OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE GREATER LAFOURCHE PORT COMMISSION
September 10, 2025
The Board of Commissioners of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 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, Mike Callais, and Kris Callais
ABSENT: None
Upon motion by Pitre second by C. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved minutes for August 13, 2025 and August 28, 2025 meetings.
Executive Director's Report
Deputy Port Director Davie Breaux announced that Executive Director Chett Chiasson is attending the Gastech Conference in Milan, Italy and has attended meetings with the US Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and was also with Argent LNG to promote the facility that will be located in Fourchon.
Northern Expansion – Engineer John Plaisance reported Dynamic Group continues to drive concrete piles and pour concrete for deadman for the Slip D Bulkhead project. He stated there is a change order for 28 weather days to be added to the contract time.
Airport Projects – Davie Breaux reported aircraft operations for the month of August were 1710, with 8844 passengers, and 19,872 vehicles. Engineer Joe Picciola reported on the Airport Connector Road and Bridge project. There has been no work onsite. We are waiting for the machinery to be delivered. Engineer John Plaisance reported B.E.T. Construction started installing the roof and walls for the New Executive Terminal. The roof will have 2 additional layers which should be completed by the end of September. Engineer John Plaisance reported Volute is substantially complete for the Airport Fuel System Rehabilitation. The pumps are operational and there are fuel sales. There is a change order for an increase of $10,988 to add cement near the dispensers, a different flow meter to fuel the trucks, and 11 additional days. Engineer John Plaisance reported Freetown Builders is close to completion for the Airport Hangar Replacement. The hangar brackets for the doors and additional work is expected to be finished within 2 to 3 weeks. There is a change order increase of $10,648.48 to add a cement walkway along the building and 14 additional days.
Other Projects – Engineer Neil Angelette reported Rigid Constructors is substantially complete as of August 31, 2025 for the Breakwater Repairs. The project is 6 months past due with liquidated damages. Engineer Neil Angelette reported Onshore Construction has been on site since last month for the Fourchon Beach project. Melancon questioned the placement of sand on the beach, which Angelette replied the sand is being trucked to the storage area then barged across Pass Fourchon to the staging area and trucked to the beach. The sand comes from the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
President Melancon opened the floor for any public comment. Senator Blake Miguez announced his candidacy for US Senate. Daniel Lorraine, Parish Councilman reported at last night's Parish Council meeting the Parish rescinded the purchase of the Bristow/Ledet property in Galliano due to the Gulf Wind company canceling the offer to lease.
Committee Reports
Executive Committee - The committee met on August 27th in Cut Off. Present were Lafont, M. Callais, Melancon, with Cheramie absent. They also met on September 8th in Cut Off with all members present.
Upon motion by Cheramie second by M. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously declared that items are surplus and no longer needed for public purpose and ready to advertise for sale.
Upon motion by C. Callais second by Gisclair, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved a short-term lease with JAD Construction for 600'x100' site along Slip C and mooring area for lift boats in Flotation Canal.
Upon motion by Ledet second by Lafont, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the lease request from BTS Western Wear of Louisiana to operate a mobile retail boot store on site GLF200-C in Port Fourchon.
Permits & Waterways Committee - The committee met on August 27th in Cut Off. Present were C. Callais, Melancon, K. Callais, with Cheramie absent. They also met on September 8th in Cut Off with all members present.
Chairman Kris Callais presented for the board's review permits from Entergy Louisiana, Corps of Engineers, and GLPC.
Construction & Development Committee - The committee met on August 27th and September 8th in Cut Off. Present were Ledet, Pitre, Melancon, and K. Callais.
Upon motion by Cheramie second by Ledet, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved Change Order No. 2 from Dynamic Group for Slip D Bulkhead to add an additional 28 days to the contract time.
Upon motion by M. Callais second by C. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the DOTD Airport General Maintenance Sponsorship Grant for expenses not to exceed $10,306.58.
Upon motion by Lafont second by Gisclair, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved Change Order No. 3 from Volute for the Airport Fuel System Rehabilitation project to increase the contract price by $10,988 and add an additional 11 days to the contract time.
Upon motion by Cheramie second by K. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved Change Order No. 2 from Freetown Builders for the Airport Hangar Replacement to increase the contract price by $10,648.48 and add an additional 14 days to the contract time.
Upon motion by C. Callais second by Gisclair, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the Substantial Completion Certificate dated August 31, 2025 from Rigid Constructors for the Breakwater project.
Upon motion by Cheramie second by K. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the lowest responsive bid from Low Land Construction Co. in the amount of $677,000 for the Fourchon Pavilion Bulkhead.
Finance Committee - The committee met on August 27th in Cut Off. Present were Gisclair, M. Callais, Pitre, and Melancon. They also met September 8th in Cut Off. Present were M. Callais, Pitre, Melancon, with Gisclair absent.
Upon motion by Gisclair second by M. Callais, with no public comment, the board approved payment of August 2025 invoices and recognized expenditures over $25,000 which totals $5,914,803.75. The board's vote resulted in 8 yeas and 1 abstain by C. Callais.
Upon motion by Gisclair second by Ledet, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the August 2025 unaudited financial statements.
Upon motion by Gisclair second by Pitre, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the 2025 insurance renewals.
Upon motion by Gisclair second M. Callais, with no public comment, the board unanimously approved the out-of-state travel requests from Joshua Collins and Scott Bynum to attend the National Port Partner Emergency Response Summit November 11th to 14th in California.
President Melancon opened the floor for any other business. Pitre stated on September 2nd he along with Chad Callais, Miranda Parker, and Scott Bynum attended the swearing in of the new Lafourche Parish District Judge Shaun-Philip George. Upon motion Lafont second by C. Callais, the meeting adjourned at 11:05AM.
ATTEST: John Melancon Jr., President, Rodney Gisclair, Treasurer
October 21 2025
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