12/13/2005 - Airport Relations CommissionMINUTES OF THE EAGAN
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2005
A regular meeting of the Eagan Airport Relations Commission was held on Tuesday, December 13,
2005 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Curtis Aljets, Jason Bonnett, Dean Haehnel, Tammy Mencel, Steve
Nierengarten, Jack Prentice and Charles Thorkildson. Absent were Valerie Dosland, Daniel Flanagan, and
Nathan Krahn. Also present was Dianne Miller, Assistant to the City Administrator.
AGENDA
Upon motion by Nierengarten; seconded by Aljets, the agenda was approved as presented. All
members voted in favor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Aljets made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2005 regular meeting of the
Airport Relations Commission; Mencel seconded the motion. All members voted in favor.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
Mr. and Mrs. Purohit, Eagan residents of 6 years, were present and asked the Commission
questions regarding the new runway. They voiced their concern regarding eastbound headings.
Several questions they asked were: 1.) Why aren't aircraft operations following the flight tracks?
2.) Why don't flights depart off the east runway? 3.) Why can't cargo planes, i.e. UPS, fly out of the
smaller reliever airports? 4.) Can't the airport or neighboring cities charge fees or have penalties for
nighttime flights? 5.) Does the City of Eagan receive any compensation for noise pollution? 6.) Is there
anything the City can do to reduce flights and noise?
Chair Thorkildson addressed the Purohit's questions regarding headings and flight tracks. He
explained factors on how weather /wind, pilots turning at the 2.5 nautical mile turn point, fanning and safety
determine headings. He further noted the 15 degree separation and the domino affect it can have and stated
the flight tracks are used as a guide. Thorkildson discussed the configuration of the runways, how the
airport uses the runways and flight paths and its affect on the capacity of the airport.
Miller addressed the Purohit's concerns regarding nighttime flights, fees and compensation, noting
the 1990 Airport Noise and Capacity Act and stated the airports cannot charge for nighttime flights as such
charges would be considered interference with interstate commerce.
The Commission discussed Northwest's flight mix, quieter planes, use of reliever airports, and
summer vs. winter aircraft noise.
COMMUNICATION SUBCOMMITTEES
Miller introduced the item noting this item is placed monthly on the agenda for Commission
members and subcommittees to discuss, comment, and make recommendations to the ARC and the Eagan
City Council.
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December 13, 2005/2
Miller noted per the direction of the Commission at the November 7 ARC meeting, a story is being
run on the City's cable television regarding the January 19, 2006 new runway open house that will take
place at the Eagan Community Center from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. She also stated preparations are underway
for the January /February 2006 newsletter, which will arrive in homes the week of January 3 — 8, and that a
notice regarding the open house will be included in the newsletter along with a story highlighting the most
commonly asked questions and responses relative to the new runway.
Miller stated she has prepared the top 5 questions the City has been receiving, highlighting the 3
most common, along with responses to the questions. She further stated depending upon space, several of
these questions may appear in the newsletter.
EAGAN /MENDOTA HEIGHTS CORRIDOR ANALYSIS
Miller introduced the item stating the enclosed October 2005 Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor
Analysis and October 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.
17 -35 OPERATIONS REPORT
Miller introduced the item stating the November Runway 17 Departure Analysis Report is now
available for its first complete month of operation. She reviewed the report with the Commission noting
the departure overflight grid analysis showing the actual number of overflights in each grid, the RMT site
location map, the analysis of aircraft noise levels — DNL for the month of November for each RMT,
community vs. aircraft noise levels — DNL and a graph showing the top 15 Runway 17 departure
destination report, stating Denver is the number one destination.
JANUARY 19, 2006 OPEN HOUSE
Miller introduced the item noting it was the consensus of the Commission to host the City's open
house on January 19, 2006 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Eagan Conununity Center banquet room. Miller
noted her conversation with Chad Leqve and Melissa Skovronski of the Metropolitan Airports Commission
and their concurrence with the Commission to hold an informal open house, similar to the open house in
September, and will have a computer kiosk available, similar maps and demonstrations. She also stated a
list of commonly asked questions and responses will be available for residents at the open house.
EAGAN'S COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE PLAN / AIRPORTS AND AVIATION SECTION
Miller stated, per the direction of the Commission at the November 7, 2005 ARC meeting, she has
enclosed the Aviation section of the City's Comprehensive Guide Plan which was last updated on February
22, 2001 for their review. She stated an update is underway and will be completed in 2008. Miller stated
many changes will need to be made to the Airports and Aviation Section and that the Commission will
have a role in the update.
MAC LAWSUIT / MOTION TO DISMISS
Miller introduced the item noting on November 30, 2005 Judge Stephen Aldrich of the Hennepin
County District Court issued an order denying a motion made by the Metropolitan Airports Commission to
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December 13, 2005/3
dismiss the cities' claims. She further stated the motion being denied will allow the lawsuit filed by
Richfield, Eagan and Minneapolis to proceed ahead.
FOURTH QUARTER 2005 MAC PUBLIC INPUT MEETING COMMENTS / RESPONSES TO
QUESTIONS RAISED AT THE NOC
Miller introduced the item noting comments by residents at the Fourth Quarter 2005 Public Input
Meeting of November 10, 2005 and the November Noise Oversight Committee Meeting. Miller stated
Cindy Green, FAA Air Traffic Control Tower Operations Support Manager, was present and responded to
the majority of the comments /questions. Miller stated these questions will be available on Eagan's website.
She stated Apple Valley has requested a seat /formal representation on the NOC. Miller noted that
permanent seats and representation are currently held by cities that have a 60 DNL or greater; however, the
City of Apple Valley plans to meet with the NOC co -chair to further discuss their representation on the
NOC.
The Commission discussed several of the comments by residents attending the 4th Quarter 2005
MAC Public Input Meeting held on November 10, 2005.
ROUNDTABLE
Thorkildson suggested discussing representation to the Metropolitan Airports Commission as an
agenda item for the January 2006 ARC meeting. It was suggested that Miller include background
information to the process and when the boundaries were established in the January packet.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Aljets, seconded by Mencel, the Commission members adjourned the meeting at
8:12 p.m. All members voted in favor.
DATE
SECRETARY