To: Board of Supervisors
From: Greg Baer, Director of Airports
Report Title: Acceptance of Federal Aviation Administration Grant Funding to Reimburse the Airports Division for Design Costs Associated with the Security Upgrade Project at Buchanan Field
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
AUTHORIZE the Director of Airports to submit an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for $505,525 to reimburse the Airports Division for design costs related to the Security Upgrade Project at Buchanan Field, Pacheco area (District IV).
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Director of Airports, or designee, to sign a Statement of Acceptance with the Federal Aviation Administration for up to $505,525 of grant funds to reimburse the Airports Division for design costs associated with the Security Upgrade Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total eligible costs for the project’s design were $561,695. This amount was fully funded by the Airport Enterprise Fund during Fiscal Years 2020-21 and 2021-22. It is anticipated that the FAA will reimburse 90%, or $505,525.
BACKGROUND:
Buchanan Field is a FAA Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139 certificated airport and must meet certain security requirements as established by the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
It is critical to continuously make security upgrades to maximize the benefits of new technology and replace aging equipment. Understanding the importance of continually enhancing the security at Buchanan Field Airport, the Airports Division entered into a Consulting Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn to prepare the security improvements design. The security improvement design was solely funded by the Airport Enterprise Fund with the expectation that the Airports Division would seek reimbursement from the FAA for this work at a later date. The security upgrade project is listed on the Airport Capital Improvement Program list for Buchanan Field Airport and, as such, staff anticipates that the project will be eligible for FAA funding.
In June 2020, the Board authorized grant submittal and acceptance of federal funding for construction of added security improvements. In June 2021, the Board authorized construction of the next phase of security improvements. The security upgrade project is nearing completion and has resulted in over 16,500 linear feet of new fencing, new and upgraded vehicle and pedestrian access gates, and expanded electronic access and monitoring capabilities.
The subject of this Staff Report is to allow the Director of Airports to seek grant funds to reimburse the Airports Division for the cost of the security improvement project design, consistent with the Airports’ Capital Improvements Plan on file with the FAA.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will not receive the anticipated FAA funding to reimburse the Airport Enterprise Fund for the design costs associated with the security upgrade project at Buchanan Field.