MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday,
October 17, 2024
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
Ms. Andrea LaFleur, Director of Executive & Airport Affairs
Ms. Loretta Hanks, Director of Finance
Mr. John McMullen, Director of Facilities & Maintenance
Mr. Mitch ONeal, Director of Operations
Mr. Clint Johnson, Airport Operations Superintendent
Mrs. Desiree K. Daigle, Admin. Specialist/Recording Secretary
Mr. Brett Downer, OCarroll Group
Chief Josh Arnold, Centerra
Mr. Byron Owens, Control Tower Chief
Mr. Tyson Grenzebach, LandLocked Aviation Services, L.L.C.
Mr. Jonathan Greer, LandLocked Aviation Services, L.L.C.
Mr. Byron Racca, Meyer & Associates
Mrs. Krystal McMullen, Meyer & Associates
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 reported that Mr. Phillip DeVillier, Speaker of the House of Representatives visited Chennault. Mr. Melton thanked Mr. Theunissen and State Representative Troy Romero for facilitating what was a positive visit. Mr. Melton also thanked LandLocked Aviation Services, L.L.C. and Citadel Completions, L.L.C. for their efforts in supporting the visit as well. Mr. Melton reported that he and Mr. David Whitaker, DVW Aviation Advisor attended the Breakbulk Americas in Houston. Mr. Melton stated that they had the opportunity to speak with several airline representatives. Mr. Melton stated that the airlines are enthusiastic about coming out and are considering operating at Chennault. Mr. Melton reported that friends of Chennault, Mr. Jay and Mrs. Brenda Delafield donated seventeen lithograph prints honoring World War II pilots to Chennault. Mr. Melton stated that the prints are currently on exhibit at the Lake Charles City Hall. Mr. Melton reported that the Louisiana National Guard Readiness Center will have its ribbon-cutting opening ceremony tomorrow morning, October 18, 2024. Mr. Melton stated that Chennault has received Letters of Commitment from both LandLocked Aviation Services, L.L.C. and Citadel Completions, L.L.C. expressing their intent to expand and the need for additional facility space. Mr. Melton stated that he is exhausting every effort to secure funding to support our tenants needs of growing vertically.
Mr. Theunissen shared general information on the upcoming Presidential Election, voting dates, times, etc.
Mr. Brett Downer gave a brief summary of the ongoing marketing and public relation efforts.
LEASE RENEWAL R.O.W.C., L.L.C.
D/B/A DIAMOND D INDUSTRIES
Mr. Melton stated that R.O.W.C., L.L.C. d/b/a Diamond D Industries requests to extend the lease for the 32.9 acres of Site 3 along Prien Lake Road for a laydown yard for electrical material in support of a Jeff Davis Electric project for six more months commencing January 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2025. 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 AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A SIX-MONTH LEASE RENEWAL COMMENCING ON JANUARY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 BETWEEN CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND R.O.W.C., L.L.C. D/B/A DIAMOND D INDUSTRIES.
FISCAL AGENT SERVICES
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Mr. Melton stated that the current Fiscal Agent Agreement expires January 31, 2025.
Request for Proposals (RFP) for a two (2) year period beginning February 1, 2025 under the terms and conditions similar to the current agreement. The RFP will be published in the official journal Lake Charles American Press. 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 AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PREPARE A FISCAL AGENT SERVICES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) AND TO ADVERTISE THE RFP IN THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL.
FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE #2 (FWPH)
INTERIOR TANK RECOAT
Mr. Melton stated that the interior coating on the two tanks is in need of being recoated. Recoating the tanks will allow for the inspection of the tanks to be performed every 5 years as required by NFPA 25 requirement. 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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR, ADVERTISE FOR, OPEN BIDS FOR AND AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE #2 (FWPH) INTERIOR TANK RECOAT PROJECT.
FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE #2 (FWPH)
INSTRUMENTATION UPGRADE
Mr. Melton stated that the instrumentation upgrade is to enable the pumps to automatically shut off when water tanks are empty, which will prevent the pumps from burning up. 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, SOLICIT FOR, OPEN BIDS FOR AND AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE FIREWATER PUMPHOUSE #2 (FWPH) INSTRUMENTATION UPGRADE PROJECT.
LOUISIANA MILLWORK, BUILDING #1
DRAINAGE AND LATERAL EROSION CONTROL
Mr. Melton stated that this project is necessary to stop the lateral erosion behind Louisiana Millwork, Building #1. The erosion has become a safety issue for maintaining the grass and has also caused the concrete to break. 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 PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR, ADVERTISE FOR, OPEN BIDS FOR AND AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE LOUISIANA MILLWORK, BUILDING #1 DRAINAGE AND LATERAL EROSION CONTROL PROJECT.
