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Staff Reports: New Maintenance Hire, FAA Master Plan Pause and Airport Feasibility Funding
Summary
Staff reported a new airport/industrial park maintenance hire, updates on an airport feasibility study and FAA guidance to scale back a full master‑plan update in favor of targeted funding. Staff said the FAA offered roughly $400,000–$500,000 to fund specific items rather than a full $1 million master‑plan rewrite.
Port staff used the meeting’s staff‑reports section to introduce a new maintenance hire, update commissioners on airport planning and FAA funding, and outline upcoming internal planning and conference dates.
Staff introduced Jessica Lauer as the newest airport and industrial park maintenance team member, noting her landscaping, equipment operation and stormwater testing experience and prior work for the city of Bainbridge Island and Sunnyslope Water District. Commissioners congratulated the hire.
Staff reported that the Federal Aviation Administration is pausing funding for a full airport master‑plan rewrite and instead will fund targeted items. Staff said the FAA is recommending the port not spend roughly $1 million to produce a wholly new master plan and instead would provide about $400,000–$500,000 to cover specific work, including the phase‑2 airport feasibility project. Staff said the FAA’s decision reflects prioritization of projects across the federal program and that staff will meet with FAA representatives to confirm funding and alignment with the port’s feasibility study.
The nut graf: the FAA guidance changes the scope and cost of near‑term airport planning work but does not cancel the feasibility study; staff said the port will work with the FAA to ensure the feasibility study and phased plan fit within the revised funding approach so the port retains the information needed for longer‑term decisions.
Staff also referenced a planned staff/commission retreat in mid‑July or early August to review lines of business and long‑range projects and reminded commissioners about the Washington Public Ports Association spring conference (May 14–16) and room blocks for attendance. An airport manager update noted active coordination with the FAA on several projects and local outreach such as STEM engagement with middle school students.
Commissioners asked about federal budget uncertainty and whether the reduced master‑plan scope will provide sufficient information for decisions; staff said they will seek assurance from the FAA that phase‑2 feasibility work will be funded and that the port will capture needed data without a full master‑plan reinvention.
