Board backs FAA grant request for south apron reconstruction; members discuss tie-downs, transient parking and soils concerns

The Hurricane Airport Board recommended that the City Council approve an FAA grant application to reconstruct the airport’s south apron, using additional funding the airport received under the federal bipartisan infrastructure legislation.

Board member Mike summarized that the airport received funding beyond its usual annual entitlement and that the board’s recommendation asks the City Council to accept the FAA grant and use the funds for south apron reconstruction. Mike said preliminary engineering has estimated how much taxiway surface the grant will cover and that the board will aim to spend the money on taxiways and apron as far as the funds allow.

Why it matters: Board members said the south apron work is intended to address longstanding settling and soil-collapse problems in parts of the airport. Members emphasized that geotechnical investigation and subgrade mitigation will affect how much surface area can be reconstructed, and that prudent mitigation may reduce immediate scope but reduce long-term recurring repairs.

Mike described the proposed south apron boundaries as the pavement in front of the southern hangars and said engineers are collecting geotechnical data because "collapsible soils" in the area may require extra subgrade stabilization and reduce the amount of pavement that can be reconstructed with the available funds. He told board members, "we're going to spend every dollar that we got on the taxiways," while noting mitigation needs could reduce the area completed.

Members discussed whether the grant and apron reconstruction could include run-up pads, additional pavement under proposed shade hangars, or dedicated transient tie-down spots. Staff and consultants (JV Aviation) advised that some items might not be eligible under the current grant but could be addressed in upcoming Capital Improvement Program (CIP) updates or included in construction plans for FAA review. Board members agreed to ask consultants to evaluate adding transient parking and tie-downs in the project or to include them in the CIP update.

Board members also discussed operational changes including: - Survey and staking of acreage between 700 West and the hangars to establish pads and addresses for possible new hangar construction; several members recommended permanent markers given unstable soils. - Adding dedicated transient parking/tie-downs so visiting aircraft have reserved short-term spots; members said transient spots could be charged (example amounts discussed verbally) and would generate recurring revenue for the airport. - Better signage and painted markings for existing tie-downs and enforcement of tie-down fees; staff said Kathy (administrative staff) maintains a list of tie-downs and sends billing.

Other business covered under infrastructure and operations: - Sand Hollow Aviation: The board heard an update that the local association is expanding, improving safety training, and is preparing a letter to the FAA about lease issues at Saint George. - Ambulance bay update: The board was told that a Mesquite contractor ordered equipment and expected delivery by mid-September; the installation was expected to take approximately two weeks.

The board moved and seconded a recommendation that the City Council accept the FAA grant for south apron reconstruction; members approved the motion by voice vote. The transcript records members saying "aye" and "motion passes," but does not show a roll-call vote or numeric tally.

Board members directed staff and the consultant to evaluate adding tie-downs and transient spaces to the CIP and to include run-up pads and shade-hangar pavement in future planning where eligible under FAA rules.