"Minneapolis seeks aid with airport lawsuit"

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Minneapolis seeks aid with airport lawsuit 
The Orono (MN) Sun Sailor


The city of Minneapolis has invited several cities affected by airport noise
to join it in a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). 

The city of Minneapolis contends that MAC broke previous commitments to
fully insulate homes with an average day-night noise level (DNL) of between
60 and 65 decibels. Homes with a DNL greater than 65 decibels already
qualify for full insulation. 

The MAC has voted to provide only a mechanical package, consisting mainly of
air-conditioning for houses in the 60 to 64 DNL. To receive
air-conditioning, homeowners would have to make co-payments on a sliding
scale, depending on the DNL their homes are in. 

The plan would cost MAC $35.4 million if all qualifying residents without
air-conditioning participated. The residents would pay an estimated $20.5
million. 

The Minneapolis City Council has invited the cities of Richfield,
Bloomington, Eagan and Mendota Heights to join its suit, according to
Richfield City Attorney Corrine Thomson. 

Cities would pay a percentage of the lawsuit's costs based on the number of
affected homes within each city. The area includes 845 homes in Richfield,
4,291 homes in Minneapolis, 148 in Bloomington and 492 in Eagan. 

For example, Richfield, which has the second most affected homes after
Minneapolis, would pay about 15 percent. Because the city of Minneapolis
would pay for any costs greater than $300,000, Richfield's contribution
would be capped at about $45,000. 

Richfield City Council members agreed to discuss the matter in a closed
session with Thomson but did not specify a date. 

Bloomington city officials are planning on bringing up the issue in April,
Thomson said. Eagan officials plan to hold a closed session on the matter in
March.


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