Airport board eyes maintenance funding as AWOS construction slips to April

Airport board members used the meeting to air concerns about deteriorating taxiway spurs, a failing storm inlet and the costs of routine airport maintenance, while staff reported a delayed AWOS installation and upcoming community events.

S9 reported that the AWOS construction start date moved from March 15 to April 20 and that the airport will need to issue a NOTAM and plan a temporary shutdown for work. "It slid to the April 20," S9 said when announcing the construction update and the requirement to notify users.

Members raised a series of maintenance issues affecting aircraft access and safety. S5 and several hangar owners described deepening cracks and gravel sloughing from spurs that can damage propellers. S10 said a crack-seal contractor quoted roughly $35,000 to seal cracks south of the main taxiway; the board discussed buying crack seal material from the airport budget and using city crews to apply it when temperatures allow.

S12 and S10 described a failing storm inlet (drop box) that is settling and causing long-run buckling; S12 said piecemeal repairs would be temporary and that a master plan being developed by Carl's team will include soil mitigation across the airport area to address root causes. "Fixing that drop box is only a temporary band aid," S12 said, urging a larger mitigation approach tied to the master plan.

Board members noted a recent administrative change: the state required the city to set up a separate airport electric fund so unspent airport money can carry forward; S10 said that carryover will improve the airport's ability to budget for maintenance projects in future cycles.

The board recorded no formal maintenance appropriation at the meeting, but directed staff to prioritize crack sealing and to bring budget options back for approval at a future meeting. S1 closed the meeting after the items were discussed and the board adjourned.