10/08/2002 - Airport Relations Commission MINUTES OF THE EAGAN
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 8, 2002
A regular meeting of the Eagan Airport Relations Commission was held on Tuesday, October 8,
2002, at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Michael Cook, Bruno DiNella, Eric Drenckhahn, Mike Schlax,
Lance Staricha, Jerry Thompson and Charles Thorkildson. Absent were Joe Kinard and Eric Pehle.
Also present were Jamie Verbrugge, Assistant City Administrator and Mary Swenson, Recording
Secretary.
AGENDA
Upon motion by Thompson, seconded by Thorkildson, the agenda was approved as presented.
All members voted in favor.
MINUTES
DiNella made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2002 ARC meeting; Thompson
seconded the motion. DiNella made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2002 Joint
ARC /EDC; Thompson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Verbrugge gave background on the Communications Plan and further stated the ARC
Communications Committee consists of Commission members Pehle and Thompson. Commission
members discussed the Communications Plan matrix giving their thoughts and ideas as to the message
the Commission would like delivered to the community and other interested parties. Some of the ideas
discussed were economic and positive impacts such as Northwest Airlines' corporate headquarters
located in Eagan creating jobs and tax dollars; freight forwarders; thoughts on information, education
and mitigating noise to residents by inviting small groups of residents to ARC meetings; having a link
on the City of Eagan's web site; advertising in the Sun Current Newspaper; cable program; and posting
signs within Eagan to survey people regarding aircraft noise.
Commission members further discussed specific information that could be used to educate
residents, especially residents residing in northwest Eagan, such as flight tracks, number of aircraft,
maps and the conversion of decibels to common day noise, i.e., a vacuum cleaner. Other issues
discussed were mailings to residents /businesses and costs involved, Q &A in Eagan resident newsletter
answering basic questions and use of the public library for data.
Commission members discussed airport operations and justification of construction of the new
runway. Discussion continued regarding recommendation to hold off on further construction of the
North -South Runway.
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
October 8, 2002/2
NOISE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Verbrugge gave background on the Noise Oversight Committee, which became a work product
of the Blue Ribbon Panel. Verbrugge stated there are 12 representatives on the Committee and their
main focus is on technical issues. He also stated they have recognized the importance of a sounding
board and the group will meet every two months, if there is a need, but not less than quarterly.
Verbrugge stated MAC will hold quarterly evening meetings for public comment and the first public
meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. He further gave an example of a
resident's complaint regarding low frequency noise and gave out MAC's web site of www.macaysat.org
as a web site for further information.
JOINT AIRPORT ZONING BOARD
Verbrugge stated the comment period pertaining to the proposed zoning ordinance amendments
regarding land use safety zones and height issues closed on Friday, October 4, 2002. Verbrugge stated
the City supports no changes in boundaries, height restriction or land use provisions in the present law
and the City further recommends that the technical consulting firm HNTB be retained to do additional
research on engine -out accident and incident data. He further stated the City of Eagan believes that the
safety zones for runway end 30L should be maintained at present distances and restrictions. Verbrugge
also gave out the web site of www.mspsafety.org for additional information.
STAFF REPORT /OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Cook displayed and discussed a decibels graphic for northern Eagan aircraft
noise.
Verbrugge stated a tram station is being installed and two of the cars should be operational in
March of 2003, with the full system being operational later next year.
Verbrugge also stated the Runway 17/35 Environmental Assessment document will be released
October 25, 2002 and public comment will be open until December 4, 2002.
The next ARC meeting will be November 12, 2002 and will be held at the Metropolitan Airports
Commission General Offices for a tour.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Drenckhahn, seconded by Cook, the Commission members adjourned the
meeting at 8:30 p.m.
mis
DATE SECRETARY