Sara Freese

The meeting included an update from the MAC Executive Director/CEO covering general MAC information, MSP passenger and operation statistics, facility and capital investments, and technology utilization. Key facility discussions involved the completed Terminal 1 remodeling and expansion, ongoing Airport Modernization program updates with Delta, and the Terminal 2 North Expansion Project. The committee addressed consent agenda items, including the monthly operations reports for September and October 2025, which showed a significant increase in noise complaints despite stable operations and flow splits, prompting discussions about localized complaints and potential factors like temperature or climate change. The committee also reviewed the status of the Residential Noise Mitigation Program and other research initiatives. Public comments focused heavily on noise concerns, larger aircraft overflights, and requests for quieter engine usage. Finally, the committee approved and recommended for MAC approval the 2025 NOC accomplishments, the 2026 NOC work plan, and the 2026 NOC meeting dates. A separate information session was held regarding the Runway 12L and 12R Departure Operations Report.

The meeting addressed several agenda items primarily under the Consent agenda and new Business sections. Under Consent items, the committee recommended acceptance of final payments for multiple MAC contracts, including those related to emergency power upgrades and various airport building/infrastructure projects for 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, the committee recommended acceptance of lowest responsible bids for several 2025 and 2026 projects, such as the Energy Management Center Life Safety Infrastructure Program, Electrical Infrastructure and Emergency Power Upgrades, Parking Structure Rehabilitation, Passenger Boarding Bridge Replacements, and Victaulic Piping Replacement. The committee also recommended authorizing a purchase order for public safety video modernization. In New Business, the committee recommended adjustments to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets for the 2026 Tunnel Lighting LED Upgrade and the 2026 Folded Plate Surface Reconstruction projects, along with a project budget adjustment for the 2024 Sump Pump Controls. An information report was provided regarding the construction update on various heating upgrade programs.