Speaker 7 (city staff) presented a proposed third amendment to the 2023 land lease with BlueLine Aviation LLC for airport property previously expanded from about 2.8 to 4.9 acres. The amendment aims to preserve public benefit while imposing clear milestones after construction stalled under earlier deadlines.

The amendment would require BlueLine to submit a City of Winter Haven building-division permit application for the permanent project no later than Jan. 15, 2026. If a permit is issued, construction must begin within 45 days; once construction begins, BlueLine must complete the project and obtain a certificate of occupancy within 18 months. If milestones are missed, the lease automatically terminates per the proposed terms.

Speaker 7 described the rent schedule in the amendment: BlueLine will begin monthly payments of $2,758.25 starting Sept. 15, 2025, continuing at that reduced rate until a certificate of occupancy or functional equivalent is issued. After issuance, monthly rent increases to $5,516.50 and will be adjusted annually by CPI. As a condition to approval, BlueLine must provide $8,274.75 in cleared funds representing rent for September, October and November 2025.

Commissioners asked about the city’s exposure if BlueLine failed to complete improvements. Speaker 5 and Speaker 7 said the amended lease requires performance and statutory bonds to allow the city to collect funds and complete improvements if the developer defaults; improvements would remain part of the real property. The amendment also extends the temporary land lease for BlueLine’s portables until the certificate of occupancy for the permanent project, but that temporary lease will expire on its current date (04/28/2026) or 60 days after a missed milestone, whichever is later.

No formal vote was recorded in this meeting; staff reported BlueLine had executed the amendments and presented them for the Commission’s consideration at the next meeting. The commission’s next step is consideration of the formal amendment ordinance or resolution at the subsequent meeting on the published agenda.