To: Board of Supervisors
From: Aviation
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Bid authorization for Rohnerville Airport (FOT) Runway 11/29 Rehabilitation
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and approve the plans and specifications for the Rohnerville Airport (FOT) runway 11/29 rehabilitation 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 April 16, 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 Rohnerville Airport runway 11/29 rehabilitation project. The work consists of pulverizing the existing pavement and base, then compacting the surface, followed by installing 3” of new asphalt. New markings will be painted on the rehabilitated runway surface. The current runway surface is at its end of useful life. The markings have faded, the asphalt has numerous surface cracks, along with heaving and spalling, which makes the surface not ideal for aircraft operations.
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 April 16, 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 facility will be located on the same footprint as the facility replaced and will have substantially the same purpose as the facility replaced. 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 (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$4,173,050.00 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$0 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$4,173,050.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$3,964,397.50 |
|
Local Share |
$208,652.50 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$4,173,050.00 |
*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, construction administration, and Department of Aviation administration is $4,173,050.00. The engineering was completed and paid for in a prior separate grant. The estimate for the construction cost associated with this authorization to bid is $3,784,590.00. 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 $3,964,397.50. The county will be responsible for the remaining 5% or an estimated $208,652.50 (dependent on winning bid amount). The Department of Aviation will include these costs in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 annual budget cycle in budget 3539-170 - Aviation Capital Projects.
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 FOT Runway 11/29 rehabilitation project has been identified as the next priority for infrastructure improvement at Rohnerville 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 $4,173,050.00) would need to be borne by the County of Humboldt.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FOT Runway 11/29 Rehabilitation - Special Provisions/Bid Notice
2. FOT Runway 11/29 Rehabilitation - Plan Documents
3. CEQA Notice of Exemption (NOE)
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A