DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Air Traffic Control Tower Project at Stinson Municipal Airport
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes an increase to the total project costs for the Air Traffic Control Tower at Stinson Municipal Airport. The action will increase the total grant funding for the project to $5,788,502.58 with a total contribution of $2,063,516.20 from Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and total City match of $3,724,986.38.
This action will appropriate $813,257.00 from the Airport Capital Improvement Fund and amend the FY 2017 Capital Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Aviation Department has coordinated with the Texas Department of Transportation in the development of a new air traffic control tower at Stinson Municipal Airport. This project plans, designs and constructs a new tower to eliminate anticipated line-of-sight issues that will occur with future development.
Previous Council Action
In August 2011 through Ordinance 2011-08-18-0666, City Council authorized TXDOT as its agent for the purpose of administrating all funds for these improvements, selecting the consultants and contractors and administering the contracts necessary for the implementation of these improvements. As part of the grant program, TXDOT provides 90% of the total eligible project cost and the City provides the remaining 10%, up to a total project cost of $2,000,000.00. All project costs, including design and construction, exceeding $2,000,000.00 is the responsibility of the City.
In August of 2011 through Ordinance 2011-08-18-0666, City Council authorized TXDOT as its agent for the purpose of administrating all funds for these improvements, selecting the consultants and contractors and administering the contracts necessary for the implementation of these improvements. This is a condition of the grant. As such, TXDOT must receive the matching funds prior to implementation of the various work efforts.
The City Council authorization also authorized the submittal and acceptance of a grant for the design of the Tower with a subsequent amendment. In October 2014, City Council authorized a grant for the construction phase of the project through Ordinance 2014-10-16-0794.
As the administrator for the project, TXDOT prepared and released the solicitation documents for the construction phase. On October 26, 2016 TXDOT opened bids and determined Teal Construction as the lowest bidder. The bid amount was $813,257.00 higher than the amount already authorized under the construction grant.
ISSUE:
Approval to accept the TXDOT award in support of various airfield projects is consistent with City Council's policy of improving facilities at Stinson Municipal Airport and utilizing other funding when available.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Department worked with TXDOT to consider options for moving forward with the project. The first option considered was to value engineer the existing construction bids, however, this action is not permissible under State law. Secondly, the reissuance of the project bid was considered with a scaled-down design, but this would not guarantee that the construction costs would be significantly less. Redefining the project scope was a third option considered, but it would likely lessen the impact of the tower as an iconic structure in the World Heritage District.
Cancellation of the project would require the City to reimburse TXDOT for the funds the agency has already provided. Additionally, the current tower would remain with noted line-of-sight issues and would likely not be replaced soon. Cancelling the project may inhibit the City's ability to receive future grant funding for future development and expansion of airport facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action will appropriate $813,257.00 from the Airport Capital Improvement Fund and amend the FY 2017 Aviation Capital Budget. This action will increase the total grant funding for the project to $5,788,502.58 with a total contribution of $2,063,516.20 from TXDOT and total City match of $3,724,986.38. With this action, TXDOT agrees to contribute funding in the amount of $2,063,516.20, an increase of $63,516.20 over the original funding contribution amount of $2,000,000.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of the increase amount to the total project costs to complete the construction of the Stinson Air Traffic Control Tower Project.