To: Board of Supervisors
From: Aviation
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Bid authorization for Murray Field Airport (EKA) Runway 12/30 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) installation.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and approve the plans and specifications for the Murray Field Airport (EKA) Runway 12/30 Precision Approach Path Indicator installation project; and
2. Authorize the Department of Aviation to advertise the above-referenced project, pursuant to Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened May 7th, 2026, at 2:00PM; and
3. Find that the project is exempt from environmental review, pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Aviation is requesting bid authorization for the Murray Field Airport (EKA) Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) replacement project. The work consists of installing a new, 2-box LED PAPI, foundation & disconnect rack. A PAPI is a navigational device that provides vertical guidance to an aircraft when approaching a runway. The current system was damaged many years ago and has remained out of service.
To meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, the public bidding process must be conducted prior to receiving a grant from the FAA for the construction of the project. After bids are opened on May 7, 2026, the winning bidder will be identified, and a separate item brought back before the Board of Supervisors to recommend entering into a contract with the winning bidder. Additionally, an item will be brought before the Board of Supervisors seeking approval for accepting the grant offer from the FAA, which is anticipated in June of 2026. The contract will be deemed null and void, should the FAA grant funding not be available to the County of Humboldt.
The project was evaluated for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and was determined to meet the criteria for a categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA. The CEQA exemption applies to the replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities where the new equipment will be located on the same footprint as the equipment replaced and will have substantially the same purpose as the equipment replaced. The equipment and installation have been designed to perform under coastal environmental conditions, including exposure to moisture, salt, and severe weather, consistent with FAA requirements. In addition, there are no unusual circumstances or historical resources that would make this exemption inapplicable.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Aviation Capital Projects (3539)
Federal Aviation Administration
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (3539,170) |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
579,087.00 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
579,087.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (3539,170) |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
550,132.65 |
|
Local Share |
28,954.35 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
579,087.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The engineering estimate for the total cost of the above-mentioned project, inclusive of construction cost, flight check, and construction administration is $579,087. The engineering was completed and paid for in a prior grant. The engineer’s estimate for the construction cost this project is $499,170. The Department of Aviation has been working closely with the FAA to complete planning steps which will allow Humboldt County to apply for, and be in contention to receive, reimbursement for 95% of the project costs, or an estimated $550,132.65. The county would be responsible for the remaining 5%, or an estimated $28,954.35 (dependent on winning bid amount). The Department of Aviation will include these costs in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 proposed budget in Aviation Capital Projects (3539170).
STAFFING IMPACT:
There is no anticipated staffing impact.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the plans and specifications and authorization to bid. However, the EKA Runway 12/30 PAPI has been identified as the next priority for infrastructure improvement at Murray Field Airport by the Department of Aviation and FAA. If the county does not pursue FAA funding to assist with this project, the entire cost of the project (estimated $579,087) would need to be borne by the County of Humboldt.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. EKA PAPI Replacement - Special Provisions/Bid Notice
2. EKA PAPI Replacement - Plan Documents
3. CEQA Notice of Exemption (NOE)
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A