MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING

Thursday, September 19, 2024

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

ATTENDANCE

Commissioners Present:

Mr. Nora Popillion, President
Mr. Charles K. Dalgleish, Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Bill Hankins, Commissioner
Mrs. Denise Rau, Commissioner
Mr. Lee W. Boyer, Commissioner
Mr. Kenneth B. Martin, Commissioner

Commissioners Absent:

Mrs. Tuwanna Guillory-August, Vice President

Others Present:

Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
Mr. Gerald Theunissen, Consultant
Ms. Andrea LaFleur, Director of Executive & Airport Affairs
Ms. Loretta Hanks, Director of Finance
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. David Whitaker, DVW Aviation
Chief Josh Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC
Mr. Matthew Bruce, Northrop Grumman
Mr. Joe Torres, Million Air
Mr. Mark McElveen, T-Hangar Tenant
Mr. Kevin Hamilton, T-Hangar Tenant

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 that there were none to report.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS

Mr. Melton statement pertaining to the airshow, “We regret the airshow board’s decision yesterday to cancel its 2025 airshow. We hope the airshow will be able to return in the future because the airshow is important to the community. The airshow board is its own entity and operates separately, even though many in the community may think the airport organizes. Our number one priority remains security and safety for our tenant partners, their clients, aircraft, all other users of the airport, and event visitors, such as the airshow. Airport procedures apply to all who use Chennault as a venue. In preparing for the 2025 show, the first draft of the agreement we prepared for the 2025 airshow does have changes, but we do not feel that they are beyond what have been expected, and mutually agreed upon, for the airshow’s past use of the airport. We scheduled and agreed to host a meeting last week with airshow representatives to continue to work out an agreement. The airshow did not attend. We still want to have that meeting. Again, we value the airshow. That’s why the airport revived it, helped lead it, and saw it become an independent nonprofit organization. Chennault builds on the engagement of the airshow to demonstrate our outreach to the community, our job-creating impact, and our aggressive economic development efforts. All of these, by extension, are accountable to taxpayers. We don’t stage the airshow. We didn’t cancel it. But for the multiple reasons we’ve just talked about, we still want that meeting with the airshow board and we still want the airshow here at Chennault”.

Mr. Melton stated that he had an initial discussion with Ms. Susana “Susie” Schowen, Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission regarding workforce development. Mr. Melton stated that Ms. Schowen will visit Chennault in the near future to further discuss our tenant workforce concerns.

Mr. Melton stated that he and Mr. Theunissen along with Senator Mark Abraham met with Mr. Taylor Barras, Louisiana Commissioner of Administration in reference to Capital Outlay. Mr. Theunissen stated that Capital Outlay is targeting certain projects within the State of Louisiana that are ready to go such as Chennault’s Paint Hangar and the Infrastructure to Prepare Site 1. Mr. Theunissen shared with the Chennault Board that Mr. Barras stated the Paint Hangar Project is a project that they are going to fund. Mr. Theunissen stated that the other projects may be listed as things to come in the future. Mr. Theunissen stated that this was the most positive meeting that he has attended in reference to Capital Outlay.

Mr. Melton stated that the B-52’s are now planning exercises at Chennault in October and November 2024. Mr. Melton stated that we are still on the list of airports for the B-52’s to divert to while their runway is under construction which is set to begin in early 2025. Mr. Melton further stated that we have awarded the B-52’s Airfield Lighting Replacement contract and we are just waiting on materials to be delivered.

Mr. Melton stated that he and Mr. Popillion will attend Dr. Loren Scott’s Annual Louisiana Outlook briefing at the McNeese Seed Center on October 1, 2024.

Mr. Melton stated that Mr. Theunissen and Mr. Troy Romero, Louisiana State Representative scheduled a meeting with Representative Phillip DeVillier, Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives here at Chennault on October 10, 2024. Mr. Melton stated that our strategy is to saturate our politicians so that they fully understand our efforts moving forward.

Mr. Melton stated that the National Guard Readiness Center Opening Ceremony is October 18, 2024.

Mr. David Whitaker gave an updated summary pertaining to website activity and Air Cargo opportunities. Mr. Whitaker stated that he and Mr. Melton will attend the Breakbulk Americas Trade Event October 15-17, 2024.

Mr. Brett Downer gave a brief summary of the public relations and ongoing marketing efforts.

CAPITAL ONE BANK

Mr. Melton stated that Capital One Bank changed their requirements for the wording of the Resolution for public funds accounts. Mr. Melton stated that two signatures are required on checks for all accounts. Mr. Melton stated that the President, Secretary/Treasurer, Executive Director, Director of Finance and Director of Executive & Airport Affairs are the persons authorized to sign. Mr. Melton stated that the three checking accounts are the regular account, payroll account, and the capital projects account. Mr. Melton stated that this action will authorize the newly appointed President and 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. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MR. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT THE CAPITAL ONE BANK PUBLIC FUNDS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DEFINING PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN ON THE CHECKING ACCOUNTS AND TO OPEN CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSITS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024.

BUILDING 3007 RENOVATIONS

Mr. Melton stated that Building 3007 has termite damage and needs to be brought up to code in order to be used for multiple purposes by Northrop Grumman. 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. RAU, SECONDED BY MR. HANKINS, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR, SOLICIT FOR, OPEN BIDS FOR AND AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE BUILDING 3007 RENOVATIONS.

CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST & LETTER TO LEGISLATORS

Mrs. LaFleur stated that the Capital Outlay Request is due November 1, 2024 and will be broken down into three separate requests; Paint Hangar, Infrastructure, Additional Options. Mrs. LaFleur stated we will have to get a letter of support from Jeremy Stine, Louisiana State Senator. Mr. Melton stated that we are submitting a request for $59,000,000.00

AIRPORT’S WHITE PAPER FOR THE LEASE RATE STRUCTURE AND INCENTIVES

Mr. Melton stated that the Audit/Fiscal Affairs Committee previously met and discussed the white paper and other documents provided. Mr. Melton stated that he wanted everyone to see that we are incentivizing companies to be here through Chennault funded facility improvements, lease incentives, etc., but we must produce jobs. Mr. Melton stated that Chennault must remain fiscally viable and responsible to the taxpayer, tenants, and capable of expansion.

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. RAU, SECONDED BY MR. HANKINS, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS STRATEGIC PLANNING. The commissioners began the Executive Session at 12:35 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. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR SESSION. The Regular Session was reconvened at 1:07 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 MR. HANKINS, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 14, 2024 REGULAR MEETING.

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 MRS. RAU AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With no further business to come before the Commissioners, President Popillion declared the meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.