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 ($45,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to approve a grant contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation-Office of Aeronautics (MDOT-Aero) in the amount of $45,000.00 for work on the environmental assessment (EA) study for the extension of runway 6/24 at the airport. This is the fourth of what will likely be five grant agreements for this project. The first and second grant agreements were approved by Council in January 2009 and the third agreement was approved by Council in March 2010. The total of the three EA project grants to date is $309,000.00. The fifth and final grant agreement will be accompanied by a reimbursement agreement with the FAA. This will cover the review of the EA by FAA Technical Operations. The review requirement from FAA Technical Operations was unexpected since the FAA Airports District Office had previously reviewed and commented on the draft EA.
The fourth grant agreement is in the amount of $45,000.00 and is comprised of $42,750.00 in federal funds, $1,125.00 in state funds and $1,125.00 in airport matching funds. The airport's share of this grant is included in the airport's current operating 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 and they will make payments directly to the contractors for grant eligible expenses.
In early 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 September 2008. The EA process is a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and MDOT-Aero, which regulate 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 City is using two firms, URS Corporation and SmithGroupJJR, to complete the EA because of unique FAA regulations. The bulk of the EA work has been completed, the public hearing finished and comments received from the public, governmental agencies and the FAA. The remaining work on the EA includes modifications based on the FAA comments, coding public and agency comments and responses for the final EA document, preparation of the Errata and FONSI for submission to MDOT-Aero. There is about 2-3 months of work remaining to complete the EA before the document is resubmitted for FAA Technical Operations review.
It is important to complete this EA so the City and surrounding public can have a documented assessment of the potential impacts of any runway changes which then allows for an informed decision on whether to consider the project or not. The FAA, MDOT-Aero and the City have invested considerable resources into the EA to make sure the final product is an accurate and complete assessment. The requested action in no way approves any construction or bidding to make any changes to the runway.
The Airport Advisory Committee has reviewed and recommended that Council approve the environmental assessment project.
Staff
Prepared by: Matthew J. Kulhanek, Fleet & Facility Manager
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Interim Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has approved an Airport Layout Plan which depicts safety related modifications to runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport and desires to have an environmental assessment completed to determine the impacts of these proposed modifications;
Whereas, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation - Office of Aeronautics (MDOT-Aero) have approved funding and support for the completion of an environmental assessment for the safety extension of runway 6/24;
Whereas, the MDOT-Aero, the Airport Advisory Committee, and City staff recommend that City Council approve the grant agreement;
Whereas, MDOT-Aero will administer the grant, including making payments for services directly to the contractor or consultant(s);
Whereas, the local matching funds ($1,125.00) for this agreement are available in the Airport FY12 operating budget;
RESOLVED, That the City Council approve grant contract number 2012-0273 with the Michigan Department of Transportation in the amount of $45,000.00 for work related to the environmental assessment 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 agreement 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.