PRESENTER: Presenter
Jennifer Gates, Grants Coordinator
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to act on behalf of the City of New Braunfels in all matters related to an awarded Airport Improvement Grant administered by the Texas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division; and approval for a contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. for environmental, design, and bidding services to support the subsequent construction of a perimeter fence at the New Braunfels National Airport.
Header
DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development, and Finance
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
New Braunfels’ City Council strategic priorities include using a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs. 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) has 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 will be administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Aviation Division.
On June 14, 2024, City staff submitted a grant application to TxDOT, requesting funding for environmental, design, and bidding services (Phase 1) that will support the subsequent construction (Phase 2) of a perimeter fence at the Airport. Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) BIL AIG funding will be utilized for Phase 1 and a portion of Phase 2, and the remainder of Phase 2 costs will be paid with part of the City’s FY23 BIL AIG allocation for $844,000 which will be included within the City’s FY 2025 Annual Budget. The City’s match for the FY22 BIL AIG grant funds will be paid from savings from the Airport’s North Ramp project, currently approved for $200,000 in the City’s FY 2024 Adopted Budget, as the cost of the North Ramp project was less than previously anticipated.
The City received notification of award for Phase 1 of the project on August 20, 2024 in the amount of $105,300, with a 10% City match requirement of $10,530, for a total of $115,830 in available funding for this phase. As such, staff is requesting City Council approval to authorize the City Manager to act on behalf of the City of New Braunfels in all matters related to the awarded grant.
It is important to note that after Phase 1 has been completed, Staff will submit an application packet to TxDOT for their review and approval of Phase 2 of the project as the City must begin construction activities within two years from the completion of a federally funded design.
In addition to the Phase 1 resolution, Staff is requesting approval for a contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. for environmental, design, and bidding services that will support the subsequent construction of the perimeter fencing for an amount not to exceed $115,830. The contractor was selected by the City 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 perimeter 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 90% of awarded costs; there is a 10% City-match requirement which will be paid from savings from the Airport’s North Ramp project as the cost of the North Ramp project was less than previously anticipated in the City’s FY 2024 Adopted Budget. Therefore, sufficient funds are available to support the cost of the contract as described above.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to act on behalf of the City of New Braunfels in all matters related to an awarded Airport Improvement Grant administered by the Texas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division; and approval for a contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. for environmental, design, and bidding services to support the subsequent construction of a perimeter fence at the New Braunfels National Airport.