02/08/2000 - Airport Relations Commission MINUTES OF THE EAGAN
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 8, 2000
A regular meeting of the Eagan Airport Relations Commission was held on Tuesday, February
8, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Eric Drenckhahn, Ted Gladhill, Alice Kreitz, Steve Soderling,
Charles Thorkildson, Nadim Zoberi and Hassan Saffouri, Alternate. Absent was Lance Staricha. Also
present was Jamie Verbrugge, Assistant City Administrator and Mary Swenson, Recording Secretary.
AGENDA
Verbrugge stated he would like to make an addition to the agenda under Staff Report, adding
item D. Legislative Update; and under B. MASAC Update of the Staff Report, adding a Part 2,
Appointment to Twin Cities Airports Task Force. Upon motion by Thorkildson, seconded by
Drenckhahn, the agenda was approved as presented. All members voted in favor.
MINUTES
Drenckhahn made a motion to approve the minutes; Soderling seconded the motion. All
members voted in favor.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Verbrugge stated the role, duties and term of the Chair and Vice Chair positions. He then
opened the floor for nominations to elect a Chair. Soderling made a motion to nominate Gladhill as
Chair, Zoberi seconded the motion. Nominations were then closed. All members voted in favor.
Gladhill opened the floor for nominations to elect a Vice Chair. Gladhill made a motion
nominating Soderling as Vice Chair, Zoberi seconded. Nominations were then closed. All members
voted in favor.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
NORTH -SOUTH RUNWAY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Verbrugge passed out the latest draft of the North -South Runway Communications Plan to
members of the Commission. He stated the original layout for section V. suggested that we also have an
interview with MAC Deputy Executive Director, Nigel Finney, to further explain the planning process
of the North -South Runway and how MAC is considering mitigating the potential impacts. Verbrugge
told Commission members to jot down any suggestions or changes prior to the next meeting so these
suggestions could be discussed at the March meeting.
NEW COMMISSIONER ORIENTATION
New and existing members of the Commission introduced themselves. Alice Kreitz was
appointed to a one -year term. Hassan Saffouri was appointed to a one -year alternate position. Eric
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February 8, 2000/2
Drenckhahn and Ted Gladhill were re- appointed to serve three -year terms. The Oath of Office was
administered to the re- appointed and new commission members.
Verbrugge passed out a new member orientation document to all members. The first part of the
packet contains background information on the Commission along with members' and staff's duties and
responsibilities /authority, glossary of terms, and a land use and noise contour map for 2005. Verbrugge
gave background information on the airport stating that the 1996 Minnesota legislature mandated that
the Metropolitan Airports Commission expand the existing airport rather than relocate to a new airport
and also included the 60 DNL as the line in which noise mitigation in the form of sound insulation be
performed. Verbrugge also discussed commercial and residential development and compatible land
uses in the City of Eagan and stated that because of existing noise patterns, the northern one -third of
Eagan was designated for commercial /industrial purposes and the southern two- thirds for residential
growth.
Verbrugge discussed Airports and Aviation, a section out of the Comprehensive Guide Plan
Draft, FAA Integrated Noise Model, December 1999 MSP Carrier Jet Fleet Composition and Stage 2
and 3 fleet criteria. He further stated the final pages of the new member orientation packet contain
illustrations of various aircraft.
GOVERNOR'S AIRPORT FUNDING TASK FORCE
Verbrugge stated the final report for the Governor's Airport Funding Task Force has been
completed and submitted to the Minnesota State Legislature. He gave an overview of the Executive
Summary from the final report highlighting the conclusions and recommendations. He further stated
that the Task Force recommends that the Minnesota Legislature, in cooperation with the MAC, FAA,
the airline industry and surrounding communities, appropriate funds to conduct noise related mitigation
activities. Verbrugge also stated that it was recommended that the MAC continue with the existing
noise mitigation efforts including the Part 150 Update, the Minnesota State Legislature give mitigation
plans priority to state programs, and the Minnesota State Legislature make money available to school
districts that have a temporary decrease in students during mitigation activities. Verbrugge further
discussed types of funding sources, programs and projected dollar amounts these sources could
generate.
