Item Number: 16
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: September 15, 2026
Submitted By:
James Murawski, Airport Director
Subject:
Federal Aviation Administration Grants 36 & 37
Recommendation:
That the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority Board of Directors:
(1) Ratify the acceptance of Grant Agreement #3-06-0359-036-2026 (“Grant 36”) between the United States of America acting through the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority (“SCLAA”) in the amount of $254,600 in support of the Airport Lighting System Improvements; and
(2) Ratify the acceptance of Grant Agreement #3-06-0359-037-2026 (“Grant 37”) between the United States of America acting through the FAA and the SCLAA in the amount of $570,000 in support of the Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (“ARFF”) Rapid Response Vehicle; and
(3) Adopt Resolution No. SCLAA 26-006 increasing budgeted grant revenues by $824,600, and increasing budgeted grant expenditures by $824,600, and increasing budgeted grant match expenditures by $41,230.
Fiscal Impact:
Grant 36 increases grant revenue by $254,600 and grant expenditures by $254,600 requiring additional revenue and expenditure appropriations in the 457 Grants Fund. An appropriation of $12,730 is needed from Airport Operations Fund 450 to comply with the 5% matching requirement for Grant 36. Airport Operations cash reserves are sufficient to fulfill the Grant 36 match requirement.
Grant and Airport Operations funds are hereby being appropriated for the Project as outlined below:
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Current Budget Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Funding Source Account Amount
Grant 36 Revenue 4571301A-43120-95175 $0
Grant 36 Expense 4571301A-55320-95175 $0
Grant 36 Match Expense 4501301A-55320-95175 $0
Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Funding Source Account Amount
Grant 36 Revenue 4571301A-43120-95175 $254,600
Grant 36 Expense 4571301A-55320-95175 $254,600
Grant 36 Match Expense 4501301A-55320-95175 $12,730
Grant 37 increases grant revenue by $570,000 and grant expenditures by $570,000 requiring additional revenue and expenditure appropriations in the 457 Grants Fund. An appropriation of $28,500 is needed from Airport Operations Fund 450 to comply with the 5% matching requirement for Grant 37. Airport Operations cash reserves are sufficient to fulfill the Grant 37 match requirement.
Grant and Airport Operations funds are hereby being appropriated for the Project as outlined below:
Current Budget Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Funding Source Account Amount
Grant 37 Revenue 4571301A-43120-95176 $0
Grant 37 Expense 4571301A-55045-95176 $0
Grant 37 Match Expense 4501301A-55045-95176 $0
Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Funding Source Account Amount
Grant 37 Revenue 4571301A-43120-95176 $570,000
Grant 37 Expense 4571301A-55045-95176 $570,000
Grant 37 Match Expense 4501301A-55045-95176 $28,500
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal E. Invest in Infrastructure: Grant 36 invests in infrastructure by improving airfield electrical system equipment.
Goal B. Public Safety: Grant 37 invests in new ARFF equipment with related apparatus and components.
Background:
The Southern California Logistics Airport (“SCLA”) airfield consists of two commercial- length runways, nine taxiways, and extensive aircraft parking ramps and aprons, all of which require electrical lighting for visual guidance. The lights, electrical wiring, transformers, and other components were installed many years ago and due to their age 4 9
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and operating environment, require frequent replacement and repair by Airport staff to maintain functionality.
SCLAA staff consulted with the FAA regarding improvements to the existing airfield electrical systems, researched available lighting solutions, and identified replacement options capable of meeting the Airport’s operational and airfield safety needs. Based on this evaluation and coordination with the FAA, staff submitted an application to utilize FAA grant funds toward improvements to the Airport Lighting System, including the replacement of the Precision Approach Path Indicator system (“PAPI”) on each runway and installation of apron flood lights.
The SCLAA receives grant funds from the FAA for improvement and maintenance of the airport via the FAA Airport Improvement Program. FAA grant funding is intended to ensure that the SCLAA will continue to provide a safe and operable airfield for use by the flying public. Historically, FAA grants require that the SCLAA fund a percentage of each project, referred to as “matching” funds, which are provided via Airport Operations Fund 450.
The FAA determined that the proposed airfield lighting system improvements are necessary, eligible, and properly prioritized, and subsequently issued Grant 36 in the amount of $254,600 to fund the Project. The matching requirement for Grant 36 is 5%, which equates to $12,730.
The SCLAA provides ARFF services through Mission Aviation Fire Rescue and currently operates several ARFF vehicles to support emergency response operations at the Airport.
Staff identified at least one vehicle for replacement, and there are several others that are over 20 years old. In recent years, some ARFF vehicles have required increased maintenance and repairs, resulting in reduced operational reliability and an increased cost of ownership.
SCLAA staff consulted with the FAA regarding the replacement of the existing ARFF equipment and apparatus, evaluated available replacement options, and identified equipment capable of meeting the Airport’s operations and emergency response needs.
Based on this evaluation and coordination with the FAA, staff submitted an application to utilize FAA grants funds toward the acquisition of a replacement ARFF rapid response vehicle. Obtaining additional vehicles may be possible depending on the replacement cost of the selected vehicle(s).
The FAA determined that the purchase of ARFF equipment is necessary, eligible, and properly prioritized, and subsequently issued Grant 37 in the amount of $570,000 to fund the purchase of the ARFF equipment and apparatus. The matching requirement for Grant 37 is 5%, which equates to $28,500.
Discussion:
FAA grant applications are generally submitted when funds are available as determined by the FAA and awarded shortly thereafter. Awarded grants often require a short 4 9
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acceptance period of one to three business days, hence awards of FAA grants are typically presented for ratification rather than advance approval. Additionally, FAA grants are awarded after the SCLAA annual budget receives SCLAA Board approval; therefore, a request for additional appropriations generally accompanies the request for ratification.
Grants 36 and 37 had a 14-day approval window; far too short a deadline to present to the SCLAA Board of Directors for approval. Failure to rapidly accept the grant offer from the FAA jeopardizes losing the current funds to another airport and could negatively impact FAA funding in future years.
Upon approval of Grant 36, staff will begin issuing requests for purchases of equipment and construction agreements as needed to install new airfield lighting equipment. Any purchase or construction agreement over $125,000 will be brought to the SCLAA Board for approval, in accordance with applicable municipal codes. Similarly, upon approval of Grant 37, staff will identify the appropriate ARFF equipment, and should it be needed, SCLAA Board authorization will be sought in accordance with applicable municipal codes.
For the reasons presented herein, and with the concurrence of the FAA as the primary funding agency, staff recommends that the Board of Directors: (1) ratify the acceptance of FAA Grant Agreement #3-06-0359-036-2026 in the amount of $254,600 and (2) ratify the acceptance of FAA Grant Agreement #3-06-0359-037-2026 in the amount of $570,000 and (3) adopt Resolution No. SCLAA 26-006 increasing Fund 457 grant revenues by $824,600, increasing corresponding Fund 457 grant expenditures by $824,600, and allocate the required Grant 36 and 37 match from Airport Operations Fund 450 in the amount of $41,230.
Staff are available for any questions or comments you may have.
Prepared By:
Samuel Evans, Airport Business Analyst
Jose Gutierrez, Airport Business Technician
Oscar Ramirez, Airport Business Intern
Attachments: A. Site Map
B. FAA Grant Agreement #3-06-0359-036-2026
C. FAA Grant Agreement #3-06-0359-037-2026
D. Resolution No. SCLAA 26-006