11-01-99 agenda•
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CITY OF RICHFIELD
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1999
REGULAR OITY OOtiNCfL STUDY SESSION
7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
I. 7:00-7:30 P. M
II. 7:30-8:00. P.M
8:00 P.M
ANNUAL MEETING WITH CHARTER COMMISSION
STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES
STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 37
ADJOURNMENT
AUXILIARY AIDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE AVAILABLE UPON
REQUEST. REQUESTS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 96 HOURS IN ADVANCE TO
THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR AT 612-861-9702.
•
CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
Study Session Letter No. 37
Agenda November 1, 1999
issue Statement:
Status of airport related issues.
Background:
Recent developments regarding airport issues including the following:
• Governor's Airport Community Stabilization Funding Task Force
On Wednesday, October 27, 1999 the task force met at Richfield City Hall. At the
meeting Joel Michaels from Senate Majority Research spoke about tax abatement as a
possible funding option. Tax abatement allows cities, school districts, and counties to
finance projects by capturing a project's property taxes and redirecting them to help
finance the project. Some of the limitations, in regards to Richfield's land use
conversion, are the limits on how much and how abatement can be used and the fact
that abatement places all of the finical burden on municipalities, unlike TIF where the
burden is shared by the state.
The next task force meeting is scheduled for November 16, 1999 in Richfield at 8 a.m.
• Low-Frequency Noise Policy Committee(LFNPC)
• The Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee is expected to meet on November 10,
1999. At this meeting the LFNPC is expected to receive the Expert Panel's report on
low-frequency noise impacts. The Expert Panel has been meeting and is working
diligently to finish preparing their report.
• MASAC
MASAC held its monthly meeting on October 26, 1999. The focus of the meeting was
on an update of the technical advisors report and a review of the summer's construction
projects.
The November 12, MASAC Operations Committee meeting will be discussing the 2005
unmitigative contour. This is an important step in the Part 150 update process. Staff
will attend the meeting and report the information to Council.
• 4-22 Extension
The MAC is moving ahead on the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the 4-22 Runway
extension. The purpose of this extension is to facilitate non-stop travel from MSP to
Hong Kong. The EA's recommendation is to .extend the 4-22 Runway to the northeast,
a recommendation that staff supports. On October 19, 1999 staff submitted a letter
[Attachment A] to the FAA commenting on the EA process. The EA also acknowledges
that MAC is not considering, at present, the use of the 4-22 Runway for noise
redistribution.
•
• Cedar Avenue Airport Redevelopment Area (CAARA)
The first CAARA newsletter was mailed at the beginning of October [Attachment B].
The newsletter contained a Q & A on the City's efforts to secure funding for the land use
conversion. The newsletter also contained a background Q & A to provide information
to help educate residents on how the -City has been working to address the impacts
from airport expansion.
During the week of November 1, staff will begin meeting with several state and federal
agencies to explore funding options and to build legislative partnerships for CAARA.
Some of these agencies are Met Council, Department of Trade and Economic
Development and HUD.
Recommended Motion:
Discuss current airport issues
Basis of Recommendation:
It is important for the Council to provide direction to staff regarding airport concerns.
Alternative Recommendation:
Defer discussion to another date.
>Discussion/Decision Mode:
.This matter will be discussed at the Study Session of November 1, 1999.
• ..Respectfully submitted,
Sa ntha duno
City Manager
SO:cak
•
ATTACHMENT A
' ~ City Manager's Office
October 19, 1999
VIA Fax (6121713-4350 and Mail
Mr. Glen Orcutt, Federal Aviation Administration
Airports District Office
6020 - 28th Avenue South, Suite 102
Minneapolis, MN 55450
MnYOR Subject: Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed 1000 foot extension to the
MARTIN J. KIRSCH northeast and related improvements to runway 4-22 at Minneapolis - St. Paul International
Airport (MSP)
CITY COUNCIL
SUSAN ROSENBERG Deaf Mr. C
SUZANNE M. SANDAHL
KRISTAL STOKES The City of Richfield appreciates the opportunity to comment upon the Final Environmental
Russ susAG Assessment (EA) for the proposed extension of Runway 4-22.
