HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.a. Airport Site Search ProcessCITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: JUNE 4, 1991
AGENDA ITEM: AIRPORT SITE SEARCH PROCESS
AGENDA SECTION:
DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORT
PREPARED BY: STEPHAN JILK, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
AGENDA V.4 91
nEm tr 3A
ATTACHMENTS: NEWS ARTICLES
AP; YED- Y:
As the process continues by the Metropolitan Council on the search process
for a new airport staff has continued to monitor the meetings and updated
information.
There will be a brief staff presentation to update you on the process.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
None.
COUNCIL ACTION:
'
w according to groups that have met with the Metropolitan
t'AgoocL airp ort Council's New-�AirportSearch Area Advisory Task Force..;. The business wish list - -reflects the dependence many of
-
-� SO 0
e`GL� }l
.the region's businesses have on good air transportation. A
good airport can help get employees and products to na-
.
L
tional and international markets
bus-iness
There is another important reason, less obvious and less
knownincircles, for improving the region's major
'
777 ,airport:
vtaldiig _ astructur e investments, it turns out,
improves a _firm's investment; productivity and profits,
it
The Twin Cities Area Business community wants se =
according to Council planner John Kan.
Kari said a recent national studyshows a strong correla-
ry
eral things from the area's major. airport:: The airport -
'should be conveniently located, offer competitive rates,.', tion between public infrastructure investments in `roads,
'.
-provide international flights and provide more flights to
sewers and airports, and private -sector investment; pro-
M.locations more often
ductivity and profit.. He spoke at the University of 1 in e-
-
-- But that's not all.- Business people want this regions ..
sota's Center For Transportation Studies' transportation
major airport to provide air cargo service 24 hours a day,..
A! rpo rt to page 7 -
Afer"Zol-
Ai rportfrom page
research conference in St Paul in May.
V tty the correlation? Kari said the
public investments are a productive
service to businesses. Public invest-
ments are part of a firm's overall pro-
duction process just as the firm's own
capital investments are part of that
process, he said.
History bears this out. In the 1950s
and'60s, the nations public infrastruc-
ture investment was more than five
per cent of its gross national product,
but dropped to under four percent in
the 1970s and 1980s'. From the first 20 -
year period to the second, the growth
in economic labor productivity fell by
half—from 2.8 percent to 1.4 percent.
Kari said development of the fed-
eral interstate highway system is a
good example of how public invest-
ment makes businesses competitive
in the national marketplace. Today,
he said, the same argument is increas-
ingly being applied to air service.
Currently, half of the international
air cargo manufactured in the Twin
Cities Area is trucked to Chicago, then
shipped by air to international desti-
nations. The low cost of using inter-
state highways is part of the reason,
Kari said.
But trucking is also done, he acjded,
because Minneapolis -St Paul Interna-
tional Airport (MSP) doesn t offer 24-
hour air cargo flights and has few non-
stop international flights. In addition,
MSP airport is further restricted be-
cause its short runways limit maxi
mum loading for international flights
during summer months.
DavidBraslau, president of Regional
Econometrics, Inc., an aviation con-
sulting firm, said the greatmajority of
international air shipments from MSP
are destined for Japan, followed by
Italy, Great Britain, Germany and
France. Computers are the dominant
air cargo export, followed by preci-
sion equipment, then processed foods.
According to national data, the Twin
Cities builds and ships by air --either
from MSP or other airports --about eight
percent of all US. -made computers
shipped abroad. - -
Kari said economic questions will
be studied carefully as the "dual -track"
planning for regional airport improve-
ments proceeds.
■
Ken Reddirk
forjune
and July
AIRPORT WATCH
June 21
Public information moebnp,asPan ofmonthly New -Airport Search Area
Advisory Task Force meeting, on preliminary report on three search areas. 10
a.m. Council Chambers.
June24
Public information meeting: task force presents preliminary report on tnr"
search areas to community contact people. 7:30-9 p.m. Council Chambers.
'June 25
Pubic Informabonmeeting: task torcepraaamt preliminary report on three
search areas to people in Dakota candidate "arch area. 7.30.9 p.m. Hastings
Senior H. S. auditorium. 11th and Pm Sts., Hastings.
June26
Public information meeting: task force preswo preliminary report on three
search areas to people in DakotaSoott candidate "arch area. 7:30-9 p.m.
Farmington H. S. theater, 900 Denmark Av. (also County Rd. 31), Farmirpton.
June27
Public information meeting: task force presents preliminary report on three
"arch areas to people in Anoka-inti-Chisago candaate "arch area. 7:30-
9 p.m. North Branch H. S. audron.m. County Rd. 14. North Branch.
July 17
Task force Mars comment on pr*hthinary aearM-area report hom regional
orgenirabOm. business groups, citizens. t p.m. Council Chambers.
