Commission approves expanded airport preliminary engineering report using FAA AIP funds

The Tucumcari City Commission on May 8 approved a revised task order (Task Order 2, revised) to expand the scope of the airport apron rehabilitation preliminary engineering report and commit $196,217.86 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds to the PER and initial design work.

City staff told commissioners that the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Mexico Department of Transportation aviation division notified the city of additional AIP money that needed to be committed by a June deadline. That increased the available funding and the scope for the PER. "The available amount of money went up to $196,217.86 that's available for this airport PER," a staff presenter said.

Staff explained the PER will include a full preliminary engineering report, geotechnical work and initial design tasks required before seeking construction funds. Typical future project funding would be largely federal (typically about 90%) with a small local/state match, staff said; precise matching responsibilities will depend on later approvals.

After discussion commissioners moved, seconded and recorded a roll-call vote in favor of the task order revision. The roll call recorded unanimous support from members present: Mayor Pro Tem Lopez — yes; Commissioner Rico — yes; Commissioner Oglesby — yes; Commissioner Dorn — yes; Mayor Cherry — yes. The task order replaces the one the commission approved at the prior meeting and shifts the project into a larger PER/design phase.

Staff said the PER is required before the city can proceed to design and then construction phases for apron rehabilitation.