2010 Zero Expansion/talktrans Eden Prairie City Council Candidate Questionnaire
Questionnaire & Responses
Kathy Nelson is running for
ciy council.
- Would you fight against the MAC and Met Council or any legislator from changing state
law which would change the designation of Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) from a Minor 1 reliever airport with a
limit of a 5.000 ft runway to a Minor 11 airport with a 6,000ft runway? Would you fight it and how?
Kathy Nelson- Yes. As a council member I urged the city to send a letter to the Met Council
protesting the inclusion of Eden Prairie in any discussion of a Minor 11 airport. The protest was sent, and the Met
Council informed us that discussions of Minor 11 status wasn’t really on their agenda at this time.
In the
future, I would continue the protest, and work with legislators if needed. There is no room in Eden Prairie for a 6000’
runway, not with safety areas. Enough is enough!
- Please grade your knowledge and understanding, airport
I.Q. on the Final Agreement between MAC and the city of Eden Prairie regarding Flying Cloud Airport?
A. B. C.
I give myself a B.
- Would you ever consider
eliminating the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission? Why or why not?
Kathy
Nelson- The Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission has done good work in the areas of security and some noise abatement.
They have also sponsored community forums, where residents can get some
questions answered by airport authorities. There is something to be said for keeping channels of communication open
between the city and MAC. The Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission has been doing that. I don’t see any reason
to eliminate it at this time. If, at a time in the future, the Commission had ceased to have any impact in the areas of security, noise or public information, then their reason for
continuing could be questioned.
- The airport issue has been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for
more than 20 years. The ball field expansion and cost to Eden Prairie recently came up at a city council meeting. As part
of the Final Agreement the city agreed to make an investment in the ball fields, even though the MAC can
relinquish the city’s right to use them. The FAA allows this non-airport use of airport land to keep communities
good neighbors, even though it’s against FAA rules to use airport land for non-airport uses. Do you think the city could
renegotiate this part of the Final Agreement?
Kathy Nelson- No, I don’t think that the
ball field portion could be renegotiated. The Council is moving forward with the new fields, and I expect that we will
finally get these fields promised in the final agreement.
- When the city delivered a letter to
our federal officials asking for funding for the airport expansion, the public was irate, particularly because most were
unaware that the city now supported the expansion. At that time, Zero Expansion asked the city to sign a
Resolution of Neutrality, which did not pass.
Some on the council understood the need for this, but the
majority overruled it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city must help MAC get funding. Despite
this, three members of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side would you have been on? The council
members who understood the need for it or the council members who thought it was a redundancy?
Some on the council
understood the need for this, but the majority overruled it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city
must help MAC get funding. Despite this, three members of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side
would you have been on? The council members who understood the need for it or the council members who thought it was a
redundancy?
Kathy Nelson- As a council member I voted for neutrality.
- Recently a member of the FCAAC (Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission) made a presentation to the
city council reporting that FCM has the best security of most reliever airports. Of course what he left out of
the presentation is that it came to be because of the prodding of various council members, residents, Zero Expansion and
the FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA numerous times for safety and security hazards, which included unlocked gates
to the facility. One of our local news channels did several special reports on security and safety problems at the
airport. It took MAC over a decade to implement basic directional aides and increased security mandates. As a
resident of Eden Prairie can you describe what you think are the most critical impacts of having an airport in the
community?
Kathy Nelson- I was the council member who insisted that the airport
and Eden Prairie as a community need greater security at the airport. I am very happy that Flying Cloud now has the better
security that was needed.
Noise is perhaps the most critical
impact. Noise especially impacts those neighborhoods near the airport. Risk of airplane crashes, on take off or landing
also has impacted the community over the last year. There are an average of three crashes a year from Flying
Cloud, though they are often minor.
- What positions have you taken toward the airport, e.g. write
letters against the expansion, called the city council or as a council member acted on behalf of or against the expansion,
contacted MAC or federal legislators that you were for or against the expansion, lobby for or against the
expansion in the legislature, city council or by yourself as a resident?
Kathy
Nelson- As a council member I have voted in favor of neutrality on airport expansion, called for increased security at the
airport, and have asked many questions about helicopter noise, night-time noise, and run-up noise at the airport.
I also requested a protest be sent to the Met Council over possible inclusion of Eden Prairie in a minor 11 status. I
attended the two public meetings about the airport to listen to resident’s questions and concerns. I also met with
Hennepin Village residents who had concerns about the airport when they met with MAC. I have encouraged MAC and airport
officials to work with Hennepin Village to improve the look of the airport and the new hangers that are so near their
neighborhood.
- Do you have any idea what the kinds of impacts are to the community from the expansion,
as stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact Statement.)
Kathy Nelson-
There will be increased noise impacts, and some increase in environmental pollution.
- Do you know what a
LTCP is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM (Flying Cloud Airport)?
LTCP means Long Term Comprehensive Plan
Recommendations for the 2009 LTCP
• shift
runway 18/36 north and extend it 109” to 2,800’
• relocate taxiway connections
• construct a north
perimeter road
• redevelop north hangers to eliminate obstructions to the taxiway
• relocate the Air Traffic
Control Tower to the south hanger area
• research and develop non-aeronautical land uses on airport property
not needed for aviation use
- What does the Met Council have to do with airport planning?
Kathy Nelson- The Met Council is responsible for regional transportation planning, including
aviation. According to the Met Council web site “The Council is responsible for preparing and maintaining the
Twin Cities regional aviation system plan. It also coordinates aviation planning and development activities with local,
state, and federal governmental units, airport users and citizens.” Its current 20-year transportation plan was
adopted in 2009. It will be updated in 2013. Met Council Members are appointed by the Governor.
Zero Expansion's responses to Donna Azarian's points in her
email.
Donna Azarian - I do not
support the use of tax dollars to fight the airport expansion.
The decision to fight the expansion
was a long process of gathering public feedback, expert legal advise. There were dozens and dozens of meetings held
between then Mayor Jean Harris, a Republican, and Tom Heffilfinger, a Republican, who sat on the original Flying
Cloud Airport Commission that worked directly with MAC for a lengthy period of time to resolve MAC"s failure to meet their
legal comittments to the city in the original agreement.
