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2008-09-26 Friday NewsFall Heights Highlites Due Out The fall issue of the Heights Highlites should be delivered to residents this coming week. This edition will focus on election information but it also has information on the upcoming Halloween bonfire, Fire Prevention and our new employees. Anyone who wants any early look at this edition can simply go on-line because September 26, 2008 Mary has already posted it on our Website. Citizen's Police Academy FThe second week of the Citizen's Police Academy started in the classroom and ended with a bang. Officer Meyer started with a classroom session about R traffic stops which included a lot of audience interaction. The group then took it outside, to watch demonstrations of a "typical" traffic stop, and a fel- ony stop in the City Hall parking lot. Officers then handed over the keys, al- lowing participants to engage in a simulated traffic stop, including lights, si- rens, radios, etc. Participants were impressed by the multiple tasks and proce- Ddures involved in may be perceived as a routine task. The final scenario in- volved a stop which seemed to be going fine, until the "driver" stepped out of A the vehicle and fired gunshots (from a starter's pistol) into the air. The pur- pose was to illustrate the need to balance traffic safety, officer safety and pub- �T lic safety there is never a truly "typical" traffic stop. I Pilot Knob Gathering Tomorrow There will be a lot of activity tomorrow (9-27) at the Pilot Knob site. Great River Greening has a volunteer work day to continue prairie restoration, con - Neluding around noon. Parks and Ree Commission chair Paul Portz has organ- ized a gathering for Council Members and Commissioners at 1 OAM to 'learn E more about the site. Staff from Great River Greening will provide a brief over- view of the restoration and be available for questions and answers—don't miss `�T this opportunity to learn about what's going on at this unique piece of land! yr SNew Take -Off Procedures at MSP The Metropolitan Airports Commission and Federal Aviation Administration have been working to develop a new procedure for planes departing over Eagan and Mendota Heights. Attached you will find a copy of MSP Noise News which describes the procedure, called RNAV. This procedure is in- tended to create more precise departure routes, which will keep more planes in the air corridor over our industrial park. MAC and FAA also hope that the procedure (soon to start testing) will decrease delays and increase fuel effi- ciency for all flights. The test includes NWA flights, in certain time periods. If it goes well, many more flights could utilize RNAV. September 26, 2008 Dates to Remember in October City Council Meeting 10/7/08 7:00 Parks & Recreation. Meeting 1.0/14/08 6:30 City Council Meeting 10/21/08 7:00 Airports Commission Meeting 10/29/08 7:00 Planning Commission Meeting 10/28/08 7:00 MAC Meeting 10/21/08 1:00 Five-day forecast Tomorrow Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sep 27 Sep 28 Sep 29 Sep 30 Oct 01 Cloudy Partly Cloudy Sprinkles 740 720 f_.7° Hi: Hi: Hi: 54° 54° 47° Lo: Lo: Lo: Attachments Cloudy / PM Sun Clear 62° 62° Hi: -- Hi: -- 42° 42° Lo- Lo: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Pre -application Meeting Synopsis. TwinCities.com Article "Shrinking road salt supplies drive up prices", MNSUN Article "Mendota Heights looks for pedestrian improvements at inter- section", "Mendota Heights company rewards online consumers" and MSP Noise News. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!! September 26, 2008 9/26/2008 -I- Ae T`ie latestr�ecvsfrv� t`,.e�Ke�2'vta �fei9lits�olice�e�as%e�t � ``µ The Theft & Damage to Property 09-16-08 2121 hours Mendota A student at a local high school returned to his car in the evening Heights to find his driver's door window smashed in. The victim reported Police to Officer Mike Shepard that his wallet, containing approximately $20, was missing. The crime took less than 10 seconds; the De artment P damage will cost several hundred dollars, and the chance of Support catching the thief is very small. Staff • DON'T BE A VICTIM: THINK AND ACT PROACTIVELY! T'im.Henning Property Damage Accident 09-17-08 1337 hours Sandie Ristine Officer Todd Rosse met one half of a property damage crash in Cathy Ransom the lobby of MHPD, who that around 0730 he was stopped on Police Officers Lexington preparing to make a right hand turn when the mini van Jerry Murphy behind him crashed into his car. Both drivers got out, looked at Bobby Lambert the damage, and left the scene. After a few hours, the reporter Eric Petersen inspected his car closer and then felt it was necessary to file a Tanner Spicer police report, without the other party's information. Todd Rosse MN State Law requires: Chad Willson . Anyone involved in a crash where there is personal injury to Jeff VonFeldt report it to police even if the crash occurs on private property. Steven Meyer . If the crash only involves property damage it must be reported only