Supplemental funding for runway lighting gets OK

Two committees of the Commonwealth Ports Authority board approved last Friday a request for $59,751 more to continue repairs on the runway lights of the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.

At a joint meeting of the finance and personnel committees, CPA board member and finance committee chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds said that CPA executive assistant/project manager Wendi L. Prater has asked for the board’s permit to allow a change order in the runway lighting project.

The change order, according to Prater, is due to changes made by Federal Aviation Administration, including additional hand holes and wiring, relocation of the transformer outside the runway object-free area and relocation of the precision approach path indicator lighting transformer.

Prater also cited the need to build a concrete pad for PAPI, relocation of the runway end identifier lights transformer and a deduction from the contract for radios that were removed from scope.

King-Hinds said Prater disclosed that the original cost was for $123,937 but was negotiated down to the final amount of $59,751.

There is a 127-calendar day time extension associated with the change order. The extension will change the completion date of the project from July 26 to Nov. 30, 2018.

Prater noted in the request that the equipment being installed will be turned over to FAA at the end of the project. That means that FAA will be responsible for maintenance and replacement.

Roman Tudela, CPA board member and personnel committee chair, said he does not see any reason to delay this change order.

Tudela pointed out that even CPA’s comptroller already approved the request.

CPA board member Barrie C. Toves said Prater stated that a request for supplemental funding has been submitted to CPA’s comptroller and will be brought before the board at the finance facilities committee meeting.

Toves said they should also approve the request for supplemental funding so there is no need for the finance committee to return.

With Toves’ suggestion, King-Hinds said her motion would be to approve the change order and the supplemental funding. No one opposed.

The other board members present at the joint committee hearing were former Saipan senators Pete P. Reyes and Thomas “Kiyu” P. Villagomez.