KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The new terminal at KCI is inching closer to a groundbreaking after passing two hurdles in the process on Thursday.
Aviation Director Pat Klein, reading a text from an FAA official, broke the news to the airport committee that the environmental assessment would be signed within hours. Approval of the EA was needed to begin demolition and to complete the design for the terminal.
"This is a big deal," reacted Airport Committee Chair Jolie Justus, noting the government shutdown was a major obstacle to overcome.
The news was overshadowed by discussion surrounding the development agreement and the updated term sheet the airlines are expected to sign by next Wednesday. The biggest change to the term sheet concerns who is on the hook if bonds are never issued.
"It's kind of like the doomsday scenario here, and the airlines have said yes, we will pay for the short-term debt," said Dave Long of the KCAD.
Despite the fact the airlines have not signed the term sheet, council members voted it and the development agreement out of committee Thursday.
"Until I see the signatures on the dotted line I will not vote for this," said Councilwoman Teresa Loar, who was the one dissenting vote.
Justus told committee members that council will not vote on the agreements until the airlines have signed on. Loar is skeptical the term sheet alone obligates airlines to pay for the terminal, despite assurances from the aviation department and legal team.
The term sheet is one aspect of the more comprehensive use and lease agreement, which isn't expected back until May 30.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner, who attended the airport committee meeting, was surprised and frustrated the vote happened while several financing ordinances were tabled for next week.
"That financial discussion got pushed aside in favor of just passing something, and that to me is not the way to do good government," Wagner said.
One of the items held was Wagner's resolution to introduce equity to the project for the purpose of funding work until bond revenue comes in. Wagner maintains an equity infusion could also lower the annual debt payment to $94 million instead of the current $115 to $117 million.
How to fund work in the short-term, including paying Edgemoor $23 million, has been a major source of debate in City Hall. Initial suggestions for interfund borrowing were shot down, and concerns have also been raised about borrowing from an outside lender.
According to Justus, next week the finance department will present a plan to avoid any short-term borrowing. Instead, Edgemoor would be paid through airport revenue, and other costs would be folded into the long-term financing deal.
"We want to make sure we're doing the best interest of the council and the public, so eliminating the short-term borrowing would be, I think, a better step forward," Justus said.