if Denise'Urmann the damage exceeds $9000. Michael Shepard = When in doubt copy the other driver's information directly off of their Peyton Flerning license and motor vehicle insurance card. School Resource • If the situation is not calm, call the police. Officer • At first opportunity check with your insurance agent and have a shop Jenny Fordham look at your car's damage. Found Property 09-17-08 2127 hours Investigations Assistant Fire Chief Jim Kilburg contacted Sergeant Convery Mario Reyes Scott Patrick about a wallet dropped off at the Fire Hall that was found in Mendakota Park. Sergeant Convery made several attempts to Sergeants contact the owner without success. The wallet had a Lifetime Neil Garlock Fitness membership inside. Lifetime would only divulge that the John Larrive man was an active member; they agreed to call the man and let Brian. Convery him know where his wallet was at. Good job, Lifetime, in not Chief giving out personal information over the phone. Mike Theft 09-16-08 1845 hours Aschenbrener Employees at a local gas station noticed that several B/M's appeared to be watching store employees very carefully while -I- they were filling their mini van. When the shift supervisor walked out and obviously copied down the license plate number, the potential thieves sped off. Officer Shepard requested Maplewood Police check the home address of the thieves; they did not make contact. Investigation continues. AOA 09-18-08 1619 hours Officers Urmann and Rosse along with Sergeant Garlock made contact with a CSC (criminal sexual conduct) suspect at his place of employment for WSPPD. The suspect had no idea why the police would be interested in him. He was transported to WSPPD and left with the department's investigators. Suspicious Activity 09-18-08 1850 hours A couple came to report a strange man that had shown up at least three times in the past week. The reporting parties advised Officer Urmann they had lost a cat and put up fliers around town about the missing cat. The man is described as a W/M early 20's, thin, heavy acne wearing small glasses. He appears disoriented and confused although he did relay to the couple that he was looking for their lost cat. The man has come to the house and the neighborhood at least twice. He claimed to live near Dodd and was observed driving a silver truck with a work box in the back on one occasion. Damage 09-19-08 1334 hours Sergeant Neil Garlock met with the victim of a paint balling at MHPD. The victim reported that she had a high school aged son and their home was hit with 50+ paintballs. Clean up will be extensive; unknown how much damage at this time. Found Property 09-19-08 1844 hours A local home owner brought a pistol magazine (holds the bullets) that was lying in the street near his home to the PD. Sergeant John Larrive took the .40 caliber magazine into custody. No serial numbers or other way to trace. Gas Theft 09-20-08 1643 hours Gas station reported that a W/F drove off without paying for $40 worth of gas. The suspect description and vehicle description matched. Seraeant John Larrive attempted to make contact at the R/O's address without success. He then worked with Investigator Reyes to put together a photo line up. On 09-22-08 at 1728 hours the victim picked the suspect out of the photo line- up; a citation was subsequently mailed to the thief. Warrant Arrest 09-22-08 0800 hours, Officer Petersen made a third attempt to conduct a Warrant Arrest at a local residence. Previous attempts proved futile as the female suspect was a little too intoxicated to move from the couch. After receiving some harassment at the courts from this suspect, a judge signed a Search Warrant to access the residence and retrieve the female. Husband was contacted to respond to residence and open the door or it would be forced open; he did so. The suspect offered the officers a not -so -friendly gesture as Officers Petersen and Meyer retrieved her from said couch. She was ultimately transported to the hospital on a Health & Welfare Hold. JUST ONE MORE... No Baloney, I need OSCAR! 9/23/08 1100 hours, Secretary Henning received a call from a local resident asking to speak with "Oscar." When asked if she was calling for MHPD, she responded, "Yes" but was confused as to why "Oscar" was not employed there. She provided her name and address, and when asked if it was Todd or Steve that had assisted her, she replied, "No, I'm sure it was Oscar, but I think his last name was Meyer!" Well, ma'am, he might be full of baloney, but we don't call him Oscar. And on that note... ifa"e a�seatwee%rd� �, /fir & 0641 N E W S LETTER Public Works Engineerinq Code Enforcement Public Works The Pipeline September 26, 2008 The Parks Crew attended the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation Field Day where they got an overview on turf grasses and turf grass disease control. The new soccer goals were put in place at Mendakota Park for Mendota Heights soccer. A tool box and running boards were installed on the new pick up truck. Sprinkler heads were repaired at