Submitted By: Matthew Grow
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Baker
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Department: Aviation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Adopt Resolution 2025-15 approving Amendment #1 to Public Transportation Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation to include design of Taxiway C, C1, and C3
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2023, the City of Ocala (City) approved Resolution 2024-1, allocating a $324,017 Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant (FM#453812-1-94-01) for an environmental assessment of Taxiway C (TWY-C) at Ocala International Airport (OCF). Initially required for the development of a proposed multi-use aviation facility, the assessment was deemed unnecessary after the developer defaulted and the lease was terminated.
Recognizing TWY-C’s continued necessity to support the existing aircraft fleet mix at OCF, the City coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration and FDOT to reallocate the funds to the TWY-C design. The project is driven by regional population growth, the World Equestrian Center expansion, and increased base aircraft and operational activity in 2024 and 2025, highlighting the need for future capacity improvements.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
• The project aligns with the 2013 Ocala International Airport (OCF) Master Plan.
• The Airport Advisory Board supports the Taxiway C (TWY-C) project and associated development.
• The Environmental Assessment (EA) is no longer required; a shorter Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) process will be incorporated into the overall project design. Much of the work needed for the CATEX has already been completed during the work conducted to perform the EA.
• Staff will bring a separate task work to the City Council for Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering (ICE) to design the project using the remaining grant funds.
• Advancing directly to the design phase significantly accelerates the project timeline, potentially allowing construction to commence as early as 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
This Amendment has been reviewed by the Procurement and Contracting Officer in compliance with City policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Amendment will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with amendments
• Deny
• Table
RESOLUTION 2025-15
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GRANT AGREEMENT (PTGA) AMENDMENT NO. 1 #453812-1-94-01 BETWEEN THE CITY OF OCALA AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THAT AMENDS THE SCOPE OF THE GRANT TO INCLUDE DESIGN OF TAXIWAY-C, C1 AND C3.
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2023, the City of Ocala adopted resolution 2024-1 accepting a grant of $324,017 from the Florida Department of Transportation to conduct an Environmental Assessment for Taxiway-C; and
WHEREAS, the City’s matching obligation remains $81,005; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration agree that an Environmental Assessment is no longer needed, and the City can move directly into design of the taxiway; and
WHEREAS, Amendment No. 1 of PTGA 453812-1-94-01 amends the scope to include design of Taxiway-C, C1 and C3.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session duly assembled as follows: that the City Council President is hereby authorized to make, execute, and deliver to the State of Florida Department of Transportation the Public Transportation Grant Agreement #453812-1-94-01 Amendment No. 1.
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2025.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney