NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to be held by the Board of County Commissioners (the "Board") of Lee County, Florida (the "County") on September 5, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, in the Board Chambers located at the Lee County Port Authority, Airport Training & Conference Center, 15924 Air Cargo Lane, Fort Myers, Florida 33913, for the purpose of receiving comments and hearing discussion concerning the County's issuance of not to exceed $600,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Lee County, Florida Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2024 (AMT) (the "Bonds"), pursuant to Resolution No. 00-03-04, adopted by the Board on March 13, 2000, as amended and restated by a resolution adopted by the Board on September 5, 2024, as supplemented.
The Bonds will be issued to (A) finance the costs of certain capital improvements to the Southwest Florida International Airport (the "Airport"), including, expansion of the Airport's Main Terminal building, including construction of a new Concourse E and nine additional TSA security screening checkpoints, gate expansion and baggage handling system expansion (collectively, the "Project"); the Project will be constructed immediately west of, and connected to, the Main Terminal Expansion and will include 14 new gates and approximately 215,000 square feet over three levels (apron, departures, and mezzanine/mechanical) and includes 50 new airline ticket counter and bag drop stations, 40 airline check-in kiosk locations, a VIP lounge, administrative and support offices, restrooms and concessions; a new bag system that includes four new in-line automated explosive detection machines, four airline bag claim units, six airline bag make-up units, and connectivity to the existing bag system providing added capacity and redundancy; a new 90 foot wide Concourse E construction including concession areas, restrooms, passenger gate hold rooms, 14 passenger boarding bridges and operations support space; chiller replacement and expansion; airside improvements that include new taxiways, taxi lanes and aircraft parking apron capable of accommodating Group III and Group V aircraft, and an expanded aircraft hydrant fueling system; landside roadway and terminal curb modifications that include adding lanes infills on the upper departures level roadway, an expanded public pickup curb, converting the existing public curb into three commercial lanes and converting the existing commercial curb into five public lanes; with new automated security and access control systems; connectivity to the existing terminal at the main terminal lobby and existing Concourse D, and well as various vertical circulation elevators, escalators and stairs to satisfy life-safety and code requirements; (B) fund necessary deposits to the reserve account securing the Bonds; and (C) pay costs related to the issuance of the Bonds.
The Project will be located at the Airport, located at 11000 Terminal Access Road, Fort Myers, Florida 33913. The Project is part of and used in connection with the Airport operated by the Lee County Port Authority (the "Authority") and the Project is owned and operated by either the County or the Authority.
All interested persons are invited to attend said hearing and, either personally or through their representatives, to present oral or written comments and discussion concerning the proposed Project. Written comments may be submitted to the Lee County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 2469, Fort Myers, Florida 33902, Attention: Kevin C. Karnes. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the County at (239) 538-8782 at least five days (5) days in advance to request such accommodations. Any person deciding to appeal any decision made by the Authority or by the County after the hearing will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
The public hearing is required by Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Subsequent to the public hearing, the Board will consider whether to approve the issuance of the Bonds as required by Section 147(f) of the Code. Any person interested in the issuance of the Bonds or the location or nature of the Project may appear and be heard.
By order of the Lee County, Florida.