TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Mukesh (Mookie) Patel
SUBJECT: General Authorization for
Airport Grants
DATE: July 20, 2026
Approved
Date:
7/28/26
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to:
(a) Apply for, negotiate, and execute any documents, and take other actions necessary to receive funds from federal, state, regional, industry, or other local agencies in the form of grants and other transaction agreements to fund projects at the San José Mineta International Airport; and
(b) Negotiate and execute all funding documents, including agreements, amendments, and requests for payment, necessary to accept and secure grant funds.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
Approval of this recommendation will enhance the City’s administrative capacity to pursue external funding sources, allowing for more proactive grant and other external funding application efforts and faster implementation of projects. This authorization will provide the flexibility needed to respond to emerging funding opportunities while maintaining appropriate oversight through the existing municipal code framework governing the City Manager's spending authority. Leveraging available external funding opportunities will maximize non-Airport revenue sources that support safety, security, infrastructure, operational efficiency, sustainability, resiliency, and customer experience improvements.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 8/11/26
FILE: 26-817
ITEM: 2.8
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 20, 2026
Subject: General Authorization for Airport Grants
BACKGROUND
San José Mineta International Airport (Airport) is a medium-hub commercial service airport and a critical component of Silicon Valley’s transportation infrastructure. The Airport provides domestic and international passenger service, air cargo operations, and general aviation services, supporting regional mobility, economic development, tourism, and emergency response activities when needed.
The Airport is operated as an enterprise fund and is primarily supported by Airport- generated revenues, including airline fees and charges, concessions, parking, rental car customer facility charges, and other aviation-related revenues. Airport revenues are used to support the operation, maintenance, and capital improvement of Airport facilities. As a self-sustaining enterprise, the Airport continually seeks opportunities to leverage external funding sources to supplement Airport revenues, reduce the financial burden of capital and operational investments, and advance projects that support airfield improvements, terminal development, safety, security, sustainability, resiliency, technology, and other operational initiatives.
Airport funding opportunities include grants as well as other financial assistance programs, such as the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Program, and the Transportation Security Administration Other Transaction Agreements for programs such as the Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program and the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. Many of these programs have short application and award timelines. Standing authority for the City Manager or her designee to apply for and execute funding documents will enable the Airport to respond more efficiently to available funding opportunities.
ANALYSIS
Grants and other funding agreements provide significant financial resources that support the Airport's capital improvement program, operational initiatives, and strategic priorities while reducing reliance on Airport-generated revenues. These funding opportunities enable the Airport to advance investments in airfield improvements, terminal development, safety and security enhancements, sustainability and resiliency initiatives, technology modernization, and other operational improvements that benefit passengers, airlines, and the surrounding community.
Staff recommends City Council adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee, including the Director of Aviation, to apply for, negotiate, execute, and administer grants and other funding agreements from federal, state, regional, industry, or other funding entities. The proposed resolution would streamline the Airport's ability to pursue and secure external funding opportunities by allowing timely responses to competitive funding announcements and agency deadlines while ensuring efficient
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 20, 2026
Subject: General Authorization for Airport Grants
administration of awarded funding agreements. The Airport Department shall bring forward to the City Council any budgetary actions, appropriations, local matching fund commitments, or other actions requiring City Council approval.
This authorization will support both current and future funding opportunities, including programs administered by the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies. This authorization will also position the Airport to pursue additional funding opportunities from agencies such as the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency for projects that advance energy efficiency, alternative fuels, emissions reductions, resiliency, and other sustainability initiatives.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
No additional follow-up action with the City Council is expected at this time. The Airport Department shall bring forward to the City Council any budgetary actions, appropriations, local matching fund commitments, or other actions requiring City Council approval.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City Council Agenda website for the August 11, 2026 City Council meeting.
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No board, commission, or committee recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-006, Grant Application with no commitment or obligation to enter into an agreement at the time of application.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 20, 2026
Subject: General Authorization for Airport Grants
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
Mukesh (Mookie) Patel
Director of Aviation, Airport Department
For questions, please contact Matthew Kazmierczak, Division Manager, Airport Department, at [email protected], or (408) 392-3640.