Kensington Park. Rich put root x in the sanitary sewer lines at Williams Court, Wagon Wheel Trail, Glen Hill Road, Downing Street, Lexington Avenue, Knob Road, Highway 13 (Fremont Avenue to Garden Lane). Root x kills any roots that are growing into the sanitary sewer line. He assisted the Streets Crew with blacktop work. The Streets Crew weed whipped the east side of Victoria north of Marie Avenue. They put up temporary stop signs at Maple and Linden in Town Center. They put blacktop down on Lilac Lane, Douglas Road, Overlook Road and James Road. Engineerinq Water main installation was completed on Callahan Place. The main was disinfected and will be flushed and tested for bacteria on Friday. if tests pass, the main will be put into service early next week and the temporary water system will be removed. The contractor is now installing the storm sewer causing a slight disturbance on Marie Avenue. The storm sewer should take about a week to complete. Remaining streets were paved on the Avenues project and the driveways are being patched. The next step is to back fill the boulevards and get the area ready for sod. Storm sewer will be installed on Tuesday in the park and rear yard on Dodd Road. Kay and Walsh Avenues will be receiving the wear course this year. Sod was installed on the Marie Creek project where a slope project needed to be repaired. Final touches were added to the Somerset Mill and Overlay project, this project should now be complete. Assessment hearings for the Avenues and Somerset Park projects will occur on tn Oct. 7 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO DATE: September 22, 2008 TO: City Council, Commission Members, and City Adminis r FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrato s SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with three potential planning applicants on Monday, September 22, 2008. Steve Grittman, Paul Berg, John Mazitello and Jake Sedlacek were present. Deborah Cuneo, re. 917 Chippewa Ave Ms. Cuneo is considering writing a purchase agreement for 917 Chippewa Ave, and was curious as to the potential to construct an addition to the existing single car attached garage. Staff reviewed a site plan, and through discussion with Ms. Cuneo determined that a variance to the side yard setback would likely be necessary. Staff described the variance application and decision process. No planning application is anticipated at this time. Derrick Vocovich, re. 680 Hwy 110 Mr. Vocovich is a fence contractor working with the Mendota Heights United Church of Christ, who would like to construct additional fencing to create expanded play area for their day care. Staff walked through the conditional use permit application and decision process. Mr. Vocovich will work with the church to make an application for consideration at the October Planning Commission meeting. Jerry Murphy, re. 1416 Dodd Road — Somerset Country Club. Mr. Murphy introduced an architect and general contractor working with Somerset Country Club for an expansion to the bathhouse building at the Somerset swimming pool. Somerset would like to remove the existing concession stand and integrate a new stand into the proposed expanded bathhouse. Staff reviewed the proposed project, and determined that a conditional use permit would be necessary, but a demolition permit for the current concession stand would not be. Staff described the CUP application and decision process. Mr. Murphy intends to submit an application for consideration at the October Planning Commission meeting. Cindy Johnson, 1755 Victoria Rd Ms. Johnson would like to replace the roof and complete some other maintenance to a detached accessory building in her back yard. Staff reviewed the code, and determined that if the work included replacing less than 50% of the structure, no land use application would be required. Ms. Johnson was directed to work with code enforcement staff to obtain a building permit for the project. No planning application is anticipated at this time. Planning Meeting Page I of I By Tom Webb twebb@pioneerpress.com Even before road salt goes down, the price has gone up. A year ago, St. Paul spent $42.73 a ton for salt to help keep icy streets passable during the winter. This year, it's $63.27 a ton, a 48 percent increase. And city officials know it could be worse, because they rejected bids as high as $113 a ton, said city spokeswoman Shannon Tyree. Like commodities from gasoline to grain, salt prices have climbed dramatically this past year. Blame last winter's heavy snows. Blame the run- up in commodity prices. Blame floods and bull!- canes urr -canes that have hindered river barges. Or, if you wish, blame Wisconsin. After last ROAD SALT PRICES, 3A > . twflnClizoes ccom Z)s. raW "Orteer rer5� ~° ..,.. d �; C_;,� e�..............._..,..„......