Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Monroe council delays vote on federally funded Taxiway D contract amid DBE and deadline questions
Summary
Council passed over approval of the base bid for the $12M Taxiway D airport project while seeking clarification on an FAA obligation deadline and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation; the FAA later indicated an obligation date of July 25.
The Monroe City Council passed over action on the agreed-upon base bid for the Monroe Regional Airport Taxiway D Construction Phase 1 project at its July 9 meeting while members sought more information about federal deadlines and DBE participation.
Airport Director Charles Butcher told the council the project is funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and the State; City Attorney Brandon Creekbaum and Mr. Butcher warned that the city risks losing grant funds if the obligation deadline is missed. Councilman Rodney McFarland said he would not support awarding a roughly $12 million contract without prior discussion, citing a lack of DBE information and insufficient pre-meeting briefings. Mr. Muhammad said he wanted time to meet with the administration to review the matter.
Director of Purchasing Curt Kelly and Mr. Creekbaum said the FAA sets DBE goals for federally funded airport projects and that the DBE goal for this project had been approved at 8.31% in May. Council members requested confirmation of any July obligation deadline; later in the meeting Mr. Creekbaum reported that Airport Director Butcher had spoken with the FAA and that the obligation deadline was July 25, 2024. The council scheduled the item for reconsideration at the next meeting and passed related administrative work authorization until July 23.
No formal contract award was made at the July 9 meeting.
