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City approves $4.35 million on‑call airport planning agreement; staff says projects are FAA‑funded and individual projects will return to council
Summary
Modesto approved an on‑call airport planning services agreement with Kimley‑Horn not to exceed $4,350,000 over five years to support FAA‑required studies (airport layout plan, pavement management and other airfield analysis); staff said the authorization is for services only and that each funded project will return to council for individual budget approvals.
The city approved an on‑call agreement with Kimley‑Horn and Associates for airport planning services with an estimated annual amount of $870,000 and a five‑year not‑to‑exceed total of $4,350,000. Works Director Chad Reed told council the work is authority‑only: individual projects that require funding will come back to council for approval. Staff said these services support FAA requirements for noise, environmental and airfield studies tied to grant funding, and cited two current projects—the airport layout plan (including a proposed tower move) and a pavement management program.
Councilmembers asked whether the studies signal a move toward commercial air service; staff said the agreement supports both existing FAA compliance needs and future opportunities but stressed that grant‑funded projects will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis. A councilmember highlighted potential economic development benefits if feasibility work and the airport study support broader connections to commercial service.
Why it matters: The authorization secures consultant capacity to meet FAA study and grant obligations and positions the city to pursue future projects, but individual project budgets and decisions will be made separately.
Next steps: City staff will manage on‑call tasks and return with individual project approvals and budgets as opportunities and grants arise; an airport efficiency/feasibility study is in draft and under staff review.
