Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for Work Related to the Environmental Assessment Study for the Safety Extension of Runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport ($156,766.00)
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 $156,766.00 for work related to the completion of the environmental assessment (EA) study for the safety extension of runway 6/24 at the airport. This grant will fund expenses associated with extended project management costs and work required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outside of the original scope of the project.
In 2009, City Council authorized the undertaking of the EA to identify potential impacts that may be related to the extension of runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Airport. These proposed modifications were depicted on the Airport Layout Plan approved by 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.
The draft EA had been completed, two public hearings held, and comments received from the public, governmental agencies and the FAA. In 2017, the FAA provided a new set of comments that required an updated noise study, wildlife hazard assessment, an air quality study and new wetlands assessment. After significant discussions with the FAA, a proposed scope of work was agreed on which required the City to retain the services of an MDOT qualified consulting engineer to complete the work. The FAA has continued to unilaterally modify that scope of work to require additional alternatives, six instead of the standard three, which also requires additional work under the runway protection zone study. This ha...
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