MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, February 19, 2026
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. Charles K. Dalgleish, Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Bill Hankins, Commissioner
Mr. Kenneth B. Martin, Commissioner
Mr. Lee W. Boyer, Commissioner
Commissioners Absent:
Mrs. Denise Rau, Commissioner
Others Present:
Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
Mr. Robert S. Kleinschmidt, Jr., Legal Counsel
Mrs. Andrea LaFleur, Director of Executive & Airport Affairs
Mr. John McMullen, Director of Facilities & Maintenance
Mr. Clint Johnson, Airport Operations Superintendent
Mrs. Desiree K. Daigle, Admin. Specialist/Recording Secretary
Ms. Paulette Moss, Human Resources & Payroll Supervisor
Mr. Brett Downer, O’Carroll Group
Mr. Kyle Jones, Rostan Solutions, LLC
Mr. Donnie Morris, Consultant
Mr. Chandler Levi, Allied Universal Security Services
Chief Joshua Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC
Ms. Cathy Brady, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC
Mr. Robert Stanford, Million Air Lake Charles
Mr. Steve Shows, VSG Architects
Mr. Tony Guillory, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
Mr. Doug Burguieres, City of Lake Charles
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. DELETE: Item #8 Discuss and take appropriate action to adopt a Resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a servitude agreement between Chennault International Airport Authority and Delta South Louisiana Gas Company, LLC granting a Right of Way for the Utility Corridor for Hangar “I” Paint Hangar. ADD: Item #11(A) Discuss and take appropriate action to adopt a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Chennault International Airport Authority (CIAA) supports a formal request from the City of Lake Charles for the Annexation of property known as “Site 3” into the Corporate Limits of the City of Lake Charles, Louisiana. 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. BOYER, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED AGENDA AS AMENDED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Melton welcomed Mr. Burguieres, City of Lake Charles Director of Planning and Development and Mr. Guillory, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. Mr. Melton stated that the Single Bay Paint Hangar “I” Groundbreaking is scheduled for March 6, 2026. Mr. Melton stated that Chennault Airport and all aviation tenants, Citadel Completions, LLC, LandLocked Aviation Services, and Northrop Grumman Corporation will be attending the 2026 PBExpo – Aerospace, Defense, and Aviation Trade Show in Miami, Florida. Mr. Melton stated that we are still anticipating a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Land Lease Audit and Inspection.
Mr. Jones gave a brief summary of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds that he and his team are actively pursuing in relation to reimbursement for Chennault Airport.
Mrs. Guillory-August briefed the Board on her Washington D.C. Mardi Gras trip. Mrs. Guillory-August stated that it was a great opportunity to meet with elected officials who were all very welcoming and interested in seeing Chennault Airport win.
Mr. Downer shared marketing and public relations efforts that the O’Carroll Group are presently working on locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT –
VSG ARCHITECTS – DESIGN PHASE OF
CLIMATE CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE
Mr. Melton stated the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds have been allocated for five Northrop Grumman Buildings hurricane damages and these funds may be used for an alternate project. Mr. Melton stated that the construction of the climate controlled warehouse will be approximately 50,000 square feet. PRESIDENT POPILLION ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THERE IS INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. Mr. Grenzebach asked if this is a warehouse that was spoken for or if it is a development opportunity. Mr. Melton stated that it is a development opportunity. Mr. Melton stated that there’s lots of interest for climate controlled warehouses from outside of the community and not necessarily just aviation related. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH VSG ARCHITECTS FOR THE DESIGN PHASE OF THE CLIMATE CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE.
AIRPORT SECURITY CONTRACT –
UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LLC
D/B/A ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY SERVICES
Mr. Melton stated that the intent of this contract is for Universal Protection Service, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services to provide and lead all issues related to the security of the airport. Mr. Melton commended Mr. Levi on his leadership and the great work he is doing. 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. BOYER, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LLC D/B/A ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY SERVICES FOR
CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (CIAA) SECURITY COMMENCING MAY 1, 2026, UNTIL APRIL 30, 2027.
HANGAR “H” TRENCH DRAIN
REPAIRS PROJECT
Mr. Melton stated that it is our recommendation to award the contract to Alfred Palma, LLC in the amount of $183,950.00 which is the Base Bid plus Alternate#1. Mr. McMullen stated
that these are precast drains in the concrete that are failing. 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. DALGLEISH, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO ALFRED PALMA, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $183,950.00 FOR HANGAR “H” TRENCH DRAIN REPAIRS.
FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE #2 (FWPH)
(JOB WEST) STORAGE TANK REPAIR,
RECOAT, AND UPGRADE – REJECT
Mr. Melton stated that the bids came in over budget and recommended rejecting the bids. Mr. Melton stated that the project will be rescoped and then come back to the board for approval to advertise. 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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO REJECT THE BIDS RECEIVED FOR THE FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE #2 (FWPH) (JOB WEST) FIREWATER STORAGE TANK REPAIR, RECOAT, AND UPGRADE.
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. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MRS. GUILLORY-AUGUST AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 15, 2026, REGULAR MEETING.
“SITE 3” ANNEXATION INTO THE CORPORATE
LIMITS OF THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA
Mr. Melton stated that the City of Lake Charles has requested for the annexation of “Site 3” into the Corporate Limits of the City of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mr. Melton stated that the City of Lake Charles would provide “Site 3” with essential municipal benefits, including but not limited to, enhanced law enforcement, fire protection, and eligibility for city-managed infrastructure projects. Mr. Hankins asked why does the City of Lake Charles need “Site 3”. Mr. Burguieres, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Lake Charles, stated that the city doesn’t need it but in respect to continuing with the existing airport and future development it would make permitting and development process consistent and easier from a development perspective. Mr. Dalgleish stated that the airport did discuss with the City of Lake Charles about possible responsibility of infrastructure. Mr. Burguieres stated that the City of Lake Charles knows the importance of the economic development engine that Chennault Airport creates. Mr. Burguieres stated that the City of Lake Charles is open to dialogue, and we understand the importance of infrastructure needs to Chennault Airport in regard to water, sewage, and drainage. Mr. Burguieres stated that discussion is very viable and important. 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. BOYER, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (CIAA) SUPPORTS A FORMAL REQUEST FROM THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES FOR THE ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY KNOWN AS “SITE 3” INTO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA.
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. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MR. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With no further business to come before the Commissioners, President Popillion declared the meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.