Council approves airport improvements, delays forming airport commission
More than $2 million in taxiway improvements approved
–During the Tuesday night council meeting, the Paso Robles City Council authorized improvements to four taxiways at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. The total cost of the project is $2,164,273, with more than $1 million from a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The city received the grant from the FAA in October 2015 as well as an additional $89,230 grant from the State of California.
The council authorized City Manager Tom Frutchey to enter into a construction contract with Papich Construction in the amount of $1,836,253 to rehabilitate taxiways “B,” “C,” “D,” and “E.” The council also authorized the city manager to enter into a contract with Tartaglia Engineering in the amount of $328,00 for project staking, construction management and FAA compliance monitoring.
The funding sources and financial commitments are:
- FAA Grant: $1,784,619
- State Grant: $ 89,230
- City Share: $ 290,424
Director of Public Works Dick McKinley said that the project will bring the taxiways serviceable to FAA standards.
The firm of Tartaglia Engineering of Atascadero was hired to develop the plans and specification for this project and the project was opened for bids in July 2016. The council accepted the grant funds in September. The time lines for starting and completing the resurfacing are to be determined during the contract process.
The council also tabled a public hearing and vote on forming an airport commission until the next city council meeting in October. Several business owners from the airport, as well as Councilman John Hamon oppose replacing the current Paso Robles Airport Advisory Board with a new airport commission. Mayor Steve Martin proposed moving the matter to the next council meeting when a full city council is present. Councilman Fred Strong was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, attending to other business on the city’s behalf.
Councilman Steve Gregory encouraged those business owner’s present to apply for the airport commission, should it be formed. Gregory, Reed and Martin voted to reopen public hearings at the Oct. 4 council meeting. Hamon voted no.
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