Agreement approved

A construction agreement for the new terminal building at the Albany airport was approved by Albany city council members at a regular meeting on Monday, May 13.

New council member Don Taggart was sworn in after the meeting, following the canvassing of the votes cast for the May 4 election. Incumbent Carolyn Waller also took the oath of office for another two-year term.

Airport Building

City manager Billy Holson and airport manager Chuck Sheppard presented an adjusted total for the new terminal building to be constructed at Hickman Field.

Thomas Hicks Construction had submitted the lowest of four bids last July, and although none of them were accepted at the time, the city’s legal counsel had okayed a process in which Holson and Sheppard negotiated with Hicks to “try to get a 25 percent decrease for the scope of work.”

The latest agreement whittled down to $290,095 from about $350,000.

“There will be some add-ons, and that figure will go up,” said Holson, “but some changes were made that brought the cost down.”

Sheppard explained that there will be no visible changes in the 1,200-square foot structure from the approved design, although he is hoping to add back a one-car garage for a courtesy vehicle.

“One thing that surprised us was that a change to steel was cheaper than wood construction,” Sheppard said.

The “pilots lounge” is already built into the current city budget. 

All but an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 of the building will be paid by grant funding and private donations, Holson said. Any amount that the city provides will come from an account that can only be spent on the airport.

Other Business

•A resolution was okayed authorizing intervention in AEP’s requested rate change proceeding before the Public Utility Commission.

•The July council meeting was changed from the second Monday to the third Monday because of a conflict.