Storm Lake’s municipal airport is moving forward with a more than $615,000 project to replace its aging fuel tanks and relocate the airport’s fueling system.
The Storm Lake City Council Monday night unanimously approved Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) grant agreements and a professional services agreement for the project.
Storm Lake Finance Director Tyler Gibbons explained what the project will accomplish.
The project has an estimated total cost of $615,385. The Iowa Transportation Commission approved the two FY2027 grant awards Aug. 11, with the Iowa DOT providing up to $400,000, or 65 percent of eligible project costs. That includes $270,365 through the Airport Improvement Program and another $129,635 through the General Aviation Vertical Infrastructure Program.
The city’s $215,385 local match will come from Local Option Sales Tax funds.
The project also addresses a safety and operational issue on the airport apron.
The existing underground fuel tanks are more than 30 years old and are approaching the end of their useful life. The Jet Fuel and AvGas fueling cabinets are newer, but are currently located in the middle of the apron.
City documents say the cabinets can significantly block aircraft taxiing when another aircraft is parked at the fueling island.
The project will move the fueling system away from the center of the apron to allow for safer taxi operations. The existing fuel cabinets will be reused, while the underground tanks will be replaced with new above-ground, double-wall tanks.
The city has previously identified fuel tank replacement as a priority airport project, with the work included in its five-year capital improvement plan.
The council also unanimously approved a professional service agreement with Bolton & Menk for the project.
The agreement is for up to $144,900 and covers design, bidding and construction services.
Bolton & Menk is already working under a five-year professional services agreement with the city for airport projects, and the fuel system project is included under that contract.
The council’s action Monday authorizes the grant agreements to move forward with the Iowa DOT and allows the engineering, design and bidding process for the airport fuel system project to begin.
