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Council hears airport update: runway rehabs, FAA grants and proposals to expand revenue
Summary
Airport staff told the committee runway rehab and obstruction-removal grants are pending with the FAA; bids for runway work came in above budget and staff plans to proceed with base work and key alternates while pursuing grant matches and FAA contract terms.
Airport manager Lisa Trenberg and airport staff briefed the committee on runway and taxiway rehabilitation, FAA inspection activity and grant applications.
Trenberg said one runway rehab (project referenced as runway 1129) has gone out to bid; base bids plus alternates were returned and the low bids exceeded the available budget. Staff explained they planned to move forward with the base bid and a critical alternate (alternate one) and were working to find the remaining ~ $400,000 to cover the gap. The airport is also pursuing FAA grants for taxiway rehabilitation (taxiway A and D) and obstruction removal; staff said the FAA grants would cover about 95% of costs with the city and state each contributing roughly 2.5% as the local match.
On revenue and operations, Trenberg told the committee the airport has renegotiated leases in recent years and is closer to break-even after prior operating deficits. Committee members and staff discussed two revenue strategies: finding a private lease/operator to fund and expand operations, and regional coordination with neighboring Stratford. Staff said runways and the ability to handle slightly larger corporate jets are the most likely path to materially increase airport revenue.
Safety and compliance items under the FAA license (obstruction removal such as tree clearing) were flagged as a pressing priority: the airport said FAA licensing requires addressing obstructions and that grant funding for that work is in process and on a council agenda for the required local contribution approvals.
What happens next: Staff will pursue final grant approvals and return with project budget reconciliations for airport runway contracts and the expected local match commitments.
