MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING

Thursday, January 16, 2025

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. Tad Martin, Commissioner

Commissioners Absent:

Mrs. Tuwanna Guillory-August, Vice President

Others Present:

Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
Mr. Robert Kleinschmidt, Legal Counsel
Mr. Gerald Theunissen, Consultant
Mrs. 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. David Whitaker, DVW Aviation
Mr. Brett Downer, O’Carroll Group
Mr. Richie Gregory, The Gregory Agency
Mr. Scott Quick, Allied Universal Security Services
Mr. Dylan Royer, Security
Mr. Steve Shows, VSG Architects
Mr. Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC
Mr. Robert Stanford, Million Air Lake Charles
Mr. David Turner, Million Air East Region
Chief Joshua Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Mark McElveen, 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 the same; i.e. AMEND: Item #9 Discuss and take appropriate action to adopt the revisions and additions to the Personnel and Administration Policy Manual pertaining to employee benefits, mandatory training, and ACH/EFT/Electronic Disbursements. Mr. Melton stated that this is simply a change in verbiage from the original agenda item because we needed to make revisions regarding funeral leave in the Personnel and Administration Policy Manual. 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 MRS. RAU, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED AGENDA AS AMENDED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS

Mr. Melton stated that they had a great meeting with Mrs. Susan Bourgeios, Secretary of the Department of Louisiana Economic Development, Senator Mark Abraham, Senator Jeremy Stine, Mr. Russell Stutes, Stutes and Lavergne Attorneys at Law, Mr. Charles Dalgleish, Ms. Loretta Hanks, and a few others. Mr. Melton stated that they discussed the State’s assistance in funding the 10% match for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Mr. Dalgleish agreed that it was a great meeting and he is optimistic. Mr. Dalgleish stated that he’s hoping that it will move forward.

Mr. Melton stated that he thinks it is very important to bring those producing jobs to these meetings. Mr. Melton thanked Mr. Grenzebach with LandLocked Aviation Services and Mr. Feulner with Citadel Completions for attending. Mr. Melton reminded everyone of the upcoming 121st Chamber Southwest Louisiana Banquet on January 30, 2025 and the Family and Youth Legislative Breakfast February 11, 2025.

Mr. Downer gave a brief recap of the continued social media month over month gains. Mr. Downer stated that Mr. Melton was interviewed by KPLC-TV regarding the security issues that the schools, Chennault, etc., are facing. Mr. Downer stated that Mr. Melton shared that Chennault plans to retain the security that has been on site. Mr. Downer stated that the interview and response from the public were very positive and supportive of Chennault’s decision moving forward. Mr. Downer shared that Chennault will have an article next week in the Lagniappe Magazine regarding business and industry recap along with things to come in 2025.

Mr. Whitaker stated that he thinks we are still on a good path and that he and Mr. Melton are leaning towards having a new agreement by the end of the month. Mr. Whitaker gave an overview pertaining to continued Air Cargo opportunities and challenges.

Mr. Melton clarified that the board will approve any agreements with DVW Aviation moving forward. Mr. Melton stated that the proposed agreement would likely be based on a success fee.

Mr. Melton introduced Mr. David Turner, East Regional Vice President of Million Air who has sat in since Mr. Joe Torres has retired and Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Robert Stanford who is now serving as the General Manager for Million Air Lake Charles. Mr. Melton also introduced Mr. Scott Quick, Director of Operations with Allied Universal Security Services and Mr. Dylan Royer, Security who is stepping up and filling in for Mr. Chris Wentworth, Security Lead.

RENEWAL OF EMPLOYEE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE YEAR COMMENCING MARCH 1, 2025

Mr. Melton stated that this is a recommendation that Chennault maintain the current employer and employee contribution ratio. Mr. Melton stated that the anticipated premium increase is 3.5% and is well within reason. 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 AUTHORIZE THE RENEWAL OF THE EMPLOYEE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE AT THE CURRENT COVERAGE FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING MARCH 1, 2025.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Mr. Melton stated that the financial update is required by the audit. Ms. Hanks referred to the Combined Worksheet For All Funds – Analysis of Balance Sheet and Analysis of Change in Fund Balance as of December 31, 2024. Ms. Hanks stated that all the adjustments have been done for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Ms. Hanks stated that Chennault Airport started the year with $4,900,000.00 more than what was projected. Ms. Hanks stated that this was due to some projects and other things that didn’t happen. Ms. Hanks stated that the Capital Projects Fund Balance as of December 31, 2024 is ($2,883,632.00). Ms. Hanks stated that she usually takes an interfund transfer from Special Revenue to Capital Projects of about $4,000,000.00. Ms. Hanks stated that she usually doesn’t do that until the January timeframe and waits until we get the property tax coming in and then we do the interfund transfer so that it will level itself out. Ms. Hanks stated that the only potential problem that she sees is our payout that we have with Rostan Solutions, LLC of $4,100,000.00 of staying within the current budget that we have. Mr. Melton stated that it is not a problem. Ms. Hanks stated that we will have to amend the budget because we weren’t anticipating that. Ms. Hanks stated which is a good thing because hopefully we will get some Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) funds pretty soon.

AWARDED CONTRACTS FROM JUNE 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024

Mr. Melton stated that this reporting complies with the Financial Auditor’s recommendation to provide updates on awarded projects to our Board of Commissioners. Mrs. LaFleur stated that the listing contains who Chennault awarded the contracts to and what the cost was from June 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.

