Hillsborough County Aviation Authority

The Board reviewed management reports detailing passenger traffic trends, airport operational updates, and the successful completion of an FAA certification inspection. Key actions included the approval of several space rental agreements with Dade GSE and American Airlines, a license agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for canal repair work, and the purchase of diesel buses. The Board also authorized purchase orders for baggage system parts, awarded a lease and concession contract for advertising services, and approved supplemental contracts for audiovisual technology solutions. Additionally, the Board renewed the property insurance program and selected a design professional for the taxiway relocation project. The meeting concluded with an attorney-client closed session.

The board meeting addressed various administrative, financial, and operational items. Key actions included the approval of purchase orders for airfield maintenance equipment, electric vehicle support services, and facility security systems. The board authorized the expenditure of federal forfeiture funds for police department community outreach and approved a new off-airport rental car concession agreement. Salary range amendments for fiscal year 2026 were finalized following a compensation study. Furthermore, the board awarded contracts for the ticket level expansion and design-build services, continuing general consulting services, wildlife hazard remediation and north employee parking lot expansion, and a campus-wide paging system upgrade. Finally, the board approved an increase in authorization for GIS professional services and entered into new supplemental contracts for information technology research and advisory services.

The proceedings began with the Board of Adjustment Public Hearing, where variances were granted for two construction projects near Peter O. Knight Airport: the 29-story, 362-unit mixed-use tower known as The Parkview, and a high-rise condo building. During the Regular Board Meeting, the agenda was approved, and the Minutes of the June 1, 2023 meeting were approved. Key items in the Management Report included performance data showing nearly 2 million passengers served in June, a high customer satisfaction rating from Travel and Leisure magazine, and the successful annual TSA Security Inspection resulting in zero findings. The Consent Agenda approved several items, including a Purchase Order for a slope mower, Amendment No. 1 to the Emergency Generators Maintenance Contract extending its term and increasing Year 6 costs, approvals for Space Rental Agreements with Fox Rent A Car and Sixt Rent A Car, and new Use and Permit Agreements for several Off-Airport Rental Car Concessions and Transportation Network Companies (Lyft and Uber). Policy updates included revisions to Policy P410 (Procurement) and Policy P512 (Procurement Protests) to align procurement thresholds with new Florida Statute requirements. Unfinished Business included the approval of a Supplemental Contract A for Design-Build Services for the Airsides A and E Security Screening Checkpoint Expansion, the award of a Part 1 Contract for Design-Build Services for the Airside D Development Program and Westside Checked Baggage Screening System Relocation, and the award of a Part 2 Contract for the Bag Claim Level Ceiling, Carpet, and LED Signage Replacement. New Business featured the distribution of the Proposed Capital and Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (to be approved in September), the award of a negotiated Construction Contract for Taxiways and Roadway Rehabilitation at Tampa Executive Airport, the award of a negotiated Construction Contract for Airfield Drainage Rehabilitation, and the authorization for a Service Level Agreement for Security Guard Services. Additionally, firms were qualified for Promotional Products, and a new Microsoft Software and Services Agreement was authorized. A new Labor Agreement with the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association covering officers and related staff was approved. The Board entered and exited an Attorney-Client Closed Session to discuss active litigation. Finally, the CEO Annual Review resulted in a unanimous decision to grant a 10% base pay increase and a $250,000 bonus.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The Management Report included recognition of a staff member's award, an assessment of year-end passenger traffic showing an all-time high of 24.8 million, and updates on route changes, including new service to Punta Cana and the return of service to Nassau. Operational highlights covered a major winter storm's impact and successful holiday initiatives, such as a 'fantasy flight' for children and a record-breaking Toys for Tots campaign. Financial performance for the first quarter of FY2026 showed revenue slightly below budget due to lower passenger volumes. A significant milestone was reached with the Airside D project achieving 100% design completion, with a guaranteed maximum price of $1.52 billion. The Consent Agenda included approvals for an operating agreement for ground handlers (Dade GSE, Inc.), a ground lease agreement for hangar construction at Peter O. Knight Airport (Equinoxx AVCenter TPF, LLC), the purchase of wetland mitigation credits (Alafia River Wetland Mitigation Bank, Inc.), ratification of an emergency purchase order for airfield system repairs at Peter O. Knight Airport following hurricane damage, approval of a roof rehabilitation contract at TPA (Atlas Apex Roofing, LLC), a sole-source maintenance contract for Baggage Handling System support (Rexel USA, Inc.), authorization for water softener salt purchases (Ashberry Acquisition Company), a sole-source agreement for airfare data services (LNRS Data Services, Inc.), and the award of contracts for Bond Counsel (Holland & Knight LLP) and Bond Disclosure Counsel services (GrayRobinson, P.A.). The Board also authorized the expenditure of Federal Forfeiture Funds for police department training and approved an extension for purchasing card services with Bank of America, N.A. Under Policies for Consideration, revisions were unanimously approved for Policy P602 (Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, and Bullying) and Policy P604 (Bargaining Units). Under Unfinished Business, the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to the Fiscal Year 2023 Operating and Capital Budget, increasing the budget substantially due to increased Airside D costs, and approved Part 2 Supplemental Contract C for Design-Build Services for the Airside D Development Program and Centralized Checked Baggage System with Hensel Phelps Construction Co. New Business included the CEO's recommendation to rank firms for the Ticket Level Expansion & Optimization project, and the ranking of consultants for Continuing General Consulting Services. Finally, the Board authorized a Supplemental Contract for Telecommunications Infrastructure Project Services with Communication Installation and Service Company, Inc. The meeting concluded with an Attorney-Client Closed Session.

The Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (SMGCS) Plan describes comprehensive enhancements, procedures, and actions for Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, air traffic control, air carriers, and other airport tenants to ensure safe and efficient aircraft and vehicle movements during low visibility conditions at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The plan focuses on specific protocols for facilities, equipment, aircraft rescue and firefighting services, vehicle control, and detailed air traffic control and air carrier procedures for both departures and arrivals. The overarching goal is to enhance safety and operational efficiency through coordinated efforts and clear communication among all stakeholders during low visibility operations.