DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Frank Miller
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Application for Submission and Acceptance of FAA Grant Awards
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following items related to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant applications for the San Antonio International Airport:
A. An Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds for a FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant in an amount up to $8,000,000.00 for the continuation of the Residential Acoustical Treatment Program. The FAA portion of the grant would be $6,400,000.00 with the City providing its share of $1,600,000.00 from the 2010 Passenger Facility Charge Bonds.
As part of the FAA AIP program for Noise programs, the FAA provides 80% of the eligible project funds with the City responsible for the 20% match.
B. An Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds for a FAA Improvement Program grant in an amount up to $22,800,000.00 for taxiway improvements. The FAA portion of the grant would be $17,100,000.00 with the City's share of $5,700,000.00 funded from 2010 Airport Tax Note and Airport Improvement Funds.
As part of the FAA AIP program for airfield improvements, the FAA will provide for 75% of eligible project costs and require a 25% City match.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A. Grant for the Residential Acoustical Treatment Program (RATP)
The City regularly coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for continued Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for eligible projects at the San Antonio International Airport.
Launched in 2006, RATP provides acoustical improvements to eligible homes near the airport. The treatments include a variety of noise-mitigating measures, including window and door installations and added insulation. The FAA determines eligibility of homes which qualify for the RATP program by using an approved Day-Night Average Sound Level Noise Exposure Contour Map. This map represents the projection of an airport's yearly noise average using aircraft fleet mix, hourly operations and departure flight tracking data. Eligible homes also must be built prior to 1998 and located within the most affected area.
As part of the FAA program, the FAA provides 80% of the necessary funding, while the City provides the remaining 20% match. No San Antonio tax dollars are used in the funding of this program.
B. Grant for Runway and Taxiway Improvements
The City regularly coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for continued Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for eligible projects at the Airport. AIP funding is based on the Airport's preliminary submittal of its annual Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) to the FAA. Through the ACIP, the Airport identifies priority projects to be funded. These projects may be eligible for grant funding at 75% of eligible project costs with a 25% local matching share. The following projects are included among the identified priorities:
Terminal Area Taxiways
This project will design and reconstruct Taxiway G from Runway 4/22 to Taxiway A and a localized area at Taxiway Y. It will also design and reconstruct Taxiway N from Runway 12R southwest to just beyond Runway 4/22; and construct new parallel taxiways to both Taxiways G and N. The work will be done in multiple phases. The first phase of this grant is already under construction.
This year's grant application will be for the second phase of construction. The grant will fund the reconstruction of Taxiway N through its intersection with Taxiway G, reconstruction of Taxiway G between Taxiways A and D as well as a section of Taxiway G at its intersection with Taxiway Y, and construct an apron-edge taxilane along the east side of Terminal A towards Taxiway N.
ISSUE:
This Ordinance allows the City to submit and accept, if awarded, FAA AIP grants. This action would be consistent with the City Council's policy of improving facilities, improving land uses, enhancing safety at the Airport, and utilizing federal funding when available.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not approve this item. However, this action would mean the City would not be eligible for federal grant awards that would assist in funding projects at the San Antonio International Airport. In addition, the failure to accept could potentially affect the City's ability to receive future FAA grant funding for additional safety, development, and expansion projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A. The noise grant, if awarded for the RATP, will provide for 80% of eligible project costs and require a 20% City Match. The FAA will contribute $6,400,000.00 for the continuation of the program with the City match of $1,600,000.00. The matching funds will be appropriated from 2010 Passenger Facility Charge Bonds.
B. The grant, if awarded, will provide for 75% of eligible project costs and require a 25% City match. The matching funds will be appropriated and amending the CIP in Fiscal Year 2014 and primarily spent in Fiscal Year 2015. Further appropriations will be dependent on the approval of the Budget by City Council. Further phases will be approved through City Council actions as part of future FAA grant application submittal and acceptance. The FAA would fund $17,100,000.00, while the City's match of $5,700,000.00 will be funded from 2010 Airport Tax Note and Airport Improvement Funds.
This ordinance provides for the acceptance and execution of FAA AIP grant funds, appropriates funds and authorizes execution of all related grant documents for each of the above projects at San Antonio International Airport.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the submittal and acceptance of FAA Airport Improvement Program grants for the continuation of the Residential Acoustical Treatment Program and Terminal Area Taxiways projects.