08/14/2007 - Airport Relations CommissionMINUTES OF THE EAGAN
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 14, 2007
A regular meeting of the Eagan Airport Relations Connnission was held on Tuesday, August 14,
2007 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Curtis Aljets, Steve Beseke, Tammy Mencel, Charles
Thorkildson and Bret Walsh. Absent were Maggie Jensen and Jack Prentice. Also present was
Assistant to the City Administrator Miller.
AGENDA
The agenda was amended to include New Business item B. Proposed Procedural Change to
Runway Use; and Staff Report item D. Closure of Runway 12R. Upon motion by Thorkildson;
seconded by Aljets, the agenda was approved as modified. All members voted in favor.
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
Miller introduced the item stating Commissioner Jason Bonnett has resigned his position with
the ARC due to accepting a new position in San Diego, California. The Commission recognized
Commissioner Bonnett's contribution to the ARC. Miller stated that Alternate Maggie Jensen has
agreed to serve the remainder of Commissioner Bonnett's term. She further stated since Mr. Bonnett
served as the Vice Chair, that position would need to be filled until May of 2008.
The floor was opened for nominations for the position of Vice Chair of the ARC. Thorkildson
nominated Aljets to serve as Vice Chair to the ARC; Mencel seconded the nomination. All members
voted in favor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Beseke made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2007 regular meeting of the
Eagan Airport Relations Commission as presented; Aljets seconded the motion. All members voted in
favor.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
Miller introduced the item stating it is the practice of the Airport Relations Commission to
discuss any communication initiatives relative to airport noise each month including articles appearing
in the Experience Eagan newsletter, stories aired on the City's local access cable channels and
inclusions in the ARC Notebook. Miller stated there will be three airport related items in the next issue
of Experience Eagan; 1.) City Council's recent communication with the MAC regarding the increased
use of Runway 17/35 and the Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor compliance, 2.) an update on the MAC
litigation, and 3.) a shadow box that will touch on the Public Hearing by the Legislative Working
Committee that will take place in September at the Community Center.
Eagan Airport Relations Commission
August 14, 2007
Page 2 of 3
The Commission suggested including letters to the MAC regarding the increased use of Runway
17 -35 and MAC's response be put on the City's website to be accessed by residents.
MAC MONTHLY REPORTS — EAGAN /MENDOTA HEIGHTS CORRIDOR
ANALYSIS /TECHNICAL ADVISORY REPORT /17 -35 DEPARTURE ANALYSIS REPORT
Miller introduced the item stating the enclosed June 2007 Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor
Analysis, June 2007 Technical Advisory Report and the June 2007 Runway 17 Departure Analysis
Report are the most current reports available on the MAC website. Miller noted the significant
improvement in corridor compliance. Thorkildson noted that Eagan had the greatest number of
complaints. Aljets discussed complaint percentages for Eagan stating prior to January 2007, Eagan had
20 percent of the complaints; after January 2007, 30 percent; and during the month of July 2007, 41
percent.
SOUTHERN TWIN CITIES ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SURVEY UPDATE
Miller introduced the item stating Angelique McDonald, Government Affairs Representative for
the Southern Twin Cities Association of Realtors, is no long with the organization. Miller stated she has
tabulated and compiled a summary of the 29 surveys she received from the STCAR for Commission
review and discussion. The Commission discussed the responses and comments made by realtors
relative to airport noise in Eagan.
Beseke made a motion to pass the summary results of the survey on to the City Council and ask
if the City Council would like the survey run again in November; Mencel seconded the motion. All
members voted in favor.
LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING MAC GOVERNANCE AND THE
EFFECTS OF THE AIRPORT ON SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS
Miller introduced the item noting a Public Hearing will be held by the Local Government and
Metropolitan Affairs and Transportation Working Group of the Legislature at 7:00 p.m. on September
19, 2007 at the Eagan Community Center. She stated the Public Hearing is intended as an avenue to
gather input from residents regarding the governance of the MAC and the effects of the airport on
surrounding communities. She further noted the Public Hearing will be advertised in the cities of
Eagan, Burnsville, Mendota Heights and Minneapolis and that attendance is expected to be significant.
Miller also stated the Public Hearing will be noticed in the City's newsletter.
PROPOSED PROCEDURAL CHANGE TO RUNWAY USE
Miller introduced the item stating it has been suggested to divert operations from Runway 17 to
Runway 12R for night -time operations, in accordance with the Runway Use System at MSP. She also
stated this would be a public policy decision which would involve moving noise fiorn one residential
area to another less densely, populated area. Miller suggested this recommendation be proposed to the
City Council, and then to the NOC. The Commission discussed the proposed change, including the
effect on Mendota Heights residents.
Eagan Airport Relations Commission
August 14, 2007
Page 3 of 3
Walsh made a motion to recommend that the City Council send a letter to the NOC asking that
an item be added to the 2008 NOC Work Program to review shifting nighttime traffic from Runway 17
to Runway 12R, over the Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor. Aljets seconded the motion. All members
voted in favor.
TOUR OF THE FAA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER
Miller stated a tour of the Air Traffic Control Tower has been scheduled for September 11, 2007
and will take the place of the regular September ARC meeting. The Commission agreed on a start time
of 6:30 p.m.
CITIES V. MAC LAWSUIT UPDATE
Miller introduced the item giving background on the lawsuit between the cities of Minneapolis,
Richfield and Eagan and the Metropolitan Airports Commission noting that a ruling by Judge Aldrich is
expected by August 24, 2007. She further stated mediation was held between the Plaintiffs and the
MAC earlier this month, however, no agreement was reached. Miller stated she will inform the
Commission once she hears the result of the ruling.
JULY 18, 2007 NOC MEETING
Miller introduced the item noting two memos from Chad Legve regarding aircraft fleet mix and
runway use concerns raised by the City of Eagan. Miller and the Commission discussed her talking
points from the July 18, 2007 NOC meeting expressing the City's concerns regarding use of Runway
17 -35. The Commission discussed the FEIS document and the fact that the cities of Minneapolis and
Mendota Heights have contracts with the MAC. It was agreed that Miller would distribute to
Commissioners either electronically or by link a copy of the FEIS document for their review.
CLOSURE OF RUNWAY 12R
Miller stated Runway 12R closed on Monday and will be closed for 2 months. She further
stated Eagan could experience a decrease in noise during the construction period, but normal operations
will resume in mid- October.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Aljets, seconded by Mencel, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. All members
voted in favor.
DATE
SECRETARY