Thibodaux Daily Comet
July 14, 2026
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE GREATER LAFOURCHE PORT COMMISSION
June 10, 2026
The Board of Commissioners of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:30AM at the Administration Office 16829 East Main Street, Cut Off, LA 70345.
President Melancon called the meeting to order. M. Callais recited an opening prayer and Secretary Cheramie called roll.
ATTENDED: Harris Cheramie, Jr., Thomas Pitre III, Jimmy Lafont, Rodney Gisclair Sr., John Melancon, Jr., Reggie Ledet, Chad Callais, and Mike Callais
ABSENT: Kris Callais
Upon motion by C. Callais second by Pitre, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved minutes for May 13, 2026 meeting.
Executive Director's Report
Northern Expansion ? Engineer John Plaisance reported the plans and specs are being finalized to re-advertise in the next few weeks for the Slip D Sweep Dredging project.
Airport Projects - Davie Breaux reported aircraft operations for the month of May were 1689, with 9049 passengers, and 21,413 vehicles. Engineer Joe Picciola reported on the Airport Connector Road and Bridge project. Sealevel Construction is nearing completion. They are working on the guard rails, lift span rails, switch controls and striping. The bridge should open in July. Engineer John Plaisance reported B.E.T. Construction is working on the awning and the interior flooring and cabinets for the New Executive Terminal. They plan to complete it in July.
Other Projects ? Engineer Neil Angelette reported Onshore Materials is 85% complete on the Fourchon Beach project. The completion date is September 18th however they should be complete mid-summer. Executive Director Chett Chiasson reported the IDA FEMA funds were obligated at $8.8M for this project. Engineer Joe Picciola reported Low Land Construction completed the Fourchon Pavilion Bulkhead project and retainage can be released. Engineer Joe Picciola reported Rigid Constructors has exoform blocks ready for the Flotation Canal Shoreline Protection project. We are waiting for them to mobilize on site. The completion date is mid-September. Engineer/Architect Chad Danos reported on the Coastal Wetlands Park Improvements. Grand Isle Shipyard is currently pouring concrete on the deck structure this week. There were fabrication delays on the ADA lift for the second floor which will delay occupancy. The walkway and associated landscaping will be finished by the end of this month. We are waiting on the actual delivery date of the lift. Melancon questioned if the issues were resolved with the Parish permitting, which Danos replied we did go through the approval process with the Parish for the issues with breakaway walls on the lift enclosure. Chiasson stated we received last night an update on the Letter Report for the 30' depth. OMB's review will be completed by the end of the week then it will go to Congressman Scalises's office. Chiasson stated also if you recall last year, we received a grant of $121,000 from the LA Public Service Commission Energy Efficiency Program to change light fixtures to LED in the Administration Buildings. He stated we received another $108,000 from this program for rest of Port owned buildings. We would like to thank the LA Public Service Commission for funding the upgrades and Brandon Allemand for applying to the program.
President Melancon opened the floor for any public comment. Torie Lee, Executive Director of The Center addressed the board. Torie along with Andrew, AJ, and Kim presented to the board the millage renewal for the upcoming June election. She explained the millage is at 4.98 mills. This is a renewal of a millage that has been in place for 50 years and we hope the community supports the renewal. She explained services they provide vending machine services, cardboard recycling, janitorial services, and have a gift shop. The millage is the bulk of their funding source. We kindly ask to support with a yes vote.
Melancon acknowledged Commissioner C. Callais is the Vice President of the organization. C. Callais thanked Torie and also requested public support for Special Education District #1, The Center.
Neil Angelette addressed the board and is honored to be the Admiral of this year's 76th Annual Golden Meadow Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo. This is a great event for the community and thanked the board for the support and use of the pavilion. Lin Kiger with the Lafourche Chamber thanked the board as well for the support for this year's rodeo being held at the Fourchon Pavilion July 2nd ? 4th.
Committee Reports
Executive Committee - The committee met on May 27th in Fourchon. Present were Melancon, Cheramie, Lafont, and M. Callais. They also met June 8th in Cut Off with all members present.
Upon motion by C. Callais second by Cheramie, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the Louisiana Land and Exploration lease extension of Tract L318.
Upon motion by Ledet second by M. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the lease assignment from Rotorcraft Leasing Company for the change in control from Bluehenge Capital to Voyager VI Partners Holdco, LLC for airport lease sites.
