MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING

Thursday, August 14, 2024

12:00 noon
CIAA Board Room/ 3650 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Avenue/Lake Charles, LA 70615

ATTENDANCE

Commissioners Present:

Mr. Nora Popillion, President
Mrs. Tuwanna Guillory-August, Vice President
Mr. Kenneth B. Martin, Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Bill Hankins, Commissioner
Mr. Charles K. Dalgleish, Commissioner
Mr. Lee W. Boyer, Commissioner

Commissioners Absent:

Mrs. Denise Rau, Commissioner

Others Present:

Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
Mr. Robert Kleinschmidt, Legal Counsel
Mr. Gerald Theunissen, Consultant
Ms. Andrea LaFleur, Director of Executive & Airport Affairs
Mr. John McMullen, Director of Facilities & Maintenance
Mr. Mitch O’Neal, Director of Operations
Mr. Clint Johnson, Airport Operations Superintendent
Mrs. Desiree K. Daigle, Admin. Specialist/Recording Secretary
Chief Joshua Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Christopher Wentworth, Stratigos Dynamics
Mr. Kyle Jones, Rostan Solutions
Mr. Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC

CALL TO ORDER

President Popillion called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was called and a quorum was established as indicated above.

PROPOSED AGENDA

President Popillion requested additions, deletions, and amendments to the proposed agenda and Mr. Melton announced the same; i.e. ADD: Item #10(A) Discuss and take appropriate action to authorize the Executive Director to renegotiate the Special Event Letter of Agreement between Chennault International Airport Authority and Chennault International Airshow, Inc., for the 2025 airshow. Item #10(B) Discuss and take appropriate action to authorize the Executive Director to enter into a professional services agreement with VSG Architects, A Professional Corporation for up to 35% of design of the single bay paint hangar, contingent on receipt of a Letter of Intent from LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC. Item #10(C) Discuss and take appropriate action to authorize the Executive Director to award a contract to the low successful bidder, PERC Development, LLC in the amount of $4,779,000.00 for the construction of Firewater Pumphouse (FWPH) #3. PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. BOYER, SECONDED BY MRS. GUILLORY-AUGUST, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED AGENDA AS AMENDED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS

Mr. Melton reported that a Chennault Director, a Board Member, and two Citadel representatives will attend the McNeese Athletic Foundation Golf Tournament and CIAA Directors and Board Members are attending the LegisGator Luncheon in order to develop business opportunities.

Mr. Popillion reported that Governor Jeff Landry and the state lawmakers visit to Chennault was a great success.

Mr. Theunissen reported that Mr. Melton was able to ride along with Governor Landry and Senator Stine to discuss the great work our tenants are doing, their needs, and the needs of Chennault regarding requirements for continued growth. Mr. Theunissen further stated that he thinks the governor was impressed and will be supportive of Chennault moving forward with requesting different forms of funding including Capital Outlay.

Mr. Melton reported on the current request for funding from Capital Outlay and the importance of staying focused on implementing infrastructure improvement projects to enable long-term growth, supporting the needs of our tenants, and expanding vertically. Mr. Melton reported that the Army National Guard has sent a fourth team to complete cleaning and grubbing of approximately 60 acres through the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT).

Mr. Adam Cain, Chief Operating Officer of Sustainability Partners gave a general overview of how they can assist customers with capital needs for infrastructure.

Mr. David Whitaker reported on continued marketing efforts and direct inquiries received regarding Chennault.

Mr. Kyle Jones, owner of Rostan Solutions, reported the ongoing pursuit of eligible public assistance program dollars from the Federal Government and the State of Louisiana. Mr. Jones stated that the main objective is to maximize all eligible federal dollars that Chennault incurred as a result of Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta that were not captured from insurance proceeds.

