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Council authorizes work to pursue FAA funding for AWOS relocation; staff to begin land‑acquisition process
Summary
Augusta council authorized the city manager to enter a scope of work with the airport consultant to pursue a federally funded land acquisition for relocation of the automated weather observation system (AWOS), with a not‑to‑exceed figure of $500,000 and an estimated local match of 5% to be covered from airport/CIP funds.
The Augusta City Council on Jan. 21 authorized staff to begin a federally governed land‑acquisition process to relocate the airport’s automated weather observation system, a move the city said is necessary to meet FAA siting criteria and protect future hangar development.
City staff and the airport consultant explained the FAA has programmed funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for land acquisition tied to an AWOS relocation. The council was told the AWOS currently sits where a circular clear zone overlaps existing and planned buildings on the airport layout plan. Relocating the AWOS to an east‑side site would require acquiring property or easements off airport property.
Because the federal grant stream is programmed and funds could be lost if the city does not obligate them this year, staff recommended authorizing the city manager to enter a scope of work with the consultant (Olson) up to a $500,000 not‑to‑exceed figure to start appraisals, negotiations, and the formal acquisition process governed by the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act. Staff said the FAA’s grant would reimburse roughly 95% of eligible acquisition costs; the city’s local match was estimated in staff comments at about $25,000 based on the consultant’s preliminary estimate.
Council also discussed acquisition options — fee simple purchase versus easement — and noted deed restrictions or covenants would likely be required to preserve the AWOS clear zone in perpetuity if land is acquired. Staff said other implementation steps, including formal appraisal, public notices and a negotiated purchase, would follow and that the engineer would return to council with final costs if they exceeded the authorization cap.
A motion to authorize the city manager to execute the scope of work with Olson not to exceed $500,000, to initiate communication with affected property owners, and to use 2025 budget dollars from the airport enterprise fund and the capital improvement program for the grant match passed unanimously.