Project Name Contractor Award Amount
Hangar A Annex A/C Equipment Replacement Rebid Shannon Smith Construction $296,000
Firewater Pumphouse #3 PERC Development, LLC $4,779,000
Taxiway Golf Lighting Kaough & Jones Electric $691,094
Taxiway Alpha North Rehabilitation Keiland Construction $1,335,700
Airfield Lighting Replacement for B-52’s Kaough & Jones Electric $193,605
Hangars F &G Fire Alarm Panel Upgrade S & S Sprinkler $54,184
Hangar D (4) 400 Hz Cycle Power Unit Replacement Installation Dollar Electric $299,900
Building 3009 Louver Weather Hoods Installation Trouth Air Conditioning $12,325
One 3,000 Gallon Water/Foam ARFF Vehicle (C-4) Rebid Global ARFF $1,530,701
Hangar C Blockhouse Breakroom A/C Equipment Replacement Trouth Air Conditioning $17,750
Installation of Generator @ Maintenance Operations Building (MOB) Lake Charles Electric $26,950
Furnish & Install Generators (FWPH #1, FWPH #2, Glideslope & Localizer Ready Power, LLC $281,702
I-210 Entrance Sign Lewing Construction $136,443

PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION POLICY MANUAL

Mr. Melton stated that he wanted to articulate that you, the Board have the authority to adjust vacation benefits as needed. Mr. Melton stated that we use the policy manual on all operations. Mr. Melton stated that it was brought to our attention through the audit that we need to make sure all training timelines are met. Mr. Melton stated that there was one individual that didn’t get Cybersecurity Training within thirty days of employment. Mr. Melton stated that we are using the policy manual as a check list so that it is all very clear.

Mr. Melton stated that the auditor wanted a comment in the policy manual regarding the ACH/EFT/Electronic Disbursements and we are complying. Mr. Melton stated we had an issue regarding the interpretation of funeral leave. Mr. Melton stated that he spoke with Mr.

Kleinschmidt and requested a legal review and opinion. Mr. Melton stated that we made this more understandable. Mr. Melton stated immediate family is defined and the U.S. Code was used as basis as to how we have it laid out. 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 MRS. RAU, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT THE REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION POLICY MANUAL PERTAINING TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, MANDATORY TRAINING, AND ACH/EFT/ELECTRONIC DISBURSEMENTS.

FEMA AND GOHSEP – REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) – PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Mr. Melton stated that the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is a requirement of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) for the consulting services to be reimbursable. Mr. Melton stated that these are the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds we are going after and we just don’t have the staff. Mr. Melton stated that if you recall it took approximately fifteen years to get all reimbursements from Hurricane Rita. Mrs. Rau asked if these fees are reimbursable. Mr. Melton stated that the fees are reimbursable. Mr. Melton stated that we won’t know what the fees will be until we have a contract. Mrs. LaFleur stated that is why we have to go out for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) so that the fees can be reimbursable. Mr. Melton stated that the cost matters. 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. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) FOR THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECTS PROPOSED TO BE FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (GOHSEP).

AIRPORT SECURITY CONTRACT – ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY

Mr. Melton stated that Stratigos Dynamics, Inc. (SDI) filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and will no longer provide security. Mr. Melton stated that the intent of this contract is for Allied Universal Security to assume and to provide Chennault International Airport security to observe any unsafe or malicious activity across the entire airport. President Popillion thanked Mr. Melton and the Chennault team for being proactive. Mr. Melton asked Mr. Quick what is the timeline to have a completed contract with Allied Universal Security and have the security out here working. Mr. Quick stated that we should have it a week from Monday. 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. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY TO ASSUME THE CURRENT STRATIGOS DYNAMICS, INC. (SDI) SECURITY CONTRACT FOR CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY COMMENCING JANUARY 17, 2025 UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2025.

RATIFY MOVING STRATIGOS DYNAMICS, INC. (SDI) EMPLOYEES TO TEMPORARY ONIN EMPLOYEES

Mr. Melton stated that upon notice of Stratigos Dynamics, Inc. (SDI) Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Stratigos Dynamics, Inc. (SDI) employees that provided security for Chennault

International Airport Authority were offered to stay as temporary employees through ONIN temp agency. Mr. Melton stated that there are seven employees signed up with the temp agency. 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 RATIFY MOVING THE STRATIGOS DYNAMICS, INC. (SDI) EMPLOYEES THAT PROVIDED SECURITY TO CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AS TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THROUGH ONIN TEMP AGENCY PENDING APPROVAL OF THE NEW SECURITY CONTRACT WITH ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER (ATCT) CONCRETE AND CARPET REAPIRS

Mr. Melton stated that the existing base concrete is failing and pulling away from the building which allows water to seep into the clay foundation which jeopardizes the structural foundation of the Control Tower. Mr. Melton stated that the carpet in the cab is in need of replacement. Mr. Melton stated that this project is funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). 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 PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR, SOLICIT FOR, OPEN BIDS FOR AND AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER (ATCT) CONCRETE AND CARPET REPAIRS PROJECT.

2025 RUNWAY 15/33 RESTRIPING

Mr. Melton stated that the runway was last restriped in 2021 and is in need of restriping to meet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines for runway markings. 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, ADVERTISE OR SOLICIT FOR, OPEN BIDS FOR AND AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE 2025 RUNWAY 15/33 RESTRIPING PROJECT.

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. DALGLEISH, SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 19, 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, SECONDED BY MR. HANKINS, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With no further business to come before the Commissioners, President Popillion declared the meeting adjourned at 12:28 p.m.