Louisville-Winston County Airport Board President, Mike Forster, met with the
Louisville Board of Aldermen during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 5. Forster reported that 2018 was a good and productive year, setting new records for jet aircraft take-offs and landings, with a total of 662; that number qualifies the airport for a runway justification study which could lead to expanding the runway to 5K feet. This would allow jet aircraft to land at any time, in any kind of weather.
Forster also reported that last year the airport had $300K in fuel sales; only five years ago that number was $30K. He added that the date had been set for the 2019 Wings Over Winston Airshow, Saturday, October 5.
Mayor Will Hill gave an update on the capital and recovery projects:
• Park renovation: Hill reported that there have been 78 ‘weather days’ involved in this project. The Board voted 5-0 to approve a pay application of $192.6K to Great Southern Recreation which is constructing the playground and splash pad; and voted 5-0 to approve a pay application of $220.9K to Site Masters Construction.
• The community safe room is should be substantially complete within a month, with plans to hold a ribbon cutting and the Chamber of Commerce Dinner at the facility on April 25. The Board voted 5-0 to approve pay applications of 82K to Burks-Mordecai Builders; $1.9K to Braodus & Associates; $3.8K to JBHM Architects; and $642 to Louisville Utilities.
Hill reported that the City has a great opportunity to receive funding through the Southern Automotive and Aviation Workforce funding program. This is a $2M grant with a $500K match in cash and in-kind which will be divided equally between the City and Winston County. The focus of the project will be in the Louisville Rail Park. Phyllis Benson of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District is assisting with the application process.
In other action the Board:
• Voted 5-0 to authorize payment of Docket of Claims #26254-26673 for $95.4K.
• Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to PPM for $817 for professional services through
December 31, 2018, on the EPA Brownfield Project.
• Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to Pepper Appraisal Services for $2.5K for
professional services from the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF).
• Voted 5-0 to authorize Mayor Hill to procure an Engineer for professional services for the MDOT Transportation Alternative Grant Project which is an effort to rebuild the sidewalks on North Columbus Ave., at the elementary schools.
• Voted 5-0 to authorize Mayor Hill to sign the intent to participate in the development of the District 4 Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which includes a 10% local government match; and to appoint Chris Young as the City’s designated representative in District 4 Regional Hazard Mitigation.
The City of Louisville Board of Aldermen meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
