Wasilla Council approves FAA grant and $4.1 million city match for taxiway K and apron improvements

The Wasilla City Council on Aug. 25 adopted Ordinance Serial No. 2526 to accept Federal Aviation Administration grant funds for taxiway K and related improvements at Wasilla Municipal Airport and to provide the city match for non‑FAA‑eligible work. The ordinance authorizes the mayor to sign the FAA grant agreement and transfers up to $4,100,000 from the General Fund fund balance to the Airport Fund for required local match and associated non‑FAA costs.

The ordinance matters because the grant funds will finance a combined package of taxiway construction and apron/lease‑area work that the FAA will fund at roughly 95 percent; city staff said the arrangement lets Wasilla submit the full project as one package to meet FAA fiscal‑year deadlines. Public Works Director Eric Schall said the FAA asked the city to submit the entire project as one package rather than phased work, and that accelerated the schedule with heavy consultant support.

Bids opened last week for the taxiway‑K extension, Schall said, drawing 11 bidders. He read the low bid of about $8.2 million from Ahtna LLC, with higher competitive bids up to about $12.2 million. Schall explained the FAA will pay a large share of the basic project—runway connections, taxi segments and some hard‑stand parking—and that the $4.1 million requested from the city covers work the FAA does not fund, lease‑area finish work, contract administration, and a construction contingency.

During the public hearing, resident Tim Johnson told the council the project map in the packet helped his understanding and asked whether the new apron would add or lengthen tie‑down spots; he said pilots he had spoken with were “very, positive” about recent airport improvements. Schall confirmed the taxiway kilo extension includes substantial additional tie‑down and lease space on the Menard side of the field.

Council members asked how overruns would be handled and whether the city will pay escalation costs. Schall and Finance staff explained the FAA will fund its allowable portion but cost escalations would largely be the city’s responsibility; Ted Leonard of finance said because these are FAA reappropriation funds the FAA was allocating unused fiscal‑year funds and the city would likely bear most overrun risk. Schall estimated the city’s remaining, non‑FAA share within the $4.1 million authorization would be “a little less than $550,000” after accounting for expected FAA payment and other adjustments.

Councilmember Crafton moved adoption of the ordinance; Councilmember Rubio seconded. Two staff‑draft amendments recommended by the city attorney were offered and approved before the council voted to adopt the ordinance as amended with “no objection” recorded.