ARC 07-11-23 Meeting MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION
July 11, 2023 6:00 p.m.
City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve
A special meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
1. Call to Order
Vice Chair Sharma called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm. Commissioners Bobbitt
(arrived at 6:06 pm), Hamiel, Neuharth, Norling (arrived at 6:30 pm) and Sloan were also
present. Commissioner Dunn was absent.
Staff present: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Neuharth and second by Sloan to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Approval of Minutes a. May 17, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes Motion by Sloan and second by Bobbitt to approve the minutes. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Public Comments None. 5. Unfinished and New Business a. FAA Noise Policy Review Public Comment Letter Vice Chair Sharma opened the discussion regarding the FAA’s request for comments relating to their Civil Aviation Noise Policy.
The Commission first discussed the MAC’s Long-Term Plan draft in relation to growth
and noise impacts.
Commissioner Hamiel stated that he had looked at the NOC comments and MAC
discussion and had not identified anything that needed more attention or was missing
from their comments. He noted that as development continues the airport will
probably reach full capacity which may bring discussion of a new airport. He
questioned long term whether or not the MAC should be looking at spending money
on airport that is fully built out.
Commissioner Neuharth added that the 2040 plan seemed realistic. Commissioner Hamiel agreed and added that the 2060 Plan may need to talk about building a new airport.
Vice Chair Sharma restated that the purpose of the evening’s meeting was to consider whether or not the commission should draft a comment letter for city council approval providing comments to the FAA’s Civil Aviation Noise Policy. Commissioner Bobbitt questioned the practicality and how impactful a city letter would be and suggested that the commission and city endorse the NOC letter.
The Commission agreed and concurred with the recommendations of the MAC and
NOC.
Vice Chair Sharma summarized that the ARC recommends that staff prepare and
submit, on behalf of the city, a letter endorsing the NOC’s response to the request for
comments on the FAA’s Review of the Civil Aviation Noise Policy.
Chair Norling noted nothing of concern to her in the NOC’s letter.
Motion by Hamiel and second by Bobbitt
Motion carried 6-0
6. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports and Correspondence a. Review of Airport Operational Statistics 1. Complaint Information 2. Runway Use Information 3. Noise Monitor Information Available charts were reviewed. Commission members commented that the airport has been in south flow and airport activity is increasing. Commissioner Neuharth stated that he will ask Michele Ross with MAC what contributed to the change and will note the information on the charts, starting with June. 7. Commissioner Comments
Vice Chair Sharma shared that he had a conversation with a resident who lives near
Mendota Heights Road in the Friendly Hills addition. The resident expressed concern
with the amount of noise that is happening over the area. Sharma extended an
invitation to the resident to the July meeting and explained that trends are monitored
and the increase was more than likely due to weather.
8. Adjourn meeting
Motion by Neuharth and second by Sloan
Motion carried 6-0
Chair Norling adjourned the meeting at 6:45 pm.