Commission approves $389,201 consulting agreement for KOWI airport taxiway reconstruction

The Ottawa City Commission voted unanimously to approve a professional consulting services agreement with Benish for construction administration, bidding and closeout services for the KOWI Airport parallel taxiway reconstruction project.

City Manager Silcott told commissioners the construction estimate for the project is $3,200,000 and that the project is included in the city’s capital improvement program. The commission approved the consulting agreement for $389,201, which covers bidding, base construction administration and an alternate for additional phases if funding is available.

“[The agreement] authorizes the city manager to execute the contract encompassing tasks related to bidding, construction administration, and project closeout,” Silcott said during the presentation. He said the project was originally scoped as a repavement but inspections showed the taxiway needs full reconstruction, and the work was included in the airport’s 2017 master plan.

Brad Waller, the airport engineer with Benish, told the commission the federal match for airport grants will be favorable this funding cycle. “For whatever reason, this year's FY '25 and then next year's '26 are $95.05. So you're gonna pay half price,” Waller said, referring to the change in the FAA/local match discussed during the meeting.

Silcott and Waller described a three-phase bidding strategy so the city can proceed with phase 1 if only partial funding is available or complete all phases if additional federal or congressional funds arrive. Key schedule items presented to the commission include finalizing plans by Feb. 6, posting bid documents no later than Feb. 7, a virtual pre-bid conference on Feb. 24, a public bid opening on March 6 at 10 a.m. in City Hall, and commission consideration of construction contract award on March 19. A grant application with FAA must be submitted by April 1 to remain eligible for federal funding.

Silcott and Waller outlined the anticipated funding mix: the agenda materials stated a 90/10 FAA/local match for the project, and Waller said this funding cycle may be 95/5. The city report listed available FAA funding of roughly $998,334 and a phase-1 local match in the packet of about $1,100,000 for phase 1 budgeting; the transcript indicates a remaining funding gap of approximately $2.5 million if all three phases proceed. The city said it is pursuing additional sources including KDOT aviation funds, U.S. Department of Transportation or HUD-related programs, and a possible congressional direct spending allocation (CDS); officials said the status and terms of those additional funds were not finalized at the meeting.

Commissioners asked about pavement life and contract duration. Waller said FAA pavement designs are intended for a 20-year life and that local maintenance in the first five to seven years can noticeably extend service life. He also explained the consultant fee breakdown and that if later phases are not funded the city would close out the contract for the completed work and hold plans for future bidding.

The motion to approve the consulting services agreement passed on a roll-call vote: Commissioner Skinner, Commissioner Kaylor, Commissioner Crowley, Mayor Pro Tem Clayton and Mayor Emily Allen all voted yes. City staff will proceed with final plan filings and the schedule to advertise and open bids.

Ending: The commission’s action authorizes work that will let staff advertise the project and seek construction bids this winter; any award of construction contracts will return to the commission for final approval once bid results and grant approvals are known.