AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Meeting Date:           February 11, 2008

From:                          Charlie Weller, Airport Manager

Subject:                      Resolution authorizing a mitigation credit purchase from the Wekiva River Mitigation Bank, LLC for the Runway 13/31 extension project

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval of the agreement with Wekiva River Mitigation Bank, LLC.

Analysis:

The Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan calls for the extension of Runway 13 by 300 feet with a 600 foot compacted sod safety overrun area with associated taxiway A.  The Airport Master Plan also calls for a 1,000 foot extension on Runway 31 end with a 1,000 foot extension of taxiway  “A”.  An Environmental Assessment was completed and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration with a finding of no significant impact.

Phase I of the project (300’ extension at the end of R-13, extension of Taxiway “A”, a run up area, and 600 feet of over run safety area) has been put out for bid. The entire project cost is now estimated to be $3,767,093.80.  This estimate is higher than previous figures due to two factors.  The per credit price of the mitigation credits purchased with this agreement is higher than the previous purchases.  Also, the amount of muck that must be removed from the site cannot be determined until construction actually begins.  This estimate includes a worst-case scenario for muck removal costs.  The project cost breakdown is as follows:

Federal Aviation Administration   (95%)        $3,578,739.10

FDOT (2.5%)                                                 $     94,177.35

City (2.5%)                                                      $     94,177.35

There are 7.4 acres of wetlands impacts and 4.0 acres of secondary impacts at the west end of R-13 that will require mitigation by St. Johns River Water Management District.  SJRWMD, the City, and Hanson Professional Services now have an agreement regarding the mitigation ratio. The City has already purchased 9.79 credits from the Lake Louisa Mitigation bank. This request is to purchase an additional 1.16 credits from the Wekiva River Mitigation Bank. The purchase of these additional credits will fulfill mitigation requirements by SJRWMD for a total of 10.95 credits.  

The attached agreement requires the City to place a non-refundable deposit of 10% or $13,340.00 towards 1.16 mitigation credits from the Wekiva River Mitigation Bank. The price per mitigation credit is $115,000.00 for a total of $133,400.00. The cost breakdown will be as follows:

FAA (95%)                  $126,730.00

FDOT (2.5%)             $    3,335.00

City (2.5%)                  $    3,335.00

Options:

1.  Approve the purchase agreement with Wekiva River Mitigation Bank, LLC

2.  Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate

Fiscal Impact: 

The total cost for the purchase agreement is $133,400.00.  Funds for this project are included in the Airport budget as part of the Capital Improvement Plan.  The FAA has advised that this mitigation purchase can be made using the grant funds that were made available in the Grant Agreement approved by the Commission on August 13, 2007.

Submission Date and Time:    2/7/2008 2:27 PM____

Department: ____Airport____________ Prepared by:  ____Charlie Weller_______                      Attachments:       Yes __X__   No _____ Advertised:   ____Not Required ___X_ Dates:   __________________________                      Attorney Review :       Yes___  No ____ _________________________________            Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________ Finance  Dept. __________________                                    Deputy C.M. ___________________                                          Submitted by: City Manager ___________________

Account No. _031-1821-542-6310___ Project No. ___310018___________ WF No. ______301479/4_________ Budget  _______$4,029,082_____ Available             $4,029,082____

RESOLUTION NO._______________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE WEKIVA RIVER MITIGATION BANK, LLC FOR WETLAND MITIGATION RELATED TO THE RUNWAY 13/31 EXTENSION PROJECT AT LEESBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

            THAT the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute an agreement with Wekiva River Mitigation Bank, LLC whose address is Post Office Box 540285, Orlando, Florida 32854, for purchase of mitigation credits related to the runway 13/31 extension project at Leesburg International Airport.

 THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the __11th___ day of __February_______ 2008.

                                                                            __________________________

                                                                             Mayor

ATTEST:

__________________________

City Clerk