Verbrugge stated that it was unlikely we would see significant movement on these issues during
the 2000 legislature. He further stated the Governor's office is focused on the Bonding Bill. Gladhill
commented on an Executive Summary finding stating that without a timeframe, the decision by the
Minnesota Legislature to expand rather than relocate MSP will save taxpayers approximately $2 billion,
is meaningless. He further commented on forcing a local property tax levy on local communities,
stating this would be paid by people most impacted by the expansion and noise. Verbrugge stated the
MAC does have the authority to levy a property tax in the seven county metro area. He further stated
they have no desire to do so because of political unpopularity.
MASAC UPDATE
Verbrugge stated that attached is Commissioner Staricha's summary of the January MASAC
meeting. Verbrugge discussed the 2000 MASAC goals and objectives calendar stating the timeline for
the entire year for MASAC and the Operations Committee. He further stated the majority of the first
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February 8, 2000/3
half of the year will be spent on the Part 150 Update. Verbrugge stated he suspects the Part 150 Plan
will be submitted to the FAA approximately September /October. He also stated other issues of
importance will be runway use and fleet mix. Soderling asked what would be discussed during the
Operations Committee meeting on the Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor Recommendations. Verbrugge
stated that Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights still have outstanding concerns regarding the use
of the corridor. He also stated Eagan has proposed some runway use alternatives for the North -South
Runway that will affect the Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor. Saffouri asked how the 38 members of
MASAC are chosen. Verbrugge stated that the MASAC membership under went revision a couple of
years ago to be more representative of the impacted communities. He further stated the City of
Minneapolis has 5 to 6 representatives, St. Paul 2, Bloomington 3 to 4, Richfield 2, Eagan 2, Mendota
Heights 2, Inver Grove Heights 1, St. Louis Park 1, and the airport users also have representation. There
are equal numbers of users and community member representatives.
Kreitz asked if homes, schools or businesses in the City of Eagan have been insulated as part of
the Part 150 Program. Verbrugge stated that since 1992, 180 homes had been insulated for sound
including the McKee neighborhood and homes on the northern part of Pilot Knob Road. Verbrugge also
stated there is still an outstanding issue with the Valley View Plateau. He further stated that businesses
are not eligible for the program.
The Eagan City Council re- appointed Verbrugge to serve as one of the MASAC representatives.
Verbrugge stated that Staricha has served the last couple of years as a MASAC representative and would
be interested and willing to continue in that capacity. Zoberi made a motion to elect Staricha as the
second MASAC representative, Soderling seconded. All members voted in favor.
Drenckhahn made a motion to elect Thorkildson to serve as the alternate MASAC
representative, Zoberi seconded. All members voted in favor.
TWIN CITIES AIRPORTS TASK FORCE APPOINTMENT
Verbrugge gave an overview of the Twin Cities Airports Task Force. He then opened the floor
to nominations to elect a representative to the Task Force. Gladhill nominated Thorkildson to serve as
representative from the City of Eagan, Soderling seconded. All members voted in favor.
Soderling questioned if more cargo business would mean more late night operations.
Thorkildson stated no, the aircraft's destination determines when the plane actually needs to depart. He
stated that some of the business is tied to night -time operations, but the majority of the business is linked
to international passenger flights which go out primarily afternoon and early evening.
CORRESPONDENCE
Verbrugge gave an overview of a letter from the City of Burnsville to Roy Fuhrmann of the
Metropolitan Airports Commission stating this letter was in response to comments made by the City of
Eagan specific to operations for the North -South Runway. The City of Eagan has advocated for the
elimination of the 100 degree flight heading which cuts through the middle of the community.
Verbrugge stated that essentially the City of Burnsville is requesting that all flight tracks be
consolidated, eliminated or changed to eliminate all flight track operations over their city.
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February 8, 2000/4
Soderling sta ted that the letter misses the fact that Eagan already has operation traffic and this
traffic is not equitably distributed. He further asked if we should respond. Verbrugge stated he would
place a call to Tom Hansen.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Verbrugge gave a summary of the Bill Bonding Session, further stating there were 2,000 bills
introduced the first week of the session. He further stated this bill is authored by Dave Johnson of
Bloomington, advocating the creation of an airport impact district to create a special tax increment
financing district that would be eligible for redevelopment projects. He further gave an overview of
this bill. Verbrugge stated we will have to become more creative in the things that we look at for
mitigative activities. He suggested a property value guarantee program as a creative mitigative activity
along with encouraging people to perform sound insulation and renovation, such as new windows and
home improvements that would meet standards of the Sound Insulation Program and reward people.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Thorkildson, seconded by Soderling the Commission members adjourned the
meeting at 8:30 p. m.
mis
DATE SECRETARY