Committee approves $63,500 contract to clear brush and trees at Aurora Municipal Airport

The Building Zoning and Economic Development Committee voted to accept Homer Tree Service Inc.'s low bid of $63,500 to remove trees and brush on about 19.5 acres at the Aurora Municipal Airport.

Steve Andress, with the Aurora Municipal Airport division, told the committee the work is part of a decision package funded this year and described it as a safety measure. "The primary purpose of this project is twofold. 1 is, to allow the air traffic control tower and their personnel to be able to see out the entire airport property," Andress said. He added that reducing brush and trees also addresses wildlife habitat that can pose hazards to landing and departing aircraft.

Andress said the work area was established from aerial photos and staff do not have a specific tree count; stumps of trees greater than 4 inches will be ground and the trees themselves will be processed into chips and left on-site. He said one contractor who toured the site asked how many trees were present and staff advised bidders to inspect the site in person. The committee was told the project was identified in a prior safety meeting with air traffic controllers.

Alderwoman Juany Garza moved approval and Alderman Will White seconded. The chair called the question and the motion carried unanimously as recorded in the meeting.

The approved resolution authorizes acceptance of the Homer Tree Service bid and allows airport staff to proceed with contract execution and site work. Implementation and oversight will be led by the Aurora Municipal Airport division. The contract amount recorded in the meeting packet is $63,500.

The committee moved the item forward without further amendment.