TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: John Aitken
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO DATE: September 6, 2022
SEEK FAA GRANT FUNDING
Approved Date
9/20/22
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for, execute, and accept upon receipt, Airport Terminal Program grants from the Federal Aviation Administration under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in a total amount not to exceed $2,000,000 for the Terminal A Exit Lane project at the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport.
OUTCOME
Approval of this recommendation will allow the City to apply for, execute, and accept federal grant funds to partially reduce the City’s out of pocket costs for projects that improve safety and security for the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (Airport) passengers and employees, and minimize disruptions to airline operations in the event of a security event at the Terminal A exit lane.
BACKGROUND
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment in America’s transportation network. It will modernize infrastructure, increase equity in transportation, help fight climate change, strengthen the supply chain, and create jobs. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program, $5 billion has been appropriated to provide competitive grants for airport terminal development projects that upgrade, modernize, and rebuild the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports. Over the next four years, the Federal Aviation Administration will be awarding these competitive grants to fund safe, sustainable, and accessible Airport Terminals and Airport Infrastructure. The Federal Aviation Administration expects to release the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Airport Terminal Program grants in September 2022, with applications due in 30 days for Federal Fiscal Year 2023 program funds.
The program will provide reimbursement of 80% of eligible project costs to the Airport. The Terminal A Exit Lane project would fit within the criteria for this potential grant funding.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 10/4/22
FILE: 22-1444
ITEM: 2.7
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 6, 2022
Subject: Authorization to Seek FAA Grant Funding
ANALYSIS
The current Terminal A exit lane is the pathway from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) defined Sterile Area, encompassing all the boarding gates and hold rooms, out towards the ticket lobbies and baggage claim. This exit lane is currently staffed by a TSA-assigned Transportation Security Officer during the airline flight operating hours of 4:00:00 AM to 11:00:00 PM, with some variations in scheduling based on updates to the airline flight schedules.
This Transportation Security Officer is in place to prevent unauthorized entry of persons or prohibited items into the Sterile Area that would cause a security risk and potential disruptions to airport and airline activities. In the hours when TSA does not have personnel at this exit lane, Airport Operations personnel conduct this task on an as-needed basis, typically in the overnight hours. Providing an automated exit lane system for Terminal A would eliminate TSA having to supply a Transportation Security Officer for this position, which has been under consideration for elimination in recent federal budget negotiations. In addition, an automated exit lane system would deter unauthorized entry and immediately send notification to our Airport Operations Center in the event an unauthorized entry did occur, with Closed Circuit TV coverage from inside the exit lane to verify physical details about the individual in question so they could be located more easily within the Sterile Area.
CONCLUSION
The proposed projects will improve safety and security for airport passengers and employees and minimize disruptions to airline operations in the event of a security event at the Terminal A exit lane. Authority to accept federal grant funds will reduce the City’s costs for the projects and help the Airport advance the timing for these projects.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
The Director of Aviation shall be responsible for coordination of the grant programs and shall render overall supervision of its progress and performance. City Council approval will be sought as construction and purchasing contracts are awarded in accordance with the project schedule.
CLIMATE SMART SAN JOSE
The recommendation in this memorandum has no effect on Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 6, 2022
Subject: Authorization to Seek FAA Grant Funding
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
Alternative #1: Do not approve the recommendation
Pros: None
Cons: If the recommendation is not approved, the City will not apply for grant funding and will miss the opportunity to obtain grant funds for the City. Not receiving the grant would delay the implementation of this project.
Reason for not recommending: Airport staff desires to take advantage of this federal funding opportunity.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This item will be posted on the City Council’s Agenda website for the October 4, 2022 City Council meeting. Additional public outreach efforts will take place when each of the contracts for these projects are available for bid, including outreach to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise community.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/INPUT
The Airport Commission has not been briefed on this project.
FISCAL/POLICY ALIGNMENT
The San José Municipal Code requires that capital projects at the Airport be consistent with the adopted Airport Master Plan. The proposed improvement project would be a minor alteration of existing Airport facilities and is therefore consistent with the adopted Airport Master Plan pursuant to San José Municipal Code Section 25.04.210(B)(4).
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
Funding for the Terminal A Exit Lane project is not currently appropriated in the Airport Capital Improvement Program. Grant funding, if awarded, will be used to offset all or a portion of the costs of the projects. Budget actions to appropriate the grant funds will be brought forward separately for City Council consideration.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 6, 2022
Subject: Authorization to Seek FAA Grant Funding
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-006, Grant Application with no commitment or obligation to enter into an agreement at the time of application.
/s/
JOHN AITKEN, A.A.E.
Director of Aviation
For questions, please contact Matthew Kazmierczak, Division Manager, [email protected], or (408) 392-3640.