The City believes that the extension of 4-22 to the northeast (potential alternative 2) is the.
least intrusive alternative offered. The City favors this alternative, over the other alternatives,
because it will not require the removal of any additional homes in Richfield.. The City has
currently lost 335 single-family homes and 68 multi-family housing units in the New Ford
Town/Rich Acres neighborhoods through noise mitigation purposes. The City also favors the
northeast extension because it will not restrict the land use conversion, needed to mitigate
the impacts from the new North/South Runway (17-35), within the Airport Impact Zone
created by the 1999 Minnesota State Legislature.
Although this extension is projected to produce only a small increase in the number of
operations, the City has concerns regarding several issues that are inadequately addressed
in the EA. The City is concerned about:
• The timing of the construction. The EA states that construction of the temporary
extension of the south parallel runway (Runway 12R-30L) will occur in the summer of
1999. Since this is inaccurate., the City would like to know the time frame for construction
of both the temporary extension of the south parallel and the extension of Runway 4-22.
• The time of day the extension would be used. Because of the especially intrusive nature
of the additional flight operations on the extended Runway 4-22, involving heavily loaded,
low-flying B-747's, the City believes that a mitigation measure involving a night time
curfew on those opera#ions should be considered.
• The continuing lack of information addressing the impact of low frequency noise on
residential neighborhoods from airport operations.
• The potential ongoing use of the extension of the south parallel runway. The City had
understood that the pavement used for the temporary extension would be torn up after
• Runway 4-22 is lengthened. The Final EA indicates otherwise. The EA should address
the possibility that the "unused" pavement on the south parallel would serve as a
The Urban Ho~netotirrr
6700 PORTLAND AVENUE, RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA 55423 612.861.9700. FAX: 612.861.9749
www.ci.richfield.mn.us AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Glen Orcutt
October 19, 1999
Page 2
clearway or stopway that would result in (1) additional operations on the south parallel by
°heavy° aircraft that would otherwise use Runway 4-22, and (2) more heavily loaded (and
therefore noisier) operations on the south parallel.
The City would also like to reiterate its objection to any change in the Runway Use System
(RUS) that would use Runway 4-22 for noise redistribution. In that regard, the City's
understanding that this will not occur is consistent with the representations in the 1=A that
(1) construction of Runway 17=35 will effectively preclude shifting departures to Runway 22,
and (2) additional environmental review would be required before any such redistribution (or
construction of a queuing taxiway for Runway 22 departures) could occur.
Should you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at (612)861-9705 or
Mark Hinds at (612)861-9708.
Sam ntha Orduno
Manager
SO:mjh
~Q
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Issue No. 1 October 1999
Q. What is the latest on the efforts to
secure funding for the Cedar Avenue Airport
Redevelopment Area?
A. In the last couple weeks, residents have been writing and calling
Congressman Martin Sabo and other state and federal elected officials
asking for their help in
securing funding. It is
important that those efforts This is the first issue of CAARA
continue. Richfield City officials are. News - a newsletter for Richfield
meeting with congressional residents who live in and just
outside the border of the Cedar
representatives and FAA officials in an Avenue Airport Redevelopment
attempt to resolve any FAA concerns Area. This newsletter is intended
about the use of airport funding for this to keep you better informed and
airport noise mitigation purpose. There is no enable you to be an active
news yet, but Richfield community members are participant in efforts to secure
funding for the Cedar Avenue
ur ed to kee writin and callin .
9 p 9 9 Airport Redevelopment Area. This
Q. Why hasn't Richfield's congressional edition contains a Q&A with two
delegation solved this problem and secured sections: An update begins on this
page and "Background" can be
the fundin for Richfield? Do the care about
9 Y found on pages 3 and 4. If you
this problem? have any questions,. p{ease contact
A. Yes, Richfield's congressional delegation cares very much Mark Hinds at 6i2-861-9708.
about this problem. Unfortunately, until recently they were not
receiving many letters or phone calls from residents about the problem. Since there is also competing activity
by aviation interests who do not want money spent for noise mitigation, it is important that residents continue to
write and call their state and congressional representatives. Addresses and phone numbers are listed at the end of
this newsletter.
Q. Is there anything that can be done without Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), state and
federal funding?
