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Council approves FAA-funded apron expansion design, hires engineer and extends tenant lease at airport
Summary
Council accepted an FAA grant to design a terminal apron expansion at Sebastian Municipal Airport, approved Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering for design services, and approved a one-year lease extension for tenant Connection Air LLC.
The Sebastian City Council approved a package of airport items including acceptance of an FAA grant for design of a terminal apron expansion, the selection of Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering to perform design and grant-application services, and a one-year lease extension for Connection Air LLC to continue office operations in the terminal building.
Airport staff explained the terminal apron currently supports six aircraft parking spaces and that growth in based and transient traffic — including a flight school and larger hangars — has created demand for more ramp spaces. The FAA grant will fund the design phase to expand the apron area; staff said the design would roughly double parking capacity from six to 12 spaces and avoid moving the existing fuel pump by reconfiguring pavement and access. The council approved Resolution R-25-19 to accept the FAA grant and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement.
Council then approved CSA 15 to Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering to perform the detailed design, survey, geotechnical testing and to assist with a future FAA construction grant. Staff said the increased FAA funding share reduced the city’s expected local share to roughly 2.5 percent, or about $5,121 for the design phase. The consultant selection passed on roll call.
The council also approved a lease extension for Connection Air LLC, a local charter operator that rents terminal office space and has signed a ground lease to build larger hangars on the airport. Staff said the tenant rents terminal office space for customer-facing operations and separately pays rent for shade hangar spaces. Council discussed whether landing or parking fees apply; staff explained the airport presently does not charge landing fees for tenants but does collect parking fees for transient aircraft through the fixed-base operator under its privileges.
Council members voted unanimously to approve the grant acceptance, consultant contract and lease extension. Staff said the apron design will include drainage improvements, light-pole relocation, and security-camera adjustments and will return with detailed plans and construction grant applications.
