Report Prepared by: Rhett Williams, Airport Manager, Merced Yosemite Regional Airport
Title
SUBJECT: Airport Manager Report
Report in Brief
Summary of key tasks completed by the Merced Airport staff.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only-no action required.
Body
DISCUSSION
Airport Terminal Replacement Project
Airport staff, City Engineering, and the Airport design consultants, Mead & Hunt, are focusing on closing out CARES Act Airport Grant 3-06-0152-030-2023. The Grant was officially closed out on November 6th, 2025, with a Grant close out letter confirmation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Airport Manager, Rhett Williams along with Economic Development Associate, Karen Baker had a meeting with the FAA at the San Francisco Airport District Office (ADO) in person for the yearly Airport Improvement Capital Plan (AICP) meeting for the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (KMCE). Airport staff updated the ACIP FY26-30 to be reviewed by the FAA with the hope of aligning with the Federal priorities of the FAA for Airport Projects. The ACIP was submitted for review with the FAA for KMCE FY26-30.
Airport Staff is working with the Engineering Department, Diede Construction and Mead & Hunt on a punch list for the construction project. Terminal Floors were resurfaced in all public space per request of Airport Staff. Airport Apron concrete valley gutter was replaced to meet the FAA Engineering specifications. After completion, a Q & A Survey was conducted by BSK and Ace Surveying consultants to ensure that the materials and engineering met the requirements for FAA P501 specifications.
Airport Improvement Projects
Phase Three of the FAA Radio Tower Project will be adding new navigational and communication radios for the airport: Projected completion date-Spring 2026. This project is funded by the FAA.
The FAA Remote Transmitter/Receiver Project will be switching power from PG&E to MID. Currently, the FAA radios are housed in the existing terminal building.
Essential Air Service DOT
By the attached order, the U.S. Department of Transportation (the Department) extends the Essential Air Service (EAS) obligation of Advanced Air, LLC (Advanced Air) at Merced, California, from January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, or until the conclusion of the air carrier selection case initiated by Order 2025-6-5, issued on May 10, 2025, whichever occurs earlier.
ATTACHEMENT
1. MCE CARES Act Closeout Letter
2. Merced Yosemite Regional Airport December 2025
3. Merced Order 2026-1-6