Staff reports ALP and pavement engineering grants; repaving estimated at $6–7 million

City airport staff updated the Airport Advisory Commission on two grant-funded efforts intended to guide future capital work and to qualify the airport for larger federal construction grants.

"We have 2 grants in the works," said Kimberly Horn, airport staff, noting the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) is about 50% complete and that initial alternatives developed by the consultant Kimley-Horn will be presented to the commission before Thanksgiving. Horn said the ALP will address runway length, aircraft storage, navigational aids and FAA design standards.

Horn also reported the pavement-management item: the city had submitted and later received a use-it-or-lose-it engineering grant (about $157,000 in testimony) for pavement analysis and that the contract for engineering work has been executed. "With the grant we just received, it's all engineering," Horn said; construction still requires another grant submission once engineering defines needs.

Speakers described recurring loose-pebble and cracking problems in apron and alley areas between hangars. "We're picking up a lot of rocks, a lot of pebble," a hangar tenant said, and mechanics have charged owners for prop repairs after operating on the deteriorated surfaces. Staff estimated full apron and alley repaving would take significant funding — roughly $6 to $7 million in current estimates — and one speaker warned the work could take months to plan and award once abandonment or other processes are complete.

Commissioners said they will use the engineering deliverables to pursue larger FAA construction grants once the ALP and pavement studies show the technical requirements and costs. No construction contract was awarded at the meeting; staff will present engineering results and grant applications in future public sessions.