and manage aircraft noise issues around the country. The MAC is particularly enthusiastic about the extensive research on the effects of aircraft noise on individuals and communities including speech interference and children's learning, health and human impacts, impacts to cardiovascular health, sleep disturbance, and economic impacts. This coordinated effort with academic institutions should produce useful data to inform this discussion moving forward. I appreciate the partnership between our organizations and am confident we will be included in future discussion s on the matter. Minneapolis-St. Paul International • Airlake • Anoka County-Blaine • Crystal • Flying Cloud • Lake Elmo • St. Paul Downtown Sincerely, Rick King Chairman cc: Brian Ryks – MAC Executive Director NOC Co-Chairs Jeff Hart and Dianne Miller 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450 • 612-467-0741 February 17, 2021 Mr. Kevin Welsh Director, Office of Environment and Energy Federal Aviation Administration Docket Operations, M-30 US Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Room W12-140, West Building, Ground Floor Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket No. FAA-2021-0037 “Overview of FAA Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts” Dear Mr. Welsh: Thank you for inviting comments on the Federal Register Notice regarding the scope and applicability of research initiatives being undertaken by the Federal Aviation Administration to address aircraft noise. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) is the primary advisory body on aircraft noise issues associated with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The NOC is composed of six community representatives and six aviation industry representatives that provide policy recommendations to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP 1. For more than 18 years, the NOC has provided a balanced forum and amassed a distinguished record of identifying and analyzing airport noise issues around MSP, which has resulted in the development of many innovative solutions 2. These solutions are based both in acoustical mitigation as well as non-acoustic methods, such as stakeholder and community collaboration. The NOC recognizes the importance of collaboration and, in conjunction with MAC staff, maintains a robust calendar of engagements designed to meet and collaborate with our stakeholders. 1 The NOC aviation industry representation includes air carriers, cargo air carriers, chief pilots, charter air carriers, and the Minnesota Business Aviation Association. NOC community representation includes the cities of Minneapolis, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Richfield and an At-Large community seat on the Committee representing the cities of Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, Apple Valley and Edina. 2 Please see https://www.macnoise.com/our-neighbors/msp-noise-abatement-efforts. 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450 • 612-467-0741 The results of the FAA Neighborhood Environmental Survey validate a principle known by the NOC: Noise concerns around MSP do not stop at 65 decibel (dB) Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL). Between 2017 and 2019 the NOC reviewed reports of more than 450,000 total noise complaints attributed to MSP operations. Complaint locations were overwhelmingly from locations with an annual noise level below 65 dB DNL, with only one percent of complaints filed from homes within the 65+ dB DNL noise contour. It is with the above as background that the NOC formulates the following comments and suggestions in response to the FAA’s request for public comment on the Neighborhood Environmental Survey. First, the NOC encourages the FAA to continue to explore and accelerate implementation of creative noise reduction strategies. Technology designed to reduce noise at the source is tremendously beneficial to residents, and often provides mutual benefits to airports and operators. Research on a Low Noise Augmentation System being tested in Europe or landing gear noise reduction tests being conducted by Boeing and Safran are examples of exciting progress that will take years to materialize. The NOC is also closely monitoring research conducted by MIT through ASCENT on advanced operational flight procedures, such as modifying landing gear and flap extension and changes to aircraft speeds, to reduce noise at the source. Federally developed incentive programs should be considered for aircraft operators to install or employ noise reduction equipment and methods to accelerate the adoption of these systems and incorporate noise reduction equipment into the fleet as quickly as possible. The NOC encourages the FAA to build capabilities into the Aviation Environmental Design Tool to quantify the noise reduction benefits provided by such advanced operational flight procedures and accurately model these low-noise procedures and systems. These capabilities would allow the agency to further reduce the impact on affected residents, by actively designing and implementing noise abatement procedures at airports that would reduce the frequency of flights over residential and other sensitive land uses. Second, as outlined in the survey results, non-acoustic factors will often help to predict the likelihood that a person is highly annoyed by aircraft noise. Frequency of successive overflights may be causing higher annoyance levels. Further, drastic or abrupt changes to aircraft activity or the mere perception of change will alter the patterns of complaints received at MSP. National public awareness and sensitivity