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Stevensville accepts state aeronautics tractor grant; hears airport update on fuel tank, FAA funding
Summary
The Stevensville Town Council approved acceptance of a Montana Aeronautics tractor grant and heard an airport operations update covering a 900-gallon fuel transfer to a new tank, a temporary gauge-calibration issue, delayed FAA asphalt-rehab funding and June fuel sales of 2,487 gallons ($16,710).
The Stevensville Town Council voted July 9 to accept a grant agreement from the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics program to finalize purchase of a tractor for the town airport.
Ryan, the airport staff member presenting the report, said the town has transferred roughly 900 gallons of fuel from an old tank into the new tank after running the fuel through a bulk-fuel truck's multistage filter and allowing it to settle. "We pulled it all into that truck, then let it settle," he said, describing a 30-minute per-1,000-gallon settling practice and the truck's filter capturing sediment.
Ryan told the council the new 12,000-gallon tank is physically rated at that volume but cannot be filled above the standard 90% fill threshold, leaving an operational usable capacity of about 10,800 gallons to allow for a full truck delivery. He also reported a calibration discrepancy between the tank's stick gauge and clock gauge; staff said they are investigating and can confirm inventory levels by testing and routine sampling.
The airport is also still awaiting FAA approval and paperwork on an asphalt rehabilitation project after a recent change in the FAA representative assigned to the town's region. Ryan said staff were told the paperwork should be complete by the end of the month, after which the town will solicit a contract for the project.
On operations, Ryan reported June fuel sales of 2,487 gallons, totaling $16,710. He said aviation fuels track differently than ground fuels because they are priced from crude-oil futures and can be more volatile.
The council approved the aeronautics acceptance agreement and heard that, once signed by the town attorney, state funds typically take two to three weeks to arrive so staff can proceed with equipment procurement.
Councilors did not request further action beyond monitoring the FAA paperwork and the fuel-tank calibration work; staff said they will return with any contract documents for council approval if needed.
