City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 FROM: AIRPORT DEPARTMENT WARD: 3 SUBJECT: APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION GRANT FUNDS FOR RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TAXIWAY “A” REHABILITATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $791,604; AND AUTHORIZATION OF A RESOLUTION FOR APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT MATCH FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM MATCHING GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,978; AND AIRPORT MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,978; TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST OF $879,560 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Application and acceptance of Federal Aviation Administration grant funds for Riverside Municipal Airport Capital Improvement Project – Taxiway “A” Rehabilitation in the amount of $791,604; and authorization of a Resolution for application and acceptance of grant match funds from the state of California, department of transportation, division of aeronautics airport improvement program matching grant in the amount of $43,978; and airport matching funds in the amount of $43,978; total estimated project cost of $879,560.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the application and acceptance of grant funds from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the amount of $791,604 for Fiscal Year 2024/25; Authorize a Resolution (Exhibit A) for the application and acceptance of grant funds from the State of California, Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics in the amount of $43,978 for Fiscal Year 2024/25; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of $835,582 and appropriate an equal amount in expenditures in the Airport Fund, Reseal Taxiway A Project revenue and expenditure accounts; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $43,978 in the Airport Fund, Reseal Taxiway A Project expenditure account from available fund reserves to cover the City-match portion required by the grant award; and Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any and all grant agreements and related documents with the FAA and Cal Trans for completion of this project, making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Municipal Airport (KRAL) is an aeronautical education hub providing the Inland Empire and surrounding counties with the largest selection of educational programs in flight, mechanical, and aviation degree programs including 7 different aviation schools. The airport is tasked with meeting the aviation needs of the Inland Empire. In 2022, Riverside Municipal Airport is the 2nd busiest Airport in California with a FAA contract tower. Riverside Municipal Airport is ranked the 22nd busiest airport (out of 54 airports) in California.
The Riverside Municipal Airport’s Taxiway A is the 5,400 ft parallel taxiway along its primary runway numbered 9-27. An analysis of existing field conditions show a combination of moderate and major cracking forming longitudinally along Taxiway A and its connectors (Taxiways B, C, D, E, F G, H, and J). Continuous cracking, due to usage and weathering, could eventually lead to the compromise of the pavement and require a complete reconstruction of the runway surface. The crack repair boundaries are indicated in the plans as the slurry seal limits. These cracks vary from ¼ inch to 1 inch in width.
A resurfacing/rehabilitation project was planned for and included in the Airport’s annual Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) submitted to the FAA. The Project includes sealing the cracks in preparation for a slurry seal application. The current requested project will help mitigate water from penetrating the subgrade which could accelerate the rate of failure in the runway surface.
DISCUSSION:
A project scope was developed by Mead and Hunt, the Municipal Airport’s General Aviation Airport Design and Construction Management Consultant. Additionally, a detailed engineer’s cost estimate was prepared, delineated as follows:
Construction cost: $483,840
Construction administration cost: $110,000
TOTAL: $583,840
Projected Funding sources include:
FAA Grant - $ 525,456
Cal Trans Project Match Grant - $29,192
City Airport Fund Project Match - $29,192
TOTAL: $583,840
The Taxiway A Rehabilitation project was posted for competitive bids. Request for Bids (RFB) 8060 was issued on February 1, 2024. On March 6, 2024, two bids were opened, but none of the original bids were deemed as responsive due to proposal costs that exceeded bid thresholds. On May 7, 2024, City Council approved to reject all bids and authorize staff to release a revised Request for Bids.
The revised RFB 8098 was issued on May 10, 2024. On June 4, 2024, two bids were opened. The low bid was $775,559.50. The vendor was considered responsive. On June 11, 2024, a request was sent to Los Angeles FAA Airport District Office (ADO) requesting approval to award bid to the low bidder. On June 12, approval from Los Angeles ADO was received with notice that funding for the project would likely become available. On August 27, 2024, the City received the Grant Offer for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Project No. 3-06-0200-036-2024.
The Funding Plan for this Project, as approved by the FAA, is as follows:
FUND SOURCE
AMOUNT
FAA Grant (90% of Project Cost)
$ 791,604
Cal Trans State Grant (5% of FAA Grant Award)
$ 43,978
City Airport Funds (Balance)
$ 43,978
Project Estimate:
$ 879,560
The performance period for this grant is effective for four years from the date FAA authorizes funding. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of calendar year 2025.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item supports Strategic Priority No. 6 – Infrastructure, Mobility & Connectivity and supports Goal 6.2 – Maintain, protect, and improve assets and infrastructure within the City’s built environment to ensure and enhance reliability, resiliency, sustainability, and facilitate connectivity.
This item aligns with each of the Cross-Cutting Threads of the City’s Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan as described below:
Community Trust – This project provides assurance to pilots and tenants of Riverside Municipal Airport that significant investments are being made to improve the airfield.
Equity – All bids are received through PlanetBids are reviewed for completeness and adherence to the bid requirements, ensuring equitable treatment.
Fiscal Responsibility – This project will bid in accordance with Purchasing Resolution 24101, ensuring that the best pricing for materials and services was obtained.
Innovation – As the Riverside Municipal Airport continues to use innovative practices to improve the guest experience, this project will enable pilots to land their planes safely at the airport.
Sustainability & Resiliency – This project will result in new airfield safety and traffic control.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is an increase in revenue and expenditures of $835,582 plus and additional $43,978 in City match funds. There are sufficient fund reserves to accommodate the supplemental appropriation for the grant match of $43,978. Upon Council approval and grant award, the following entries will be recorded for the receipt of the grant award from the FAA and State of California, along with the required matching City funds per the grant award.
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Airport
Revenue
Reseal Taxiway A Project – Fed Grant
9281500-331300
$791,604
Reseal Taxiway A Project – State Grant
9281500-334300
$43,978
Total Grant Revenue
$835,582
Expenditures
Reseal Taxiway A Project – Fed Grant
9281500-440120
$791,604
Reseal Taxiway A Project – State Grant
9281510-440220
$43,978
Total Grant Expenditures
$835,582
Reseal Taxiway A Project – City Match
9281520-440301
$43,978
Total Expenditures include City Match
$879,560
Prepared by: Daniel Prather, Airport Manager
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments: Resolution
FAA Grant - Taxiway ‘A” Rehabilitation Project Riverside Municipal Airport ● Page 2