Council expected to consider airport design work, gas extension and Reno Air Races agreement

The finance committee on Feb. 6 recommended several airport‑related items for council consideration, including professional services for terminal improvements and a site survey for the NCAR Triangle, a natural gas line extension to the Roswell Air Center and a draft license and sponsorship agreement with Reno Air Races.

Staff asked the committee to ratify an approximately $186,050 engineering contract to design terminal improvements (state capital grant funded) and a separate roughly $179,216 agreement for NCAR Triangle site survey work (Moles & Corbin). In both briefings staff noted scope items such as moving restrooms inside the building for ADA compliance and preparation of site engineering for future development.

Committee members also recommended a purchase order to New Mexico Gas Company for approximately $1.527 million to extend a natural gas distribution line to the airport’s southeast corner; staff said the work is intended to attract hangar and aeronautical development and that the line will include conduit to allow future fiber installation while trenches are open.

City legal staff briefed the committee on a proposed license and sponsorship agreement with Reno Air Races. The agreement includes a $50,000 license fee to the city for operating race events at the airport and a per‑car daily parking fee structure that legal staff estimated could generate material revenue during multi‑day events. The city would also be indemnified by the event operator and the operator’s insurance program includes aviation liability limits noted in the packet.

All airport items were placed on the consent agenda and recommended by unanimous committee vote. Staff said many of the terminal and site projects will proceed using state appropriations and will be coordinated with airport tenants; they will return with design milestones and any grant match requests.