The Kenai City Council accepted and appropriated an Airport Improvement Program grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in the Airport Equipment Capital Project fund for the purchase of snow removal equipment – multi-purpose broom and blower.
The city received a grant from the FAA for the replacement of a runway snow blower and broom. The grant totals $715,586. It was enacted by Ordinance 3229-2021. Additional grant funds were received totaling $47,706. According to the City of Kenai, 100% of the cost of the multi-purpose broom/blower will be covered by grant funds as no additional city share will be required.
Councilmember Henry Knackstedt:
“I wanted to thank the administration and the airport manager for all their work involved and getting the funding and coordinating with to get this blower. I think it was like a million dollar piece of equipment. Essentially with this, it’s not really coming out of any airport funds to do that or any tax from residents or anything like that. Anyway, it’s greatly appreciated.”
Mayor Brian Gabriel asked about a timeline for getting the equipment. City Manager Paul Ostrander said:
“The last I heard, there is a long delivery period on this. I don’t believe it’s going to be available for any of the winter activities. It’s likely going to arrive sometime next spring.”
Airport Manager, Eland Conway, through corresponding memo documents, told council that the piece of equipment is integral to the safe and efficient operation of the airport.
Ordinance 3246-2021 unanimously passed the Kenai City Council.
