Salinas council hears airport study package, approves enterprise‑funded consulting work

City staff asked the council on Jan. 13 to approve an augmentation to on‑call services with Kimley‑Horn to support a range of airport studies and capital planning tasks.

Staff described the package as technical work to modernize airport infrastructure: runway‑length studies to accommodate larger aircraft, terminal ADA upgrades, a potential redesign of restaurant space, fence and pavement assessments, hangar redevelopment analysis, stormwater program updates, and feasibility studies for hydrogen and microgrid projects. "Couple of those things we're gonna be looking at with Kimley‑Horn will be studies on lengthening the runway... energy assessments... a hydrogen feasibility study," staff said.

Council members asked where the money would come from; staff replied the airport enterprise fund will cover the augmentation and noted nearly $2 million in airport savings, meaning no general‑fund dollars would be used. Staff said the work is intended to position the airport for future revenue (fuel flowage fees, hangar leases) and to address deferred maintenance.

Councilmember questions focused on scope, whether prior master‑plan tasks were completed and how the studies would affect future capital needs. Staff said prior master‑plan work was executed as planned and that the proposed studies would help define projects and funding needs.

The item was discussed on the record and councillors expressed support; staff said no further general‑fund appropriation was requested and anticipated returning with deliverables from the consultant work.