MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, June 18, 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. Bill Hankins, Commissioner
Mr. Kenneth B. Martin, Commissioner
Mr. Lee W. Boyer, Commissioner
Commissioners Absent:
Mrs. Tuwanna Guillory-August, Vice President
Mr. Charles K. Dalgleish, Secretary/Treasurer
Mrs. Denise Rau, Commissioner
Others Present:
Mr. Kevin Melton, Executive Director
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. Kyle Jones, Rostan Solutions, LLC
Mr. Donnie Morris, Consultant
Mr. Chandlier Levi, Allied Universal Security Services
Chief Joshua Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Robert Stanford, Million Air Lake Charles
Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services
Mrs. Scarlett Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services
Mr. Chris Khoury, Bricks and Mortar
Mr. Keith Thompson, Northrop Grumman
Mr. Pete Pauley, The Pauley Corporation
Mr. Mark McElveen, T-Hangar Tenant
CALL TO ORDER
President Popillion called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. 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 #11A – Discuss and take appropriate action to recommend authorizing the Executive Director to negotiate and enter into an agreement between Century 21 Bessette Flavin and Chennault International Airport Authority.
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 APPROVE THE PROPOSED AGENDA AS AMENDED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE:
Mr. Melton stated that he had a great visit at the Barksdale Air Force Base. Mr. Melton stated that he met with the Wing Commander and Senior Leaders regarding B-52 operations, etc. Mr. Melton stated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted a land use audit/inspection at Chennault Airport and the results will be provided when received.
Mr. Jones gave a brief update regarding the status of the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) pending funds for Chennault Airport. Mr. Jones stated that nothing has changed from their original projections. Mr. Jones mentioned that the Governor has allocated two personnel at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) finance team to work directly with the Rostan Solutions and the Chennault Airport teams.
Mr. Downer gave a brief summary of the ongoing public relations and marketing efforts regarding Search Engine Optimizations (SEO). Mr. Downer stated that we had a good crowd at the Chamber SWLA and Economic Development Alliance Business After Hours hosted by Chennault International Airport Authority at Million Air Lake Charles on June 4, 2026.
PUBLIC HEARING
MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MARTIN, SECONDED BY MR. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.
Ms. Hanks presented a brief overview of the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2027. There were no comments from the public pertaining to the budget.
PRESIDENT POPILLION SOLICITED PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THERE WERE NO COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MARTIN, SECONDED BY MR. BOYER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.
PROPOSED BUDGET
Mr. Melton stated that this is the standard annual request to give me the authority to execute the budget. 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 AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027; AUTHORIZING TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO MAKE CHANGES WITHIN DESIGNATED BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS WITH THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
YEAS: NORA POPILLION
BILL HANKINS
KENNETH B. MARTIN
LEE W. BOYER
NAYS: NONE
ABSTAINING: NONE
ABSENT: TUWANNA GUILLORY-AUGUST
CHARLES K. DALGLEISH
DENISE RAU
SPECIAL TAX
Mr. Melton stated that the Chennault International Airport Authority millage rate is 5.45 mills. Mr. Melton stated that the levying of this tax will produce approximately $18,523,872.00 in funds which are used to maintain, operate, relocate, and perform construction improvements to the airport facilities or industrial properties. Mr. Melton stated that the resolution and affidavit must be adopted by the Board of Commissioners to levy the special tax. President Popillion read the resolution aloud in its entirety. 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 ADOPT A RESOLUTION LEVYING THE SPECIAL TAX OF 5.45 MILLS ON THE DOLLAR OF ASSESSED VALUATION ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE LIMITS OF CALCASIEU PARISH, STATE OF LOUISIANA, FOR TAX YEAR 2026, WITH THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
YEAS: NORA POPILLION
BILL HANKINS
KENNETH B. MARTIN
LEE W. BOYER
NAYS: NONE
ABSTAINING: NONE
ABSENT: TUWANNA GUILLORY-AUGUST
CHARLES K. DALGLEISH
DENISE RAU
OFFICIAL JOURNAL
Mr. Melton stated that the only proposal solicited was from the American Press for the
designation of the CIAA Official Journal. Mr. Melton stated that the Official Journal publishes the CIAA minutes of the Regular and Special Meetings, legal documentation, bid requests, and other matters. Mr. Melton stated that the current Official Journal designation expires on June 30, 2026. Mr. Melton stated that the one-year designation is to begin July 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2027. 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 DESIGNATE THE AMERICAN PRESS AS THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY FOR A ONE (1) YEAR PERIOD COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 (R.S. 43:171).
REHABILITATION OF INDUSTRIAL ROW CONCRETE
Mr. Melton stated that the Industrial Row Concrete Rehabilitation will be funded by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). PRESIDENT POPILLION ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT THERE IN NO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MR. BOYER, 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 REHABILITATION OF INDUSTRIAL ROW CONCRETE.
CAPITAL OUTLAY
Mr. Melton stated that the Resolution authorizes the Executive Director to prepare and submit applications for State Capital Outlay projects, to execute Cooperative Endeavor Agreements for the Capital Outlay projects as well as requests for reimbursements, certifying compliance with items listed on the Request for Facility Planning and Control Concurrence in Construction Contract Award form and other documents pertaining to a project. 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 ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT A CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027-2028 TO THE STATE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION AND TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS.
CENTURY 21 BESSETTE FLAVIN AGREEMENT
Mr. Melton stated that Century 21 Bessette Flavin will provide real estate services to Chennault International Airport Authority. Mr. Melton stated that the compensation to Century 21 Bessette Flavin will be three percent (3%) of the gross monetary amount paid to Chennault Airport for the lease of Site 2, Site 4, Site 7, Site 13, and potentially add other sites. Mr. Melton stated that the initial term will be a (1) one year term with a (1) one year option to renew. 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 RECOMMEND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN CENTRY 21 BESSETTE FLAVIN AND CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
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. MARTIN, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO NOMINATE THE ELECTION OF MRS. TUWANNA GUILLORY-AUGUST, PRESIDENT; MR. CHARLES K. DALGLEISH, VICE PRESIDENT; AND MR. LEE W. BOYER, SECRETARY/TREASURER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.
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 MR. HANKINS, SECONDED BY MR. BOYER, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS STRATEGIC PLANNING AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. The commissioners began the Executive Session at 12:55 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 2:06 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 MAY 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 2:07 p.m.