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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Consent Calendar 5.G.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 07/22/2024
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and enter into a contract for professional services with Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson, and Associates (TKDA) to perform an environmental assessment for the purpose of constructing an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at the Mankato Regional Airport (MKT).
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
In August 2021, the City Council authorized staff to update the Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) report previously completed by Quadrex Aviation, LLC and submit an application on behalf of the City to be considered for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program. Upon completion of the update of the BCA, it was subsequently submitted to the FAA for consideration in late October 2021 and the City received notice in April 2022 that the FAA had reviewed our application, and the Mankato Regional Airport had been accepted as a candidate for the FAA FCT program.
Conditions of the April 19, 2022, acceptance into the FAA FCT program Stipulate:
Since acceptance into the program, staff has been working through processes with the FAA Regional Airports Division and District Office (ADO), Central Service Center, Terminal Engineering Center, and Contracting Office along with MnDOT Aeronautics and consultants related to activities listed below:
A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is a more detailed and investigative process compared to a Phase I ESA. It is typically triggered when the Phase I ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) or suggests the likelihood of environmental contamination. Phase II aims to confirm whether contamination is indeed present at the site and to what extent. Phase II will provide a more detailed understanding of the environmental condition of a property, allowing stakeholders to make well-informed decisions. In cases where contamination is confirmed, Phase II ESAs lay the groundwork for remediation and risk management strategies.
Key components of a Phase II ESA:
Goals of Phase II ESA:
The ultimate objective of a Phase II ESA is to ascertain the actual presence of environmental contaminants and to evaluate the extent of these contaminants. This phase provides a more concrete understanding of the environmental risks associated with the property and forms the basis for any necessary remediation plans.
Importance of a Phase II ESA
The attached scope of work associated with the EA includes all the necessary actions up to and including a final deliverable of a phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for the desired ATCT site at a cost of $125,000.00. In accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-14E, contracts anticipated to be greater than $100,000, a detailed fee/cost analysis, or Independent Fee Estimate (IFE) is required. Staff consulted with Kimley Horn about the IFE and evaluated the estimate provided by Kimley Horn to that provided by TKDA and determined the fee provided by TKDA to be fair and reasonable. Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and enter into a contract for professional services with TKDA to perform an EA for construction at MKT.
Uses and sources for the EA are shown below:
Conditions of the April 19, 2022, acceptance into the FAA FCT program Stipulate:
- MKT will have five-years from the date of the letter (April 19, 2022) to provide a control tower that has successfully completed an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI).
- MKT will be required to sign an Air Traffic Control Tower Operations Agreement (TOA).
- Tower funding is subject to availability.
- If the airport fails to provide a control tower that successfully completes an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) within the 5-year period, the airport returns to Phase 1 (Interest Phase) and can reapply for acceptance into the FCT Program.
Since acceptance into the program, staff has been working through processes with the FAA Regional Airports Division and District Office (ADO), Central Service Center, Terminal Engineering Center, and Contracting Office along with MnDOT Aeronautics and consultants related to activities listed below:
| Month/Year | Task |
| August 2021 |
|
| April 2022 |
|
| April 2023 |
|
| June 2023 |
|
| October 2023 |
|
| February 2024 |
|
| March 2024 |
|
| April 2024 |
|
| May 2024 |
|
| July 2024 |
|
A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is a more detailed and investigative process compared to a Phase I ESA. It is typically triggered when the Phase I ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) or suggests the likelihood of environmental contamination. Phase II aims to confirm whether contamination is indeed present at the site and to what extent. Phase II will provide a more detailed understanding of the environmental condition of a property, allowing stakeholders to make well-informed decisions. In cases where contamination is confirmed, Phase II ESAs lay the groundwork for remediation and risk management strategies.
Key components of a Phase II ESA:
- Sampling and Testing: Phase II ESAs carry out the collection and analysis of environmental samples. This may include soil, groundwater, and sometimes building materials. The sampling process is designed to target areas where the Phase I assessment indicated potential contamination.
- Laboratory Analysis: The collected samples are subjected to rigorous laboratory tests to detect and quantify the presence of hazardous substances. This analysis is crucial in determining the level and type of contamination.
- Comparative Regulatory Assessment: Once the lab results are obtained, they are compared against local, state, and federal environmental standards. This comparison helps assess whether the contamination levels exceed permissible limits and the potential impact on future land use.
- Additional Investigations: Depending on the findings, Phase II may extend to inspecting the property for mold, lead paint, radon, and other hazardous materials. It may also involve ecological assessments, such as the impact on wetlands or endangered species, which could restrict land use.
Goals of Phase II ESA:
The ultimate objective of a Phase II ESA is to ascertain the actual presence of environmental contaminants and to evaluate the extent of these contaminants. This phase provides a more concrete understanding of the environmental risks associated with the property and forms the basis for any necessary remediation plans.
Importance of a Phase II ESA
- Informed Decision-Making: For property buyers and lenders, Phase II ESAs offer a more detailed insight into the environmental health of the property. This information is vital in making informed decisions regarding property acquisition or development.
- Compliance and Liability: Understanding the extent of contamination helps in complying with environmental regulations and planning for potential remediation. This step is critical in managing liability risks associated with environmental clean-ups.
- Financial Considerations: Identifying the extent of contamination through a Phase II ESA can significantly impact the valuation of the property. It informs buyers about potential clean-up costs and can be a critical negotiation tool in the property transaction process.
The attached scope of work associated with the EA includes all the necessary actions up to and including a final deliverable of a phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for the desired ATCT site at a cost of $125,000.00. In accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-14E, contracts anticipated to be greater than $100,000, a detailed fee/cost analysis, or Independent Fee Estimate (IFE) is required. Staff consulted with Kimley Horn about the IFE and evaluated the estimate provided by Kimley Horn to that provided by TKDA and determined the fee provided by TKDA to be fair and reasonable. Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and enter into a contract for professional services with TKDA to perform an EA for construction at MKT.
Uses and sources for the EA are shown below:
| USES | AMOUNT |
| Environmental Assessment | $125,000.00 |
| IFE | $12,600.00 |
| TOTAL | $137,600.00 |
| SOURCES | AMOUNT | PERCENT |
| FAA | $123,840.00 | 90% |
| State | $6,880.00 | 5% |
| Local | $6,880.00 | 5% |
| TOTAL | $137,600.00 | 100% |