Council opens discussion on FAA infrastructure grant for new airport fuel tank; grant paperwork must be signed by Aug. 20

The Stevensville Town Council on Aug. 7 opened discussion and moved to consider a FY2025 Stevensville Airport Infrastructure Grant offer that staff said covers replacement of the leased fuel tank.

Staff explained that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a grant offer for a new tank and that the town must execute the grant paperwork with an authorized representative. The presenter said the offer arrived the Monday before the meeting and must be submitted by Aug. 20; the authorized representative would sign and additional electronic signatures are required before returning the paperwork.

Staff described the new tank as fully funded by federal and state partners: the presenter said the FAA’s offer covered roughly 95% and that the remaining balance would be paid by MDT (Montana Department of Transportation). The presenter referenced a figure of about $537,035 for the FAA portion as spoken in the discussion; the transcript uses uncertain phrasing for the amount. Staff said a separate FAA offer will follow for pavement work.

On construction and schedule, staff said the new tank requires excavation and a new foundation, grading and drainage work including a culvert, extension of concrete and asphalt to connect a taxi lane, new electrical and data service, and startup, commissioning and calibration. He said the new tank would sit slightly farther back from the current tank and that City Services—which currently leases the older tank—would remove the old tank (but not the existing foundation) within 60 days after transfer per the lease agreement.

Staff said that once the council approves the grant offer, staff will bring a contract for the winning subcontractor to a subsequent meeting; the tank’s lead time was described as approximately 16 weeks from contract award, meaning delivery could be near the end of the year.

Councilor questions included where the proposed tank sits relative to the airport layout plan (ALP) and requests that staff provide the ALP; staff said draft plans exist and that the final ALP had not been received by staff but that a draft could be sent to council members. A council member also asked whether the area is designated for fuel on the new ALP; staff confirmed the proposed site is shown on the draft master-plan update being finished by the consultant identified in the transcript as Morrison Area.

A motion to open discussion on the FY2025 grant was moved from the dais and seconded; the transcript records a later vote sequence that includes Councilor Parker voting “Aye” and Councilor Brown voting “No.” The transcript does not include a complete roll call or a definitive recorded final tally in the excerpt provided. Staff said they would sign and submit the paperwork after council authorization and that the next meeting would include the contract for council approval.