MP airport runway getting an upgrade

The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport is getting a runway upgrade.

After receiving a low rating on the condition of the runway by the Department of Transportation in a routine inspection, the city was eligible for funding from the federal government to assist in the $1.5 to $2.5 million project.

'It's a busy little airport,” City Administrator Brent Schleisman said during a Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 24. 'We do a lot of farm field spraying, grass seeding. It gets a lot of use.”

Because the project exceeds $100,000, the city contracted a third party for an independent fee analysis on the proposed scope of engineering work needed to rebuild the airport runway. The independent analysis is required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The council approved hiring WSP USA Engineering Consultants to do the work. Their fee is $4,500.

Construction on the runway last took place 15 to 16 years ago, Schleisman said.

In other news, the city still is cleaning up debris from the straight-line winds that passed through Mt. Pleasant on Aug. 28.

The council approved hiring Maddy Tree Service to remove a pile of tree limbs and brush from the storm that was piled behind the Parks and Rec building at 307 E. Monroe Street in Mt. Pleasant.

Maddy Tree Service will chip the pile before hauling it away. The service is costing the city $46,000, Brimhall said.

The council also approved several other items during the meeting including:

Authorizing the city clerk to borrow up to $150,000 from 5 Star Community Credit Union for five years at 2.99 percent interest for a new garbage truck for the city.

A pay increase of $2,500 in John Broecker's salary as a Wastewater Treatment Plant employee after his six-month, new-employee probationary period.

A change order of $3,602 for the final quantities for the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex parking lot project.

The next Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 14.