11/07/2005 - Airport Relations CommissionMINUTES OF THE EAGAN
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2005
A regular meeting of the Eagan Airport Relations Commission was held on Monday, November 7,
2005 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Curtis Aljets, Jason Bonnett, Valerie Dosland, Daniel Flanagan,
Nathan Krahn, Tammy Mencel, Steve Nierengarten and Charles Thorkildson. Absent were Dean Haehnel
and Jack Prentice. Also present was Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator.
AGENDA
Upon motion by Krahn; seconded by Aljets, the agenda was approved as presented. All members
voted in favor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Flanagan made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2005 regular meeting of the
Airport Relations Commission; Aljets seconded the motion. All members voted in favor.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
Carla, a resident of Eagan and a journalism student at the University of Minnesota, was present to
video -tape the meeting and interested in information regarding the new runway.
COMMUNICATION SUBCOMMITTEES
Miller introduced the item noting this item is placed monthly on the agenda for Commission
members and subcommittees to discuss, conunent, and make reconunendations to the ARC and the Eagan
City Council. She stated notice of the November 10, 2005 Metropolitan Airports Commission Quarterly
Input Meeting is currently running on the City's cable television stations. She also stated any
recommendations from the Commission regarding an article in the next Experience Eagan newsletter
would need to be underway soon.
Chair Thorkildson suggested the letter dated October 11, 2005 signed by the City Council and
mailed to all Eagan residents notifying them of the opening of the new runway be included in the ARC
Notebook.
EAGAN/MENDOTA HEIGHTS CORRIDOR ANALYSIS
Miller introduced the item stating the enclosed September 2005 Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor
Analysis and September 2005 Technical Advisory Report are the most recent reports available on MAC's
website and, further, stated these reports are included each month for the Commission to review and
discuss any significant deviations or issues that have occurred. Miller stated that starting in December the
Runway 17 -35 Advisory Reports should also be available for review.
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November 7, 2005/2
Miller stated 94.4 percent of departure operations remained in the corridor in the month of
September. Miller also stated the format of the Advisory Reports for Runway 17 -35 will be similar to the
Corridor Analysis and Technical Advisory Reports and a sample of the new report was enclosed in the
October packet.
JANUARY 2006 OPEN HOUSE / CITY COMMUNICATION PLANS
Miller introduced the item stating per the direction of the Commission, a recommendation was
made to the City Council at their September 20, 2005 Council meeting regarding strategies the City could
initiate following the opening of the new runway. Miller stated enclosed in the packet is an outline of the
recommendations which the City Council approved at their September 20, 2005 meeting.
The Commission discussed the dates of January 19, 2006 and January 26, 2006 to hold an
informational open house following the opening of Runway 17 -35. Miller will email Commission
members regarding a preferred date. She will then reserve the Eagan Community Center once a date is
established.
The Commission discussed communication strategies for the open house and it was suggested the
format resemble the September 15, 2005 open house. It was suggested to have the most recent copy of the
Technical Advisory Report available to residents. Miller stated she will coordinate with MAC staff to
attend the meeting to field teclmical questions. The Commission discussed informing residents that the
December Runway 17 -35 Advisory Report does not reflect the runway in full use. Miller stated the January
2006 open house will be communicated to residents through the Experience Eagan newsletter, cable TV,
local newspapers and the City's website.
RUNWAY 17 -35 FEEDBACK
Miller introduced the item noting the new runway opened on October 27, 2005 and between
October 27 and November 1, the City has received approximately 35 phone calls and 10 emails from
residents concerned about the noise from Runway 17 -35. Miller stated common concerns voiced thus far
are aircraft arrivals east of Cedar Avenue, departure deviations from the flight tracks and concern about the
new runway being used for 37 percent of departure operations.
The Commission discussed feedback they have received. It was noted the early morning and night-
time operations seem to be the worst. A couple of residents commented to Commissioners that the noise is
not as bad as expected.
