Clockwise from left: City Commissioner Linda Morse, officials at City Hall, Rep. Ron Highland (R-Wamego), Sen. Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan), Rep. Suzi Carlson (R-Clay Center), Rep.-elect Mike Dodson (R-Manhattan). Not pictured: Rep. Sydney Carlin (D-Manhattan). The delegation took part in a legislative Zoom meeting with city officials Monday.
Manhattan city officials are looking to state lawmakers for help to persuade federal officials to maintain the current width of the Manhattan Regional Airport runway.
The city, which has started design of a replacement runway, says it disagrees with the Federal Aviation Administration’s position that the airport doesn’t need a 150-foot wide runway based on its operations. The city argues the runway width is crucial to its service of Fort Riley. City Manager Ron Fehr estimates if the FAA doesn’t agree to fund 90 percent of the costs, it would mean an estimated $3.5 million to maintain.
“The main runway is 7,000 feet long and 150 feet wide,” Fehr said. “We’re just asking to put it back the way it is today. We’re not asking for any enhancements.”
Fehr says he believes it’s a state issue that will require some political persuasion. The project won’t begin construction until late 2022 at the earliest. Sen. Tom Hawk also questioned the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on passenger boardings in 2020.
“We’re estimating to be in the low 30,000’s, maybe 32 or 34,000 people who flew out. That’s a pretty big drop off,” said Jesse Romo, Director of the Manhattan Regional Airport.
2019 boardings set a record, with more than 80,000 passengers traveling through the Manhattan airport. Official numbers are due out later this week. CARES Act funds have helped offset the airport’s loss in revenue.
Romo also told Monday’s delegation that flights to Chicago from Manhattan may return later this year, possibly as early as the spring, pending approval from American Airlines. Currently the airport is offering just two daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Monday’s discussion also included a preview of perhaps the biggest issue facing lawmakers in Topeka, the budget.
Most agree the budget will take center stage, with legislators working to determine how best to appropriate dollars across the state agencies and where cuts might be necessary. SPARK committee member Sen. Tom Hawk says most of the $1.2 billion in federal aid has been spent and over $13 million came into the state commerce department to cover a lot of needs, but says there is still uncertainty with revenue projections in 2021.
“I think there will be another stimulus with the new Congress that hopefully will backfill both state revenue and local revenue. Stay tuned for that,” Hawk said.
Uncertainty with revenue forecasts has District 67 Rep-elect Mike Dodson, of Manhattan, cautious with how any bump in revenues are used going forward. He wants to ensure any surplus is held over for 2022, in case of a downturn in the economy.
“My suggestion would be that we put that in an emergency fund, because the following year is still forecast to be down. I don’t want to be spending it on things that we don’t need. We just need to be doing it wisely,” he said.
51st District Rep. Ron Highland, of Wamego, says he’s been closely involved in the program that states renters cannot be evicted if they are late on payments. An unfortunate side effect, which he says will be addressed is how that has impacted landlords who may be threatened with foreclosure on a property.
“I’ve been visiting with the judiciary committee chair and looking at ways to extend the emergency, which they’re going to look at immediately when we go back, and extend the part for protections for landowners on that past the date when the individual is renting,” he said.
Sen. Hawk also brought up a concern he’s heard from area constituents on improving safety on state highways, particularly north of Manhattan on Hwy 24/Tuttle Creek Blvd.
“(Regarding) those two intersections with Seth Child and going up over the dam, I want to see where the city is about roundabouts there, if that is the best solution,” he asked.
City Manager Fehr says the city participated in the Seth Child corridor study and says the city supports Riley County installing roundabouts at both intersections, which have been partially designed. He says the next step in that process is KDOT approval for a full design.
Fehr also discussed the city’s intent to form a housing advisory board to explore ongoing housing challenges. 66th District Rep. Sydney Carlin suggested a review of multi-residential homes was needed and shared concerns about the cost of weatherizing the city’s aging structures.
The 2021 legislative session begins Monday, Jan. 11 in Topeka. Gov. Laura Kelly will give the annual State of the State address next week, in a virtual format, at a yet-to be determined date.
The post City officials discuss airport runway, economic impact from pandemic with local legislators appeared first on News Radio KMAN.
