Elkhart City aviation board approves T-hangar payments, grounding audit and insurance renewal; declines terrorism clause

ELKHART CITY — The Elkhart City Board of Aviation Commissioners met Jan. 28 and approved a package of routine airport business, including progress payments for T-hangar construction, a grounding-audit and hardware-installation contract for the air traffic control tower, and renewal of the tower's liability insurance without the optional war/terrorism clause.

The board met virtually and established a quorum before taking votes on the agenda, minutes and claims. In the airport manager's report, the manager said a new employee, Robert Ballmer, "will start on February 9" and described operational impacts from a county-declared snow emergency, equipment damage from lightning, and an ongoing controller vacancy at the tower.

The meeting's most consequential actions were related to airport infrastructure and risk coverage. The board approved Progress Estimate No. 8 for the 70-series T-hangar project, authorizing payment to New Tech Construction in the amount of $466,375.01 and granting the board president authority to sign the payment documents. The board also approved a related agreement for AP connection on the 70-series T-hangars and ratified a prior board president…