A. Yes, to a limited degree. First, it is imperative that the entire Cedar Avenue airport noise mitigation area be
redeveloped. To do that, Richfield will need to secure $90 million in MAC, state and federal funding. But there
may be some limited redevelopment within the mitigation area that could occur early if there is market interest. ~ ~
Richfield has directed its Developer Consultant, Ryan Companies, to determine if there is developer interest in
projects within the area that could be financed solely through tax increment finance (TIF) and developers' resources.
Q. If some redevelopment occurred before
MAC, state and federal funding is secured,
where and when would it occur?
Q
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A. We don't know yet at this point. Interested dev-
elopersare always seeking sights and the location and
accessibility of the Cedar Avenue Airport Redev-
elopment Area will make it attractive to developers. The
City needs to be prepared to take advantage of
proposals from developers if and when they occur.
Q. How will this fit in with the master plan
for the area?
A. Any projects proposed by developers will need to
be consistent with the City's master plan concept.
Richfield's Developer Consultant and City staff are
working on a draft master plan for the area and it will
be ready for public comment at open houses that will
be scheduled for early November. The master plan
will include commercial buildings and offices and
some solidly-built housing that could withstand the
noise impacts. The new housing would include a mix
of housing types at a variety of price ranges to meet a
variety of market demands. The commercial buildings
NORTH/SOUTH will need to be located along Cedar closest
RUNWAY to the runway becausethey will be less ---
impacted than residential structures. Multi-
unit residential buildings would be located farther
from the runway. The most likely projects of interest
to developers would be commercial properties.
Q. Is it possible that only commercial
developments financed by TIF and
developers would occur and those people
living in the most marketable areas would be
the only ones bought out?
A. Unfortunately, yes. The City is pursuing funding for
the entire redevelopment area. But funding still has not
been secured. The runway is under construction and
will be operating in 2003. It is critical that residents
continue to write and call state and federal elected
officials to help City officials to secure the $90 million
needed to complete the acquisition of all homes and
relocation of all residents in the Cedar Avenue Airport
Redevelopment Area.
Q. Who can I call for more information?
A. Call Mark Hinds at 612-861-9708 if you have any
questions. When more information is available,
another issue of the CAARA news will be sent out.
~ ~u
~Q. Why does the City have to redevelop the Cedar
Avenue Corridor Airport Impact Area?
A. The new North/South Runway at the Minneapolis-St. Paul
International Airport will be just two blocks from homes. The
existing homes and apartments in the first four blocks west of
Cedar Avenue from Crosstown Highway 62 to Interstate 494 can
expect to experience low frequency noise and resulting shaking,
rattling and vibrations from aircraft operations. The Minnesota
Legislature, the Metropolitan Council, and the MAC have agreed
that area needs to be redeveloped to land uses that are more
compatible airport uses.
Q. What type of noise impacts will be caused by a
North/South Runway?
A. Low frequency noise from aircraft taxiing,
landing or taking off on the North/South
Runway will cause a deep, thunderlike
rumbling that will shake and rattle walls,
windows and objects on the walls in nearby
homes. The new runway will carry 300-400
daily flights daily. The noise, vibrations and
rattling from each flight will last about 45
seconds.
Q. Can't .noise insulation, a noise
wall or some other noise abatement
strategy be used instead of
redevelopment?
A. No. Richfield City officials asked that
same question of national airport noise
experts. Unfortunately, because of the nature
of low frequency sound waves and proximity
of the runway to the first four blocks of homes, no other noise
abatement strategy will work.
Q. How big is the redevelopment area?
A. The redevelopment area runs from Crosstown Highway-62
to Interstate 494 and from Cedar to both sides of 16th Avenue.
See the map on page 2 which shows the area identified for
redevelopment based on noise studies and the direction of the
Minnesota State Legislature.
•
Q. How much funding is needed?
A. The total cost to redevelop the Cedar Avenue Airport
Redevelopment Area is expected to be about $145 million for
acquisition and relocation. Of that amount, $30 million would
For up-to-date ~,~rer~ R~~hf;P
information ~,a
about what is STARR j,
taking place on ~ group
airport issues, rs ; s,°
and how you
can get involved, attend the next
STARR (Standing Together As
Richfield Residents) Group
meeting. The STARR Group was
formed by concerned citizens who
wanted to work together to make
sure the community receives the
mitigation it deserves. Meetings
will be October 7 and 21 at
7 p.m. Calt Audrey Duffee at
612-866-9765 for more details.
come from land sales, $60 million would come from MAC and
Richfield is seeking $30 million from the federal government.
