Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation-Aviation Division the for the administration of a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Infrastructure Grant for the Automated Weather Observation System Relocation Project at Skylark Field.
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DATE: June 18, 2024
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Mike Wilson, Executive Director of Aviation
SUBJECT: Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Sign an Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation - Aviation Division for a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Infrastructure Grant
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) signed into law on November 15, 2021, provides the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with $15 billion in Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) over a five (5) year period for airport-related projects as defined under the existing Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) criteria. The funding can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety, and sustainability projects, as well as terminals, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects.
Skylark Field has an FAA owned and maintained Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) on the west side of the airport that provides pilots with critical safety information on cloud height, visibility, wind direction and speed, as well as other weather information to assist with safe flight operations. The FAA has standards for keeping the areas within 1,000 feet of the AWOS clear of obstructions that would affect the ability of the sensors to collect accurate readings. The proposed Anthem Park development, when constructed, would cause the existing AWOS to not meet FAA standards for the 1,000 feet radius. It is necessary to relocate the AWOS to a location that will meet FAA standards for weather data collection.
Aviation submitted a BIL AIG application to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Aviation Division requesting to use BIL AIG funds in the amount of $90,000 for the construction phase of the AWOS Relocation Project. This funding will be combined with previously approved funds from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2 (TIRZ 2) fund.
Since Skylark Field is a general aviation airport, it falls under the FAA’s State Block Grant Program. As such, the TxDOT-Aviation Division will be administering the grant on behalf of the FAA. TxDOT-Aviation Division requires that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing a designated individual to execute the grant agreement and related documents pertaining to this grant.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This item conforms to local and state policies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
$90,000 (BIL AIG Grant)
$115,000 (TIRZ 2 Fund)
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
This is a one-time expenditure.
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
Upon approval of the year-end budget amendment, $90,000 for both grant revenue and offsetting expense will be allocated in the Aviation AIP Grant Fund. The revenue account number is 524-0000-334.15-02, and the expense account number is 524-0515-521.69-03, designated for project code 230035, Skylark Field AWOS Relocation. Additionally, $115,000 has already been appropriated in the TIRZ 2 Fund expense account 235-8940-493.69-03 for the same project code.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
Yes, fund balance is available and will be appropriated upon approval of the yearend budget amendment.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute any and all required documents, including all amendments pertaining to the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Infrastructure Grant being administered by Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Finance
Purchasing
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Designation of Sponsor’s Authorized Representative
Certification of Project Funds
Presentation