Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Department of Public Works
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager |
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FROM: |
Chuck Soules |
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CC: |
Cynthia Boecker, Diane Stoddard, Jonathan Douglas, Steve Bennett, Mark Thiel |
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Date: |
January 28, 2009 |
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RE: |
February 3, 2009 Regular Agenda Item Lawrence Airport AIP (Airport Improvement Plan) 2010-2012 |
Please include the following item on the City Commission regular agenda for consideration at the February 3, 2009 meeting:
Background:
The Lawrence Municipal Airport is located just north of Lawrence off HWY-24. The airport is part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and is eligible for funding through the Federal Airport Improvement Program. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Central Region Airports Division has requested that we update our AIP (Airport Improvement Program). This is similar to the KDOT 5-Year Plan. Typically this is a 95% federal cost plus 5% local cost share program.
Annually the airport receives entitlement funds of approximately $150,000 which can be accumulated over four years. Additional discretionary funds are also made available to the region which are more competitive for larger projects.
Over the last few years the Lawrence Airport has benefited from FAA funding and has completed several major projects. Past projects include:
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Safety Area grading and drainage improvements to Runway 15-33 |
$966,000 |
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Strengthen Runway 15-33 |
$560,000 |
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Apron rehabilitation/expansion |
$1.5 Million |
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Taxiway construction |
$800,000 |
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Rehabilitation of Runway 1-19 and lighting |
$1.3 Million |
Current Projects:
For FY2009 the city is in the process of acquiring property at the ends of the runway for planes taking off and landing. The city currently owns aviation easements on these properties but current FAA regulations require ownership of these RPZ (runway protection zones) areas (see attached map). The City Commission approved this project and the contract with ADG Consultants on March 11, 2008. Appraisals and surveys are currently being completed.
To date Congress has only approved half of the entitlement funding. It is anticipated that the remainder of the year’s entitlements will be approved in March. The city needs to decide if this project should be carried over until FY2010. If Congress does not approve/commit to the rest of the year and we do not finish the property acquisition by the end of the fiscal year (August/September) we could lose approximately $120,000 currently set aside for this project. However, if we carry this project over to 2010 then we will not be eligible for any stimulus funding. The stimulus funding for the FAA Programs will not be able to be used if an operator has available entitlement funds.
In 2006 plans were completed for the southern and northern extensions of parallel Taxiway D to Runway 1-19 (attachment). Currently pilots have to back taxi on the runway to take off; this is a difficult maneuver and a safety concern. The plans and specifications were combined into one set of documents. Bids were taken for both phases (north and south). The southern portion was completed; the northern phase was not funded. This project is “shovel ready” from staff’s perspective. The FAA has informed staff that the city needs to initiate a supplemental agreement with our “on call” airport engineering firm to separate this project. A stand alone set of plans, specifications, wage rates, Federal requirements, quantities, etc. will be required. The FAA is looking at this project as being in the “first wave of eligible projects to be bid immediately”. No commitment; however, we need to be ready. Typical funding for these projects is 95/5; however stimulus funding may be 100%. Engineering scope/service fees will need to be formally reviewed and submitted to FAA for approval.
ADG has estimated that creating a “stand alone” project will consist of a new drawing plan set, new project manual, and revised/updated specifications, engineer’s report, and coordination with gas line companies to obtain permits. ADG’s fee for this phase is $18,000. Additional costs include bidding services (distribution of plans, answering contractor questions, holding pre-bid meeting, bid review, award recommendation, and FAA approvals) of $9,000. Other fees of $34,000 for (which includes $12,000 for material testing and sub-consultant services), FAA reporting and reimbursement, pre-construction meeting, final construction report/as-built drawings, processing change orders, supplemental inspection services (city will provide primary/daily inspection services), review of mix designs per FAA requirements, and contractor material submittals and FAA compliance reporting. The additional services beyond the initial $18,000 fee would ONLY be required in the event that a stimulus package was approved and this project was a funded project.
On December 12, 2008 the Airport Advisory Board received and discussed the proposed AIP. The FAA requires Master Plan updates at least every ten years – more often if operations/traffic increase or other significant changes occur. The Board felt that there have been a lot of changes/improvements at the airport since the last Master Plan (2001) and with recent inquiries of development both at and around the airport that moving the Master Plan update up a year to 2010 was important. On January 14, 2009 the Airport Advisory Board approved the submittal of the attached AIP.
Action Requested:
- Direct staff to proceed with RPZ (Runway Protection Zone) property acquisition.
- Approve submittal of AIP (Airport Improvement Plan) as presented.
- Authorize City Manager to execute agreement with ADG for engineering services for the extension of parallel Taxiway D in an amount not to exceed $62,000, pending FAA approval.
Please let me know if additional information is needed.
Respectfully,
Charles F. Soules, P.E.
Director of Public Works
CFS/je
Attachments: AIP (Airport Improvement Plan)