Title
Airports, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board take the following actions pertaining to the Install New Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) on Existing Tower Project at the Placerville Airport, Airport Capital Improvement Program Project 35401005:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Contract Documents and Plans;
2) Authorize advertisement for construction bids; and
3) Delegate signature authority to the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to sign Federal Aviation Administration Form 5100-132, Project Plans and Specifications - Airport Improvement Program Sponsor Certification for the Project.
FUNDING: Federal Aviation Administration Grant (95%) and General Fund (5%) with the potential for a reduced General Fund contribution due with a Caltrans Airport Improvement Program Matching Grant.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
An AWOS is an automated weather reporting system that automatically collects and reports real-time weather conditions like wind speed, direction, temperature, visibility, and altimeter setting, providing crucial information to pilots for safe takeoff and landing decisions.
A new AWOS is needed to update the existing facilities, which are over 20 years old and require extensive maintenance. Expensive equipment maintenance provides only temporary solutions, which would be eliminated with the new AWOS. The new AWOS will provide safety of aircraft operations at the Placerville Airport.
The Project design is complete, the Plans and Contract Documents have been prepared, and the Project is ready for construction.
The proposed Project includes removing AWOS sensors from the existing AWOS, installing new AWOS sensors on the existing AWOS tower and foundations, installing new cable in existing duct from the electrical vault to the existing AWOS site, and installing new AWOS equipment in the Airport Administration Office.
Appendix I, Construction Safety and Phasing Plan (CSPP), in the Contract Documents requires a couple of closures to taxiways, which the Contractor is required to reopen at the end of each working day. The CSPP also requires a one-day only closure to the runway and requires the contractor to coordinate with Airports Division staff to schedule the closures and issue the required Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
On October 4, 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determined that the Install New Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) on Existing Tower Project (Project) at the Placerville Airport is Categorically Excluded pursuant to FAA Order 1050.1F as it relates to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The California Environmental Quality Act Categorical Exemption for this Project was recorded by the County’s Recorder-Clerk on February 26, 2026.
In September 2024, the County received an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant from the FAA for the design of this Project. In October 2024, the County received an AIP matching grant for design of this Project from the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics (Caltrans).
The Project is included in the 2024 Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP), approved by the Board on November 5, 2024 (Item 32), and is in accordance with the current Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Placerville Airport.
On December 30, 2025, Airports Division staff submitted an application based on estimated costs for a FAA AIP grant for Project construction and construction management. The FAA’s process requires that actual bids be submitted to the FAA prior to award of a construction grant. Once the bids are received, Airports Division staff will assemble a package, including the bid summary and the bid proposal of the apparent lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, for submittal to the FAA for its approval to award the construction contract. Final grant applications based on the bid price are due to the FAA by May 1, 2026.
Airports Division staff will return to the Board for consideration to award the construction contract, pursuant to FAA recommendation. Given the FAA’s typical grant cycle, Airports Division staff anticipates scheduling the construction contract award in summer 2026.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to:
1) Not approve the Contract Documents and Plans.
2) Not authorize advertisement for construction bids.
3) Cancel the Project. As a note, the Board has previously approved the Project in the ACIP and annual budget processes.
Should the Board choose any of the above alternatives, it will result in the loss of FAA grant funds which expire at the end of the Federal Fiscal Year on September 30, 2026.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 24-0634 - August 13, 2024, Item 3 - Approve FAA AIP design grant and Caltrans AIP matching design grant.
Legistar file 24-1891 - November 5, 2024, Item 32 - Approve the 2024 ACIP.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Risk Management, FAA
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact or change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The Board will not obligate the County with the current requested action. The obligation will result from the subsequent action of awarding the bid and approving and accepting the FAA AIP grant for construction and construction management of the Project. The Engineer's Estimate for the construction phase of the Project is $341,050. The Project is eligible for 95% construction phase funding through the FAA AIP grant program. The 5% local match is currently slated to be provided by the County’s General Fund and will be included in the Placerville Airport budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27. Airports Division staff intend to apply for a Caltrans AIP Matching Grant, which, if received, would fund 5% of the FAA grant amount. If the County is awarded a Caltrans AIP Matching Grant for this Project, a portion of the General Fund funds will be replaced with the Caltrans matching funds.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on page five of the Notice to Bidders in the Contract Documents for the Project and forward to Procurement and Contracts, Attention: Matthew Potter.
2) Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on page one of the construction Plans for the Project and forward to Procurement and Contracts, Attention: Matthew Potter.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Laura Schwartz, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Airports Director