�....._ EONTli'WED FROM 1A ) Road salt prices winter's record snowfall, offi- cials there vowed they would- n't roan out of road salt again. So this year, they ordered a lot more. Then Iowa did the same thing. When Illinois did, too, worries about the salt supply began to multiply. "By now, the industry is very alarmed — how are we going to get all this extra tonnage?" said Richard Hanneman, pres- ident of the Salt Institute, a trade group for North Amen- ca's salt suppliers. "Every- body's sort of in a panic." So even before the first snowflake falls, the road -salt business is in an uproar. From Ohio and Iowa, there already are reports of communities unable to find salt suppliers who will bid for business. But not in Minnesota, it seems. The winter salt supply here looks secure, thanks to officials who ordered early and often. "We have to, because we've got one of the harshest cli- mates in the United States," swirl Beth Petrowske, a spokes- woman for the Minnesota .Department of Transporta- tion's west -metro region. in 'the T-fvin Crtres district, 1,AnDOT locked in 80,000 tons of road salt at a price just 3 per- , -r above last year's, 4 etroviske said. Other regions of the state also have rebuilt their stockpiles, but because of timing, they paid notably more. Ryan O'Connor, transporta- tion analyst for the Association of Minnesota Counties, said almost all counties buy their salt through one of the MnDOT regions. Last year, those salt prices hovered around the mid -$50 -a -ton range. Now, "you're seeing way more low- to mid -$70s, so you're seeing pretty signifi- cant increases," O'Connor said. In St. Paul, the $410,000 addi- tional expense will be split between this year's and next year's budgets. "It's a significant hit," said Gary Erichson, St. Paul's street maintenance engineer. "We're going to consciously use less salt," he said, and plan to rely instead on more efficient and PIONEER PRESS: BRANDI JADE THOMAS Some of 5t. Paul's road salt stockpile is heaped up and on standby Tuesday in a St. Paul Public Works salt shed. quicker plowing. The city budgets $27 million to $28 million a year for street maintenance. Already, the city is doing less street sweeping and grass mowing to offset ris- ing costs for oil, asphalt and diesel fuel. Minnesota is not a salt -pro- ducing state, so the salt must come from elsewhere. Mostly it's mined in Louisiana and shipped up the Mississippi River by barge. That's been tricky this year, first with spring floods that shut down river navigation, then hurri- canes in the Gulf of Mexico. "There's only a certain num ber of barges available, so if you lose a muf1th of sliipp ig, or tvao months, there's no way ;you can make that up," said the Salt -institute's Hanne- man. Cargill, based in Nfinnetonka, is the nation's largest salt pro- ducer. The agribusiness giant isn't saying much about the current road -salt situation. "Because we're in the midst of bidding season, we're uncomfortable talking about supply -and -demand funda- mentals," said spokesman Mark Klein. "We think it would be inappropriate" and feel it "could be misconstrued" as trying to influence prices, he said. Meanwhile, public -works officials eye their salt stock- piles and wait. Another hard winter would send them scrambling for more — if there's more to buy. Bob Egan, Dakota County maintenance engineer, said his salt costs rose 11 percent. His crews are prepared for 32 "snow events" this winter, — not just snow but also ice. But if this winter brings snow, snow and more snow, he'll be out looking for emer- gency salt. "If you have a real bad year, it does get a little scarce," Egan said. "Last year, in Madison and Milwaukee, they both ran out.,, On the other hand, Hanne- man noted: "If you have a mild winter, then everybody's got mountains of salt. It's like farming. It's very weather - dependent." Tom Webb can be reached at 651-228-5428. MNC1@2 S U N. 44 I Print Page I Mendota Heights looks for pedestrian improvements at intersection BYvwEGAwAmDsmSON -SmmmsVwmPAPERS Walkers may not have to risk life and limb scurrying across the streets |nMendota Heights much longer. The City Council discussed the intersection at Highway 110 and Dodd Road at its meeting Sept. 10. It is a busy intersection that poses a safety concern, particularly as residents move between the Village at Mendota Heights and Mendota Plaza. Public Works Director John Mazzitello said staff met with Minnesota Department of Transportation officials to discuss the potential for increased pedestrian safety at Highway 110 and Dodd Road. Proposed solutions include a pedestrian bridge, a tunnel under the Dodd and Highway 110 intersection and a traffic signal modification that allows more time for pedestrians Lo cross. State aid would cover signal modifications atthe intersection, but not a pedestrian -only project, MazziteUo said. Money is available, however, through the Metropolitan Council for trail and pedestrian improvements, he said. Mendota Heights could apply for the money next spring, and the city would have to provide 20 percent funding match fora project. Before applying for money from the Metropolitan Council, Mazz|teUosuggested conducting a feasibility study on the three solutions. The study would cost from $12,OOO»u$]0,00O,hesaid. The council decided to go ahead with