City staff described plans to update the Airport Layout Plan (ALP), pursue TxDOT and federal aviation grants, and marry grant sources to capital and maintenance needs at the airport. The ALP update and grant applications emerged as central steps before larger development can proceed.
Staff said the airport’s most recent ALP on record predates current needs and that some engineering prints from 2021 were never submitted to TxDOT as supporting ALP materials. TxDOT approval and an up‑to‑date ALP were described as prerequisites for certain funding and for conveyance decisions related to ground leases or new hangar rows.
Officials described using ramp funds partly for maintenance (for example, crack sealing and lighting repairs) and partly for capital improvements. Staff said the city has identified both leftover ALP‑related federal funds (a partially recalled figure between about $103,000 and $350,000 was referenced) and roughly $500,000 of additional untapped federal grant money that could be pursued. Participants also discussed a prior 2:1 TxDOT match opportunity that had lapsed and an $800,000 taxiway extension estimate previously considered.
Council members and staff agreed an advisory committee should be used to select engineering firms and to vet proposals before formal council action. Staff said TxDOT will be closely involved in approvals and that some conveyance and design criteria are controlled by the state. The group discussed sequencing: complete ALP update; combine smaller ramp improvement projects and matching grants where possible; and pursue discrete improvements such as sunshade hangars where ground conditions permit.
No grant application was approved during the meeting; staff will proceed with engineering procurement and grant scoping via the advisory committee and return with project budgets and timelines.