January 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The City of Smithville is expected to receive word by next month on its application for $4.6 million in grant funding to build a parallel taxiway at the airport.
During last Monday night’s monthly meeting, Airport Manager Joe Johnson informed the mayor and aldermen that the city has met all criteria for the funding. “The grant application has been submitted and we are awaiting FAA approval. We should know something in February,” said Johnson.
In November the aldermen voted to apply for a $150,000 grant to pay most of the engineering costs in conducting a 30% design of the taxiway project to be funded 90% by federal funds, 5% by the state, and a 5% local match or $7,500.
Should the $4.6 million grant be approved, then the city will proceed with the remaining 70% of the taxiway design at a 5% grant match.
If the grant is approved it will likely be 2020 before construction begins on the taxiway.
Meanwhile, Johnson requested and received approval from the aldermen to renew the city’s five year contract with the airport engineering consulting firm of CHA, subject to a review by the city attorney and approval by the state aeronautical commission.
Johnson, with the city’s blessing, is also seeking additional grant funds to help pay for the cutting and removal of trees on private property near the airport to meet the 20:1 federal requirement for keeping the glide paths clear as aircraft approach the runway.
The airport manager informed the mayor and aldermen in September that the first phase of the project would affect eleven property owners at an estimated cost of $118,516 but if the city should acquire a grant, the local cost would only be $5,925.80. Plans call for the city to identify trees to be cut and to obtain permanent easements from the property owners for the work to be done now and again in the future.
Since September, Johnson said the city has learned that it can apply for a grant amendment to add sixteen more properties to the project at an additional cost of $20,000 to $30,000 but with a local match to the city of only 5% of that amount. If approved, Johnson said the city would save money in the long run.
Johnson also announced that the fixed based operator at the airport, Cedar Glade Aero Marine gave up its lease as of December 31 but that Landergood Aviation has signed a six month lease with the city to take over as fixed based operator subject to a review by the city attorney.