TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim Executive Director
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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2025-2026 Critical Oregon Airport Relief Program Grant Application for the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport.
Ward(s): Ward 2
Commissioners(s): Nishioka
Neighborhood(s): SEMCA, SESNA
Result Area(s): Strong and Diverse Economy; Safe and Reliable Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Salem-Willamette Valley Airport seeks to apply for and accept grant funding from the 2025-2026 cycle of the Oregon Airport Relief (COAR) Program. Funds received through this grant program are expected to assist with City matching fund requirements for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funded Taxiway project and the procurement of snow removal equipment.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize the City Manager to apply for and accept the 2025-2026 Critical Oregon Airport Relief (COAR) grant funds to be used for FAA matching funds and snow removal equipment at the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to apply for and accept 2025-2026 Critical Oregon Airport Relief (COAR) grants for the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
FAA Match - Application 1
Outlined in the Airport Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY26, the Taxiway A North Rehabilitation project is estimated to cost $6,660,000. This project will rehabilitate approximately 1,100 linear feet of Taxiway A between Taxiways A1 and A2.
Federal funding in the form of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants are expected to cover $6,327,000 (95%) of the project costs, with the remaining $333,000 (5%) provided by airport matching funds.
If approved, the COAR grant would provide up to $150,000 of the required matching funds, reducing the Airport’s obligation to $183,000.
Equipment - Application 2
The Airport currently has limited snow removal equipment, resulting in reduced capacity and lengthy closures during winter months. Equipment acquired through this grant would help the Airport improve operational capabilities during snow events.
Conditions to accept awarded funds include a required 25% airport match, commitment to maintain and operate the airport for 20-years, and assurance that airport generated revenue remains at the airport.
The Airport’s match requirement for grants received through this program is 25%. Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle are due October 31, 2025.
BACKGROUND:
The Critical Oregon Airport Relief (COAR) grant program provides up to $150,000 per eligible project to public use airports in Oregon. It is funded with a $.02 per-gallon aviation fuel tax through the Aviation System Action Program (ASAP), which was created by the Oregon Legislature in HB2075 (2015) and made permanent in HB2434 (2021).
This grant program provides Oregon airports with assistance for FAA grant matching funds, emergency preparedness and infrastructure, critical services and equipment, aviation-related business development on airport, and other airport development for local benefit.
Aaron Ison
Airport Administrator (AIC)
Attachments:
1. FINAL COAR 2019 Agreement Sample