Airport seeks FAA grant to add vehicle transponders for ground-safety system; board grants chair authority to sign

Mike Fraunefeld, executive director for the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, asked the Board to allow the chair to sign a fast-moving FAA grant award to add vehicle transponders to the airport's surface awareness system. Fraunefeld said the FAA is rolling out funds after a recent high-profile runway/collision elsewhere and the grant would let the county expand its existing tower system to see both aircraft and ground vehicles in low-visibility conditions.

"The total grama amount, would be $115,003.39, and the airport would be required to do the 5% match on that," Fraunefeld said, explaining the award amount and confirming the airport has budgeted the match. Staff asked that the chair sign now with ratification at the Sept. 8 County Board meeting because the FAA requested a quick acceptance timeline.

Legal and administrative staff said the grant language would be reviewed and that grants of this type have not contained the problematic clauses the board has flagged in other recent grant conversations. Commissioners indicated support for the expedited signature and agreed to ratification at the next regular meeting.

Next steps: Chair to sign the grant documents and staff to return on Sept. 8 with the ratification item and final grant paperwork.