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Home My WebLink AboutBOCC Packet 09142011 FAA Grants AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY REGULAR MEETING DATE: September 14, 2011 AGENDA ITEM TITLE :EMERGENCY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO ACCEPTING GRANT OFFER(S) FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN THE FUNDING OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT- CONFIRMATORY READING STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Jim Elwood, Director of Aviation David Ulane, Assistant Director of Aviation ISSUE STATEMENT : This item addresses adoption of aresolution authorizing the Chair’s execution of certain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants for the construction of three improvement projectsat the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. BACKGROUND :On July 23, 2011, nearly all FAA operations were shut down due to a th congressional impasse over FAA funding. On August 6Congress passed short-term th legislation that reauthorized FAA,and FAA staff went back to work on Monday August 8. Because of the shutdown, FAA hasover $2 billion of remaining AIP funding to obligate in a th very short period of time-prior toSeptember16. We expect that many airports will not be in a position to accept grant funds in this short timeframe, and that the remaining funds will converted to discretionaryfunds and distributed toairports who are in a position to accept the funds. Our airportis in a position to accept such grant fundsfor key infrastructure projects.While the chanceof receiving these funds is relatively small, passing this resolution proactively will position us to receive additional grant funds in the event they become available on short notice. We have threequalifiedprojects in our capital program that would require minimal amounts of additional design, and which could be constructed in 2012: Project 1 would reconstruct connector Taxiway A-3 between the runway and parallel taxiway A. Taxiway A-3 was removed in 2005 during the ESID project, but was not reinstalled due to FAA funding limitations. Reinstallation of taxiway A-3 would prove to be a significant airport safety benefit, providing an additional ingress/egress route for aircraft traffic from runway 15/33 in an area where none exists currently. Since the removal of A-3 six years ago, we have heard consistently from our air traffic controllers and our users about the importance of and need for the reinstallation of this taxiway connector. Total estimated cost: $941,731 1 Project 2 would consist of improvements to the west side safety area of the runway by installing a subsurface drainage system. This system was originally planned to be installed during the 2007 runway rehabilitation project, but was removed due to FAA funding limitations. The existing west sideof the runway has limited subsurface drainage and to that end, all water runoff is directed on the surface. The result is that water is channelized, particularly during spring runoff and heavy rain events, which erodes gullies into the safety area, posing safety issues. When this occurs, the airport is required by FAA regulations to perform maintenance on these areas, which costs over $25,000 annually. A subsurface drainage system would prevent surface drainage flows, minimize sedimentation of airport runoff, minimize erosion, increase airport safety, and reduce maintenance costs. Total estimated cost: $1,611,016 Project3would consist of constructing an aircraft deicingpad/apron and associated fluid collectionfacilities and drainage on the north side of the existing holding apron at Taxiways A-7 and A-8. This area was originally planned and developed to accommodate deicing activitieswhen the East Side Infrastructure Development (ESID) project was constructed.It was not included, however, due to funding limitations. The relocated deicing pad/apronwillbe beneficial in two primary ways. It will allow aircraft deicing operations to move from a small area on the commercial aircraft ramp where it currently takes place, relieving a major source of congestion in this area during the busy winter season. Additionally, the elimination of deicing activities from the airline ramp would eliminate tracking of deicing fluid into the terminal and onto aircraft, and make aircraft ramp operations safer by segregating passengers and airline ground crews from nearby deicing activities Total estimated cost:$2,666,611 To be in a position to accept unobligatedendof year FAA funds if and when they become available, a grant resolution authorizing acceptance of FAA funds is necessary on or before th September 16, necessitating the emergency resolution. Acceptance of FAA funds under this resolution does not constitute approval of these projects; each would still be subject to appropriate federal, state and County approval processes LINK TO STRATEGIC PLAN: Acceptance of outside grants to leverage County funds for airport improvements is part of the County’s Regional Transportation Strategic goal. 2 KEY DISCUSSION ITEMS: Acceptance of additional unobligated FAAairport improvement funds for the constructionof the projects noted above. BUDGETARY IMPACT: The total estimated costs of these projects (including, design, engineering and contingencies)is $5,217,357, of which the FAA would fund up to 95%, or $4,956,489. The airport’s local share of $260,868 would come from airport reserves, which currently total over $11.5 million. RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION: Final adoptionof the attached resolutionon Confirmatory Reading. ATTACHMENTS: 2011 Federal Grant Resolution. 3 EMERGENCY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO ACCEPTING A GRANT OFFER(S) FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN THE FUNDING OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT Resolution No. ____________, 2011 RECITALS 1.Pitkin County is the owner, operator and sponsor of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. 2.Pitkin County intends to complete certain airport improvement projects and has applied or will apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for funding assistance through the Airport ImprovementProgram (AIP). 3.The FAA could offer assistance through one or more AIP grant offer(s) for up to $6,000,000for the constructionofan aircraft deicing pad, reinstallationof connector taxiway A-3 and installationof west side runway safety area improvements. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO Section 1: That execution of future FAA grant offer(s) for up to $6,000,000for the construction of the projects noted aboveis approved. That the Chairman is hereby authorized and directed to execute the AIP grant offer(s) on behalf of the County, and any other documents necessary to complete the transaction(s), subject to recommendation for approval by staff and approval as to form by the County Attorney. Section 2. This resolution and all grant agreement(s) shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours in the office of the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder, Pitkin County Courthouse Annex Building, 530 East Main Street, Aspen, Colorado 81611, and the office of the Director of Aviation, 0233 East Airport Road, Suite A, Aspen, Colorado 81611. 4 INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTEDONAUGUST 23, 2011AND SET FOR CONFIRMATORY PUBLIC HEARING ONSEPTEMBER 14,2011. NOTICE OF CONFIRMATORY PUBLIC HEARINGPUBLISHEDIN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLYON SEPTEMBER 4, 2011. CONFIRMED AT A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2011. PUBLISHED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY, AFTER CONFIRMATORY PUBLIC HEARING, IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLYONSEPTEMBER 25,2011. ATTEST:BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY ______________________________________________________________________ Jeanette Jones,Rachel E. Richards,Chairperson Deputy Clerk and Recorder __________________________________ DateDate APPROVED AS TO FORM:COUNTY MANAGER APPROVAL: ________________________________________________________________ John Ely, County AttorneyJon Peacock, County Manager 5