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Council accepts FDOT grant for Albert Whitted electrical‑vault rehab and generator
Summary
City council approved a Florida Department of Transportation grant to help fund rehabilitation of the Albert Whitted Airport electrical vault and installation of an emergency generator to power airfield lighting; city share will be reduced to about $33,700 after FAA and FDOT funding, according to speakers.
The City Council voted to accept a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant that will help fund the construction phase of the Albert Whitted Airport electrical‑vault rehabilitation project.
Rich Lesniak, city staff, presented the ordinance authorizing execution of the Public Transportation Grant Agreement and attached assurances to receive up to $134,800 from FDOT for the construction phase of the Rehab Airfield Vault project. “This grant is for the construction phase of the rehab airfield vault project,” said Barbara Hedge, an active airline pilot and member of the Albert Whitted Airport Advisory Committee, during public comment. Hedge said the project will reduce the airport’s cost for the work and that users support the city accepting the grant.
City staff and speakers said the overall project cost exceeds $1.6 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) providing roughly 90% of the cost for the project’s design and construction phases; Lesniak and commenters said the city’s net contribution for this phase would be about $33,700 after FAA and FDOT participation.
The project will rehabilitate aging electrical switchgear that serves airfield lighting and add a diesel emergency generator so lighting remains available if utility power is lost. City staff said the equipment will be raised where needed for future resilience and to reduce flood risk for sensitive components.
Council member Richie Floyd asked for clarification about commitment to airport use and the effects of accepting grant funding; staff said acceptance of FAA or FDOT airport grants follows long-standing practice and does not, by itself, change previously established airport obligations beyond the grant’s standard terms. The council approved the ordinance by voice vote; the clerk announced the motion to approve passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Keeping airfield lighting and electrical systems resilient is a safety concern that enables airport operations. Grant acceptance reduces the city’s capital outlay for a facility that serves general aviation and community activities.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting record: Rich Lesniak (city staff), Barbara Hedge (Albert Whitted Airport Advisory Committee) and Council member Richie Floyd.
