DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell J. Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Federal Aviation Administration Grants for the San Antonio International Airport
SUMMARY:
Consideration of three Ordinances related to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for the San Antonio International Airport:
A. An Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds for FAA AIP grants for two projects: Runway 13R Rehabilitation and Perimeter Road Reconstruction. The FAA grant is in the amount of $8,089,799.00 with the City's share of $2,861,351.00 to be funded from Airport funds.
B. An Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds for a FAA AIP grant for the Residential Acoustical Treatment Program (RATP), including an update to the Noise Exposure Maps. The FAA grant is in the amount of $6,060,000.00 with the City's share of $1,515,000.00 to be funded from Airport funds.
C. An Ordinance amending the professional services agreement with THC, Inc. (THC), the Acoustical Treatment Consultant, that manages the noise abatement program including all design, construction, public relations, and legal components subject to receipt and execution of the FAA grant offer for the RATP. With approval from City Council, this action would authorize the City Manager or her designee to amend the agreement with THC in the amount of the total grant offer in order to allow the smooth continuation of the program. The FAA is expected to announce the grant award by September 2017.
These actions will amend the FY 2017 Aviation Capital Budget and appropriate the funds.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City regularly partners with the FAA for continued 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 AIP projects may be eligible for grant funding of up to 75% of eligible project costs with the City providing the matching share. The grant application is due to the FAA on June 30, 2017. The following projects are included among the identified priorities.
With this grant program, the Airport System is able to share costs with the FAA on large and critical airfield projects at the San Antonio International Airport.
Item A: Runway 13R Rehabilitation and Perimeter Road Reconstruction
In January 2013, City Council authorized, through Ordinance 2013-01-31-0065, a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates (KHA) for three airfield projects: Runway 12R (now 13R) Rehabilitation, Terminal Areas Taxiways and Taxiway E Reconstruction. Although the grant refers to ‘Runway 12R’ Rehabilitation, the Runway has since been renumbered to 13R in March of 2017 due to changes in the Earth’s magnetic shifts and will be referred to as Runway 13R moving forward. The construction phases for the three projects have been consolidated in order to maximize potential grant money the City receives each year and minimize impacts to airline and airport operations.
Runway 13R Rehabilitation - Taxiway R Rehabilitation - Package 5
The multi-phased Runway 13R Rehabilitation project will include: design and reconstruct two localized pavement areas on each end of the runway; rehabilitate Runway 13R/31L’s electrical systems including replacement of the emergency generator; reconstruct Taxiway J between Runway 13R/31L and Taxiway G; remove two in-ground taxiway bridges and subsurface materials; and reconstruct portions of Taxiway R.
Previous grants have funded the previous phases of the project. The first phase of construction is complete and included the reconstruction of two separate sections of concrete runway pavement of Runway 13R, including the rehabilitation of portions of adjacent taxiways and the replacement of the runway lighting. Phase I also reconstructed Taxiway G from Runway 4/22 to Taxiway A and constructed new parallel taxiways to both Taxiways G and N. The most recent phase is under construction and will rehabilitate the primary Runway 13R/30L’s electrical systems including runway edge, runway centerline, and runway touchdown zone lighting systems, and the airfield electrical vault. It also reconstructs Taxiway J between Taxiway G and Runway 13R/31L, and reconstruction of Taxiway G near Taxiway A, and Taxiway G at its intersection with Taxiway D. The work includes grading, drainage, utilities, lighting, shoulders, signage, and markings.
This year’s grant application will be for the fifth package of construction which will include rehabilitation of Taxiway R by removing one in-ground taxiway bridge; removing subsurface municipal solid waste and construction debris; and, reconstructing the taxiway at grade. The application will also include design funding in support of Taxiway R. The Aviation Department anticipates bringing the construction contract for this work to City Council for consideration in the fall if the grant application is offered and accepted by the FAA.
Perimeter Road Reconstruction
The airport perimeter road is located in the airfield area and is utilized as a means to keep non-essential vehicle traffic out of the aircraft movement areas. The condition of the Perimeter Road requires reconstruction in areas. The Perimeter Road Reconstruction project will be constructed in multi-phases; the first phase is under construction. This year’s grant application will include the second phase of construction and will reconstruct 780 linear feet of the road. The Aviation Department expects to bring the construction contract for this work to City Council for consideration in the fall if the grant application is offered and accepted.
The total project cost is in the amount $10,951,150.00. The FAA grant is in the amount of $8,089,799.00 with the City match in the amount of $2,861,351.00 to be funded from Airport funds.
Item B: Residential Acoustical Treatment Program RATP
RATP is an ongoing, multi-year program that provides acoustical treatment to reduce noise in qualifying homes and multi-family dwellings in aviation noise-impacted neighborhoods near the San Antonio International Airport. The RATP is a derivative of the noise compatibility studies and is consistent with federal guidelines and requirements mandated in the FAA grant assurances. As part of the FAA program, the FAA provides 80% of the necessary funding through an AIP grant and the City provides the remaining 20% match. No City of San Antonio tax dollars are used to fund this program. As of April 2017, the multi-year program has treated 1,511 homes, 912 apartments and 200 condominium units. In addition, the grant will include funds for updating the Noise Exposure Contour Maps (NEMs). The FAA determines eligibility of homes which qualify for the RATP program by using approved NEMs. The NEMs must be updated every five years and work cannot begin until a grant is received.
The total amount is $7,575,000.00 with the FAA’s grant in the amount of $6,060,000.00 and the City's share of $1,515,000.00. Of the total grant amount, $1,075,000.00 will be restricted by the FAA for development of the updated NEMs.
Item C - Amendment to THC Professional Service Agreement
In April 2015, City Council authorized a professional services agreement with THC, Inc. the Acoustical Treatment Consultant, in the amount of $4,178,094.00 to manage the noise abatement program which includes the design, construction, public relations, and legal components of the program subject to receipt and execution of the FAA grant offer for the RATP. With the grant offer and acceptances, this agreement has been amended to increase to a contract value of $35,728,094.00.
With approval from City Council, this action would authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to amend the agreement with THC in the amount of the total grant offer from item B RATP in order to allow the smooth continuation of the program. The FAA is expected to announce the grant award by September 2017.
ISSUE:
This Ordinance allows the City to submit an application in compliance with FAA regulations and accept, if awarded, the FAA AIP grant to support the RATP and runway and taxiway improvements. This action would be consistent with the City Council's policy of improving facilities, improving land uses, enhancing safety at San Antonio International Airport.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not approve this item. However, this action would mean the City would not be eligible for the federal grant award to support these projects at 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:
The Ordinances provide for the acceptance and execution of FAA grants, appropriates funds and authorizes execution of all related grant and contract documents for above projects at San Antonio International Airport. The matching funds from the City are from Airport funds. These actions will amend the FY 2017 Aviation Capital Budget.
Item A
The Runway 13R Rehabilitation Phase 5 and Perimeter Road Reconstruction Phase 2 projects will total $10,951,150.00, including $8,089,799.00 from the FAA grant and $2,861,351.00 for the City’s matching funds. The City’s matching funds includes $363,013.00 to be funded from Airport funds.
Items B and C
The grant has been requested in the amount of $7,575,000.00, including $6,060,000.00 from the FAA and $1,515,000.00 from the City.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the submittal of an application in compliance with the FAA regulations for FAA AIP grants and their acceptance upon offer.