DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jesus H. Saenz, Jr., IAP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Federal Aviation Administration Grants for the San Antonio International Airport
SUMMARY:
Consideration of two 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 grant applications and the acceptance of funds for FAA AIP grants for four projects: Airport Master Plan Update; Airfield Improvements - Package 7; Runway 13L-31R Mill & Overlay; and, Taxiway H Reconstruction. The combined total of the four FAA grants is in the amount of $39,983,529.00 with the FAA AIP grant amount of $29,387,492.00 and the City’s share of $9,795,831.00 to be automatically funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). For non-eligible project costs, funding from the Airport Interim Financing and Airport Improvement & Contingency Funds in the amount of $800,206.00 is available in the FY 2020 - FY 2025 Capital Improvement Program.
B. An Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of funds for an amendment to an existing FY 2020 FAA AIP grant for the Airfield Improvements - Package 6 project. The City's share to the FAA grant in the amount of $1,041,667.00 will automatically be funded by the CARES Act.
These actions will amend the FY 2020 - FY 2025 Capital Improvement Program and appropriate funds.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City regularly partners with the FAA for continued AIP grant 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. With this grant program, the Airport System can share costs with the FAA on large and critical airfield projects at the San Antonio International Airport. Unlike previous years where the projects were eligible for grant funding of up to 75% of eligible project costs with the City providing the remaining matching share, this year’s grant application will automatically provide grant funds for 100% of the City’s match under the CARES Act. On April 30, 2020, the FAA announced it was awarding the San Antonio International Airport $14,064,21.00 under the CARES Act. The grant applications are due to the FAA by June 15, 2020.
Item A
Airfield Improvements - Package 7
The multi-phased Runway 13R Rehabilitation project includes: 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; construct a temporary Bypass Taxiway RC between Taxiway R and Taxiway RC; 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. This year’s grant application will be for the final package of construction which will include rehabilitation of Taxiway R by removing the last 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 as well as other project costs such as construction administration and management services, third-party inspection services, and construction materials testing services. The Aviation Department anticipates bringing the construction contract and amendment to the design consultant contract for this work to City Council for consideration in the fall if the FAA grant is offered and accepted by late summer/early fall. The grant application will request 100% funding for all eligible project costs. Non-eligible project costs in the amount of $660,000.00 is budgeted from the Airport Interim Financing Fund.
Airfield Improvements - Package 7, Runway 13L/31R Mill & Overlay
This project will perform a five-inch thick mill and overlay to Runway 13L/31R, including the connecting taxiways located within the Runway Safety Area. The condition of the runway pavement requires rehabilitation to extend its useful life. This work is part of the Airfield Improvements - Package 7 project but was not planned to be submitted as part of the FAA AIP program since it was not competitive for FAA funding, and the City planned to fund the work. However, under the CARES Act, this project is eligible for 100% funding for all eligible project costs and will be part of the scope of work presented with the Airfield Improvement - Package 7 project when it is presented to City Council in late summer/early fall. Non-eligible project costs in the amount of $140,206.00 is budgeted from the Airport Improvement & Contingency Fund.
Taxiway H Reconstruction
This multi-phased project will reconstruct apron edge taxilane pavement that has reached its useful life, reconfigure adjacent connecting taxiways to meet current FAA design (safety) standards, and upgrade an existing taxilane to taxiway standards. Design efforts are anticipated to begin in late summer in anticipation in preparation for FY 2120 construction grant funding. Rather than fund the design efforts 100% with city funding this year, this grant application will request 100% funding for all eligible design costs as well as an anticipated FAA Reimbursable Agreement. An amendment to the design consultant agreement is anticipated for City Council consideration in late summer/early fall pending the grant offer.
Master Plan Update / Strategic Development Plan
The FAA requires airports to maintain a current Airport Master Plan, which serves as a blueprint for future development over the next 20 years. Airport Master Plans require updates as community requirements and air service needs evolve. In 2018, to ensure the Airport System was poised to accommodate the long-term growth of the region, the City took the opportunity to initiate a Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for the airport system, which would not only produce a 20-year Master Plan, but also examine the needs of the region from the airport system in the next 50 years. On March 29, 2018, WSP, a global airport planning firm, was awarded a contract to lead the San Antonio Airport System through this two-phase strategic development planning process. The plan will ultimately produce development options regarding land use, facilities and services required for the airport to accommodate the projected population growth and prosperity of the San Antonio region.
