Commission authorizes signing for FAA-funded parallel taxiway; city share $317,650

The Liberal City Commission on Thursday authorized city officials to sign agreements and submit required applications for a parallel taxiway project at the municipal airport, with the city agreeing its portion of construction costs will come from land sale or grant proceeds.

The commission approved the request after staff presented the project budget and funding plan. Staff said the total project cost is $6,353,000 and that federal Airport Improvement Program funding through the FAA will cover 95 percent of eligible costs; staff calculated the city’s share at $317,650 for the construction phase. Construction is scheduled to start in March of the applicable construction year.

City staff also said they submitted an application to the Build Kansas Fund to seek additional reimbursement; staff estimated any successful Build Kansas award would reduce the city’s portion. Staff recommended the mayor, city manager and airport manager be authorized to sign all documents related to the project and that the city portion be paid from land-sale proceeds or grants.

Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to grant those signing authorities and funding direction; the motion passed unanimously, 5‑0. Staff said bids were solicited in May and three bids were returned in June; project administration and final federal applications will be submitted once agreements are signed.

The item does not obligate the full city general fund; staff indicated the city’s contribution would come from proceeds tied to airport land sales and possible grant matches. The airport manager noted the FY schedule puts construction in a spring window; no change to the airport’s operating lease arrangements was approved at the meeting.