Donna Azarian
- Before Republicans took control, the city spent thousands of dollars on this
special interest for three reasons.
The Final Agreement was overseen by Jean Harris (R) and prompted
by public pressure to get some type of assurances from MAC going forward. It was supported by Tom Heffilfinger (R) and
Council Members Nancy Tyra Lukens who is a Republican (still) and Ron Case, who was a Republican at the time, as was
Jan Mosman, another council member. What the Final Agreement did was make the city a partner, as such, the MAC had
to abide by the agreement and run everything they did and do by the city. They became partners, each making sure the other
stayed within the guidelines of what was agreed upon. The community felt it was well worth it and so did the city.
The city had two choices, get some assurances with an agreement or get nothing, no legal comittments from MAC. They opted
for something. The original agreement that MAC broke was not as strong in legal terms as the current agreement.
Donna Azarian -First, other than convey
citizen complaints to MAC, there appears to be very little the city can do about it.
That's
absolutely not true. Depending on whoever sits on the council has everything to do with the airport. It was under the
current council majority that the city went against their neutral position and sought funds for the expansion. The
current council majority (all endorsed Republicans) facilitated the fed dollars for the expansion because the MAC had no
funds for it. This went against the will of the people who fought long and hard for neutrality concerning the
airport. Cooperate with MAC, but don't advocate for funding on behalf of MAC to facilitate the expansion. That's what
the new council majority did. The city can put political pressure on MAC every time MAC does not meet their promised
comittments. More than that there is public pressure on MAC that would make it very difficult for MAC to redevelop
the ballfields for airport use, without facing some serious resident backlash. Public pressure has paid off, because MAC
has had to beef up their security and safety at FCM. Today, Thunderbird Aviation, a long hold-out for locked gates,
has locked gates like all the other FBO's. This resulted from public pressure and eventually tighter TSA/FAA security
measures.
Donna Azarian - Ron Case voted
in 2002 to give up the city's right to fight the expansion.
So, did Jean Harris and Nancy Trya
Lukens, and Jan Mosman, all Republicans at the time. They knew they couldn't fight it, so they made an agreement with MAC
to get all the community protections they could, making themselves partners in everything going forward. But, they
can still fight MAC on every aspect of the agreement they don't uphold as well as any future planes MAC may have to break
the agreement.
Donna Azarian -
Second, thousands of dollars have already been spent on this futile fight.
No, it was closer to a
million. There is nothing futile about having an agreement in place that makes MAC and the city partners. That's all the
city could hope for and that was accomplished with the advise of industry experts in the field. The city would
become neutral in order to get some quality-of-life protections for residents. It gave the city a legal document to hold
MAC accountable, without the Final Agreement the city would have nothing, no leverage with MAC.
Donna Azarian - Third, I
believe the people who are fueling this controversy are doing so to further their own self interest.
This shows your lack of understanding of the issue. Each of your responses indicate talking points the current council
majority has used that have little relation to the reality of the airport situation. Most of us having participated in
opposing the expansion, and supporting safety and security issues, because we know how the expansion and its increased
impacts will affect our community. We do this voluntarily, without compensation and certainly with no reward. All members
do this with the acknowlegement that we've participated and played a role as advocates for more accountability from MAC
and the best possible scenario for all of us airport neighbors and the greater community. Crashing planes into
neigborhoods, security risks, noise and pollution impacts are not inconsequential to the community.
Donna Azarian - I find that your questions introduce a strong
bias for one point of view. If you were more objective in your line of questioning, I would be more inclined to take the
time to answer your questionnaire.
This response is frankly, illogical. Zero Expansion is comprised
of residents who have no politcal commonality, but oppose larger and more noisy, more polluting airport operations in
their community. As a group we were not opposed to the airport as a small community airport, but we were all opposed
to increasing jet operations and accomodating larger aircraft.
Finally, your email shows one thing,
you are a partisan candidate who has closed yourself off to understanding why this has been such a critical issue and why
there is no partisan commonality among residents who share the same problems related to the airport. The previous
council majority were partners in ensuring the MAC abides by their committments and they were all Republicans. The current
council majority, made up of Republicans, have been enablers of the expansion.
Truthfully, and
recent history attests to this, it is the current council majority of endorsed Republicans who have made the airport a
political issue, when it's really not in terms of the residents who are impacted and the community in the city's
ability to retain the kind of quality of life we've all come to expect.
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom is running for city
council.
- Would you fight against the MAC and Met Council or any legislator from changing state law
which would change the designation of Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) from a Minor 1 reliever airport with a limit of a
5.000 ft runway to a Minor 11 airport with a 6,000ft runway? Would you fight it and how?
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom- While the current Final Agreement of 2002 maintains that City Council Members remain
“neutral” from fighting against the airport in a representative capacity, if the Flying Cloud Airport was under
consideration as a Minor 11 airport, I would work with other Council Members to lobby to keep the state law as is.
- Please grade your knowledge and understanding, airport I.Q. on the Final Agreement between MAC and the
city of Eden Prairie regarding Flying Cloud Airport?
A. B. C.
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom- A. I am well informed about the Final Agreement having served on the
City Council for a number of years, and especially during the negotiations phase of the agreement.
- Would you ever consider eliminating the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission? Why or why not?
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom- I think the FCAAC plays a role in listening to and fielding concerns of
Eden Prairie residents. I have appreciated the problem solving around key issues in which the Commission has been
involved. I also believe it is important to have residents represented on the Commission who are directly affected by the
airport.
- The airport issue has been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for more than 20 years. The
ball field expansion and cost to Eden Prairie recently came up at a city council meeting. As part of the Final Agreement
the city agreed to make an investment in the ball fields, even though the MAC can relinquish the city’s right to use them.
The FAA allows this non-airport use of airport land to keep communities good neighbors, even though it’s against FAA
rules to use airport land for non-airport uses. Do you think the city could renegotiate this part of the Final Agreement?
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom- I believe allowing the City to use the land for ball fields
is more than being a good neighbor, I think it is essential for MAC to demonstrate that the residents of Eden
Prairie are important and this is a way to provide the community with a benefit for having an airport in resident’s
backyard. I am always worried about re-opening negotiations on the Final Agreement because I am not sure what else
will become “open for additional discussion” that might include expansion of runways, or other issues. I would approach
this with caution, but would want to take the best approach for the community.
