City briefed on Airport Commerce Park construction grant and ongoing safety coordination with Blue Line Aviation

City staff presented background and next steps for the Airport Commerce Park Phase 1 construction piece and provided an update on airport operations and safety coordination.

Grant and project scope: The commission was told the FDOT construction portion of a previously approved grant requires a new FDOT agreement following a split between design and construction. The entire project was estimated at $840,000 with a 50/50 funding split; staff identified $420,000 in city cash carryforward and $420,000 from FDOT for the construction portion. Blue Line Aviation met an initial lease milestone and has applied for permits; once permits are issued, the lease and the agreement require the lessee to commence work within 45 days.

Safety and communications: Commissioners raised constituent concerns about ground‑to‑air communications and student‑pilot interactions. Airport staff reported coordinated mitigation steps: working closely with Blue Line Aviation operations, revising common radio phraseology for clarity, monitoring occurrence reports and forming a formal safety committee (an ordinance to formalize the committee is expected). Staff said a letter will be sent to Congressman Franklin and that the FAA is expected to provide a letter of agreement in February outlining a path for a dedicated radio frequency and remote tower operations.

Advanced air mobility/SunTrax: Staff noted Winter Haven's proximity to SunTrax testing and the need to coordinate with DOT and the FAA because additional advanced air mobility activity will increase airspace congestion and strengthen the case for a dedicated frequency.

Next steps include finalizing the FDOT construction agreement, executing city authorities for contract signatures and returning to the commission with ordinance language to formalize the airport safety committee.