SPECIAL EVENT LETTER OF AGREEMENT (LOA)
CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW, INC.
Mr. Melton stated that this is a re-review of the draft of the Special Event Letter of Agreement (LOA) between Chennault International Airport Authority and the Chennault International Airshow, Inc.
Mr. Johnson stated that on September 27, John and he met with Bruce Beard and Kevin Land in regards to the LOA. The biggest change would be the gates leading to the Air Operations Area (AOA), which would be managed by Chennault Security. We still will maintain security paid by Chennault Airport and then the Airshow have whoever they want on their gates that do not lead to ramps and the airfield.
President Popillion asked, what are they saying now? Are you getting anything?
Mr. Johnson said I sent the agreement about a week ago, which a copy was provided to the board members. It was sent to them October 7 and I have not heard back. October 8th they were suppose to have their board meeting, but I have not heard anything from them.
Mr. Dalgleish asked, is the airshow cancelled?
Mr. Melton stated that we cant answer that. We dont know.
Mr. Johnson stated that they havent even responded from their board meeting.
Mr. Boyer stated that the ball is in their court.
President Popillion stated yes.
Mr. Hankins stated that I thought they already cancelled it.
Mr. Melton stated they did but the conversation came up about could they restart the 2025 show. However, we dont know the answer to that.
Mr. Martin asked, can they even get the Blue Angels back?
Mr. McMullen stated no, the Blue Angels are gone. They dont know if they can get a main act.
The conversation continued about the specifics of how the Airshow chose to go about cancelling the show and why as well as the negative impact on Chennault Airport.
Mr. Dalgleish stated now one of the problems they had and theyve tried to throw it back on us is that we had a lot of changes and issues that we wanted to talk about. They said well why cant we just do things the way weve always done? Why are you changing the things? I said I dont know if youve noticed but the airport has grown, we have buildings where we didnt have buildings, and were getting ready to activate a taxiway. Things are changing and if you dont think were going to come back to you youre wrong and they just kind of looked at you like deer in headlights.
Mr. Melton stated I think theres internal conversations going on so Ill leave it at that. Were hopeful that might be the case. If I may to your point Bill, the only reason I brought this back to the Board is out of respect to this Board because of the issues that weve had. Normally, I would not bring it back to the Board but I think that under the circumstances it is important that you all see what we have gone back with.
Mr. Melton stated that I would like to propose if it is appropriate for the record, is that basically we would bring the final product back to this board for approval before theres any signature. Thats what I would recommend.
Ms. LaFleur stated so you want to motion to bring this for approval before signature.
Mr. Melton stated yes, when its in its final stages whether its next month or whether its two years from now.
Mr. Dalgleish asked, have yall gotten people asking you why its cancelled.
Mr. Martin stated tons.
Mr. Dalgleish stated yes, everywhere I go its the question I get.
President Popillion stated Ive explained to several other boards that I am on that we did not cancel the Airshow. I would say use common sense on it. I think as a board we are diligently doing our part with Clint as point of contact and Charles as an observer. We are going to rely on them to come back to us with reports. Otherwise, I dont think we should chase the rabbit to find out whats up with it. Were going to leave it alone.
Mr. Martin stated that we put our best foot forward, offered them what we can offer and thats it.
PRESIDENT POPILLION ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT MR. TYSON GRENZEBACH WITH LANDLOCKED AVIATION SERVICES, L.L.C. STATED YES, ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC, WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS CANCELLED I WAS BIT HEARTBROKEN BECAUSE I REALLY LOVE THE AIRSHOW. YOU KNOW WE TAKE PART IN IT WHETHER IT BE BY SPONSORSHIP OR OFFERING OUR HANGAR SPACE WHICH WEVE DONE FOR EVERY AIRSHOW THAT WE HAD HANGAR SPACE. WELL CONTINUE TO OFFER THAT. PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO ENGAGE WITH US, OFFER OUR SERVICES, SPEAK ON OUR BEHALF, OR ASK US TO COME TO ANY MEETINGS WITH THE AIRSHOW BOARD. ITS A BIG ONE FOR ME. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. BOYER, SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO HAVE THE CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY BOARD APPROVE THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE SPECIAL EVENT LETTER OF AGREEMENT (LOA) BETWEEN CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW, INC. BEFORE ANY SIGNATURES.
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 SEPTEMBER 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 12:59 p.m.
MR. NORA POPILLION, PRESIDENT
MR. CHARLES K.
DALGLEISH,
SECRETARY/
TREASURER
Dec 18 1t
1924718