- When the city
delivered a letter to our federal officials asking for funding for the airport expansion, the public was irate,
particularly because most were unaware that the city now supported the expansion. At that time, Zero Expansion
asked the city to sign a Resolution of Neutrality, which did not pass.
Some on the council understood the
need for this, but the majority overruled it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city must help MAC
get funding. Despite this, three members of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side would you have been
on? The council members who understood the need for it or the council members who thought it was a redundancy?
Sherry Butcher Wicksrom- I wouldn’t consider aiding MAC with funding, however I do want
MAC to improve the airport in an appropriate manner with City planning and implementation involvement.
-
Recently a member of the FCAAC (Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission) made a presentation to the city council
reporting that FCM has the best security of most reliever airports. Of course what he left out of the
presentation is that it came to be because of the prodding of various council members, residents, Zero Expansion and the
FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA numerous times for safety and security hazards, which included unlocked gates to
the facility. One of our local news channels did several special reports on security and safety problems at the airport.
It took MAC over a decade to implement basic directional aides and increased security mandates. As a resident of
Eden Prairie can you describe what you think are the most critical impacts of having an airport in the community?
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom- I think safety, quality of life and environmental
impacts are the most critical impacts. As a long-time City Council Member, ensuring the safety and security of our
residents has been pivotal and after the terrorism of 9/11, I became very active in working with US Attorney Tom
Heffelfinger and the Eden Prairie Police and Fire to create a “Flying Cloud Airport Security Guide,” which was
printed in August 2004. This guide identified potential security risks and outlined methods and procedures for safety
practices. All the Police and Fire Chiefs of the reliever airport cites approved the Airport Security Guide. See
below an excerpt from that document.
Local Level
The
security efforts listed below and implemented at the Flying Cloud Airport are due in a large part to collaborative
partnerships. These partnerships include MAC staff, airport business owners and their employees, aircraft owners and
pilots, hangar owners, the Eden Prairie Police and Fire departments, the FAA control tower, and Tom Heffelfinger.
• The Flying Cloud Airport Security Guide
• Secured aircraft
• Secured hangars
• Airport
Community Watch group
• Contact list
• Security procedures
• Law enforcement officer support
•
Fire and building inspection program
• Six foot fence around a majority of the airport with a 12 foot deer control
fence around the remainder
• Reduced number of access gates from 12 to 8 operable gates (four of which have ability
to use punch key access) and one gate permanently closed
• Consistent informational and restricted area signage
• Use of concrete j-barriers to separated public parking from airside operations
• Lighting on and along many of
the hangar rows and hangar ends
• Direct contact between FAA control tower and Eden Prairie police dispatch
•
Annual meeting with fixed based operators at the airport
• Annual meeting with the airport pilots and hangar
owners
- What positions have you taken toward the airport, e.g. write letters against the expansion,
called the city council or as a council member acted on behalf of or against the expansion, contacted MAC or
federal legislators that you were for or against the expansion, lobby for or against the expansion in the legislature,
city council or by yourself as a resident?
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom- As a
twelve year City Council Member I have always been concerned about the impact of the airport on our residents and have
worked with other Council Members and the City to gain the most beneficial agreement with MAC. Once elected, I will
continue this commitment on behalf of the community.
- Do you have any idea what the kinds of impacts are
to the community from the expansion, as stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact Statement.)
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom-Yes, I am familiar with the FEIS. The FEIS is the final environmental
impact statement, released in 2004, that explains the evaluation of the impacts the expansion of the airport has on
the environment, and has the explanation on how MAC will mitigate the environmental impacts.
Some of the
impacts include:
1. Noise Pollution from the larger jets that are now able to land on the expanded runways.
Some mitigation was mandatory and some voluntary. For example, the FEIS states that there is a mandatory noise
restriction on nighttime engine run-ups until 7:00 am. However, there is only a voluntary restriction on the flights
leaving before 7:00 am. Both of these restrictions are meant to allow residents living around the airport some
relief from noise pollution. Complaints from residents go before the Flying Cloud Airport Commission for review and
comment by MAC.
2. Toxic emissions from aircraft was another concern listed in the FEIS. The air quality was
a concern for residents. MAC defended the airport expansion by saying these emissions were no greater than air
quality in metropolitan areas.
3. Safety of residents living around the airport due to accidents was
mitigated by MAC purchasing more land for the airport safety zones.
An impact that I have always been
concerned about that doesn't appear to be addressed by the FEIS is the run-off of chemicals sprayed on aircraft, such as
de-icers, that flow off the tarmack. With the Minnesota River in close proximity, as well as the rookeries of the
DNR I have wondered how safe those chemicals are for our fragile environment.
- Do you know what a LTCP
is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM (Flying Cloud Airport)?
Sherry
Butcher Wicksrom- Long Term Comprehensive Planning. The latest one was presented to the Commission in May 2009 with
forecasts, capacity, and runway safety areas outlined. It also includes a section on land use compatibility and
safety zones.
- What does the Met Council have to do with airport planning?
Sherry Butcher Wickstrom- The Met Council is the umbrella agency over the MAC and has approval
authority for runway expansions.
Dan Kitrell is running for city council.
- Would you fight against the MAC and Met Council or any legislator from changing state law which would change the
designation of Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) from a Minor 1 reliever airport with a limit of a 5.000 ft runway to
a Minor 11 airport with a 6,000ft runway? Would you fight it and how?
Residents, businesses, and the city have made investments and family decisions based on the current
agreement with the MAC and designation as a Minor I reliever airport. I would oppose any substantial changes to the
existing agreement including changing the designation to Minor II and the extension of the runway from 5000 feet to
6000 feet.
- Please grade your knowledge and understanding, airport I.Q. on the Final Agreement between
MAC and the city of Eden Prairie regarding Flying Cloud Airport?