a study not exceeding $30'000' mainly focusing on a pedestrian bridge and signal improvements. "This has been under our radar for a bridge over that area [ora long time," Counci|memberU|tan Duggan said. [ound|membe,Sandra nnebshach said that bridge could serve aya connection if Dakota County extends its regional trail around Mendota Plaza. Bicycle traffic should also be factored into the solution, CouncUmembor Mary Jeanne Schneeman said. "What we're trying to do is get people from the south end of Mendota Heights to the north end safely," 5chneeman said. In other council news: The council discussed the August report for the Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course. Revenue at the golf course is outpacing its operating expenditures by$79,J79. ~The Par has had u very successful year," Krebsbach said. "It's operating, lth|nk, very successfully." Golfers also teed off during 2,495 rounds of golf in August, for a total of 10,504 rounds this year, she said. This year some maintenance work has been done at the Par 3, Assistant City Administrator lake Sed|acek said, including landscaping and painting the outside of the clubhouse. There are no major improvements planned for next year, Sed|acek said. "So it'll be even more welcoming for play next year,^hesaid. "I think next year will be even better," Krebybach said. The council discussed project for new play components at Friendly Hills Park. Most of the play equipment was installed in 1990' said Guy KuUander, operations and projects manager. It is a project budgeted for 2009 that will cost $58,000 for both equipment and installation. Ordering the equipment this year will save the city $3'000 in cogs, xuUander. The park's swings are still in pretty good shape, he said, but its timber border is deteriorating and too close for the Americans with Disabilities Act fall standards. Wanting to preserve a tree near the play equipment that provides a lot of shade, Kullander said they plan to lower the height of the swings from 10 feet to 8 feet. A new border made of a rubber and plastic mix will also replace the timber border. - The council changed the start time for its council meeting scheduled on election night Tuesday, Nov. 4, to 8:30 p.m. (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at ww,v.mnsun.cckm and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsoutlr$ acnpapers.coni.) This site and its contents Copyright © 2007. Sun Newspapers , - Main Office: 952-829-0797 skininfo@ac_npapers.conr - Mendota Heights company rewards online consumers BYowsGAmAmmERSOm-mmNmswnGpAPsRm ` Asasecond-grader,Daren Cotter said hebought abulk supply of candy and sold it at school. That's when Cotter said he became an entrepreneur, selling other fad items throughout grade school. ^I was always working onvarious venLuns,^hesaid. It also sparked Cotter's journey toward forming his online loyalty marketing company, Cottewxeb Enterprises, which isbased |nMendota Heights. CnueAweb rewards consumers with cash for shopping online, reading e-mail advertisements, playing games and testing products. Members are paid in cash, rather than redeemable points like other companies, and Cotter's client advertisers get targeted and performance-based advertis|ng. Inc. Magazine named the company to the Inc. 5.000 list of the fastest growing companies in America and ranked it in the top 10 companies for the Minnesota -Wisconsin region. Cotter said the venture is a combination of his entrepreneurial and a passion for technology that started in high school. Helater became interested in online advertising when hewas a student atMinnesota State University in Mankato. Cotter said he participated in online reward programs asa consumer in college. ^I came tothe conclusion that could build something better," he said. Helaunched InboxDoi|ars.comin2O00and now also runs SendEarnings.com. It was more of hobby throughout college, Cotter said, operating it out of dorm room and college apartment. But when he graduated in 2004, he decided to move forward with the company. "I really wanted to determine if this hobby company was going to become curco,," he said. They saw results right away' Cotter said. "From there, we were off to the races," he said. Keith 0|son, director ofsales and strategy, met Cotter through a mutual friend and started working as a consultant for the company in 2006. ''One thing that really came through loud and clear was ho* passionate [Cotter] was," he said. ''Anything he touches, hewants to make it better." Olson said they took an idea that already existed and continued to improve on it. "It's been a heck ofa nun ride," he said. ''To see the business grow has been awesome." CotterVVehnow has 30employees and expanded its revenue from $2 million in 2O04to$1Z.4million in 2007. Olson said they'll continue to be on the lookout for new people to help the company grow. Being based in Mendota Heights provides gond central location to draw talent tothe company, Cotter said. Online advertising continues to grow and through CotterWeb advertisers are able to track the