10/09/2001 - Airport Relations Commission MINUTES OF THE EAGAN
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 9, 2001
A regular meeting of the Eagan Airport Relations Commission was held on Tuesday, October
9, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Ted Gladhill, Mike Schlax, Steve Soderling, Lance
Staricha, Charles Thorkildson and Michael Weller. Absent were Eric Drenckhahn, Joe Kinard and
Bruno DiNella. Also present were Jamie Verbrugge, Assistant City Administrator and Mary
Swenson, Recording Secretary.
AGENDA
Upon motion by Gladhill, seconded by Soderling, the agenda was amended with the
modification of item A. under VI. Future Meetings and Agenda to reflect a possible change to the
December ARC meeting. All members voted in favor.
MINUTES
Soderling made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2001; Thorkildson seconded
the motion. All members voted in favor.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
NOISE ATTORNEY
Verbrugge gave background on the status of retaining a noise attorney, stating this is one of
the primary goals of the City Council and the Airport Relations Commission. Staff has interviewed
four attorneys, with one additional attorney to be contacted after November 1 as he is on sabbatical.
Verbrugge stated he will contact the final attorney and recommended a discussion to be held at the
November ARC meeting.
AVIATION INDUSTRY CRISIS
Verbrugge gave an overview of the crisis the aviation industry is experiencing since the
events of September 11, 2001. He discussed the number of Northwest Airlines employees living in
Eagan and Dakota County who have lost their jobs because of the financial and operational
conditions at Northwest Airlines. There was discussion regarding local impacts experienced
throughout the community as fallout from the September 11 disaster.
Gladhill expressed concerns regarding potential delays of the Part 150 Program, funding
cutbacks and how this will affect Eagan homes. Fewer flights and plans to push out the completion
of the new runway were discussed by the Commissioners. The earliest projected date the North -
South Runway is expected to be operational will be November 2004. There was further discussion
regarding related industries affected by the airport such as hotel, trucking and cargo whose industries
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
October 9, 2001/2
were immediately impacted. The commissioners agreed it was too early to assess and evaluate all the
consequences affecting the City.
Commissioner Thorkildson, who is employed at Phoenix International Freight Services,
stated that Northwest Airlines has put surcharges on all moving cargo and the FAA has mandated
new security measures.
Verbrugge gave background on the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act.
He also summarized 3 options for providing relief to the airline industry that was prepared for the
October 2, 2001 Hearing of the House Taxes Committee. Verbrugge also gave out website locations
for information on airlines, travel, and the Part 150 Program and also identified the City's website for
additional information.
There was discussion among Commission members regarding the sound insulation program,
financial matter, security measures, passenger facility charges and an airport security office.
JOINT AIRPORT ZONING BOARD
Verbrugge gave an overview of the first meeting of the Joint Airport Zoning Board which
was held on Thursday, September 13. He stated he and Schlax are on the board. He also stated 4
individuals have been nominated to the Chair position. Former City of Eagan Mayor, Tom Egan, is
one of the nominees for the Chair position.
MASAC UPDATE
Verbrugge stated a meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, to meet with
representatives of MAC and the Blue Ribbon Panel to discuss the Dr. Brandl Report regarding
MASAC and hopefully putting MASAC back together.
COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM AND
INTERVIEW WITH MAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Verbrugge stated that because of the September 11 event, a certain amount of information in
the draft script of the ARC Communications Program will require reworking and is not ready at this
time.
Verbrugge stated on September 28, 2001 he and MAC Executive Director, Jeff Hamiel,
recorded a half -hour program at the cable studio for local cable access. The Commission members
viewed the half -hour program at the October 9 ARC meeting. Hamiel discussed the layoffs from
Northwest Airlines relevant to Eagan residents, security issues, parking, non - ticketed persons beyond
security checkpoints, financial obligations and revenue expenditures.
DECEMBER ARC MEETING
The December 11, 2001 ARC meeting may be moved to another date. Further information
regarding the December meeting will follow soon.
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
October 9, 2001/3
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Gladhill, seconded by Soderling, the Commission members adjourned the
meeting at 8:30 p.m.
mis
DATE SECRETARY