Submitted By: Matthew Grow
presenter
Presentation By: Matthew Grow
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Department: Aviation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Adopt Resolution 2025-25 to accept a Florida Department of Transportation grant to design and construct taxilane and apron rehabilitation at the Ocala International Airport in the amount of $706,829
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
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BACKGROUND:
This grant request supports the rehabilitation of the existing pavement serving the airport’s T-hangar campus. This area comprises eight buildings that accommodate 101 based aircraft, each generating monthly rental revenue for the airport through hangar leases. As a key source of ongoing operational income, the T-hangar campus is essential to the airport’s economic sustainability.
The pavement in this area is among the oldest on the airfield, with sections significantly deteriorated due to age, weather exposure, and continuous use. The asphalt is unraveling, creating loose debris that poses a foreign object debris (FOD) hazard to aircraft, tenants, and airport operations personnel. This compromises safety and increases maintenance demands and liability exposure for the airport.
Timely rehabilitation will restore structural integrity, improve surface conditions, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. It will also enhance the overall user experience for tenants, preserving occupancy rates and strengthening the airport's reputation as a safe, well-maintained general aviation facility.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has committed to funding 80 percent of the total project cost. FDOT’s participation is critical in making this rehabilitation financially feasible and underscores the shared responsibility in maintaining safe and efficient infrastructure for public-use airports.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
• The Airport Advisory Board has expressed its support for this project.
• McFarland Johnson, Inc. is the consultant responsible for the design work, operating under an existing general consulting agreement (AIR/220118), dated July 20, 2022.
• Staff is coordinating this project with the City Engineer.
• The intent is to use the City of Ocala’s Transportation Rehabilitation Improvement Program (TRIP) contract to perform the project.
• The project aligns with the Airport Master Plan.
• Airport staff will work closely with the T-Hangar tenants to ensure minimal disruptions.
• The corresponding Budget Resolution is also on this agenda.
FISCAL IMPACT:
An accompanying budget resolution is provided on this agenda.
FDOT Grant: $706,829 341-050-721-542-54-31010
LOCAL Match: $176,707 451-027-721-542-54-31010
TOTAL Project: $883,536
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
This Agreement has been reviewed and approved for compliance with the City’s procurement policies.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement has been reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with amendments
• Deny
• Table
RESOLUTION 2025-25
A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GRANT AGREEMENT (PTGA) #FM440780-1-94-01 BETWEEN THE CITY OF OCALA AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TAXILANE AND APRON REHABILIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $706,829
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded the City $706,829 in grant funding to support the rehabilitation of the T-hangar campus pavement at Ocala International Airport, which serves 101 based aircraft and generates critical rental revenue; and
WHEREAS, under this PTGA the City’s matching obligation is $176,707.
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 # FM440780-1-94-01.
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