A. B. C.
I earn an A based on my “awareness” of this issue as a resident of Eden Prairie, but am
committed to expanding my knowledge of the details of this issue as a member of the Eden Prairie City Council. I
have actively followed this issue for many years as a resident and have read the “Final Agreement”, “Final Environmental
Impact Statement”, and much of the information available on various websites. I have also attended public hearings
and have spoken with numerous residents regarding this issue. I live near Flying Cloud Airport and have regularly reported
noise violations. I also recognize the connection between the current and proposed leases for the land used for the
Flying Cloud ball fields and the City of Eden Prairie’s leverage to stand up to the MAC. This is an area of high priority
for additional research and public discussion.
- Would you ever consider eliminating the Flying
Cloud Airport Advisory Commission? Why or why not?
As a member of the City
Council, I would expect the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission to provide timely, accurate, and objective
information to insure that the MAC is operating within agreed upon terms and to anticipate any future actions by the
MAC. Provided that the commission continues to effectively meet these specified objectives, I would continue to value
their input and their role. However, I would not defer my responsibility for being informed on this topic to a
single commission, but would actively seek and consult with additional knowledgeable resources on this topic in addition
to the FCAAC.
- The airport issue has been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for more than 20
years. The ball field expansion and cost to Eden Prairie recently came up at a city council meeting. As part of
the Final Agreement the city agreed to make an investment in the ball fields, even though the MAC can relinquish the
city’s right to use them. The FAA allows this non-airport use of airport land to keep communities good neighbors,
even though it’s against FAA rules to use airport land for non-airport uses. Do you think the city could renegotiate this
part of the Final Agreement?
Having attended the recent City Council meeting at which
this was discussed, the MAC specifically emphasized the “below market lease rates” for the land for the ball fields. It
was also mentioned that Eden Prairie had limited options for development of ball fields outside of the MAC property.
Although the city has been living with the risk of the MAC not renewing our lease for the existing land for 20
years, we committed an additional $1.2MM into further development which will give the MAC even more leverage over our
residents. I am not aware of all of the options for reducing this risk, but revisiting the existing agreements is
certainly one option to consider.
- When the city delivered a letter to our federal officials asking for
funding for the airport expansion, the public was irate, particularly because most were unaware that the city now
supported the expansion. At that time, Zero Expansion asked the city to sign a Resolution of Neutrality, which
did not pass.
Some on the council understood the need for this, but the majority overruled it. There is
nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city must help MAC get funding. Despite this, three members of the council
saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side would you have been on? The council members who understood the need for it
or the council members who thought it was a redundancy?
Flying Cloud Airport is
a regional asset but a localized nuisance within our city. This means that Eden Prairie is guaranteed to receive the
negatives of the airport, but may not receive the positives of the airport. As a Minor I facility, FCM makes Eden
Prairie competitive with other cities based on airport facilities, which enables us to compete for businesses based on our
many other advantages. Eden Prairie-based businesses contribute approximately half of the tax revenue for our city
and were cited by Money magazine as a key factor in Eden Prairie being ranked as the “Best Small City”. The short
term needs of these businesses must be considered, but they should not compromise the long term needs of our residents. I
am not familiar with the details of the proposed Resolution of Neutrality, so I can not comment specifically on
whether it was redundant or if I would have supported it. However, as a member of the City Council, I would not actively
support efforts to fund the expansion of Flying Cloud Airport.
- Recently a member of the FCAAC
(Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission) made a presentation to the city council reporting that FCM has the best
security of most reliever airports. Of course what he left out of the presentation is that it came to be because
of the prodding of various council members, residents, Zero Expansion and the FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA numerous times
for safety and security hazards, which included unlocked gates to the facility. One of our local news channels
did several special reports on security and safety problems at the airport. It took MAC over a decade to
implement basic directional aides and increased security mandates. As a resident of Eden Prairie can you describe what you
think are the most critical impacts of having an airport in the community?
As a resident of Eden Prairie, I am directly impacted by the noise associated with Flying Cloud Airport.
Although I personally find the current noise levels tolerable, I am also aware of late and early activity clearly in
violation of the voluntary use agreement. The recent accident involving a plane crashing near the Cummins Grill house
emphasizes the real danger associated with having an airport in the community. Environmental Impact Statements
itemize several other known risks associated with flight activity and airport operations. However, I also recognize the
positive value perceived by businesses seeking the convenience of access to a regional airport facility like Flying
Cloud. It will be important to manage the short term needs of business with the long term needs of our
community.
- What positions have you taken toward the airport, e.g. write letters against the expansion,
called the city council or as a council member acted on behalf of or against the expansion, contacted MAC or
federal legislators that you were for or against the expansion, lobby for or against the expansion in the legislature,
city council or by yourself as a resident?
Prior to moving to Eden Prairie, my
wife and I researched the current and future plans for Flying Cloud airport. We purchased our home based on existing
agreements and anticipated future plans. We are impacted by the increased noise associated with the recent
expansion. Prior to the expansion, I attended public hearings and became more diligent about reporting noise violations
(primarily early/late activity). I continue to follow this issue.
- Do you have any idea what the
kinds of impacts are to the community from the expansion, as stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact Statement.)
Although the FEIS shows minimal impact across the multiple factors which were
considered, the City Council should apply their own factors and weights based on the impact to residents and businesses.
Additionally, since the MAC has already demonstrated that they would pursue changes despite having a “Final
Agreement”, the City Council should anticipate and prepare for future actions by the MAC including the possibility
of extending the existing runway from 5000 feet to 6000 feet. There are clear near term costs and risks, but we should
identify and address potential long term costs and risks to avoid sliding down the slippery slope of expanded
facilities and operations.
- Do you know what a LTCP is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM
(Flying Cloud Airport)?
FCM’s latest long-term comprehensive plan (LTCP)
provided for the extension of the existing runways, noise mitigation measures, voluntary night time operation limits, the
acquisition of lands to prevent incompatible development, and other measures. It also concluded that alternative
sites did not exist for moving FCM elsewhere in the southwest region. Additionally, the LTCP notes that a runway length
of at least 5500 feet is desired to accommodate proposed use in all conditions, but the length of the FCM runway is
limited to 5000 feet by law.
- What does the Met Council have to do with airport planning?
Regional airports are part of the comprehensive regional transportation planning required of
the Met Council. It is critical that our elected officials and representatives play an active role in the Met
Council planning process to insure that the transportation needs of our community are met, but that the quality of life
for our residents is maintained. Meeting the short term demands of a select group may create a long term problem for a
much larger group (e.g., declining property values, safety issues, noise and other negatives).
