Runway work to extend into 2022

The first phase of the airport runway extension project won’t be completed until next year.

Jason Clearwaters of engineering firm Butler, Fairman & Seufert reported to the board that work on the first phase of Portland Municipal Airport’s runway extension to 5,500 feet from the current 4,000 feet is not finished.

The project, which started in early June and includes leveling the land to the west of the current runway and enclosing 555 feet of Alexander Ditch, had originally been slated for completion in mid-to-late October. Last month, Clearwaters reported weather delays could push construction into this month.

In his update at Wednesday’s meeting, he told the board HIS Constructions, which is handling the first phase of the project, has stopped hauling fill dirt and says the land is now “to grade” and no additional work is scheduled for this year. (A survey is scheduled for today to confirm the land is at the level necessary for the extension to proceed.)

He noted some of the underdrain system has been installed, but that HIS will need to return in 2022 to complete the work. Butler, Fairman & Seufert has a list of other outstanding items it will send to HIS to be addressed.

The company has also patched areas of county road 100 North as specified by the county highway department.

The runway has reopened to its 4,000-foot length and re-striped after it was shortened during part of the construction process.

Clearwaters told the board HIS has asked for 50 additional days to complete the work — it was originally scheduled for 150 days total — citing 50 non-workable days because of weather. He said that while there were some unworkable days because of weather, Butler, Fairman & Seufert does not necessarily agree with the count of 50.

The board, by contract, can seek $1,500 in liquidated damages for each day the project runs over. Clearwaters suggested the board table the issue for now — it is holding back $95,000 in retainage until the project is complete — and revisit the request after the work is completed. (HIS is scheduled to return to complete the project beginning April 1.)

Milestone Contractors is handling the second phase of the project — paving and lighting — and is expected to begin that work in late spring 2022.

The board followed the advice from Clearwaters, tabling the issue of adding days to the contract with HIS. It approved payment of $236,558.29 for work completed between Oct. 12 and Nov. 8.

Board members also OK’d an additional 160 hours for Butler, Fairman & Seufert for on-site inspections that will now be required because the first phase of the project was not competed as scheduled. It also approved requested grant reimbursement of $301,428.26 from the Federal Aviation Administration, which is paying for the entirety of the runway extension.

Also at the meeting, the board heard a complaint from rural Portland resident Cindy Whitenack that HIS Constructors did not meet the specifications of its agreement with she and her husband Greg. The Whitenacks entered into a separate contract with HIS to provide the dirt required to level the area west of the current runway for the extension project. The removal of the dirt was to create a larger pond on the Whitenacks’ property.

“They just left a mess back there,” Whitenack said.

She added that she has had repeated problems attempting to communicate issues with the company and that it has not followed through on promises.

Clearwaters acknowledged that the airport has had similar issues but advised Whitenack that because the aviation board was not part of the contract for the dirt there is little it can do to impact the situation. He advised her to consider consulting with an attorney about the problems.

Clearwaters also presented the board with the proposed updates to its five-year capital improvement plan. It includes the following:

•Wildlife hazard assessment and terminal apron expansion design in 2022

•Terminal apron expansion construction in 2023

•Design of wildlife control fence (if needed) in 2024

•Construction of 10-unit T-hanger in 2025

•Design for reconstruction of existing terminal apron in 2026

•Reconstruction of terminal apron in 2027.

The capital improvement plan is due to the FAA by Feb. 1. Clearwaters said he expects to seek approval of the plan at its Dec. 20 meeting.

In other business, the board:

•Heard Clearwaters report that the recently approved federal infrastructure bill includes $25 billion for airports over the course of five years, with $15 billion of that set aside for capital projects. He said it is not yet clear how those funds will be distributed.

•Approved a 50-year hangar lease for Sonrise Aviation, which is owned by airport manager Hal Tavzel and two partners.

•Heard from Tavzel that the airport sold 4876 gallons of fuel in October for $17,874.48.

•Awarded hangar concrete work to Dalton VanSkyock at a total of $4,563. Mercer Concrete had previously been awarded the work but was unable to take on the project.

•Opened bids for farming about 26 acres of airport property. They ranged from $85 per acre to $350 per acre. The board tabled the issue to allow time to review the bids and plans to revisit them at its December meeting.

•Heard Payton McCoy recently completed her first solo flight after going through pilot training at the airport.

•Contract with Steve Betz at a rate of $35 per hour to handle maintenance of the airports mowers.

•Heard Tim Homan of Mercer County express interest in building a hangar at the airport. The board said it is interested in that possibility and is in the process of putting together a template contract for such projects. Lyons said the board will contact Homan when that template is finalized.