Oakdale City Council authorizes FAA grant for runway safety area marking project design

The Oakdale City Council convened on August 5, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, with a primary focus on a grant agreement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Oakdale Municipal Airport's runway safety area marking project.

The meeting began with Tyler Hendon, the senior engineering technician and airport manager, presenting the resolution to authorize the City Manager to accept and execute the FAA grant agreement. This grant is specifically for the design phase of the runway safety area marking project, which is crucial for enhancing airfield safety and ensuring compliance with current FAA standards.

Hendon explained that the FAA provides funding through its airport infrastructure grant program to support projects that improve safety, capacity, and environmental sustainability at airports. The total estimated cost for the design phase is $113,200, with the FAA expected to cover 95% of the eligible costs, amounting to $107,504. The city's share would be $5,660, which is available within the airport capital improvement fund.

Council members raised questions regarding the implications of the grant approval. It was clarified that this resolution is a prerequisite for applying for future construction funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The design work is essential to secure the subsequent grant for the actual runway marking, which is anticipated to be funded similarly.

Hendon reassured the council that, based on previous discussions with the FAA, the likelihood of receiving the construction grant is high, given the city's guaranteed funding status. He noted that even if the construction grant were not awarded, the design work would remain valid for several years, allowing the city to pursue funding in future rounds without immediate obligation to implement the design.

The council unanimously supported the resolution, emphasizing the importance of the project for airport safety and operational efficiency. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of moving forward with the design phase to facilitate future funding opportunities for the runway safety area marking project.