The city administration will seek Urbana City Council’s approval during its 6 p.m. meeting today in municipal court chambers to purchase $100,000 of aviation fuel to be sold at Grimes Field.
The administration recommends the fuel be purchased in two $50,000 purchase orders involving Eastern Aviation Fuels Inc. and Epic Aviation LLC.
On March 1, council agreed to pay $18,608.26 to retire a debt with Purvis Brothers Fuel that stemmed from upgrades made to the airport’s fuel farm. When the improvements were made, the city agreed to a contract in which it would purchase all its aviation fuel from Purvis Brothers Fuel until the debt was paid off.
Director of Administration Kerry Brugger said last month that by paying off the debt, the city is now able to negotiate with other aviation fuel suppliers in hopes of being able to offer more competitive prices on Jet A fuel and Avgas 100LL fuel at Grimes Field, which currently stands at $3.53 and $4.87 a gallon, respectively.
According to AirNav.com, the current average price for a gallon of Jet A and a gallon of Avgas within 40 miles of Urbana is $3.48 and $4.83, respectively. Fayette County Airport in Washington Court House currently offers the lowest price for both Jet A ($2.90 a gallon) and Avgas ($3.98). The highest price per gallon for Jet A is $4.41 at Bellefontaine Regional Airport, while Avgas is highest at Sidney Municipal Airport at $5.50 per gallon.
In another airport-related matter, administration will request council sign off on a purchase order to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. in the amount of $88,000 for design, bid, construction administration/observation, and any associated environmental assessment or miscellaneous tasks associated with the project to extend taxiway C at Grimes Field.
Council is also scheduled to vote on the purchase of 500 tons of road salt at a rate of $70.05 per ton from the Detroit Salt Company as well as a resolution to authorize the mayor or his designated representative to submit an application to the Champaign County Commission to participate in the fiscal year 2016 Community Development Block Grant Community Development Program.
Ordinances, resolutions
Council will hear second readings of the following measures:
•An ordinance to provide a statement of services to the property at 638 Childrens Home Road, approve an annexation agreement with Urbana Township, and authorize the director of administration to sign the agreement on behalf of the city.
•An ordinance to amend chapter 963 of the city’s codified ordinances to establish a board to oversee operations at Oak Dale Cemetery.
•An ordinance authorizing the director of administration to enter into an agreement for electric generation supply with a competitive retail electric service provider for use on public property and streets in the city.
•A resolution authorizing the director of administration to submit an application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Round 23 Natureworks Program for park improvements.