Scott Pollino is running for city council.
- Would you fight against the MAC and Met
Council or any legislator from changing state law which would change the designation of Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) from a
Minor 1 reliever airport with a limit of a 5.000 ft runway to a Minor 11 airport with a 6,000ft runway? Would
you fight it and how?
I think it would be worth exploring ways to fight the
change. I'm not sure I'm ready to chain myself to a fence, but I think our local station (KMSP) would be will to listen
to a noisy city council.
- Please grade your knowledge and understanding, airport I.Q. on the Final
Agreement between MAC and the city of Eden Prairie regarding Flying Cloud Airport?
A.
B. C.
C. Here, since it is the lowest you offer
- Would
you ever consider eliminating the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission? Why or why not?
I think it must be good to have a group of people focusing on an issue. If they brought forth bad
ideas, I hope it would be obvious to everyone that they needed to be replaced.
- The airport issue has
been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for more than 20 years. The ball field expansion and cost to Eden Prairie
recently came up at a city council meeting. As part of the Final Agreement the city agreed to make an investment
in the ball fields, even though the MAC can relinquish the city’s right to use them. The FAA allows this non-airport use
of airport land to keep communities good neighbors, even though it’s against FAA rules to use airport land for
non-airport uses. Do you think the city could renegotiate this part of the Final Agreement?
I'm not sure renegotiation is called for at this time. I do care for youth baseball, so I would make sure their
best interests were included.
- When the city delivered a letter to our federal officials asking for
funding for the airport expansion, the public was irate, particularly because most were unaware that the city now
supported the expansion. At that time, Zero Expansion asked the city to sign a Resolution of Neutrality, which
did not pass.
Some on the council understood the need for this, but the
majority overruled it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city must help MAC get funding. Despite
this, three members of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side would you have been on? The council
members who understood the need for it or the council members who thought it was a redundancy?
Was
there something about this question that involved businesses within our city? I would want to make sure they are not
disadvantaged. If this was about "county harmony" at the expense of EP, I wouldn't paly along.
-
Recently a member of the FCAAC (Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission) made a presentation to the city council
reporting that FCM has the best security of most reliever airports. Of course what he left out of the
presentation is that it came to be because of the prodding of various council members, residents, Zero Expansion and the
FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA numerous times for safety and security hazards, which included unlocked gates to
the facility. One of our local news channels did several special reports on security and safety problems at the airport.
It took MAC over a decade to implement basic directional aides and increased security mandates. As a resident of
Eden Prairie can you describe what you think are the most critical impacts of having an airport in the community?
I don't think EP has any advantages over Chaska, Chanhassen or Edina because
we have an airport. It is needed for the metros area, but it could just as well be in another city.
- What positions have you taken toward the airport, e.g. write letters against the expansion, called the city council
or as a council member acted on behalf of or against the expansion, contacted MAC or federal legislators that you
were for or against the expansion, lobby for or against the expansion in the legislature, city council or by yourself as a
resident?
None
- Do you have any idea what the kinds of
impacts are to the community from the expansion, as stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact Statement.)
Have not read the FEIS, but I imagine expansion would bring more noise.
- Do you know what a LTCP is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM (Flying Cloud Airport)?
Long Term Comprehensive Plan (OK, I used Google). No.
- What does the Met Council
have to do with airport planning?
The Met Council has far too much influence
for an unelected body. I'm sure they have "opinions" they would like to enforce for the greater good of the area over the
needs of our city.
Jeremiah Pilon is running for city council.
- Would you fight against the MAC and Met Council or any legislator from changing state law which would change the
designation of Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) from a Minor 1 reliever airport with a limit of a 5.000 ft runway to a
Minor 11 airport with a 6,000ft runway?
Yes, in meeting and talking with residents, they have
consistently shared with me that they do not want the runways to be any longer. Most admit that they are not happy with
the expansion to 5,000 feet. An expansion to 6,000 feet benefits practically none of our residents and
serves only to bring more air traffic and noise to our city, something that our residents have made clear to
me that they do not want. Knowing that our residents do not want it, I would fight the change in designation.
Would you fight it and how?
Yes, I would. There is strength in numbers
and knowledge, so to effectively combat an effort to change Flying Cloud Airport’s main runway to 6,000 feet; I would rely
on those two lines of defense. With regard to numbers, I would work to produce evidence that the strong
majority of Eden Prairie residents are opposed to the expansion of the airport, whether through petitions,
surveys or other means. With regard to knowledge, I would scrutinize every proposal, challenging any premise upon which a
proposal for a runway length increase would rest. Most estimates I have come across show that only about 1%
of our residents actually benefit from and make use of the airport, so public support of any further expansion is almost
assuredly very low.
- Please grade your knowledge and understanding, airport I.Q. on the Final Agreement
between MAC and the city of Eden Prairie regarding Flying Cloud Airport?
B-
While I have researched the final agreement, I acknowledge that I still have more to learn about the agreement and all of
its implications.
- Would you ever consider eliminating the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission?
Why or why not?
No, provided that the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission
places the proper emphasis on the Eden Prairie citizen groups’ representatives that are on the commission. Ideally, these
representatives serve on the commission because they are concerned about the future of our airport and the
multiple ways that possible airport expansion could affect our community.
The commission can help
hold the MAC accountable to its promises, such as the promise they made, as part of the Final Agreement, to expand the
leased ball fields from 31 acres to approximately 56 acres eight years ago.
- The
airport issue has been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for more than 20 years. The ball field expansion and cost to
Eden Prairie recently came up at a city council meeting. As part of the Final Agreement the city agreed to
make an investment in the ball fields, even though the MAC can relinquish the city’s right to use them. The FAA allows
this non-airport use of airport land to keep communities good neighbors, even though it’s against FAA rules
to use airport land for non-airport uses. Do you think the city could renegotiate this part of the Final
Agreement?
In reading through the tenth item of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) that was released in conjunction with the Final Agreement, in light of the rest the agreement, it does
not appear that renegotiating this point violates the terms of the agreement. Especially in light of the MAC’s
underhanded attempt to tie the expanded lease plan to an unrestricted right to develop, the MAC owes our city. Our
residents have waited patiently since 2002 to be able to use the extra acreage that the MAC promised for the use of soccer
and baseball fields. Ten-year-olds, who could have enjoyed those fields when the promise was made, are now getting
ready to graduate from high school while the MAC still has not carried through on its promise.
