COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

February 3, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 10, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Grant Agreements with the Federal Aviation Administration and the California Department of Transportation for Improvements at the Half Moon Bay Airport

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt resolutions:

1)

Authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute a grant agreement (AIP No. 3-06-0097-12) with the Federal Aviation Administration for phase one of the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for safety, security and infrastructure improvements at the Half Moon Bay Airport; and authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute any other documents associated with the acceptance of said grant funds from the Federal Aviation Administration; and

2)

Authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute a grant agreement with the California Department of Transportation (DOT) for a matching grant equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of Federal Aviation Administration grant (AIP No. 3-06-0097-12) for phase one of the preparation of an Environmental Assessment at the Half Moon Bay Airport; and authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute any other documents associated with the application and acceptance of grant funds from the California DOT.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

Authorizing the execution of the proposed grant agreements will provide funding for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for future improvements at the Half Moon Bay Airport that will rehabilitate airport infrastructure and enhance safety for Airport users.

BACKGROUND:

The Board has authorized similar agreements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and California DOT in previous years that provided federal and state funding to finance improvements at the Airports. Public Works submitted an application to the FAA requesting funding for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for future FAA grant funded safety, security and infrastructure improvements at the Half Moon Bay Airport. The DOT will provide a State matching grant equivalent to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the FAA grant, which is equivalent to 2.375% of the project’s total costs.

DISCUSSION:

The FAA has offered the County an airport improvement grant in the preliminary amount of $287,453 for phase one of the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for future FAA funded safety, security and infrastructure improvements. The County has been advised that additional funding may become available after the adoption of the proposed resolution. Therefore staff is recommending that the Board authorize the County to receive the maximum of available FAA airport improvement grants for phase one of the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for future FAA grant funded safety, security and infrastructure improvements. The grant is for 95% of the project’s total costs and the FAA has indicated that the County must execute the grant agreement and return it to them no later than February 24, 2009. Due to the very tight timelines for execution of the agreement, it is recommended that the Board authorize the Director of Public Works to execute the grant agreement, and sign any documents associated with the application and acceptance of the grant from the FAA and DOT.

Montara Water and Sanitary District is pursuing an eminent domain proceeding to acquire three well sites at Half Moon Bay Airport. At this point it is not known whether this action will create an impediment to the County receiving the grants listed in this report.

The resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The project will be initially financed from the Airport Enterprise Fund, as the Federal and State grants are received on a reimbursable basis. The Airport Enterprise Fund has sufficient funds available to manage the cash flow requirements of the project while monthly grant payments are being requested of the FAA and DOT.

The estimated final cost distribution for the preliminary grant amounts, once grant funds are received, is as follows. There is no impact to the General Fund.

FAA Grant Amount:

$287,453

(95%)

State DOT Matching Grant:

$ 7,186

(2.375%)

Airport Enterprise Fund:

$ 7,943

(2.625%)

Total Project:

$302,582

(100%)