Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for Engineering Services for the Safety Extension of Runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport ($623,200.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve a grant contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation-Office of Aeronautics (MDOT-Aero) in the amount of $623,200.00 for engineering services for the safety extension of runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport. This grant will fund professional services for the design, bidding and construction administration of the project to shift runway 6/24 150’ to the southwest, extend runway 6/24 an additional 720’ to the southwest, install new navigational aids and runway lighting, extend the parallel taxiway A to match the runway length, relocate taxiway D, and other associated improvements to improve safety and make the runway compliant with current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards.
The engineering services will be provided by the airport’s engineer, C&S Engineers, Inc. from Livonia, Michigan. The professional services contract for this work is included as a later agenda item on this City Council agenda.
In 2009, City Council authorized the undertaking of the environmental assessment (EA) to identify potential impacts that may be related to the safety extension of runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Airport. These proposed modifications were depicted on the Airport Layout Plan approved by City Council in 2008. The EA process is a requirement of the FAA and MDOT-Aero which regulates aviation activities at the Ann Arbor Airport. This highly regulated process is dictated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and includes a significant public input process. In 2023, The FAA and MDOT-Aero issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed project after a lengthy and extensive review of EA study for the project.
With the significant amount of misinformation being presented by opponents of the project, it is important to rely on the extensive process and review completed by aviation professionals with a thorough review completed at both the State and Federal levels. Multiple opportunities for public input were provided, and the response to those comments were included in the EA document. A summary of the EA is included with this agenda item and the full EA, including public comments and their responses, is available on the City’s website at <https://www.a2gov.org/departments/fleet-facility/Airport/Pages/AirportNewsProjects.aspx>.
The proposed project addresses local safety concerns, maintains the same B-II airport classification that we currently have, retains all noise impacts on existing airport property, results in aircraft being at higher altitudes over the City of Ann Arbor, corrects existing runway and taxiway design deficiencies to bring them current with FAA design standards for safety and efficiency, replaces outdated navigational aids, replaces runway and taxiway lighting infrastructure with energy efficient LED lighting, with all improvements funded from the users of the aviation system without local tax dollars.
The Ann Arbor Airport is one of the most active airports in the State of Michigan, providing services to business, government, higher education, health care, and other aviation users from across the country. With a national pilot shortage, flight training is an active component of the airport, and many current airline and military pilots learned their trade at the Ann Arbor Airport. An Economic Benefits Analysis for the Ann Arbor Airport was recently completed by the State of Michigan and the airport’s economic output for 2023 was over $69 million locally and over $79 million statewide. Direct employment based at the airport was over 120 persons. With an estimated $10 million cost for the proposed project, many additional high paying jobs will be created by the construction.
At their July 17, 2024 meeting, the Ann Arbor Airport Advisory Committee unanimously approved a resolution “to concur with the Finding of No Significant Impact, as determined by the Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics and the Federal Aviation Administration, from the environmental assessment review for the runway safety margin extension project at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport and to strongly encourage the Ann Arbor City Council to move forward with the formal design of the proposed project.”
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The grant amount of $623,200.00 is comprised of $577,546.00 in federal funds, $22,827.00 in state funds and $22,827.00 in airport matching funds. Funding for the airport’s share of this grant is included in the approved FY25 Airport Fund Operations and Maintenance budget. All funding (local, state and federal) for this project will come from fees paid by users of aviation industry services. The grant is administered by MDOT-Aero.
Staff
Prepared by: Matthew J. Kulhanek, Fleet & Facilities Manager
Reviewed by: Marti Praschan, Interim Deputy City Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has approved an Airport Layout Plan which depicts operational and safety related modifications to runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport;
Whereas, The City completed an environmental assessment study in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act to determine the impacts of these proposed modifications;
Whereas, The City received a Finding of No Significant Impact - Record of Decision from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation - Office of Aeronautics (MDOT-Aero) as a result of the environmental assessment study;
Whereas, Engineering services are needed to complete the proposed runway 6/24 safety extension project and the FAA and MDOT-Aero have approved grant funding for these services;
Whereas, MDOT-Aero will administer the grant, including making payments for services directly to the engineering consultant; and
Whereas, Local matching funds in the amount of $22,827.00 for this grant agreement are available in the approved FY2025 Airport Fund Operations and Maintenance budget;
RESOLVED, That the City Council approve grant contract number 2024-0811 with the Michigan Department of Transportation in the amount of $623,200.00 for engineering services for the safety extension of runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to sign said agreements upon approval as to form by the City Attorney, and upon approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.