Airport update: taxiway extension, fuel options and hanger interest discussed; FAA and state grant work under way

Airport staff reported on grant applications, taxiway maintenance, fuel‑service challenges and hangar interest during administrative reports to the Stevensville Town Council.

Glenn (airport staff) told the council that the town’s application to the Montana Department of Aeronautics was submitted on Nov. 15 and the town is in the queue; an agency meeting in Helena is planned in January to review project requests. A pre‑application meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration on Nov. 21 went well, Glenn said, but FAA requirements introduced roadblocks for a taxiway extension the town hopes would support future fixed‑base‑operator (FBO) hangar development.

Staff said they remain on track to acquire a new fuel tank for airport self‑service but have not found a short‑term vendor to restore fuel availability; a past vendor declined to continue service. Airport leadership reported two new applications to join the airport board and several parties have expressed interest in building hangars.

At the council meeting the airport manager and board members thanked staff for last‑minute work to secure grant deadlines and noted Morrison‑Maierle, Inc. has been the town’s design engineer for many years. Councilors and airport board members discussed the need to designate a town owner’s representative for engineering projects and asked for clarity on task‑order continuity if a master agreement expires while project work continues. Staff gave examples of typical design‑fee ranges (runway/taxiway maintenance, apron maintenance, fuel‑farm design) and said design fees vary by project size; the fuel‑farm design was cited as a higher‑cost example.