Tyler

By CINDY MALLETTE
Staff Writer

Tyler City Council members this week plan to approve contracts for construction to improve safety on the runways at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

The council will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 212 N. Bonner Ave. They will look at awarding contracts for the 2008 Phase III Perimeter Road Project and for the 2008 Runway Visibility Zone Clearing Project.

The city is expected to contract with Reynolds & Kay, Ltd. for the Phase III Perimeter Road project. The total cost of the perimeter road is expected to be around $1.5 million, according to airport officials. The contract the council plans to consider will be for $915,319.95. The Half-Cent Sales Tax Board has already agreed to use $45,766.95 in sales tax money, or 5 percent of the total cost, for this portion of the perimeter road. The remainder is being paid for through a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The council will also consider contracting with Wisenbaker, Fix and Associates for construction administration and inspection services for Phase III. The contract amount is for $119,500, with the half-cent sales tax funding $5,975 and the remainder coming from the FAA grant.

The Runway Visibility Zone Clearing project is expected to go to Stephenson Dirt Contracting, LLC for $1.05 million. The half-cent sales tax will cover $52,829.70 of that amount. Airport Manager Davis Dickson has said that a tree line blocks visibility for planes approaching Runway 4 and Runway 31, and they need to be removed.

Other items on the Council’s agenda for Wednesday include:

The following items are included on the consent agenda and will be considered together, in one vote:

Council members will convene into executive session immediately following the regular meeting. They plan to deliberate issues related to economic development and real estate.