Council accepts state airport grant amendment, selects engineer for taxiway project

The Sebastian City Council on May 28 approved an amendment to a previously accepted state public transportation grant and selected Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering to provide construction‑phase services on the Taxiway Golf project at the Sebastian Municipal Airport.

City staff said the state split the project funding over two fiscal years; the early amendment confirms the grant will be available when the state fiscal year begins in July. Staff said the two grant elements together reach the total funding needed to start the taxiway project. At the meeting staff noted acceptance of the amendment authorizes the city to accept the grant but does not itself authorize construction spending or contract awards — those actions will come later.

The staff presentation included a map showing the work concentrated in the airport’s northern portion, with the taxiway highlighted in blue and an apron in yellow. Staff noted the combined grant and city matching will fund the taxiway and apron work and allow the city to begin the bid process in July.

Council also approved selecting Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering — one of three engineering firms the city retains for airport projects — to continue from design into construction services because the firm already performed the design work and is familiar with the project details.

On the grant staff referenced an “expected expenditure required” number in the grant paperwork; at the meeting a council member clarified that number ($9,987,000 as shown in staff comments) reflects the overall project budget but the council’s vote at the meeting authorized acceptance of the grant only, not immediate expenditure of city funds.

Council approved the grant amendment and the engineering selection by roll call vote with all members present voting yes.