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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
5.CC.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 09/14/2026
Agenda Item:
Resolution to execute the grant and finalize the purchase to Replace the Airport Snow Removal Truck and Plow (Unit 91).
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
The FAA received the grant funding request approved by Council on September 22, 2025, and anticipates grant number 3-27-0055-041-2026.
In June 2026, the bid with RDO John Deere was conditionally accepted, pending FAA Buy America approval and receipt of funding.
The Project Specific Buy American Waiver was issued August 25, 2026, and the Department of Transportation Secretary released a series of airport infrastructure grants on September 3, 2026, awarding Mankato Regional Airport $427,133 towards the project.
Snow Removal Equipment is eligible for a 95% federal and 2.5% state share of eligible expenses.
Unit 91 is an Oshkosh truck with a plow which has provided airport snow and ice removal for 3,800 hours since it was purchased in 1991. The Capital Improvement Project for 2026 programs $450,000 for the replacement of Unit 91.
Airport Staff and Central Garage Superintendent support replacing the truck with a front-end loader, providing versatility, agility, and meeting the same demands of maintaining the taxiways and runways, if possible, to a “no worse than wet” condition during winter storms. The Mid-Size Wheel Loader and industrial snowplow with hydraulic wings and angle will ensure airport surfaces are cleared faster and reduce the quantity of salt and abrasive materials needed.
Turning the truck at the runway end requires multiple movements versus one with the front-end loader.
Grant or Project Numbers
In June 2026, the bid with RDO John Deere was conditionally accepted, pending FAA Buy America approval and receipt of funding.
The Project Specific Buy American Waiver was issued August 25, 2026, and the Department of Transportation Secretary released a series of airport infrastructure grants on September 3, 2026, awarding Mankato Regional Airport $427,133 towards the project.
Snow Removal Equipment is eligible for a 95% federal and 2.5% state share of eligible expenses.
- Total Project Cost $439,061.77
- Federal Funding $427,133.00
- State Funding $11,240.00
- Local Share $11,241.73
Unit 91 is an Oshkosh truck with a plow which has provided airport snow and ice removal for 3,800 hours since it was purchased in 1991. The Capital Improvement Project for 2026 programs $450,000 for the replacement of Unit 91.
Airport Staff and Central Garage Superintendent support replacing the truck with a front-end loader, providing versatility, agility, and meeting the same demands of maintaining the taxiways and runways, if possible, to a “no worse than wet” condition during winter storms. The Mid-Size Wheel Loader and industrial snowplow with hydraulic wings and angle will ensure airport surfaces are cleared faster and reduce the quantity of salt and abrasive materials needed.
Turning the truck at the runway end requires multiple movements versus one with the front-end loader.
Grant or Project Numbers
- FAA AIP No. 3-27-0055-041-2026
- State Project No. A0701-129
- City Project 11263