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Airport board seeks engineer of record; runway maintenance and hangar growth prompt water and fire-suppression planning
Summary
The Salina-Gunnison Airport board is soliciting an engineer of record and planning pavement maintenance and facility upgrades; the city would be responsible for a roughly 10% local match for a pavement preservation project and to consider water and fire-suppression needs at the airport.
City staff reported that the Salina-Gunnison Airport board is soliciting qualifications for an engineer of record and planning several near-term projects, including pavement preservation and an updated airport layout plan.
Staff said the state Department of Transportation (UDOT) plans a pavement surface-maintenance project (possibly a slurry or similar surface treatment) in the coming year. The state requires a 10% local match; the two owner cities would split that match, with Gunnison—s share estimated at about $8,500.
Why it matters: Airport pavement upkeep preserves operational safety and access. The airport has experienced growth in hangar construction, and staff said multiple additional facility needs — including a water source for fire suppression and basic restroom facilities — have emerged as priorities for future work.
Details noted by staff: - The airport is a joint venture between Salina and Gunnison and uses identifier 44U. - An engineer of record is required to pursue state and federal project funding and to update the airport layout plan, which is needed for future grant submittals and for siting hangars, a fuel island and runway changes. - The airport currently has six hangars and recently approved an additional hangar; there is no fire-suppression water source on the property and no restroom facilities for transient pilots and visitors. - Staff discussed the possibility of moving toward federal airport status, which requires a threshold number of based aircraft; federal designation could bring ongoing funding but also additional federal oversight.
Next steps: The RFQ for engineering qualifications was open through February 28, with a board review scheduled in March. Council members asked staff to continue evaluating match requirements, the airport layout plan update cost and the implications of federal designation before making funding commitments.
Ending: Staff will return with recommendations after receiving engineering qualifications and estimating costs for the layout-plan update and required local matches.
