Council approves ILS grant amendment; delays airport apron reconstruction bidding until 2026

Marshall City Council approved an amendment to a MnDOT grant agreement to fund the full instrument landing system (ILS) replacement for Runway 12, then after discussion voted to delay advertising for bids on the WPA hangar apron and taxi lane reconstruction until the project is included in the 2026 capital budget.

Jason Anderson, director of the airport and city engineer, said the ILS amendment expands an earlier agreement (approved April 20, 2024) to include construction and final engineering review. He reported the combined project cost is $581,306, with 70% state participation and about a 30% local share — just under $175,000 — and staff recommended moving forward. The council approved the amendment.

On the apron and taxi lane reconstruction, staff presented an estimated project cost of $865,000 with a local share of about $168,000 and recommended advertising for bids now so grant requests could be submitted to the FAA by the April 28 deadline for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding. Staff said construction, if funded, could not occur until 2026 and that the downside to delaying bidding is potentially higher costs and a shorter construction season.

Councilmember Jim moved to wait and advertise in 2026 when the project is included in the CIP; Amanda seconded. Members who opposed the delay argued bidding now imposes little cost and could reveal favorable pricing; members supporting the delay raised fairness to contractors and concerns about committing staff to a bid process without a dedicated 2026 appropriation. The motion to wait passed.

Staff noted that any award would still be contingent on grant agreements from the FAA and that bidding does not obligate the city to proceed if grant funding is not secured.