Yolo County accepts federal grants for runway design and pavement study; county contribution about $10,000

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 9 to accept two Federal Aviation Administration grants that will fund design work for runway rehabilitation and a pavement-management study at Yolo County Airport between Davis and Winters.

Ryan Pistacchini, director of general services, told the board the runway has not had full rehabilitation in many years and is rated in "fair" condition. He said the county also needs a pavement-management plan to inventory and prioritize upkeep of aprons, taxiways and other aircraft travel surfaces. Both studies are prerequisite steps to larger federally funded construction grants.

Pistacchini said the FAA awards cover roughly 90–95% of project costs and Caltrans typically provides a 5% match on FAA-funded projects; after state and federal contributions the county's expected contribution would be just over $10,000, paid from airport funds. The board approved a motion to accept the federal awards and to authorize the director to work with Caltrans to secure the matching funds and to complete grant paperwork.

Pistacchini said the county has pursued housekeeping changes at the airport over the past year, including a rents-and-leases market study for county-owned hangars, repairs to the base-era water system that supplies hydrants and drinking water, and completion of annual inspections by Caltrans and the Transportation Security Administration. He said the county is also seeking to bring the airport's rents and fees in line with peer airports to reduce the general-fund subsidy that covers some airport costs.

Gary Pelfrey, chair of the airport's Aviation Advisory Committee and vice president of a local aviation services business, spoke in support of the projects and described private-sector demand for aircraft maintenance, training and aviation services at Yolo County Airport.