July 17
Task tome hears comment on preltminery search— report from community
comae people. 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers.
July19
Task force Mara comment on preliminary search -area report trom officials and
citizens from each search ora. Anok.4—ti-Chlaago: 6:30-9:45 a.m.
Dakota: 10-11:15 a.m. Dakota -Scott 11:3--A 2:45 p.m. Council Cham.
ben;.
answers to
citizens' questions
May/June 7
Editor's note: Citizens asked the Metropolitan Council a lot of questions
about the airport "dual -track" process and the three search areas (Anoka-
Isanti-Chisago, Dakota, and Dakota -Scott) during a recent series of public
meetings. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers to them.
Why search for a new airport location?
The Twin Cities region will need additional airport capacity at some point
in the future. Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport (MSP) may not be
adequate to meet the needs of the region and the state. There is a high
probability that flight demand will exceed the airport's current capacity
within 10 years, according to Council studies in 1987 and 1988.
During the 1980s, the number of flights at MSP grew 35 percent, from an
annual 282,000 to 380,000. The number of passengers more than doubled,
growing from 8.7 million to 19 million. Council forecasts for the year 2020 are
577,000 flights and 37 million passengers.
The number of airline passengers will double nationwide by the year 2000,
according to the Federal Aviation Administration, then triple about the year
2040.
MSP airport is only 3,100 acres in size. It is surrounded by well- estab-
lished commercial and residential areas, historic Fort Snelling and the Na-
tional Cemetery—all of which limit airport expansion potential. The search
for a new airport site is partly based on those limitations.
However, sizable investments at MSP airport and its convenient central
location warrant a thorough examination of expansion possibilities.
What is the 'dual -track' airport strategy? Who set it up?
The 1989 legislature mandated the dual -track planning process.
e One track leads to finding a site for a possible new airport in case the
region needs it. The Council will designate a broad search area by the end of
the year. Subsequently, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) will
select a site for the airport within the search area by 1996.
e The other track looks at major improvement options for runways and -
terminal facilities at MSP airport The MAC %rill select an option by the end
of the year.
e The Council and the MAC will monitor trends during the six-year plan-
ning period and beyond. The trends include growth in air freight and the
number of airport passengers, and changes in the economy and airline
industry. The annual monitoring will give the region the information it needs
to decide on one track or the other, or to do nothing.
What are the drhdng forces behind the dual -track strategy?
Economic concerns and, to a much lesser extent, noise concerns are behind
the planning. Airport capacity is crucial to the economic vitality of the Twin
Cities Area and the Upper Midwest. Inadequate capacity could stifle eco-
nomic growth and cost the region economic opportunities, putting the state's
businesses at a disadvantage in the national and world economy. Adding
capacity may, therefore, be an economic necessity, not simply a desire for
more economic development.
Are environmental concerns adequately addressed in the search area
per?
The Council is conducting a comprehensive environmental review of all
three search areas. The process has been approved by the state Environ-
mental Quality Board.
All relevant environmental issues %•ill be addressed, documented and
presented to the public. The environmental review is as thorough as an
environmental impact statement (ELS) and requires more public involvement
and scrutiny than an HIS. The MAC will conduct an environmental review of
the specific site to be selected within the search area.
Can people in the search areas continue to improve their land and
Yes. For example, people can add buildings to their farms or garages to
their homes. Current land uses within the candidate search areas and the
final search area may continue, based on current zoning.
However, rezonings, conditional -use permits or variances will require
review by the local government and the Council. Only requests consistent
with city and township comprehensive plans may be approved. The restric-
tion will protect the search areas for a short time from development that
could make the areas unsuitable for a possible new airport
The search area zoning controls apply only to search areas located in the
seven -county Metropolitan Area.
Who pays for a new airport or an expanded MSP?
Under either option, the region %rill seek federal funds to pay part of the
costs. Most costs will be paid by the airlines, their passengers, and travel -
related businesses (like car rental companies) at the airport. The MAC now
raises enough revenues from sources at MSP to cover its costs, thus avoiding
use of its property tax authority.
Airports,
.commission chair—
Schilling
thinks
b0
g.
May/June3
ings from Australia and Japan bang on
the walls. Also on display are A globe,
several models of aircraft and a big
model of an 18th -century, four -masted
sailingship.
Schilling placed the Twin Cities in a
world business context. "We have a
very diversified business climate here;
with great medical and electronics
expertise, and- a great higher educa-
tional system," he said. "We have
good people, a good work ethic' and
we tend to get alongwith one another
fairlywell.'
With his finger he drew a wide
imaginary circle around the Twin Cities
on a world map. "Today's large jets
have a range of 6,400 miles nonstop
he said. "Everyone within this circle
could be a customer or a visitor of the
Twin Cities."