If our City
Attorney’s reading concurred with mine above, at the very least, Eden Prairie should renegotiate for at least a three-year
notice period for any recapture. Ideally, given the money the city invested, they should push for longer lease terms
or test the waters for a purchase of that acreage. While I recognize the latter option to be a long shot, it sets the tone
for the negotiation, one where a three to five year notice for recapture would hopefully become a realistic outcome.
Regardless, the city should not relinquish unrestricted development rights to the MAC as their new request has
absolutely nothing to do with the agreed upon MOU.
- When the city delivered a letter to our federal
officials asking for funding for the airport expansion, the public was irate, particularly because most were unaware that
the city now supported the expansion. At that time, Zero Expansion asked the city to sign a Resolution of
Neutrality, which did not pass.
Some on the council understood the need for this, but the majority overruled
it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city must help MAC get funding. Despite this, three members
of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side would you have been on? The council members who understood
the need for it or the council members who thought it was a redundancy?
I can
only answer that from the perspective of what I would have done leading up to the vote. In reviewing the currently
available commentary and information that is available on the city’s request for federal funding, it is
unclear what all of the options were at that time. Over the course of law school, I have learned that how to effectively
research potential problems to create solutions. So, I would have considered all available options, looking at
all avenues that could help minimize extra taxes, but I would not want to see any tax dollars spent on any lobbying
efforts.
It seems clear though, that the major problem was the lack of transparency and open
communication. One of my greatest strengths is my ability and willingness to listen. I also understand that sometimes,
in order to be able to listen, I must ask the right questions. So I would have started by enlisting the feedback of our
residents. Whether through a Town Hall meeting, blog or Facebook announcement (or most likely a combination of the
three to encompass multiple generations of residents) to let our residents know about the process that the city was
involved in with regard to the airport expansion. After answering questions, explaining the process and explaining
the possible benefits/drawbacks, I would work to gather the opinion of our city’s residents.
Armed with the knowledge of how our residents felt, I would vote accordingly.
-
Recently a member of the FCAAC (Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission) made a presentation to the city council
reporting that FCM has the best security of most reliever airports. Of course what he left out of the
presentation is that it came to be because of the prodding of various council members, residents, Zero Expansion and the
FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA numerous times for safety and security hazards, which included unlocked gates
to the facility. One of our local news channels did several special reports on security and safety problems at the
airport. It took MAC over a decade to implement basic directional aides and increased security mandates. As
a resident of Eden Prairie can you describe what you think are the most critical impacts of having an airport
in the community?
Here is one of the best examples of how groups like Zero
Expansion and the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission have helped Eden Prairie, by keeping the pressure and spotlight
on what needs to change.
The most critical day-to-day impact of the airport is the noise that is
generated by the airport. No one in Eden Prairie will say that they relish the roar of jet overhead as they enjoy dinner
out on their porch with their family.
Accidents this past April
and last August though remind us of the true danger of airplane crashes. While rare, the possibility of plane crash is
constant risk that cannot be overlooked or forgotten.
- What positions have you taken toward the
airport, e.g. write letters against the expansion, called the city council or as a council member acted on behalf of or
against the expansion, contacted MAC or federal legislators that you were for or against the expansion,
lobby for or against the expansion in the legislature, city council or by yourself as a resident?
Living in Eden Prairie marks the second time I have lived in city with an airport, with my first
experience being in Crystal, MN. However, I have not publicly taken a stand one way or another on airport issues before
this.
- Do you have any idea what the kinds of impacts are to the community from the expansion, as
stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact Statement.)
Yes, but what is
more important is what the FEIS does not have in it. One of the largest omissions in the report is the fact that the MAC
had already begun to buy many of the projected properties years before the FEIS was released, essentially starting
on the project without first receiving environmental approval.
The second glaring omission in the FEIS is in
the area of poisonous chemicals that result from the burning of aircraft fuel. Many of these toxins cause cancer as well
as other various health issues. In the FEIS, the FAA disregarded these risks by implying that they did not need to
report these dangerous omissions as part of the environmental impact statement.
The FEIS of June 2004 hardly lived up to its billing and it is the perfect example of why it’s important for
residents to say plugged in and make sure their Council Members are fighting to protect them.
-
Do you know what a LTCP is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM (Flying Cloud Airport)?
Yes, it is the Long-Term Comprehensive Plan which extended FCM’s planning horizon to the year
2025. The main elements of the plan were:
• Shift crosswind runway 18/36 109’ North; Extend to 2,800’ total
length
• Maintain the two parallel runways
• Continue pavement
reconstruction and rehabilitation program,
• Complete the new south building area utilities
• Provide for
Taxiway (A) object free area
• Relocate the Air Traffic Control Tower
• Continue effort to develop non-
aviation uses on airport property currently not needed for aviation use
Based on the MAC 2010 Capital
Improvement Program estimates, the reconstruction of runway 18/36 south end, the shifting and extending of the runway to
2,800’ and the upgrade of runway lights will consume an FAA-funded $1,700,000 and take up to five years to
complete.
The construction of the north perimeter road will cost $300,000 and
also take up to five years.
To replace runway 18/36 VASI’s with PAPI’s will cost $100 – 200,000 and also take
up to five years
Obstruction removal will cost $100,000 and could take
up to five years also.
The LTCP calls for a pavement maintenance and
replacement program will cost $2,000,000.
The south hangar area
utilities, perhaps the largest proposed change, especially for residents south of the airport, will cost $2,100,000 and
follow the up to five year timeline.
The second largest change, and by
far the most expensive, is the relocation of the Air Traffic Control
Tower, which will cost $6 – 7,000,000 and take
up to 15 years.
- What does the Met Council have to do with airport planning?
The Met Council has interplay with airport planning in several ways. One is in the adequacy
studies, such as the one they completed for MSP in December 1988, predicting the demands that would fall upon the
airport over the next 20 years and what other runways/airports would need to be developed in response to their
predictions.
