Staff reports USDA feasibility grant, brownfield funds and FAA approach change; multiple airport projects update

Economic development and airport staff updated the commission on several projects and funding opportunities, including a USDA grant to fund a feasibility study for an event or recreation center, a brownfield assessment grant, ongoing capital projects and an FAA notice that could remove the airport's Runway 21 VOR instrument approach.

Terry Curtis, who identified himself as representing economic development and the industrial park, said the city received a USDA grant to fund a feasibility study and an economic development strategic plan update. "This is not a guarantee that we are getting this facility. It is a study to see if we can facilitate it and sustain it within Kingman," Curtis said. The study will examine potential recreation or sporting venues and whether a combination of uses could sustain the facility.

Curtis also briefed commissioners on a Northern Arizona Council of Governments Route 66 Coalition brownfield grant that would assess properties for hazardous waste (lead, asbestos, underground storage tanks) and could support remediation work at an industrial-park parcel formerly used as a landfill. He reported the city received 61 project information requests from the Arizona Commerce Authority over the past year and had submitted applications on several projects; he noted constraints such as water availability and rail access affected prospects.

Airport staff provided multiple operational updates: a notice from the Federal Aviation Administration that the national modernization of the National Airspace System may eliminate the Runway 21 VOR approach at Kingman; staff argued the airport's value as a training site should be emphasized in comments to the FAA because Kingman's distance from major towered airports makes it a favored training location. Staff estimated annual operations at roughly 26,000, noting FlightAware and other tools are used to estimate movements at non-towered airports.

Capital projects discussed included Taxiway Bravo (contract on city manager's desk pending final signatures and preconstruction scheduling), a draw-site cleanup under ADEQ review, the PAPI project (design review with ADOT under way), the Windcone contract under review, terminal remodel estimates under solicitation and an assessment proposal (~$102,000) to evaluate three remaining World War II hangars for preservation. Staff also reported gate 263 had been giving intermittent AC-power-drop faults; a mechanical bearing replacement appeared to resolve the issue pending further monitoring.

Staff presented budget and operations figures through March 31, 2025: airport revenue reported at about $1.37 million, industrial park revenue of about $147,680 and total airport-managed revenue of $1.517 million with expenses reported. Staff noted approximately $3 million in prior-year funds remain available and listed an operational staffing and capital list that included buying a large runway blower and reserves for future projects. Fuel commission revenue was reported at 4 cents per gallon (locked until 2029).

Staff asked pilots and tenants to submit comments to the FAA within the 30-day window if they had operational or safety reasons to retain the VOR approach. The commission heard these items for information and instructed staff to continue pursuing grants, coordinate project contracts and report back as contracts near signature or bids are released.