to aircraft noise was heightened after NextGen procedure implementation issues at airports such as Phoenix Sky Harbor and San Francisco. These are two potential examples that may have impacted the survey responses. Locally at MSP, the discussion of Area Navigation procedure implementation was contentious, disruptive, and highlighted the fact that early and effective outreach to communities is a critical component to successful implementation. The NOC suggests the FAA evaluate the survey results in concert with operational or procedural changes occurring during the 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450 • 612-467-0741 survey period at these airports. The NOC further encourages the FAA to find creative ways to integrate timely and holistic community involvement when pursuing changes at airports with a long history of intelligent dialogue and active participation in noise, like MSP. Third, the NOC urges the FAA to fully consider the impacts of aircraft noise beyond the current federally established 65 dB DNL threshold when making policy decisions on the impacts of aircraft noise in communities around U.S. airports. In its efforts, the NOC would encourage the FAA to think creatively about strategies to reduce noise impacts for residential areas outside of traditional sound insulation programs. The NOC monitors the current MSP residential sound insulation program, which is the most unique and expansive program in the country. Resulting from an agreement settling litigation at MSP, the MAC currently offers sound insulation to homes within the actual 60 dB DNL contour. This program achieves an excellent record of homeowner satisfaction with 95 percent of respondents indicating the improvements were effective at reducing aircraft noise. The NOC recognizes and appreciates the value of this successful program. Further, the NOC also recognizes that residential sound insulation is not the only form of noise reduction. Therefore, this Committee encourages the FAA to think broadly about alternative and innovative forms of noise reduction, including operational abatement measures, and provide the necessary tools and resources to airports to enable these efforts. This is an opportunity to build upon the long-established collaboration and ingenuity among airports, communities, regulators, and industry. Fourth, the NOC urges the FAA to consider the use of alternative noise metrics to evaluate single event and threshold noise impacts, such as number of events and time above decibel thresholds and maximum sound levels. While the MAC uses the DNL metric, as directed by federal regulations, the NOC finds that alternative metrics are useful and necessary to more effectively communicate with residents concerned about aircraft noise. The MAC operates the largest system of permanent sound level meters around any airport in the country. Data from this system is available daily and reported to the NOC monthly to provide a more complete assessment of aircraft activity. From this system, the NOC monitors Events Above 65 dB and Time Above 65 dB regularly. Further, sound octave data is used to investigate sound source, Ln data has been used to explain ambient environmental sound, and Lmax data helps to explain unusually intrusive events. The NOC will also incorporate data from temporary sound level meters during work plan studies to inform Committee members. In 2016, communities around MSP passed resolutions stating that the FAA’s noise metric for determining significant impact does not convey the magnitude of high single event noise levels and that alternative noise metrics aid in making quantitative assessments for aircraft noise impacts and communicating those impacts to surrounding communities. Given the use and acceptance of alternative metrics in this community, the NOC would encourage the FAA to further study the inclusion of alternative metrics into future efforts to quantify aircraft noise exposure. Specifically, metrics that quantity the frequency of aircraft activity 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450 • 612-467-0741 and considers the time that activity occurs, would augment the benefits of DNL while also addressing the concerns of residents that feel an average level is not representative of their experience. Finally, we applaud the efforts of the FAA to objectively study and understand the effect that aviation noise exposure may have on communities that neighbor airports. The collection of research outlined in this Federal Register notice is extensive. Current research on the Effects of Aircraft Noise on Individuals and Communities including Speech Interference and Children’s Learning, Health and Human Impacts Research, Impacts to Cardiovascular Health, Sleep Disturbance, and Economic Impacts will be crucial elements in the portfolio of scientific evidence on the impact of aviation in the community. These results will more effectively inform future policy makers on the best use of resources and techniques available to minimize the impact on our communities. The NOC would encourage the FAA to prioritize these efforts and complete its research to enable the next phase of this discussion to begin. In keeping with its mission to provide noise program recommendations to the MAC, the NOC is poised and eager to participate in discussions as to how aircraft noise in communities near airports may be effectively managed as well as the FAA’s future decisions on federal noise policy. Sincerely, Jeff Hart Dianne Miller NOC Airport User Co-Chair NOC Community Co-Chair cc: MAC Planning, Development & Environment Committee Brian Ryks, MAC Executive