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City approves KDOT aviation grant and FAA-funded tree removal at Freeman Field; beacon replacement to cost $210,000 with city share $21,000
Summary
The commission approved a KDOT aviation grant contract to replace a failing beacon at Freeman Field (project total $210,000 with a city match of $21,000), an engineering contract charged to the grant, and an FAA contract awarding tree-obstruction removal to a low bidder using federal funds.
The Commission approved a KDOT aviation grant contract to replace a deteriorating beacon at Freeman Field airport. The project total is $210,000; KDOT will provide the grant portion (approximately $189,000) and the city will contribute $21,000. Staff said the current beacon and its supporting tower are aging — the tower dates to about 1950 — and the beacon is burning out when operated.
Commissioners also approved an engineering agreement with the city’s airport consultant (Alford Vaningen Company) in the $49,772 range; staff said that engineering and demolition work is included in the overall grant-funded project and that those engineering costs will be reimbursed under the grant.
Separately, the commission accepted an FAA contract to award tree-obstruction removal work to May Excavating, Inc., under an FAA procurement for the airport’s obstruction-removal project in the amount of $682,617.50. Staff said the FAA is using entitlement and ARPA/COVID airport funds for the larger tree-removal work and that the federal agreement covers the bid award and reimbursement.
City staff outlined next steps including demolition of the existing tower, construction of a 65-foot tip-down beacon with a dedicated base and access for maintenance, and coordination with FAA and KDOT for grant closeout. The motions to approve the grant contract, engineering agreement and FAA contract carried in separate votes.
