By Ella Chabot-Remington
SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council has unanimously approved a $49,724 contract for improvements at the Sebastian Municipal Airport. It also accepted a $383,756 grant from the FAA or other, unrelated, airport improvements.
The council voted unanimously at its Aug. 26 meeting to hire The LPA Group Inc. to provide construction services for the Access Road East Project at the Sebastian Airport.
The Sebastian City Council had previously approved at its Aug. 12 meeting a construction contract with H. D. Construction for the Airport Access Road East Project. Funding for the H. D. Construction work was predominately from an 80 percent Florida Department of Transportation grant. Funding for the LPA Group project will be covered by the same grant.
Sebastian has an agreement with FDOT requiring certification of construction complying with the approved project plans and specifications.
In addition, Sebastian mandates that certification is attested to by a licensed engineer. The LPA Group will ensure Sebastian is in compliance with both FDOT grant requirements and city specifications by providing civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering services. The contractor will also assist with funding and permitting agencies associated with the airport project.
The airport access road project encompasses a roadway extension, two access drives, water and sewer utilities, storm water facilities, chain link security fencing, automated security gates, and electrical work.
The Sebastian City Council addressed additional airport business at the meeting by authorizing City Manager Al Minner to accept an FAA grant under the Fiscal Year 2009 Airport Improvement Program in the amount of $383,756 for Runway 4/22 Improvements at the Sebastian Airport.
The runway lights and markings are presently out of compliance, airport manager Joe Griffin told members of the council during the meeting. The grant would be used to bring the runway into compliance.