On February 17, 2020, the Director of Airports and representatives from WSP briefed the Transportation and Mobility Council Committee on the status of Phase 2 of the SDP, which includes the development of the airfield alternatives that have been considered and the final two preliminary preferred alternatives. Phase 2 still requires the completion of the alternatives analysis; roadway, cargo, and support facility planning; recommended final alternative for these items; preparation of an implementation plan; financial analysis; and, the development of the planning document. Limited environmental review and noise exposure map update will also be conducted as a part of the project.
The grant application will reimburse the City’s previously appropriated funds so that grant funds cover all remaining eligible project budget and include additional budget to cover any COVID-19 impacts to the project.
Item B
On June 20, 2019, City Council authorized the grant submittal and acceptance of funds for a FAA AIP grant for Airfield Improvements, Package 6. The final grant offer by the FAA was received in December 2019 and City Council awarded the construction contract on January 30, 2020. The project, which began construction in March 2020, will reconstruct and relocate Taxiway E to improve the taxiway pavement condition and enhance airfield safety by moving it away from a high-intensity area; construct a temporary Bypass Taxiway RC in order to maintain airfield access to the runways for three corporate tenants during next year’s construction package, Airfield Improvements Package 7; and, relocate and improve the FAA’s underground communication loop system that is impacted by both projects.
This ordinance will fund the City’s matching fund for the portion of the grant that was FAA Supplemental funding. This action will authorize an amendment to the existing FAA AIP grant amount and accept funds.
ISSUE:
The first ordinance will authorize the City to submit grant applications and accept grant offers related to the FAA AIP program and the CARES Act to support the runway and taxiway improvements and airport planning project. The second ordinance will authorize the amendment to an existing FAA AIP grant to accept additional funding from the FAA to support improvements to the airfield. Both actions are consistent with the City Council's policy of improving facilities, improving land uses, enhancing safety at San Antonio International Airport and maximizing utilization of federal funds.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not approve this item. However, this action would result in the City funding more than $14,000,000.00 of eligible project costs that the FAA has identified it would fund which would allow the Airport System to use the funding for other projects or priorities. Additionally, 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 and grant amendments, appropriates funds and authorizes execution of all related grant and contract documents for above projects at San Antonio International Airport. The matching funds will be from the CARES Act and included as part of the FAA AIP Grant. These actions will amend the FY 2020 - FY 2025 Capital Improvement Program.
|
|
Project Name |
FAA AIP Grant Funds |
CARES Act |
City Non-Eligible |
Project Total |
|
Item A |
Airfield Improvements - Package 7 |
$ 21,820,650.00 |
$ 7,273,550.00 |
$ 660,000.00 |
$29,754,200.00 |
|
|
Airfield Improvements - Package 7, Mill & Overlay |
$ 3,875,625.00 |
$ 1,291,875.00 |
$ 140,206.00 |
$ 5,307,706.00 |
|
|
Taxiway H Reconstruction |
$ 1,762,500.00 |
$ 587,500.00 |
$ 0 |
$ 2,350,000.00 |
|
|
Airport Master Plan Update |
$ 1,928,717.00 |
$ 642,906.00 |
$ 0 |
$ 2,571,623.00 |
|
Item A Total |
$ 29,387,492.00 |
$ 9,795,831.00 |
$ 800,206.00 |
$39,983,529.00 |
|
Item B |
Airfield Improvements, Package 6 |
$ 0 |
$ 1,041,667.00 |
$ 0 |
$ 1,041,667.00 |
|
Grand Total |
$ 29,387,492.00 |
$10,837,498.00 |
$ 800,206.00 |
$41,025,196.00 |
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the submittal of grant applications in compliance with the FAA regulations for FAA AIP grants and their acceptance upon offer.