Stevensville — At the Jan. 8 council meeting airport staff reported a series of maintenance and capital items, including an inoperable precision approach path indicator (PAPI), a newly mobilized fuel farm project and plans to rebid a 100% FAA/state‑funded taxi‑lane rehabilitation.

Airport manager Jermaine told the council that during a recent lighting inspection one PAPI enclosure had a scorched circuit board and was not illuminating. Staff will hold a manufacturer conference call to troubleshoot a possible failing voltage regulator before installing a costly replacement board; parts are available but the specific board model is no longer manufactured. The FAA has been notified and the inoperable PAPI has been documented in the airport’s records.

Manager also reported wind damage to perimeter fencing and a peeled metal siding panel on the SRE building that staff have temporarily secured and plan to repair permanently over several weeks. A deteriorating asphalt area at a parking‑lot corner has progressed to the point of requiring a hot patch and eventual full repair; eligibility for FAA/state funding is in question because of a "through the fence" agreement with a neighbor.

On capital projects, staff said energy systems began mobilization and excavation for a new fuel farm; foundations and utilities work will continue for approximately 4–5 weeks and the new tank is expected to arrive in March with operations commencing about four weeks after arrival. The airport also plans to rebid a 30‑year taxi‑lane replacement project that previously drew no bidders; staff emphasized that 100% funding remains available and earmarked for the work.

Councilors asked about trends at other airports and whether there is a consortium database for equipment failures; staff said no such shared database exists but their engineer works with many airports and has seen similar issues elsewhere. The airport also reported December fuel sales of about 207 gallons (~$1,100) and that all but one lease payment have been collected.