City reports $1.5 million state appropriation for spaceport license; airport projects await FAA approval

City staff told the council that the state budget includes a $1,500,000 direct appropriation toward the city's spaceport license and provided updates on several transportation and airport projects.

In the city manager's report, staff said bids for a bus stop and shelter enhancements project (FTA-funded) are due July 15 and that proposals for a solar-powered e-bike charging station are due on the 10th. A separate Federal Transit Administration-funded shared-use path on State Route 92 is scheduled to begin on the 10th and will take about six months to complete, staff said.

The municipal airport apron and taxiway rehabilitation project is awaiting Federal Aviation Administration approval, staff added. The airport master plan's fourth and final PAC meeting occurred recently and a public information workshop was held in the council chambers; staff pointed people to sierravista.airportstudy.net for draft chapters and materials.

On the budget front, staff said general sales tax collections through April were "basically flat" compared with the prior year and cited a $48,000 (0.21 percent) decline overall, with construction receipts down and restaurant receipts trending up.

"On better news, the 1,500,000.0 in the state budget for our spaceport license, will be a direct appropriation," staff said.

Other project updates included completion of the Lynn Roberts Park pathway and MLK reconstruction projects, work on Montebello fire-hydrant improvements expected to finish next month, and the Garden Avenue streetscape scheduled for December.

The airport master plan process included public outreach and a draft recommended development concept and capital improvements list; staff said materials are available online for public review.

No formal votes were taken during the work session on these items; the FAA approval and state appropriation are external processes that will determine timing and implementation.