Upon motion by Gisclair second by Lafont, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved Amendment of Lease from Trinity Services for site GLF337A.
Upon motion by Cheramie second by Pitre, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the request from Tetra Technologies to install a gate across Loyman Terrebonne Dr.
Upon motion by M. Callais second by C. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the Cooperative Endeavor Agreements for marketing with the Cut Off Youth Center, Bayou Civic Club, and Town of Golden Meadow allows advertising Port signage and we pay $5,000 to each.
Upon motion by C. Callais second by Gisclair, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the sale of surplus items to the high bidders Cuzan Services, Sea Support Dockside & Logistics, and Quality Tank Cleaning Services and offer JJ Merchant the remaining items at the minimum bid amounts.
Permits & Waterways Committee - The committee met on May 27th in Fourchon. Present were K. Callais, Cheramie, C. Callais, and Melancon. They also met June 8th in Cut Off with all present.
Cheramie presented for the board's review the permit from CPRA.
Finance Committee - The committee met on May 27th in Fourchon. Present were Gisclair, Pitre, Melancon, and M. Callais. They also met June 8th in Cut Off with all present.
Upon motion by Gisclair second by M. Callais, with no public comment, the board approved payment of May 2026 invoices and recognized expenditures over $25,000 which totaled $3,606,151.02. The vote resulted in 7 yeas, 1 abstain by C. Callais, and 1 absent by K. Callais.
Upon motion by Gisclair second by C. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved May 2026 preliminary unaudited financial statements.
Chairman Gisclair presented to the board the 2025 Audited Financial Report by Mauldin and Jenkins. John Murray presented the independent auditor's report which resulted in an unmodified opinion in accordance with general accounting principles. The second report is the governmental auditing standards which resulted in no compliance findings and no deficiencies in internal controls. The third report is the Single Audit Report when exceed $750,000 in federal funds which resulted in compliance with requirements and resulted in an unmodified or clean audit opinion with no findings.
The financial highlights are as follows: cash and investments $90.6M (7.8% decrease), capital assets $317.1M (2.7% increase), lease receivables $582M, total assets of $1.04B (.3% decrease), net pension $16.3M, and net position of $515M (4% increase). The Port had annual operating revenues of $45.4M (.6% increase), operating expenses $30.1M (1% increase), net operating income $15.3M (.3% increase), net income before capital grants $22.6M (81% decrease), and capital grants $20.8M (24% increase), net non-operating revenues $11M, and net change in net position $19.9M (38% decrease). The graph for total revenues by source showed 33% lease rentals, 27% interest revenue, 28% capital grants, 6% investment income, and 3% ad valorem taxes. The graph for operating expenses showed 18% depreciation and amortization, 12% personnel services, 11% lease expenses, 10% maintenance supplies, and 39% other expenses. The statewide agreed-upon procedures had no exceptions in performance of procedures. Upon motion by Gisclair second by Pitre, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the 2025 Audited Financial Report.
Upon motion by Gisclair second by M. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the out-of-state travel requests from Scott Bynum to attend the National Homeland Security Conference in Kentucky August 9th ? 13th, John Crochet and Joseph Colson to attend the BSides, Black Hat, & DEFCON Cybersecurity Conferences in Nevada August 2nd ? 10th, and Chett Chiasson to attend GPA Fall Meeting in Alabama November 3rd ? 5th.
President Melancon opened the floor for any other business. Cheramie reported on the upcoming rodeos in the area: July 18th at the Port Fourchon Marina Hooks & Leaders Fishing Rodeo to benefit South Lafourche Cheerleaders, Fourchon Energy Association Fishing Rodeo at the Fourchon Pavilion June 25th ? 27th, and Golden Meadow Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo at the Fourchon Pavilion July 2nd ? 4th. Cheramie then stated for everyone to be safe on the water and wear life jackets.
President Melancon opened the floor for any public comment. Chiasson reported the Harbor Police Officer Reggie Pitre is getting an award as Law Enforcement of the Year from the VFW and we would like to congratulate him for great work.
Upon motion by Lafont second by Cheramie, the board adjourned at 11:01AM.
ATTEST: John Melancon Jr., President, Harris Cheramie Jr. Secretary
July 14 2026
LLOU0554923
Miscellaneous Notices