Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Bellefontaine council advances $2.9 million airport rehab; seeks FAA-funded bids
Loading...
Summary
The council approved on first reading an emergency ordinance authorizing bids for a $2.9 million runway, taxiway and lighting rehabilitation at Bellefontaine Airport; officials said 95% of the project is expected to be funded by the FAA.
Bellefontaine City Council voted unanimously to pass on first reading an emergency ordinance authorizing the Safety-Service Director to solicit bids and enter a contract for rehabilitation of the city airport's runway, taxiway, lighting and signage.
The finance committee said the project carries a $2,900,000 cost estimate and that roughly 95% of the work is expected to be funded through the Federal Aviation Administration. Finance committee members explained the unusual sequencing: the city must solicit and review bids before applying for the FAA grant that will underwrite most of the cost.
"We have to take it out to bid, review the bids, and then apply for the grant," said the finance committee chair during the committee report. Council members voted to declare the ordinance an emergency and to pass it on first reading so the bidding step and subsequent grant application can proceed without delay.
The ordinance was introduced as a first-reading item; a motion to pass on first reading carried by unanimous roll-call votes.
The measure now authorizes the Safety-Service Director to advertise for proposals and, if appropriate, enter a contract consistent with the bid process and future grant terms. No contract award was finalized at the meeting; council said it would return for contract approval after bids are evaluated and grant terms are confirmed.
Next steps: the administration will advertise the project for bids, review responses, and then submit the grant application to the FAA as described by the finance committee.
