PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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UPDATE ON MARTIN COUNTY AIRPORT/WITHAM FIELD’S DIVERSIFICATION AND AERONAUTICAL USE
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This agenda item concerns an update on the diversification and aeronautical use of Martin County Airport/Witham Field.
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DEPARTMENT: Airport
PREPARED BY: Name: Sam Carver
Title: Airport Manager
REQUESTED BY: Board of County Commissioners
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
This agenda item concerns an update on the future diversification and aeronautical use of Martin County Airport/Witham Field (the “Airport”) that was requested by Commissioner Hetherington at a Board of County Commissioner’s meeting in March of 2022.
1. Ross Aviation (the former Stuart Jet Center premises). In August of 2021, Ross Aviation acquired Stuart Jet Center, and subsequently, Atlantic Aviation has entered into merger negotiations with Ross Aviation. The merger would not change the name of the Lessee on the Lease, which will remain Ross Aviation. The merger is not yet consummated but should be prior to the end of 2022. The boundaries of the premises are unchanged.
2. APP Properties, Inc. (the former Atlantic Aviation premises). Contemporaneously with Atlantic Aviation’s merger with Ross Aviation, APP Properties, Inc., doing business as APP Jet Center (“APP”), purchased Atlantic Aviation’s leasehold interest, such that Atlantic Aviation is assigning its interest to APP, making APP the new Lessee. Staff vetted APP and recommended the County Administrator approve the assignment as required by the Lease. County Administrator approved the assignment on April 8, 2022. The boundaries of the premises are unchanged.
3. New Federal Aviation Administration funding. In March of 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) notified the Airport that an additional $3.8 Million would be made available to the Airport as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (“BIL”). The BIL funds must be used in accordance with FAA Airport Improvement Program grants and all FAA Grant Assurances. If the Board approves this acceptance of the FAA’s BIL grant, the grants would be awarded annually over five years, with each grant totaling approximately $760,000 per year. The Airport would be required to match the annual grants in the amount of ten percent of each grant or about $76,000 per year from the Airport’s enterprise fund. No matching funds would be required from the County’s general fund.
The FAA requested Airport Administration ask the Board to consider whether the Board would authorize the Airport to acquire land currently used by the County’s Parks and Recreation Department in order to return the Runway 30 Safety Area back to FAA Standards. Doing so would significantly reduce maintenance costs, as much as 50%, by eliminating the need for the Engineered Material Arresting System blocks (“EMAS”) at the end of Runway 30 and replacing it with an open field, which would require minimal maintenance compared with EMAS. The Airport would also relocate the existing golf cart path.
The additional property would not increase Airport traffic or change the types of aircraft allowed at the Airport.
Accordingly, Airport Administration is seeking direction from the Board on how to proceed. Airport Administration has included illustrations within the attachments to illustrate this request.
4. Future Aeronautical Use. Airport Administration has identified three separate areas at the Airport for potential aeronautical use. These three areas are depicted on the attached maps, graphics, and tables. Each location presents specific constraints that are associated with their location at the Airport.
Airport Administration is prepared to speak regarding the process and procedure for conducting a Request or Requests for Proposal for Aeronautical Property. Airport Administration seeks the Board’s direction as to how to proceed.
ISSUES:
What direction to provide Airport Administration as to the new FAA funding and the future aeronautical use of the three areas depicted on the attachments to this item.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board direct staff with Option 1, Option 2, Addendum A, or provide further direction.
Staff recommends the Board provide Airport Administration on how to proceed with available properties at Martin County Airport.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
Upon the Board’s direction to accept the FAA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants, County will be required to match ten percent of each grant.
Funding Source |
County Funds |
Non-County Funds |
Airport Enterprise Fund / FAA (BIL) Grants |
380,000 |
3,420,000 |
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|
|
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
Project Total |
3,800,000 |
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.