Findlay approves FAA-funded airport master plan work, DBE update to follow

City officials told Findlay City Council on Tuesday that an updated master plan for FDY Airport is needed to keep the airport eligible for FAA and state airport funding and to shape capital projects for the next 20 years. "If we don't have a project on the plan that is approved by the FAA, then it's not eligible for any FAA funding," Jeremy, the city engineer, told council, describing the master plan as a comprehensive capital plan and development guide. He said consultants (CNS Companies) will lead a 12-to-18-month process involving local aviation users, economic development partners and FAA review. The FAA has approved grant funding that covers roughly 95% of the master plan cost; Jeremy said the city's match will be about 5% once the funds are appropriated. He described the DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) plan as a separate but required document that must be updated periodically to ensure federally funded construction projects include an outreach and goal-setting component for minority- and woman-owned subcontractors. "Every 4 to 5 years, we have to update our DBE plan," Jeremy said. "That will be in a future grant and will be reimbursable through the FAA." He said the city will work with an on-call airport consultant (RS&H) to prepare the DBE update and other FAA-required documents. Council suspended rules and gave the airport master-plan appropriation immediate consideration; after a roll-call vote the ordinance was adopted. Mayor and council members called out airport staff Amanda and Kyle for their regular coordination with the FAA and economic development partners, and several asked for a future briefing for all council members on how the master plan will feed into the city's capital plan. Councilmember Mike Stashek (commenting on budget timing) recommended the administration provide an overview for the full council and incoming members so the next budget cycle can reflect likely airport projects; council and staff said the master plan will be incorporated into the city's capital programming and used to prioritize FAA grant opportunities. No final project list was adopted; the action taken Tuesday authorized the city to accept and appropriate grant funds and proceed with the master-plan contract and coordination with consultants and the FAA.