results more closelyf Cotter said. "They know exactly what they're getting as a result of every dollar they spend," he said. The company works mostly with national advertisers' Cotter said, giving them the ability to reach consumers they want toreach. It's away for advertisers togenerate and pay only for results, Olson said. Members are rewarded with cash for doing things online that they would do anyway, Olson said. "We try to pull as many of the things that people like to do online into one program," he said. Retaining its 5.5 million members relies on what CotterWeb offers, Olson said, so they are always looking for new ways to improve. The company is continuing to grow and 2008 has been a good year, Cotter said. One of the main things that Olson said makes CotterWeb special is keeping fun as one of its core values. "We want people to come into the office with a smile on their faces and go home that way, too," he said. (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.) This site and its contents Copyright © 2007. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 suninfo@acnpapers.cona "" �" For several months, the MSP Noise Oversight Committee (NOC), Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) staff, local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials, and Northwest Airlines (NWA) have been busy developing and reviewing new departure procedures that have the potential to reduce overflights of some neighborhoods close to the Minneapolis --St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Area Navigation (RNAV) technology, while not entirely new, allows properly -equipped aircraft to fly more reproducible flight tracks, or paths, in the sky which in turn allows for more accurate concentration of aircraft over desired areas, such as a river or an industrial part of a city. Currently at MSP, Air Traffic Control (ATC) uses standard procedures that route departing aircraft using radar vectors, or headings, that take an aircraft on established routes. When using this standard method, departing aircraft can take a ground path that varies A quarterly publication of the Meuopolitan Airports Commission - Aviation Noise and Satellite Programs considerably from one departure to another, even when the headings/vectors assigned are the same. These differences are due to variables in wind, weather, pilot technique, aircraft performance and other factors that can affect where an aircraft flies. Green Technology Former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Marion C. Blakey describes RNAV technology as Green Technology. In the May 11, 2007 edition of Airport Noise Report Ms. Blakely stated that RNAV "flat out saves fuel. It relieves congestion, alleviates choke points, and reduces delay. It increases efficiency by providing smoother traffic flow. It's clear that performance-based navigation is good for the environment. "Flying straight down the middle of a flight path means that people on the ground perceive less jet noise and experience fewer jet emissions." The RNAV procedures being developed for MSP were recently tested using NWA's aircraft simulators. Once the FAA gives its approval, flight trials will begin. The flight trials will provide additional information about the procedures' feasibility and effectiveness. Once the trials are completed, additional FAA reviews may be required before implementation. Ultimately, if the data shows an improvement in aircraft placement, the procedures would be adopted and used by all Northwest Airlines equipped aircraft with the ultimate goal of making the procedure available to all properly equipped aircraft. One of the procedures being developed would help keep aircraft utilizing the 215 -degree heading off Runway 17 on a more precise track. (Continued on page 3) z The MSP Noise Air Traffic Control for its use as a proximity to the north parallel Oversight Committee met �o= July16 and 4' discussed the SAY. Ct)11 �� guide for choosing departure and arrival runways, whenever conditions allow (typically at night). The RUS decision following items: parameters are based on the Invev Grove Heights Concerns NOC members discussed the City of Inver Grove Heights' concerns regarding the number (percentage) of flights over its city, particularly during nighttime hours. After much discussion, the NOC re -endorsed the long-standing Runway Use System (RUS) for the Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport. The RUS sets forth recommendations to the local Federal Aviation Administration number of people impacted NOC members rejected a suggestion to modify the RUS in order to attempt to equally distribute flights rather than basing it on population numbers. However, it did recommend the next quarterly Public Input Meeting be held in Inver Grove Heights. Nighttime Construction NOC members were updated on staff's communication efforts regarding nighttime construction activity and its possible affect on homeowners living in close runway. Area Navigation 'technology NOC members were updated on the status of this project. See