Schilling said a decision to remodel
The cost of remodeling MSP could
be huge, he said.. "We haven't priced
outoursix optionsyet, butwe're talk-
ing billions of dollars. We'd have to
build a new terminal, new runways
and new roads. Then there are the
acquisitions: housing in Minneapolis
to open up dear zones, New Ford
Town and Rich Acres in Richfield, and
possibly three hotels in Bloomington.
"It generally costs more to remodel
than it does to start from scratch and
build new," he said.
Once the airport decision is made,
the state had better get behind the
decision and support it, he said. He
warned against repeating what hap-
pened with Interstate Hwy. 35E. -Tying
up I -35E in the courts for 20 years" put
a tremendous damper on downtown
St. Paul, he said.
■
Jim Martin
TheThe new chair of the Metro-
Minneapolis -St. Paul International
politan Airports Commission (MAC)
Airport (MSP) or build a replacement
is a businessman asking a big ques-
airport for it "will affect the Twin Cit -
tion. "What does the Twin Cities Area
ies Area, the state and the whole Upper
want to become?"
Midwest throughout the 21st century. -
His own answer? A -gateway city-.:
Unfortunately, People are approach -
pproachto
to world business.
ing the decision with short-range think -
"If people overseas want to expand
in& he said. "From the business com-
in this country, and you are a gateway
munity, you hear either,'Dont move
city, they will want to come to your
the airport because it's convenient,
city. A gateway is where the transpor-
or,'Movet—"m under the flight Path"'
talion hubs are," said Hugh Schilling,
Politicians tend to think in the con -
Gov. Carlson s appointment as the MAC
text of their term of office and home -
chair last January.
owners of where they Eve now, he
Schilling was interviewed recently
said. "Even if they decided to move
in the office of Horton Holding, Inc., a
the airport tomorrow, we'd be well
Minneapolis firm he launched 40 years
into the 21stcentury before it opened.
ago. The company, which manufac-
Were not futurists—we're all short
tures clutches and brakes for trucks
term thinkers, " he said.
and industrial machinery, has grown
Schilling said the business commu-
from two people to about 400 employ-
ruty isn't involved enough in the air-
ees
port decision. "Eighty percent of air -
It has associate plants in Japan and
line travel at MSP today is business re -
Australia, sales offices in Belgium, and
lated," he said. "Business has the most
hrough
distribution in most countriest-
to gain and the most to lose from the
out the world.
decision. My fear is that the decision
Schilling's office reflects his fasci-
will. be left to the politicians, Which
nation with international tavL Paint_`
would be a disaster."
ings from Australia and Japan bang on
the walls. Also on display are A globe,
several models of aircraft and a big
model of an 18th -century, four -masted
sailingship.
Schilling placed the Twin Cities in a
world business context. "We have a
very diversified business climate here;
with great medical and electronics
expertise, and- a great higher educa-
tional system," he said. "We have
good people, a good work ethic' and
we tend to get alongwith one another
fairlywell.'
With his finger he drew a wide
imaginary circle around the Twin Cities
on a world map. "Today's large jets
have a range of 6,400 miles nonstop
he said. "Everyone within this circle
could be a customer or a visitor of the
Twin Cities."
Schilling said a decision to remodel
The cost of remodeling MSP could
be huge, he said.. "We haven't priced
outoursix optionsyet, butwe're talk-
ing billions of dollars. We'd have to
build a new terminal, new runways
and new roads. Then there are the
acquisitions: housing in Minneapolis
to open up dear zones, New Ford
Town and Rich Acres in Richfield, and
possibly three hotels in Bloomington.
"It generally costs more to remodel
than it does to start from scratch and
build new," he said.
Once the airport decision is made,
the state had better get behind the
decision and support it, he said. He
warned against repeating what hap-
pened with Interstate Hwy. 35E. -Tying
up I -35E in the courts for 20 years" put
a tremendous damper on downtown
St. Paul, he said.
■
Jim Martin
Public meetings set in June, July
to review new airport search data �
' The Metropolitan Council's
meetings" intended to help peo-
New-Airport Search Area Advis-
ple better understand the new
ory Task Force will hold several
information. Those meetings
meetings in June and July to give
begin June 21, when the task
the public a chance to review new
force will be briefed on the
data on its three airport search
information.
areas.
On June 24, a special briefing
The new data will be used later
on the preliminary findings will
this summer to recommend one of
be held for 64 "community con -
the three search areas to the.
tacts" — designated liaisons
Metropolitan Council as a gener- '
between search area residents
al location for a new major
and the task force.
airport, should it be determined
On June 25, 26 and 27, task
that one is needed.
force members will present the
The Council and its task force
data to -;People living in each of
have identified three potential
the three search areas and
search areas. One is north of the
answer questions.