Director / CEO _____________________________________________________ Airport Relations Commission DATE: May 17, 2023 TO: Airport Relations Commission FROM: Cheryl Jacobson, City Administrator SUBJECT: Commission Work Plan INTRODUCTION The Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission has developed an annual work plan for a number of years. At its meeting on May 17, the Commission is asked to bring up to three goals for identified priority areas that they would like to see accomplished by December 31, 2024. Attachment: Airport Relations Commission 2023-2024 Work Plan Work Sheet BACKGROUND The Mendota Heights Airports Relations Commission advises the City Council on matters relating to airport noise and operations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The commission monitors proposed rules, procedures and programs which impact air noise within the city and makes recommendations regarding strategies to mitigate the city's air noise exposure. Mendota Heights benefits from its close proximity to MSP International Airport but is also directly affected by aircraft operations. Aircraft noise is a major issue for some in Mendota Heights. The city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan provides the following aviation related goal: Reduce negative airport impacts in Mendota Heights, and work diligently with all noise issues and agencies to decrease aircraft noise in volume and decrease the area of noise impacts. (Source: 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3 Transportation, page 24) ACTION REQUESTED The Commission should plan to share their suggestions and work together to identify goals important to the city and its residents relating to the airport and air noise impact. 5b City of Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 2023-2024 Work Plan Work Sheet To build the Commission’s work plan for 2023-2024, please bring one to three goals for each priority area that you would like to see accomplished on or before December 31, 2024. If you have suggestions or changes to a priority category, please suggest them at the end of the worksheet under the additional/new priorities and related strategies space provided. Plan to share your suggestions, at the upcoming city council work session. Priority: Inform and engage Mendota Heights’ residents regarding airport related issues 2023-2024 Suggested Goals 1. 2. 3. Priority: Monitor airport operations, trends and advocate for the Mendota Heights community 2023-2024 Suggested Goals 1. Work collaboratively with other communities on mutual concerns in regards to airport development and operations 2. 3. Priority: Mitigate the city’s air noise exposure 2023-2024 Suggested Goals 1. Advocate for modified takeoff procedures and corridor compliance 2. Advocate for specific noise control measures through operational changes and advanced technology 3. Advocate for equitable distribution of aircraft traffic and a more equitable runway use system Additional/New Priorities and Related Strategies? Suggested Priority? 2023-2024 Suggested Goals 1. 2. 3. Additional/New Priorities and Related Strategies? Suggested Priority? 2023-2024 Suggested Goals 1. 2. 3. Additional/New Priorities and Related Strategies? Suggested Priority? 2023-2024 Suggested Goals 1. 2. 3. Complaints by Location—By Month (2022, 2023) Location = Complainants 2022 Mpls Eagan Edina MH Blmgtn January 39 33 6 2 2 February 39 29 7 2 3 March 68 45 21 5 3 April 54 37 6 6 3 May 92 55 10 10 6 June 132 63 8 12 8 July 109 67 14 10 11 August 123 83 19 16 16 September 114 41 13 9 9 October 74 45 12 10 6 November 56 34 9 7 7 December 32 23 7 4 2 2023 Mpls Eagan Edina MH Blmgtn January 31 26 3 2 3 February 39 25 8 4 10 March 51 26 9 4 4 April 74 31 12 4 10 May June July August September October November December Percent of All Departures by Location (2022, 2023) 2022 Mpls/ Richfield 30R Eagan 12R Edina 30L MH 12L Blmgtn 17 January 23% 8% 28% 12% 29% February 29% 6% 36% 8% 21% March 27% 7% 39% 9% 19% April 12% 14% 19% 18% 37% May 18% 11% 22% 15% 33% June 22% 9% 25% 12% 31% July 20% 9% 22% 15% 33% August 19% 7% 21% 16% 38% September 18% 28% 24% 22% 7% October 24% 15% 31% 14% 15% November 21% 8% 28% 12% 30% December 17% 12% 28% 15% 28% 2023 Mpls/ Richfield 30R Eagan 12R Edina 30L MH 12L Blmgtn 17 January 22% 7% 31% 10% 29% February 19% 6% 25% 12% 36% March 19% 10% 25% 13% 32% April 21% 10% 26% 12% 30% May June July August September October November December 6a.1 68 45 21 5 3 51 26 9 4 4 27% 7% 39% 9% 19%19% 10% 25% 13% 32% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Mpls Eagan Edina MH Blmgtn March Complaints by Location and Departures by Location Complaints 2022 Complaints 2023 %Departures 2022 %Departures 2023 March Complaints March Night Departures 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 Minneapolis (30R) 4,602 2,992 1,072 11 177 81 Eagan (12R) 2,813 2,310 1,897 77 96 186 Edina (30L) 692 527 117 80 241 237 Mendota Heights (12L) 210 185 136 16 55 98 Bloomington (17) 174 123 52 3 3 24 Total 8,491 6,050 3,274 187 572 626 54 37 6 6 3 74 31 12 4 10 12% 14% 19%18% 37% 21% 10% 26% 12% 30% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Mpls Eagan Edina MH Blmgtn April Complaints by Location and Departures by Location Complaints 2022 Complaints 2023 %Departures 2022 %Departures 2023 April Complaints April Night Departures 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 Minneapolis (30R) 3,296 923 2,317 11 18 80 Eagan (12R) 2,059 1,412 1,557 77 84 129 Edina (30L) 973 90 320 80 70 175 Mendota Heights (12L) 177 77 97 16 68 41 Bloomington (17) 185 123 61 3 35 33 Total 6,690 2,625 4,352 187 275 458