page 1 for more details. rx � The next NOC meeting will be held November 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the MAC General Offices. For more information, call 612- 725-6455 or visit http:// www.macnoise.com/noc. HOC Meeting Materials Meeting materials (agendas, minutes, memos and presentations) can be accessed on the MAC website at http:// www.mspairport.com/mac/ meetings/noc.aspx, or call 612- 725-6455. Precision Navigation Techniques (Continued from page 1) While today aircraft directed to utilize this procedure are assigned the 215 -degree heading, because of radar vectoring the actual ground track sometimes varies resulting in aircraft flying over homes on either the northern or southern edge of the river in southeast Bloomington and northeast Burnsville . The new RNAV procedure would help keep aircraft further away from those homes, in the center of the river valley. For years, researchers in the aviation industry have studied the causes of aircraft noise in order to develop techniques and modifications that result in a reduction in noise when an aircraft is either taking off, landing or in flight. Several parts of a commercial jet aircraft can cause noise; but the primary culprits are the engines and the body of the aircraft - or airframe. Airframe noise is created when air flows over and around the aircraft. A major source of airframe noise is the landing gear, which generates noise when it is exposed to the airstream on takeoff or landing. Other procedures are being designed to replicate the "crossing in the corridor" procedure for takeoffs on Runways 12L and 12R. This procedure is performed during periods of low demand (primarily during the nighttime hours) and concentrates aircraft over the center of the commercial and industrial areas of Eagan and Mendota Heights. The MAC will continue to work throughout the coming months For modern aircraft (e.g., Boeing 777, Airbus A320), when landing, the airframe and engine are nearly equal contributors to the total perceived noise generated by the aircraft. Researchers are investigating several noise reduction modifications for landing gear. One such modification is placing a cover, or fairing, over the landing gear reducing the amount of contact with the air. with all of the interested parties to ensure successful implementation while keeping the NOC updated on timelines and project milestones. noise. Design modifications are now being investigated to help reduce noise on those surfaces. Engine noise, on the other hand, is responsible for most of an aircraft's noise during takeoff and climb and can vary greatly depending on the type of aircraft. The main source of noise in a jet engine is the fan. To reduce engine noise, aeronautical engineers have studied and High lift devices—mechanisms intended to add lift during redesigned different parts of the different phases of flight, such as fan, including blade angles, the stator blades behind the fans, slats on the front of a wing and engine inlets, and nozzles to flaps that extend from the back of the wing— also contribute greatly dramatically reduce jet noise in modern aircraft. to an aircraft's landing and takeoff ?f'PP + s gA�NT A quarterypublication of the Metropolitan Airports mCommission - Aviation Noise and Satellite Programs r 6040 28th Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN 55450 4h 9IHGOPt4 CARI LINDBERG ADMINISTRATOR 1101 VICTORIA CURVE MENDOTA HEIGHTS: MN 55118-4106 Phone: 612-725-6455 Noise Complaint Line: 612-726-9411 E-mail: info@macnoise.com Website: www.macnoise.com PRESOET STD US �PQTA'GE PAID PERMIT # 2431 NT1-NEAP tL=,C�: flN Summer 2008 For more information, please contact Christene Sirois at 612-725- 6455 or Christene.Sirois@mspmac.org.® If you no longer wish to receive this publication, and other airport noise related information, please call or e-mail Christene Sirois at 612-725-6455 or csirois@mspmac.org. In your e-mail, please write the word "delete" in the subject line, followed by your street address and city. Ask Printed on Recycled Paper- Public input es. chedded for October 2 _fit a ` . Pleasejoin Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) staff at. the Precision Navigation 1 Techniques next Airport Noise Public Input Meeting on Tuesday, October 28, Investigated for 2005 at 7 p.m. Noise Abatement NOC News 2 The meeting will be held at the Inver Grove Heights City Council Ask the Expert 2 Chambers located at 5150 Barbara Avenue in Inver Grove Heights. Aircraft Noise 101: A 3 This is an opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn more Primer about what's new at MSP in terms of airport noise. For more information, please contact Christene Sirois at 612-725- 6455 or Christene.Sirois@mspmac.org.® If you no longer wish to receive this publication, and other airport noise related information, please call or e-mail Christene Sirois at 612-725-6455 or csirois@mspmac.org. In your e-mail, please write the word "delete" in the subject line, followed by your street address and city. Ask Printed on Recycled Paper-