MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, March 21, 2024
12:00 p.m.
CIAA Board Room/ 3650 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Avenue/Lake Charles, LA 70615
ATTENDANCE
Commissioners Present:
Mr. Bill Hankins, President
Mr. Charles K. Dalgleish, Vice President
Mrs. Tuwanna Guillory-August, Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Andrew D. Hankins, Commissioner
Mr. Tad Martin, Commissioner
Mrs. Denise Rau, Commissioner
Commissioners Absent:
Mr. Nora Popillion, Commissioner
Others Present:
Mr. Bob Kleinschmidt, Legal Counsel
Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
Mr. Gerald Theunissen, Consultant
Ms. Loretta Hanks, Director of Finance
Ms. Andrea LaFleur, Director of Executive & Airport Affairs
Mr. John McMullen, Director of Facilities & Maintenance
Mr. Mitch O’Neal, Director of Operations
Mrs. Desiree K. Daigle, Admin. Specialist/Recording Secretary
Mr. Brett Downer, O’Carroll Group
Mr. Joe Torres, Million Air
Mr. Josh Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Tony Guillory, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
Ms. Stacy Dowden, City of Lake Charles
Mr. Mark McElveen, CIAA T-Hangar Tenant
Mr. Steve Shows, VSG Architects
CALL TO ORDER
President B. Hankins called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was called and a quorum was established as indicated above.
PROPOSED AGENDA
President B. Hankins requested additions, deletions, and amendments to the proposed agenda and Mr. Melton announced that there were none to report.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS
Mr. Melton reported that trash continues to be an issue along the interstate off-ramp and requested assistance from the city and parish. Mr. Melton reported on several military exercises, capitalizing on fire department training, and the possible opportunity for additional military operations. Mr. Melton reported that the last of the hurricane project is ongoing.
Mr. Theunissen reported that he and Mr. Melton met with the Joint Transportation Committee. The Airport Priority Program was discussed and Mr. Melton’s presentation was very well received.
Mr. David Whitaker gave an updated summary pertaining to Air Cargo opportunities.
Mr. Brett Downer gave a brief summary of the public relations ongoing efforts.
RATIFY PURCHASE OF PROPERTY INSURANCE
Mr. Melton stated that the purchase of the property insurance exceeded the amount approved at the February 15, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners by $30,660.00. Therefore, asking to ratify the additional cost to get $65,000,000.00 wind coverage. PRESIDENT B. HANKINS ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT THERE IS NO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MRS. RAU, SECONDED BY MR. DALGLEISH AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO RATIFY THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY INSURANCE.
LAND SWAP ACRE FOR ACRE WITH THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES
Mr. Melton stated that the City of Lake Charles is requesting a land swap to relocate the Public Works Facility to Chennault’s Site 10. Mr. Melton stated that this swap will be acre for acre (green space for green space). PRESIDENT B. HANKINS ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THERE IS NO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. A. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE SWAPPING LAND ACRE FOR ACRE WITH THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES.
ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE PAULEY CORPORATION
Mr. Melton stated that the purpose of the appraisal is to ensure our lease rates are within the fair market range. Mr. Melton stated this will also ensure our grant assurances. After discussion, it was agreed to table the motion until the April 2024 Regular Meeting and Mr. Melton will focus on a smaller footprint of currently leased spaces to determine the appraisal results. PRESIDENT B. HANKINS ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT THERE IS NO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. DALGLEISH, SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO TABLE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE PAULEY CORPORATION (PETE PAULEY) TO APPRAISE AIRPORT PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS UNTIL THE APRIL 2024 REGULAR MEETING.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
PRESIDENT B. HANKINS ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THERE IS NO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MARTIN, SECONDED BY MR. DALGLEISH, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS STRATEGIC PLANNING. The commissioners began the Executive Session at 1:01 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
PRESIDENT B. HANKINS ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THERE IS NO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MRS. RAU, SECONDED BY MR. DALGLEISH, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR SESSION. The Regular Session was reconvened at 1:41 p.m. with no action taken during the Executive Session.
MINUTE APPROVAL
PRESIDENT B. HANKINS ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THERE IS NO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MARTIN, SECONDED BY MR. DALGLEISH AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 15, 2024 REGULAR MEETING.