Council authorizes FAA grants and design work for Enterprise runway extension

City Council on [date not specified] authorized the mayor to execute three Federal Aviation Administration grant offers totaling roughly $7.18 million to fund the first phase of a runway extension at Enterprise Municipal Airport.

Barry, the city engineer, told the council the grants would support a phased program that adds 500 feet toward the bypass in the first phase and later work to reach a 6,000-foot runway. "What I'm asking from the council is to authorize the mayor to execute those 3 grant agreements, not to exceed a $180,000 as our local match for 7,200,000 worth of improvements at the airport," Barry said, noting the offered match is about 2.5 percent of the total.

Staff said the extension will increase required runway safety areas and allow the airport to accommodate larger business-class aircraft (certain business jets) without changing the city's intent to remain a business/general-aviation facility rather than an air-carrier airport. The project will include runway overlay, lighting and visual-approach aids and corrective pavement work the engineer said are needed to meet FAA standards.

Council also authorized a work authorization with Barge Design Solutions for project development, survey, geotechnical design, bidding and construction-phase services at a stated cost not to exceed the amount presented to council. Staff explained FAA grant applications require actual bid prices and that the consultant's engineering cost is included in the grant package.

The motions to authorize the FAA grants and the Barge work authorization passed on voice votes with no roll-call opposition recorded. The city will provide the local match from budgeted funds not to exceed $180,000.

Next steps: staff will execute the grant agreements, proceed with design and bidding under the approved work authorization, and return with contract awards and schedule updates as bids and grant conditions allow.