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Board waives purchasing policy, approves $18,414.91 runway-light repairs covered by insurance
Summary
After a lightning strike damaged the runway approach lighting system, the board waived the local purchasing policy and approved an $18,414.91 repair proposal with Lehi Electric; airport staff said insurance and a state grant will cover costs but members raised concerns about insurance premium impacts.
The Regional Airport Board on May 13 approved waiving the city's purchasing policy and accepted a Lehi Electric proposal to repair runway approach lights for $18,414.91 after a lightning strike last year.
Airport staff told the board that lightning caused extensive damage to the airport's lighting system, that an initial repair attempt failed and that the vendor determined all seven lights required parts replacement and some full-system work. Staff said insurance for the runway approach lights has agreed to cover all costs. "We actually have insurance for our runway approach lights, and they have agreed to cover all of the costs," an airport staff member said.
Board members discussed operational value of different lighting components and whether the repaired system would affect instrument flight procedures. A member noted the lighting "increases enhances safety, but it's a visual navi[tation]," and another said the lights do not change IFR (instrument flight rules) procedures. Airport staff confirmed the state, which provided a grant for the system, had directed that repairs be made pursuant to the state grant agreement.
Members also discussed the airport's insurance experience: staff said premiums have been rising and that over the last five years claims have exceeded premiums by about 6 percent. One board member said the city has considered whether some smaller incidents should be handled in-house rather than submitted as claims to avoid premium increases; staff said because the airport was already in the repair process before the recent premium increase notice, they recommended moving forward with the claim.
A board member asked why the vendor billed in three line items; staff replied the vendor made multiple trips while diagnosing parts and performing repairs. The vendor's estimate also noted the repair did not guarantee a fully operational system; staff said if the system remains nonfunctional after repairs, they will need to confer with the vendor, insurance and possibly the state.
The board moved and seconded approval of the waiver and the Lehi Electric proposal; the motion passed on a voice vote.
