Phillipsburg council approves FAA grant application and conditionally awards $941,000 airport fuel contract; OKs SCADA upgrade and board reappointment

The Phillipsburg City Council on April 20 voted to submit an FAA grant application and, contingent on receiving that funding, awarded the contract for a new airport fuel facility to CB Construction for $941,000.

Brad Waller of Alfred Benesch & Co. presented the results of an April 15 bid opening and told the council the project is FAA grant funded with a 95/5 percent match. Bids reported were CB Construction $941,000; Vogts Parga Construction $1,100,000; and Screed Tech $1,300,000. Councilmember Brian Shrader moved to approve submitting the FAA grant application; Councilmember Terry McConnell seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Shrader then moved to approve a contract with CB Construction contingent on receiving FAA funding; McConnell seconded and the council again voted unanimously.

The airport contract award was recorded as contingent on the FAA grant; the council did not approve city funding beyond approving the grant application and the contingent contract.

Council also approved several routine items. The April 6, 2026 minutes were approved (motion by Terry McConnell, seconded by Brian Shrader; unanimous), and ordinance #1055-04-26A to pay the bills was approved (motion by Brian Shrader, seconded by Don Roberts; unanimous).

Utilities and public-works items were discussed and advanced. Utilities Director Kent Footh reported he signed a generator design contract for Reservoir 104 in the amount of $8,900 (staff action) and presented a proposal to upgrade the HOA SCADA computer. The council approved the SCADA computer upgrade contract for $12,894 (motion by Shrader, seconded by McConnell; unanimous).

Public Works Director Trent Weinman gave updates that crews patched a requested area on State Street, repaired bricks at Fourth and F Street, sent 28 lifeguard letters offering positions, and prepared an old tractor for auction. Weinman said property owners with outstanding dangerous-structure cases must come in to update the council because six-month extensions have expired; Mayor Lance Munyon asked Weinman to take updated photos for comparison.

Councilmember Brian Shrader asked about the status of the Jansonius addition after receiving constituent inquiries; Weinman said he would check on the project and report back. The council reappointed Arliss Hatcher to the Housing Authority Board (motion by Terry McConnell, seconded by Brian Shrader; unanimous) and approved closing a road for the Party in the Park event on June 7, 2026 (motion by Shrader, seconded by McConnell; unanimous).

Mayor Munyon asked councilmembers to consider whether facilities should be split into their own fund instead of remaining in the general fund; no action was taken on that proposal during the meeting. The council adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Submit FAA grant application for airport fuel facility: mover Brian Shrader; second Terry McConnell; outcome: approved (voting aye: Mayor Lance Munyon; Councilmembers Brian Shrader; Kenneth Craig; Don Roberts; Terry McConnell; Jerry Voorhees; Lauren Weinert). - Award contract to CB Construction (contingent on FAA funding): mover Brian Shrader; second Terry McConnell; outcome: approved (same vote roster). - Approve April 6, 2026 minutes: mover Terry McConnell; second Brian Shrader; approved (unanimous). - Approve ordinance #1055-04-26A to pay the bills: mover Brian Shrader; second Don Roberts; approved (unanimous). - Approve HOA SCADA computer upgrade contract ($12,894): mover Brian Shrader; second Terry McConnell; approved (unanimous). - Reappoint Arliss Hatcher to Housing Authority Board: mover Terry McConnell; second Brian Shrader; approved (unanimous). - Approve road closure for Party in the Park (June 7, 2026): mover Brian Shrader; second Terry McConnell; approved (unanimous).

The council’s actions were unanimous on all recorded motions. Several staff items—such as the Reservoir 104 generator design contract for $8,900 and hiring decisions related to a KRWA apprenticeship candidate—were reported as staff actions or in-progress and did not require council votes.