The Met Council helps develop policy plans for regional aviation systems and they provide
forecasts of regional population and household growth.
The Council currently has a 2030 Regional Development
Framework with the goal of implementing aviation changes intended to help accommodate that the Twin Cities seven-county
area’s projected expansion of nearly 1 million people over the next twenty years.
Nancy Tyra Lukens running for
Mayor.
- Would you fight against the MAC and Met Council or any legislator from changing state law
which would change the designation of Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) from a Minor 1 reliever airport with a limit
of a 5.000 ft runway to a Minor 11 airport with a 6,000ft runway? Would you fight it and how?
Yes I would fight this. Currently it against state law so I would fight it by enlisting the help
of our legislators, testifying as needed in St. Paul, talking to the MAC and finally by involving our
attorneys.
- Please grade your knowledge and understanding, airport I.Q. on the Final Agreement between
MAC and the city of Eden Prairie regarding Flying Cloud Airport?
A. B. C.
I am only going to give myself a B because, although I know more than the average person
about this, there are lots of details that I could use further education on.
- Would you ever consider
eliminating the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission? Why or why not?
Absolutely not! They are needed for oversight and community involvement in the airport issue.
- The airport issue has been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for more than 20 years. The ball field expansion
and cost to Eden Prairie recently came up at a city council meeting. As part of the Final Agreement the city
agreed to make an investment in the ball fields, even though the MAC can relinquish the city’s right to use them. The FAA
allows this non-airport use of airport land to keep communities good neighbors, even though it’s against FAA
rules to use airport land for non-airport uses. Do you think the city could renegotiate this part of the Final Agreement?
No I don’t think it should be renegotiated as that would open up all facets
of the agreement for discussion and perhaps jeopardize our interests.
- When the city delivered a letter
to our federal officials asking for funding for the airport expansion, the public was irate, particularly because most
were unaware that the city now supported the expansion. At that time, Zero Expansion asked the city to sign a
Resolution of Neutrality, which did not pass.
Some on the council understood the need for this, but the
majority overruled it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city must help MAC get funding. Despite
this, three members of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side would you have been on? The council
members who understood the need for it or the council members who thought it was a redundancy?
What would have been the harm in a Resolution of Neutrality? I would not have aided MAC on airport
expansion.
- Recently a member of the FCAAC (Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission) made a
presentation to the city council reporting that FCM has the best security of most reliever airports. Of course
what he left out of the presentation is that it came to be because of the prodding of various council members, residents,
Zero Expansion and the FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA numerous times for safety and security hazards, which
included unlocked gates to the facility. One of our local news channels did several special reports on security and safety
problems at the airport. It took MAC over a decade to implement basic directional aides and increased security
mandates. As a resident of Eden Prairie can you describe what you think are the most critical impacts of having an
airport in the community?
While the presence of the airport is a convenience
for a small number, and may have a small economic benefit, the negatives are obviously noise and public
safety.
- What positions have you taken toward the airport, e.g. write letters against the expansion,
called the city council or as a council member acted on behalf of or against the expansion, contacted MAC or
federal legislators that you were for or against the expansion, lobby for or against the expansion in the legislature,
city council or by yourself as a resident?
As a Council member and
Mayor I was involved in drafting the agreements that we now have with the MAC. I have also participated in forums about
the airport, addressed our legislators and testifie at a MAC hearing.
- Do you have any idea what the
kinds of impacts are to the community from the expansion, as stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact Statement.)
A brief list would include air quality impacts, bird/aircraft
hazards, economic impacts, noise, compatible land use impacts, social impacts, light emission, endangered and threatened
species impacts, construction impacts and historic and cultural impacts.
- Do you know what a
LTCP is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM (Flying Cloud Airport)?
LTCP is Long Term Comprehensive Plan. The current one includes runway lengthening, control tower relocation and
construction of a perimeter road.
- What does the Met Council have to do with airport planning?
MAC used to be an independent entity but was brought under the umbrella of the
Metropolitan Council about 20 years ago. My experience has been that Met Council has little oversight of MAC
particularly since Mary Hill Smith left the Council.
Ron Case running for the Minnesota State Senate.
- Would you fight
against the MAC and Met Council or any legislator from changing state law which would change the designation of Flying
Cloud Airport (FCM) from a Minor 1 reliever airport with a limit of a 5.000 ft runway to a Minor 11 airport with a
6,000ft runway? Would you fight it and how?
I would certainly fight against any
legislative change from our current status to anything that would result in more aircraft noise and a worsening of quality
of life for our residents living in the vicinity of the airport.
- Please grade your knowledge
and understanding, airport I.Q. on the Final Agreement between MAC and the city of Eden Prairie regarding Flying Cloud
Airport?
A. I helped to negotiate the current MOA between the City of
Eden Prairie and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
- Would you ever consider eliminating the Flying
Cloud Airport Advisory Commission? Why or why not?
I think the commission
serves a positive role in buffering potential differences of opinion between the City and MAC. It also provides yet
another avenue for residents to get information, express opinions, and vent their frustrations.
- The airport issue has been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for more than 20 years. The
ball field expansion and cost to Eden Prairie recently came up at a city council meeting. As part of the Final
Agreement the city agreed to make an investment in the ball fields, even though the MAC can relinquish the city's right
to use them. The FAA allows this non-airport use of airport land to keep communities good neighbors, even though
it's against FAA rules to use airport land for non-airport uses. Do you think the city could renegotiate this part of the
Final Agreement?
I think we could choose to attempt to renegotiate any part of
our agreement, but it would be unwise to do so since we obtained significant concessions from MAC back in 2002 within a
difficult negotiation's process wherein the City was statutorily at a severe power disadvantage. To attempt to
reopen any part of the negotiated settlement would risk loosing our hard-fought and important concessions.
- When the city delivered a letter to our federal officials asking for funding for the airport expansion, the public
was irate, particularly because most were unaware that the city now supported the expansion. At that time, Zero
Expansion asked the city to sign a Resolution of Neutrality, which did not pass.
Some on the council
understood the need for this, but the majority overruled it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city
must help MAC get funding. Despite this, three members of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side
would you have been on? The council members who understood the need for it or the council members who thought it was a
redundancy?
