Aeronautics commission approves change orders and statewide airport grants, including runway and hangar work at Max Westheimer

The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission on Aug. 21 approved a series of construction change orders and grant awards for airports across the state, including work at Max Westheimer Airport in Norman and runway reconstruction at Pauls Valley Municipal Airport.

Commissioners voted to accept staff recommendations to approve three change orders requiring commission action and to note three additional amendments that staff had executed under director authority. Michelle (staff member), who presented the items, told the commission the Atoka environmental-assessment amendment required an added airport layout plan and increased project cost by $214,110 (funded largely with federal grant dollars); Prague Municipal Airport needed $17,413 to remove and replace saturated soils under new hangars; and multiple amendments tied to Max Westheimer’s new air traffic-control tower covered equipment, fencing relocation and asbestos pipe replacement. Staff sought formal approval for three other change orders, including an $82,518 adjustment at Clinton-Sherman Airport and two supplemental contract amounts at Max Westheimer totaling roughly $181,680 for hangar and tower-related work. Staff recommended approval and answered commissioners’ questions about the Max Westheimer tower schedule and funding sources.

Why it matters: The approved changes and grants fund repairs, safety upgrades and new infrastructure — runways, taxiways, hangars, perimeter fencing and tower equipment — that airport managers said will extend pavement life, improve safety and allow new aircraft operations and services.

Major items described to the commission included: - Max Westheimer Airport (Norman): multiple amendments to tower and hangar grants, including added equipment, fence relocation and asbestos pipe disposal and replacement; staff cited federal and state grant funding plus sponsor matches; commissioners approved related change-order requests on the consent docket. - Pauls Valley Municipal Airport: a discretionary FAA-partnered runway reconstruction project with a total project cost staff described as about $11.7 million; the commission approved the department’s share of local match. - Ardmore (Arbor Downtown Executive): a new terminal building project with an anticipated total cost of about $3.3 million, funded by FAA, department and local match; city representatives spoke in favor at the meeting. - Chandler Regional: full perimeter fencing project ($337,469) to reduce wildlife incursions; Fairview and Perry: multiple box-hangar projects funded through FAA and department grants.

Several cities and airport managers spoke in support of specific projects during the consent-docket presentations, describing local economic or safety benefits. For example, McAlester officials said taxiway and lighting upgrades will support a new terminal opening this fall; Woodward officials described a multi-phase PREP-funded project that includes a 500-foot runway extension tied to apron rehabilitation and fuel-system work; and SkyTook reported a waiting list of more than 20 years for hangar space, underscoring local demand.

Commission action and votes: After staff presentations, commissioners moved and seconded motions to approve the change orders and grant dockets. Roll-call votes were recorded for each motion; the motions passed. (See the structured actions[] list below for motion text, movers/seconds when recorded and vote outcomes.)

Quotes: - “We really appreciate your support,” Lance (University of Oklahoma representative) told the commission in reference to Max Westheimer projects. - “These improvements are critical to extending the life of our taxiway, as well as enhancing the safety and operational capacity of our airport,” Billy Sumner (City of McAlester) said when discussing that city’s taxiway rehabilitation and lighting request.

What the commission approved (high-level): the commission approved staff-recommended change orders needing formal action and advanced a multi-airport consent docket that included terminal construction, perimeter fencing, multiple hangar builds and pavement rehabilitation projects. Staff noted the majority of project funding is a mix of FAA grant dollars, state department funds and local sponsor matching contributions.

Next steps: Projects proceed under the department’s grant and agent agreements. Several presenters said construction mobilization was imminent (one project noted an October mobilization window), and staff will return to the commission for future routine approvals and any additional change orders.

Ending: Commissioners closed the item and proceeded with the agenda. The meeting record shows roll-call votes in support of the motions.