ELECTION OF OFFICER

Mr. Popillion stated that the nominating committee members called Mr. Dalgleish and he happily accepted the position of Secretary/Treasurer due to Mr. Martin resigning as Secretary/Treasurer. PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO NOMINATE MR. CHARLES K. DALGLEISH, SECRETARY/TREASURER COMMENCING AUGUST 14, 2024.

PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS FOR SECRETARY/TREASURER.

PERMANENT PUBLIC FACILITIES SERVITUDE-CPPJ

Mr. Melton stated that the Permanent Public Facilities Servitude will allow the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) to construct a booster station, which is needed for consolidation of water districts. The servitude is for .0996 acres. PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A PERMANENT PUBLIC FACILITIES SERVITUDE WITH CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY (CPPJ) FOR A BOOSTER STATION.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. GUILLORY-AUGUST, SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS STRATEGY SESSION AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH RESPECT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. The commissioners began the Executive Session at 12:50 p.m.

REGULAR SESSION

PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. BOYER, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR SESSION. The Regular Session was reconvened at 1:11 p.m. with no action taken during the Executive Session.

MINUTE APPROVAL

PRESIDENT POPILLION 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 MRS. GUILLORY-AUGUST AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 18, 2024 REGULAR MEETING.

SPECIAL EVENT LETTER OF AGREEMENT – CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW, INC.

Mr. Melton stated that the airshow is a great community event and we are supportive of it being held at Chennault. Mr. Melton stated that the Chennault International Airshow, Inc., recently chose to go through a lawyer to negotiate the terms stipulated in the Special Event Letter of Agreement. Mr. Melton stated that the Chennault staff is requesting approval to renegotiate the Letter of Agreement and will come back before the Board for final approval of the mutually agreed upon document. Mr. Melton requested that Mr. Charles Dalgleish, CIAA Business Development/Architectural/Engineering Chairman sit in on the meetings with the airshow board as an observer only. Mr. Melton stated that the airshow is a very significant workload on Chennault staff as well as the airshow staff. Mr. Melton stated that there is also a significant cost to Chennault as well, roughly $70,000 – $80,000. Mr. Melton stated that safety, security, and protection of airport and tenant assets are our number one priority and they are critical. Mr. Melton stated that professionalism with airport staff and the spectators is paramount since it is a direct reflection on Chennault. Mr. Melton stated that the Airshow is a guest and must comply with established airport rules and regulations. PRESIDENT POPILLION 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 MRS. GUILLORY-AUGUST AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RENEGOTIATE THE SPECIAL EVENT LETTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW INC., FOR THE 2025 AIRSHOW AND WAIVE THE LEASE FEES.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH VSG ARCHITECTS

Mr. Melton stated that based on discussions with LED, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC, and Sustainability Partners, they recommended 35% design of the single bay hangar in preparation for possible funding. Mr. Melton stated that this is contingent on a Letter of Intent from LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC. PRESIDENT POPILLION 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 MRS. GUILLORY-AUGUST AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A professional services agreement with VSG Architects, A Professional Corporation for up to 35% of design of the single bay paint hangar, contingent on receipt of a Letter of Intent from Landlocked Aviation SERVICES, LLC.

FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE (FWPH) #3

Mr. Melton stated that the low successful bidder came in higher than the initial budgeted amount of $4,500,000 that was previously approved by the board. Mr. Melton reported that legal council stated that we need to request board approval for the excess cost since the project is 5% or more above the budget. This project (FWPH #3) will generate future expansion capabilities of the airport, specifically site. Ms. LaFleur stated that the construction is partially funded of $2,500,000 from EDA, $1,000,000 from General Fund Direct (State), and $1,000,000 from CIAA (match). PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO award a contract to the low successful bidder, PERC Development, LLC in the amount of $4,779,000.00 for the CONSTRUCTION OF FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE (FWPH) #3.

ADJOURNMENT

PRESIDENT POPILLION 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. BOYER, SECONDED BY MR. DALGLEISH, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With no further business to come before the Commissioners, President Popillion declared the meeting adjourned at 1:34 p.m.