I have always believed that the role of the Council should be to
advocate for the needs and concerns of our residents. Since the airport's disadvantages far outweigh its meager financial
and insignificant advantages, I believe it is should be the role of the Council to stand up to MAC in defense of our
quality of life and to fight against any expansion of airport facilities and use to the extent that we have legal
and political power to do so for the greater common good of our Eden Prairie residents.
- Recently a
member of the FCAAC (Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission) made a presentation to the city council reporting that FCM
has the best security of most reliever airports. Of course what he left out of the presentation is that it came to
be because of the prodding of various council members, residents, Zero Expansion and the FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA
numerous times for safety and security hazards, which included unlocked gates to the facility. One of our local news
channels did several special reports on security and safety problems at the airport. It took MAC over a decade to
implement basic directional aides and increased security mandates. As a resident of Eden Prairie can you describe what you
think are the most critical impacts of having an airport in the community?
The greatest negative impact on the quality of the thousands of residents who live near and around the airport
is noise. Next are the air and water quality impacts which are scientifically documented but left unresolved in the
final agreement.
- What positions have you taken toward the airport, e.g. write letters
against the expansion, called the city council or as a council member acted on behalf of or against the expansion,
contacted MAC or federal legislators that you were for or against the expansion, lobby for or against the expansion
in the legislature, city council or by yourself as a resident?
My record of
airport expansion opposition is well-documented in newspaper commentaries, MOU and MOA meeting minutes, and countless
personal conversations with elected officials at all levels of government.
- Do you have any idea
what the kinds of impacts are to the community from the expansion, as stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact
Statement.)
The FEIS lists the impacts but then does not offer a roadmap to
resolution. Noise, air quality, water quality, contaminant containment, and security are some of the impacts
mentioned.
- Do you know what a LTCP is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM (Flying Cloud
Airport)?
The Long-Term Comprehensive-improvement Plan details the use,
expansion, and maintenance plans for the airport over the next several decades. Plans call for a build-out of the new
hangar area on the south side of the airport, redevelopment of the older hanger area on the northeast side of the
airport, no additional runway expansion plans as of this time (it would need legislative approval to expand the main
runway beyond 5000 feet), and no additional plans that impact the City's lease of the ballfield areas.
- What does the Met Council have to do with airport planning?
The Metropolitan Council oversees the affairs of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, although
since both are appointed by the Governor, rarely does the Met Council veto or re-direct the vision and
implementation plans of the MAC. Nonetheless, the Met Council still is one more potential roadblock for the MAC in the
event the City of Eden Prairie was at odds with a particular directive concerning the Flying Cloud
Airport.
Ray Daniels is running for the Minnesota House.
- Would you fight
against the MAC and Met Council or any legislator from changing state law which would change the designation of Flying
Cloud Airport (FCM) from a Minor 1 reliever airport with a limit of a 5.000 ft runway to a Minor 11 airport with a
6,000ft runway? Would you fight it and how?
In the House of Representatives, I
will represent the viewpoints of the citizens. I will vote to keep FCM as a Minor 1 reliever airport.
- Please grade your knowledge and understanding, airport I.Q. on the Final Agreement between MAC and the city of Eden
Prairie regarding Flying Cloud Airport?
A. B. C.
I am not knowledgeable of all the details concerning the Flying Cloud Airport . I have neither read the
agreement nor been in any discussion about the issue.
- Would you ever consider eliminating the Flying
Cloud Airport Advisory Commission? Why or why not?
No, the Flying Cloud Airport
Advisory Commission is an important voice for the citizens who live in the area around the airport.
-
The airport issue has been a political hot potato in Eden Prairie for more than 20 years. The ball field expansion and
cost to Eden Prairie recently came up at a city council meeting. As part of the Final Agreement the city agreed
to make an investment in the ball fields, even though the MAC can relinquish the city’s right to use them. The FAA allows
this non-airport use of airport land to keep communities good neighbors, even though it’s against FAA rules to use
airport land for non-airport uses. Do you think the city could renegotiate this part of the Final Agreement?
No, renegotiating the Final Agreement will create more problems than it could solve.
- When the city delivered a letter to our federal officials asking for funding for the airport expansion, the public
was irate, particularly because most were unaware that the city now supported the expansion. At that time, Zero
Expansion asked the city to sign a Resolution of Neutrality, which did not pass.
Some on the council
understood the need for this, but the majority overruled it. There is nothing in the Final Agreement that states the city
must help MAC get funding. Despite this, three members of the council saw nothing wrong with aiding MAC. Which side would
you have been on? The council members who understood the need for it or the council members who thought it was a
redundancy?
The city should be neutral on the airport expansion. This is an
issue where certain members of the business community want the airport to expand at the expense of the citizens living
around the airport.
- Recently a member of the FCAAC (Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission)
made a presentation to the city council reporting that FCM has the best security of most reliever airports. Of course
what he left out of the presentation is that it came to be because of the prodding of various council members,
residents, Zero Expansion and the FAA. MAC was cited by the FAA numerous times for safety and security hazards,
which included unlocked gates to the facility. One of our local news channels did several special reports on security and
safety problems at the airport. It took MAC over a decade to implement basic directional aides and increased
security mandates. As a resident of Eden Prairie can you describe what you think are the most critical impacts of having
an airport in the community?
The airport affects the citizens in four
ways, noise, pollution, declining house values and the quality of life.
- What positions have you taken
toward the airport, e.g. write letters against the expansion, called the city council or as a council member acted on
behalf of or against the expansion, contacted MAC or federal legislators that you were for or against the
expansion, lobby for or against the expansion in the legislature, city council or by yourself as a resident?
As a state legislator, I would make sure that the community’s viewpoint is heard. I would
also vote against any change in the status of the airport.
- Do you have any idea what the kinds of
impacts are to the community from the expansion, as stated in the FEIS? (Final Environmental Impact Statement.)
The community is affect by the noise and pollution from the airport. This causes property
values to decline. There are other ways to serve the metro's airport needs than by continuing to expand small
community reliever airports.
- Do you know what a LTCP is? Can you tell us about the latest one for FCM
(Flying Cloud Airport)?
The LTCP would change FCM from a level 1 to a level 2
airport.
- What does the Met Council have to do with airport planning?
The Met Council can affect the classification of the airport.
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