MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, May 16, 2024
4:00 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. Tad Martin, Commissioner
Mrs. Denise Rau, Commissioner
Mr. Nora Popillion, Commissioner
Commissioners Absent:
Mr. Andrew D. Hankins, Commissioner
Others Present:
Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
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 Lake Charles
Mr. Joshua Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services
Colonel Slaven, Army National Guard
Colonel Boudreaux, Army National Guard
Major Rodriguez, Army National Guard
Captain Mucci, Army National Guard
Captain Petroski, Army National Guard
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 the same; i.e. DELETE: Item #10 – Discuss and take appropriate action to authorize the Executive Director to negotiate and amend all leases in regards to subletting Leased Facilities. 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 APPROVE THE PROPOSED AGENDA AS AMENDED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS
Mr. Melton reported that Chennault is finalizing a lease with Citadel Completions, LLC for the New Air Cargo Facility. Mr. Melton reported that Chennault will again partner with the Army National Guard through the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program. Mr. Melton reported that the teams will clear out the majority of the trees on Site 1 in preparation for future CIAA development. Mr. Melton reported that he, CIAA Vice President, Mr. Charles Dalgleish, and CIAA Consultant, Mr. Gerald Theunissen attended the 2024 SWLA Day at the Capitol event to support the local Chamber and to meet legislators. Mr. Melton also reported that they attended the Aviation Day hosted by the Louisiana Airport Managers Association (LAMA). Mr. Melton reported that he will be meeting with senior staff at Barksdale Air Force Base to develop relationships and further discuss the B-52’s potentially using Chennault as an alternate base of operations as early as October 2024.
Colonel Slaven introduced himself and the members of his team. Colonel Slaven stated that three separate Innovative Readiness Teams (IRT) will start clearing and grubbing approximately 60 acres throughout the course of the summer.
Mr. David Whitaker gave an updated summary pertaining to Air Cargo opportunities.
Mr. Brett Downer gave a brief summary of the ongoing marketing campaign efforts targeting site selectors.
BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024
Mr. Melton stated that the amendment of the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 is due to Construction and Insurance Receipts as a result of hurricane related projects. Mr. Melton stated that the net result is an increase to the Fund Balance of $9,354,222.00. 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 AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE AMENDMENT OF THE BUDGET FOR THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 WITH THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
YEAS: BILL HANKINS
CHARLES K. DALGLEISH
TUWANNA GUILLORY-AUGUST
DENISE RAU
NORA POLILLION
TAD MARTIN
NAYS: NONE
ABSTAINING: NONE
ABSENT: ANDREW D. HANKINS
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES
Mr. Melton stated that Mr. Theunissen’s current contract expires June 30, 2024. Mr. Melton stated that he recommends renewing the contract at a monthly rate of $2,000.00 per month. 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 AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RENEW THE CONTRACT WITH GERALD THEUNISSEN FOR A ONE YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024 FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES.
HANGAR “A” ANNEX AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT (REBID)
Mr. Melton stated that the equipment is being replaced since it cannot be repaired. Mr. Melton stated due to the labor-intensive work to remove the equipment, the cost has exceeded the solicitation threshold. Therefore, the project must be rescoped and advertised. Mr. Melton stated that the budget is $475,000.00. 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 MRS. RAU, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR, ADVERTISE FOR, OPEN BIDS FOR AND AWARD A CONTRACT FOR HANGAR “A” ANNEX AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT (REBID).
UTILITY RIGHT OF WAY – NATIONAL GUARD SITE
Mr. Melton stated that Entergy needs Right of Way for the relocation of the overhead utility lines to underground at the National Guard site. 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. MARTIN, SECONDED BY MR. DALGLEISH, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A SERVITUDE AGREEMENT WITH ENTERGY GRANTING A RIGHT OF WAY FOR THE UTILITY CORRIDOR TO RELOCATE OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES TO UNDERGROUND AT THE NATIONAL GUARD SITE.
MINUTE APPROVAL
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 APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 25, 2024 REGULAR MEETING.
ADJOURNMENT