PRESENTER: Presenter
Jennifer Gates, Grants Coordinator
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution; submission of an application to the Airport Improvement Grant program as administered by the Texas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division to request funding for construction of security fencing at the New Braunfels National Airport; authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded; and approval to modify a contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. for their construction and grant support services.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes an objective pertaining to fiscal sustainability. As such, on April 22, 2024, the City Council approved an application, with an associated budget amendment, submitted by staff to the Airport Improvement Grant (AIG) program, which is supported by funding that will be allocated and awarded to eligible entities on an annual basis to eligible entities during Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026.
For the first year of this program, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allocated up to $763,000 in reimbursable funding, with a 10% match requirement of $76,300, for a total of $839,900 to be utilized by the City of New Braunfels (City) for an eligible project at the New Braunfels National Airport (Airport) until September 30, 2025. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) AIG grants are managed with the same guidelines as the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) which requires specific projects to be identified on the sponsor’s application. Funding for this program is administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Aviation Division.
BIL AIG program applications are submitted on a rolling basis as projects are identified, and in August 2024, the City received notification of TxDOT’s approval for its first application which requested funds for contracted environmental, design, and bidding services (Phase 1) required for the subsequent construction (Phase 2) of a perimeter fence at the New Braunfels National Airport.
Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) BIL AIG funding was utilized for Phase 1 and the balance will be used for a portion of Phase 2, with the remainder of Phase 2 costs to be paid from the City’s FY23 BIL AIG allocation of $844,000. Final cost of Phase 1 was $70,132, and the total estimated cost, including a 10% contingency, for Phase 2 is $1,531,892. The granting agency will reimburse 95% of eligible costs ($1,455,297), and there is a 5% City match requirement ($76,595); all costs for this project have been, and will be, paid from the Airport Fund.
At this time, staff is also requesting City Council approval of a resolution, as required by the granting agency, that will authorize our City Manager to act as the authorized official on behalf of the City in all matters related to this grant. The designated authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the applicant agency.
Additionally, Staff requests approval for a modification to the contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $56,034 to include their construction oversight and grant management services during Phase 2 of the project. The contractor was selected by the City for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project after having been deemed the most qualified contractor by TxDOT following their competitive solicitation process, therefore, fulfilling the City’s procurement requirements.
ISSUE:
Construction of security fencing, including control access gates, to surround the New Braunfels National Airport will improve operational safety by increasing airfield security from Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviations, and provide wildlife game resistance.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability of the Organization.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The granting agency will provide reimbursement of 95% of awarded costs; there is a 5% City-match requirement which will be paid from the Airport Fund. Therefore, sufficient funds are available to support the cost of the contract modification as described above, as well as the construction costs which will be brought to City Council for consideration in June 2025.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution; submission of an application to the Airport Improvement Grant program as administered by the Texas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division to request funding for construction of security fencing at the New Braunfels National Airport; authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded; and approval to modify a contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. for their construction and grant support services.