MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, April 16, 2026
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
Commissioners Absent:
Mrs. Tuwanna Guillory-August, Vice President
Mr. Kenneth B. Martin, Commissioner
Others Present:
Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
Mr. Robert S. Kleinschmidt, Jr., Legal Counsel
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. Brett Downer, O’Carroll Group
Mr. Kevin Walsh, Herb Gillen Airshows, LLC
Chief Joshua Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Chandler Levi, Allied Universal Security Services
Mr. Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC
Mrs. Scarlett Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services, LLC
Mr. Robert Stanford, Million Air 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 there were none to report.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS
Mr. Melton stated that the March 2026 Air Traffic Count increased 61% from last year and primarily contributes the increase to the B-52 Operations. Mr. Stanford stated that he has incorporated the capability of prescheduled, rapid hot-pit refueling which allows the refueling of military aircraft without turning off the engines. Mr. Melton stated that the National Guard will be adding a new $8.1 million, 11,438 sq. ft. Vehicle Maintenance addition to their facility.
Mr. Walsh reported that we are 133 days out from the Thunder Over Louisiana Airshow presented by KIA of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mr. Walsh gave a brief status overview. Mr. Walsh stated that the goal is to make sure that a sustainable model is built for future years, ticket prices are attainable for the majority of the public as well as options for clubs, tents, etc.
Mr. Downer gave a summary of the ongoing marketing and public relations efforts and shared that Chennault Airport’s impact on the economy is $410 million annually. Mr. Downer stated that as we mark Chennault Airport’s 40th Anniversary, we are laser-focused on nonstop growth. Mr. Downer stated that we are honoring the legacy of the late World War II hero, Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault (1893-1958) through the dedication of the roadside historical marker.
CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (CIAA) PERSONNEL & ADMINISTRATION POLICY MANUAL
Mr. Melton stated that the Chennault International Airport Authority Personnel and Administration Policy Manual revisions and additions are to clarify the Chennault Airport travel policy. 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 REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION POLICY MANUAL.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT (DOTD) GRANTS-DOCUSIGN
Mr. Melton stated that the resolution is authorizing the utilization of DocuSign when signing all documents pertaining to grants received from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development – Aviation. Mr. Melton stated that this is a new Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) procedure. 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. DALGLEISH, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS WITH THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT – OFFICE OF MUTLIMODAL COMMERCE PERTAINING TO THE CHENNAULT AIRPORT VIA DOCUSIGN.
DELTA SOUTH LOUISIANA GAS COMPANY, LLC RIGHT OF WAY BETWEEN NATIONAL GUARD SITE & ALL PURPOSE ROOFING & SUPPLIES – HANGAR “I” PAINT HANGAR
Mr. Melton stated that the Delta South Louisiana Gas Company, LLC (formerly CenterPoint Energy) needs a 10’ x 5’ defined Right of Way for a Utility Corridor. 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 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 BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GUARD SITE AND ALL PURPOSE ROOFING AND SUPPLIES FOR HANGAR “I’ PAINT HANGAR.
DELTA SOUTH LOUISIANA GAS COMPANY, LLC RIGHT OF WAY ALONG MALLARD COVE DRIVE ACROSS FROM CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AND CALCAM PARKING – HANGAR “I” PAINT HANGAR
Mr. Melton stated that the Delta South Louisiana Gas Company, LLC (formerly CenterPoint Energy) needs a 10’ x 5’ defined Right of Way for a Utility Corridor.
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 MRS. RAU, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 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 ALONG MALLARD COVE DRIVE ACROSS FROM THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AND CALCAM PARKING FOR HANGAR “I’ PAINT HANGAR.
TAXIWAYS BRAVO, CHARLIE, AND ALPHA SOUTH REHABILITATION
Mr. Melton stated that this project will focus on the removal and replacement of joint sealant and failing concrete panels (full depths) for Taxiways Bravo, Charlie, and Alpha South. Mr. Melton stated that this project will be 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 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 THE TAXIWAYS BRAVO, CHARLIE, AND ALPHA SOUTH REHABILITATION.
SITE ”3” ANNEXIATION INTO CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA
Mr. Melton stated that this was previously adopted on February 19, 2026. Mrs. LaFleur clarified that the reason for the revised resolution is to add the complete property description of Site “3” which is made up of 2 parcels. 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. 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) SUPPORTING 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.
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 MRS. RAU, SECONDED BY MR. DALGLEISH, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2026, 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 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 12:50 p.m.