Airport Authority Meeting (2025-02-17)

ZEPHYRHILLS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING February 17th, 2025 A Regular Airport Advisory Board meeting was held on February 17th, 2025 in the City of Zephyrhills Council Chambers. Erik Meredith called the meeting to order. The members present were Erik Meredith, Matthew Laseter, Robert Page, Buzz Hohmann, David Inman and Mike Ward. Bill CastleDavid was absent. City Staff: Nathan Coleman and Lucy Huber 1. APPROVAL/CORRECTION OF MINUTES Minutes from the meeting held November 18th, 2024. Nathan Coleman noted that bullet point #3, under Airport Managers Report, said the 50/50 grant for the New FBO project is with the FAA, but it should be the FDOT. Matt Laseter moved to approve the noted correction, Robert Page seconded, and the motion passed. 2. NEW BUSINESS 1. Erik Meredith welcomed the new airport board member, Mike Ward. Mr. Ward spent a few moments sharing a bit about himself and said that he is looking forward to serving on the Airport Board. 3. AIRPORT MANAGERS’ REPORT 3.1 Taxiway E and Apron Rehab. ON HOLD. Mr. Coleman is seeking additional funding from the FAA to begin Taxi Lane E and the pavement rehab between some of the hangars, including the shade hangar. This portion of the project is in the design phase, but some of the funding is being held up by the FAA due to the Sky Dive City lease negotiations. 3.2 Runway 1-19 reconstruction project. The airport has received 4.2 million to begin construction. This project has gone out for the bidding process and construction is estimated to begin sometime between May and July 2025. 3.3 Taxiway Fox Trot and Box hangars. These two projects have gone through the design process. The box hangars have not gone out for construction bids yet, but Taxiway F went out for bid along with the Runway 1-19 rehab bid. 3.4 New FBO Terminal. City Manager, Billy Poe, will be heading to Tallahassee for a legislative request to try to procure State Appropriations (100 % funding) for this project. The cost of the new terminal is estimated to be between 5 and 6 million dollars. If the state funding does not get approved, then the project is already listed in the current JACIP (Joint Automated Capital Improvement Program) with the FDOT. This would be a 50/50 grant, meaning the airport would be responsible for 50% of the cost. This would push the project out to 2028 – 2030 and the airport would have to come up with approximately 2.5 to 3 million dollars to move forward with this project. We are hoping to successfully procure the State Appropriations. 3.5 Hurricane Milton repairs have been completed. Office buildings have been repainted and there are new roofs scheduled to be completed on the FBO, Operations building, Pilots lounge and Hangar 200.

4. AIRPORT BOARD MEMBERS’ COMMENTS 1. Mr. Matt Laseter asked for an update regarding the Sky Dive City lease negotiations. Mr. Coleman said he had recently submitted a “corrective action” plan to the City Manager and Attorney. They have looked it over, it was finalized and sent back to the FAA and to Sky Dive City. We are now just waiting for a response and hoping for a positive response so they will release the funding for the Taxiway E and apron rehab project that was mentioned earlier in the meeting. 2. Mr. Robert Page asked about the additional hangars. They are to two of them at 6000 square feet each, large enough to house a King Air or small citation jet. 3. Mr. Erik Meredith asked about Hangar 200. The airport uses this hangar to store the airport tractors and equipment. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS - Mr. Chad Linville of 37037 SR 54, Zephyrhills – 33542 addressed the board. Mr. Linville inquired about FDOT’s 5 Year Work Program and specifically 2 future projects that are listed there. a. The 6th Avenue realignment project slated for 2026 - $2 million dollars. b. The Master Plan Update slated for 2027, $362,000.00. Mr. Coleman explained that while there are many projects programed in the JACIP (Joint Automated Capital Improvement Program) they are more like placeholders and are not actually funded unless or until the airport needs or wants them. The 6th Ave. realignment project is most likely going to be pushed out into the future or taken out of the JACIP altogether for now, and the Master Plan update will not move forward until the Sky Dive city lease negotiations are complete and the FAA releases our future funding. Once that issue is taken care of then discussions can begin with the Airport Board and other entities as to how the Airport wants to be categorized. There are many factors involved in recategorizing the airport and to do so would have to be a cohesive plan requiring the input of business owners, land developers, the community and many other voices. If, in the future, it is decided to move forward to do that, then the 6th Ave. realignment project will have to be revisited. Currently both items are on hold. Mr. Coleman explained in more detail the way the airport projects are placed into the JACIP. 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 6.1 – Reviewed fuel sales – no action required. 7. MEETING ADJOURNED Board Meeting was adjourned at 4:27 p.m.

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