Miller stated that the FAA is phasing in operations on the new runway. She stated operations are
spaced by five miles until January 2006. Miller noted that after that time, the MAC and FAA plan on using
the new runway to its fullest capacity (3 mile spacing). Bonnett suggested having a summary of complaints
and responses available at the January open house. The Commission discussed flight paths, fanning and
arrivals east and west of Cedar Avenue.
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM,
2006-2012
Miller introduced the item noting the Assessment of Environmental Effects (AOEE) with regard to
the 7 -year Capital Improvement Program for the Metropolitan Airports Commission is enclosed for
Commission review. Miller described a residential sound insulation 60 -64 DNL pilot study with regard to
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
November 7, 2005/3
a mechanical improvement package. She stated 60 -64 DNL sound insulation would need to be approved
and the litigation from the four connnunities would have to be resolved prior to the study beginning.
DECEMBER 13, 2005 ARC MEETING
Miller introduced the item asking for comments regarding the December 13, 2005 ARC meeting.
Thorkildson stated last year the Commission held a workshop in lieu of a regular meeting. The
Commission discussed the need for the December meeting. The Commission agreed to hold the December
ARC meeting and Miller asked that Commission members email her if they are unable to attend.
NOVEMBER 10, 2005 MAC QUARTERLY PUBLIC INPUT MEETING
Miller introduced the item noting that on November 10, 2005 MAC will be hosting their quarterly
input meeting at the Eagan Community Center. She stated Cindy Green, FAA Tower Operations Manager,
and Tim Beutell, Chief Pilot for Northwest, will be in attendance. Miller stated the meeting was noticed in
the most recent edition of the Experience Eagan newsletter and also in the letter sent to all residents
regarding the opening of Runway 17 -35. She also stated the Eagan Connnunity Center seats up to 400
people. Miller noted Eagan's representative on the MAC is Bert McKasy.
CORRESPONDENCE / EAGAN RESIDENTS REGARDING NEW RUNWAY
Miller introduced the item noting the letter enclosed in the packet notifying residents of the opening
of the new runway was signed by the City Council and sent to approximately 26,000 households in the City
of Eagan.
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON / NOISE ANNOYANCE STUDY
Miller introduced the item noting a study was done by a consultant retained by the City of
Bloomington interviewing residents in the cities of Bloomington, Eagan, Minneapolis and Richfield
regarding noise annoyance. Miller stated the study is enclosed for Commission review. Miller also noted
that 38 percent of respondents within the 60 — 64 DNL noise exposure areas rated high annoyance with
aircraft noise.
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON / REQUEST TO SUPPLEMENT THE DUAL TRACK FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Miller introduced the item noting the City of Bloomington's request of the Metropolitan Airports
Commission to supplement the Dual Track Final Enviromnental Impact Statement has been denied. The
Commission discussed uniform building codes. Miller stated she would include the Aviation Chapter of
the Comprehensive Guide Plan in the December packet for Commission review.
SUN CURRENT ARTICLE / NEW RUNWAY EDITORIAL
Miller noted an editorial by Mayor Pat Geagan entitled "Balance Approach Sought for Runway"
appeared in the October 13, 2005 edition of the Eagan Sun Current and was enclosed for informational
purposes.
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
November 7, 2005/4
AIRPORT NOISE REPORT / WYLE NOISE STUDY
Miller stated the October 10, 2005 edition of the Airport Noise Report contained an article in the
report that focused on the study conducted by Wyle Laboratories for the City of Eagan. She stated the City
has received recognition about the study and wanted to thank the Commission for their role in its
implementation.
USA TODAY / REGIONAL JETS
Miller introduced the item noting an article that appeared in the November 1, 2005 edition of the
USA Today regarding the scale back of regional jet usage. The Commission discussed the decline of
regional jets; what will replace the regional jets and how the contours will be affected by the cutback at
Northwest Airlines. It was noted the contours are scheduled to be re- evaluated in 2007, but possibly could
be reviewed sooner if significant change is determined.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Nierengarten, seconded by Flanagan, the Commission members adjourned the
meeting at 8:15 p.m. All members voted in favor.
DATE
SECRETARY