Wasilla council approves airport perimeter fence ordinance, advances FAA‑funded taxiway and apron projects

The Wasilla City Council moved forward on multiple municipal airport projects, approving an ordinance to accept Federal Aviation Administration grant funding for perimeter fencing and advancing several consent‑agenda items that fund taxiway and apron work. Ordinance Serial Number 25‑23, adopted after a public hearing, amends the FY2026 budget to appropriate $361,411 in FAA funds and a $19,022 local match from the general fund balance for the Wasilla Municipal Airport perimeter fencing project. During public comment Tim Johnson asked that the fence be designed to keep moose out of the aircraft operating area; Public Works Director Eric Schallpuck (introduced in remarks as Eric) told the council the fence design "is to withstand moose and driven snow" and that recent fence failures were linked to wildlife and snow loads. The consent agenda included a separate, larger appropriation item (Ordinance Serial Number 25‑26 on the consent agenda) to accept and appropriate up to $12,000,000 in FAA grant funds for Taxiway K and related improvements at Wasilla Municipal Airport and to transfer $4,100,000 from the general fund to provide the city match. The consent package also approved contracts and amendments tied to ongoing airport work: a task order amendment to HDL Engineering for construction administration services, a contract amendment to Neisser Construction for an electric gate completing Apron E expansion, and a contract award for restroom installation at Bumpus Recreation Area (all listed in the consent agenda packet). Discussion vs. action: The perimeter fence ordinance passed after a public hearing and the council voted by unanimous consent on several consent‑agenda contract approvals. Staff emphasized the fence will be stronger to prevent moose from accessing the airfield and noted the need to repair previous fence failures. Ending: City staff said design and procurement will proceed on the perimeter fencing and that large FAA‑funded taxiway and apron projects are moving into implementation phases supported by the approved funding and contract amendments.