TIF would provide the remaining $25 million.
Q. I heard that the City had planned to redevelop this
Cedar Avenue Airport Redevelopment Area prior to the
plans for the runway. Is that true?
A. Absolutely not. The City's 1997 comprehensive plan update
called for long-range plans to redevelop some properties in the
first block along Cedar Avenue because of already existing
airport noise impacts. The City would prefer that no
redevelopment would be necessary and there would be no new
runway and no new airport noise impacts. The prospect of trying
to relocate as many as 2900 residents -many of them long-
time Richfield residents - is painful and difficult. Not all will be
relocated in Richfield and that will be major loss to the
community. Obtaining funding for this noise mitigation purpose
has proven to be a long, frustrating and difficult process.
Unfortunately, the only other option is to do
9 observe Richfield's east side slowly
nothing and watch the area's residents lose
their life's savings in their homes and
deteriorate. For Richfield that is NOT
an option.
Q. Wasn't $60 million in MAC funding
already committed?
A. Yes, but a recent FAA decision has
jeopardized the $60 million in MAC funding.
Richfield had commitments of $60 million
from the MAC - $30 million in MAC
bonding as directed by the State Legislature,
and $30 million committed in the MAC-
. Richfield agreement. However, the FAA
recently issued a decision to MAC that it
needs further studies to determine if the MAC airport funding
can be used for noise mitigation purposes off the airport. That
decision leaves the $60 million in limbo.
Q. Do we know when redevelopment will begin?
A. No. The timing of redevelopment of the Cedar Avenue Airport
Redevelopment Area is dependent on when and if the City is able
to secure MAC, state and federal funds to redevelop the area. If
there is any interest by developers in smaller projects within the
redevelopment area that could be financed through TIF and
developers' resources, the timing would be dependent on a
developer's time frame. (See the third question on page 1.)
Q. When homes are acquired, who will be
purchasing my home, MAC?
A. No. MAC will NOT be purchasing your home. Your home will
be purchased either by the City or by a developer. As funding is
secured, residents will be notified of exactly who will be
acquiring their home and the process that will be used for
purchase, acquisition and relocation.
Q. In the meantime, should I make repairs
on my home?
A. The redevelopment process will be lengthy, stretching over
many years. It is important both for the occupant, and for the
future value of the home, that the home is properly maintained
and does not fall into disrepair.
Q. If I make improvements to my home, will I be
compensated when my home is bought-out?
A. Homeowners are compensated for improvements that add
value. For repair items or improvements that add little value,
there is little compensation. Receipts for work performed should
be saved for evaluation on a case-by-case basis. It is important
to remember that putting off a repair could result in other, more \
serious damage to a home, which might reduce its value.
Q. What about the homes just beyond the
redevelopment area?
A. The Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee is studying the
negative impacts of low frequency noise and is scheduled to
release a report this fall identifying other neighborhoods around
the airport impacted by low frequency noise. In addition, a
Governor's Task Force has begun to meet and it will recommend
ways to fund noise mitigation for those and for other noise
impacted areas of communities around the airport. The
Governor's Task Force will report its findings to the Legislature
and Governor in January 2000.
The City needs
your help to secure
funding for the
Cedar Avenue Airport
Redevelopment Area.
Please continue to write and call the
elected officials listed at right and
explain to them how important it is to
you that funding be provided to mitigate
the severe noise impacts on your home.
Thanks for your help!
Congressman Martin Sabo
2336 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-4755 and 612-664-8000
martin.sabo@mail.house.gov
Gov. Jesse Ventura
State Capitol
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-3391
Governor.JesseVentura@state.mn.us
Sen. Rod Grams
261 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.D. 20510
202-224-3244
mai I_grams@grams.senate.gov
Sen. Paul Wellstone
717 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2303
202-224-5641
senator@wel Istone.senate.gov
6700 Portland Avenue
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9700
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