Twin Cities and includes por- I(,
, In,July, the task force will hold
tions of Anoka, Isanti and Chisa-
the second phase of meetings to
go counties. The other two are
bear public comment
located in Dakota and Scott
At 1 p.m., July 17, the task
counties.
force will hear responses from
The task force will hold eight
regional organizations, business
meetings for local government
groups and citizens. At 7:30 p.m.
officials, the business community
that day, the task force will hear
and the public to receive informa-
from citizens from the three
tion and comment on the search
candidate search areas.
areas. The meetings have been
Search area schedule:
organized into two phases.
June, July
In June, the data will be
presented at "public information
Public information meetings
June 21 — Task force dis-
cusses preliminary report on
High School auditorium, County
three search areas. 10 a.m. Met-
Road 14, North Branch.
ropolitan Council Chambers,
Public comment meetings
Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth
July 17 — Task force holds
St., downtown St. Paul.
public meeting to hear comment
June 24 — Task force pre-
on preliminary search -area
sents preliminary report on three
report from regional organiza-
search areas to community con-
tions, business groups, citizens. l
tact people. 7:30-9 p.m. Council
p.m. Metropolitan Council
Chambers.
Chambers.
June 25 - Task force
July 17 — Task force holds
presents preliminary report
public meeting to hear comment
on three search areas to peo-
on preliminary search -area
ple in Dakota candidate
search area. 7:30-9 p.m; H"t,..-
report from community contact
ings Senior High School audi-"
o le. 7:30 m. Met Council
Pep p'
torium.Ilth and Pine streets, 'Chambers.
Hastings. . �
July 19 — Task force holds
June 26 — Task force pre-
public meeting to hear comment
sents preliminary report on three
on preliminary search -area
search areas to people in Dako-
report from county and local
to-Soott candidate search area.
officials and citizens from each
7:30-9 p.m. Farmington High
search area. Anoka-Isanti-Chi-
School theater, 800 Denmark
sago: 8:30-9:45 a.m. Dakota: 10 -
Ave. (also County Road 31),
11:15 a.m. Dakota -Scott: 11:30
Farmington.
June 27 —Task force pre-
a.m.-12:45 p.m. Metropolitan
senta preliminary report on three
Council Chambers.
search areas to people in Anoka-
For more information, call
Isanti-Chisago candidate search
Donna Mattson of the Council
area. 7:30-9 p.m. North Branch
staff at 291-6493.
6 Maymune
NJE7R0,...
ov. Ame Carlson in March appointed nine new members to
the Metropolitan Council.
They are: Susan Anderson, Blaine; Bonnie D. Feather-
stone, Burnsville; Jim Krautkremer, Brooklyn Park; Carol A.
Kummer, Minneapolis; E. Craig Morris, Lakeland; Esther
Newsome, White Bear Lake; Donald B. Riley, Minneapolis;
Sondra R. Simonson, Bloomington; and Dede Wolfson, St.
Paul.
Earlierthis year, the governor appointed Mary E. Ander-
son as chair of the Council.
The Council has 17 members. Sixteen are appointed
from districts in the seven -county Metro Area to four-year,
part-timeterms. The chair serves full time.
The Council pians forthe future of the area's highways,
transit, regional parks, sewers and airports. It also plans for
other region -wide needs: in housing, health services, aging,
solid -waste management, air quality, and water quality and
supply. Authority for the Council's work comes fromthe
state legislature and federal laws.
The new members and the Council districts they repre-
sent are listed below.
Dede Wolfson, District 2 (southern half of St. Paul,
excluding Highland Park).
• State public aff ai rs chair, National Council of
Jewish Women.
• Dental hygienist in St. Paul
Carol A. Kummer, e ..
Minneapolis).
-".,,. • Appropriations committee administrator, Minnesota
House of Representatives.
• Former member, Metropolitan Waste Control
Commission, 1983-91.
Donald B.Fliley,
southeast .. ..
a • Interim director, Phyllis Wheatley Community
Center, Minneapolis.
• Former administrative manager, Hennepin Energy
Resource Co. J
-r
• Member, Health Resources Foundation Board.
• Member, Health East Foundation Grants
hhw—r
;_:_�,,,,. Review Committee.
Susan Anderson, District 8 (southern Anoka• Former board member, Anoka -Hennepin
x School District No.1.
• Former chair of Blaine Charter Commission.
_.
County suburbs: Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park,
Crystal, New Hope and Osseo).
i • Former mayor of Brooklyn Park.
• Executive director, Intergovernmental Informa-
tion Systems Advisory Council for State of Min
nesota
{ • President of Simonson Realty, Inc.
• Member of Fairview Southdale Hospital board
of trustees.
■
t
• Partner in Featherstone -Reilly, educational
consultants.
• Board member, Interstate Hwy. 35W Alliance.
• Former mayor of Lakeland.
• Technical development manager, US WEST.
PhMm by Cliff Burns