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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Nut Tree Airport to apply for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program grant up to $3,043,571 for the Nut Tree Airport Northeast Hangar Taxilane Reconstruction and Drainage Improvements Project, Phase 2a; Adopt a resolution authorizing the Nut Tree Airport to apply for a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 5% matching grant up to $152,179; Delegate authority to the County Administrator, or designee, to apply, accept, execute, and deliver all documents required for the administration of the grants; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request to recognize the additional funding from the FAA and Caltrans grants (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of General Services recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the Nut Tree Airport to apply for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant for 90% of the project cost, up to $3,043,571 for the Nut Tree Airport Northeast Hangar Taxilane Reconstruction and Drainage Improvements Project, Phase 2a (Attachment A);
2. Adopt a resolution authorizing the Nut Tree Airport to apply for a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 5% matching grant up to $152,179 (Attachment B);
3. Delegate authority to the County Administrator, or designee, to apply, accept, execute, and deliver all documents required for the administration of the grants; and
4. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) to recognize the additional funding from the FAA and Caltrans grants (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
In FY2016, the Airport Pavement Management Plan classified these taxilanes as displaying high severity cracking throughout, as well as ponding issues and failing pavement. On January 10, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved the Notice of Completion for Phase 1 of the Northeast Apron and Taxilane Reconstruction Project (Attachment C).
This project is the next phase of reconstruction and drainage improvements for the northeast hangar taxilanes, identified in the Nut Tree Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) which was also approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The design work for the northeast hangar taxilane reconstruction project, Phase 2a and 2b (Attachment D), is being funded by a $302,844 FAA grant, which was approved on August 11, 2023, and is currently in process.
This grant request is only for the construction costs associated with reconstructing the pavement in Phase 2a, the southern half of taxilanes off the main passageway taxilane, as depicted on the airfield map (Attachment C). Phase 2a is expected to be awarded by the FAA in Federal FY 2024. Due to the high cost of reconstruction, the Phase 2b portion of the project will be constructed under a separate FAA AIP construction grant, currently programmed in the ACIP for Federal FY 2026.
The Department of General Services is recommending that the Board adopt two separate resolutions authorizing all actions required to apply and administer the FAA grant for up to $3,043,571, 90% of the project costs (Attachment A), and with Caltrans for 5% of the FAA grant amount, up to $152,179, (Attachment B), for the proposed Nut Tree Airport Northeast Taxilane Reconstruction Project Phase 2a.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The FAA grant application for the proposed Northeast Taxilane Reconstruction Project Phase 2a (BU 9020) is up to $3,043,571 with an anticipated State matching grant in the amount of up to $152,179. The remainder of the project balance will be paid from the Airport Fund Balance. The financial impact of the grant to the County will be the Nut Tree Airport’s responsibility to pay a local share portion of 5% of the total project cost of the project in the amount of up to $185,996, depending on the final amount of the FAA grant award. There is no impact to the General Fund.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of the Northeast Hangar Apron and Taxilane Reconstruction Project is to reconstruct failing pavement and bring the pavement into compliance with FAA safety standards. When complete, the project will restore and extend the associated pavement useful life for an expected additional 20 years.
On September 10, 2019, the Board approved the Nut Tree Airport to apply for an FAA grant to design the taxilane pavement reconstruction project for up to $113,000, and on September 23, 2019, the Nut Tree Airport was awarded an FAA grant for $65,000 to design the Northeast Taxilane and Hangar Apron Pavement Reconstruction project.
Due to the overall cost, the FAA was unable to fund the entire project and directed the Nut Tree Airport to split the project into several phases. The result of this decision was a multiyear phased project with additional design work and phased construction spread over several fiscal years.
On March 23, 2021, the Board approved the Nut Tree Airport to accept the award of an FAA construction grant in the amount of $890,066. The main passageway taxilane - Phase 1 (as shown on the map in Attachment D) was completed on November 4, 2022, and accepted by the Board of Supervisors on January 10, 2023.
The second phase involves a new design of the Phase 2 project for the southern side of the main passageway, Phase 2a, and the northern side of the main passageway, Phase 2b (Attachment D). The FAA funded a grant for the new design in 2023 in the amount of $302,844, and a Caltrans matching grant was approved in the amount of $15,142.
The FAA expects to award the County up to $3,043,571 for construction and drainage improvements of the southern portion of taxiways, Phase 2a, in summer FY2024. Another FAA grant will be pursued at a later time for construction costs of Phase 2b, the northern portion of the taxiways.
Staff also recommends that the Board delegate signing authority to the County Administrator or designee, to take all actions required for the administration of the grants and to ensure the grant agreement can be executed within the short 10-day turnaround time required by the FAA.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution authorizing acceptance of a grant from the FAA. This action is not recommended as the grant will fund up to 90% of the Project.
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution authorizing application for and acceptance of a matching grant from Caltrans. This action is not recommended as the matching grant will fund an additional 5% of the of the FAA grant amount for Project funding.
The Board could choose not to delegate signing authority to staff. This action is not recommended since delegated authority will enable the County to meet FAA grant’s timeline requirements.
The Board could choose not to approve the ATR. This is not recommended as it will prevent staff from implementing the grant activities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff maintains ongoing coordination with the local FAA Airport District Office (ADO), regarding the Project and the scheduling of program funds.
County Counsel is consulted as needed during the grant application process and as to form for signing grant agreements.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION