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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 02 23 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the BRAAPage 1 of 4 BARKLEY REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FEBRUARY 23, 2026 I. Call to Order and Roll Call At 3:30pm on February 23, 2026, the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Barkley Regional Airport Authority was called to order by Jason Crockett, Chair of the Board. The meeting was held in person and over Microsoft Teams at the airport terminal after being properly advertised and noticed. A quorum of Directors was present throughout the meeting for the purpose of conducting business, either in person or over Microsoft Teams (as noted below). Directors in Attendance: Jason Crockett; Marshall Davis; Lanie Fearon; Jeff James; Kevin Kauffeld; Frank Long; Dann Patterson; Kelly Scruggs; and Mike Stone. Director Absent: Dan Knowles. Others in Attendance: Executive Director, Dennis Rouleau; Carol Creason; Luci Aguilera; Kat Byers; David Riley, Secretary and Board Attorney, and representatives of CMT. II. Pledge of Allegiance The pledge was conducted. III. Welcome new BRAA Board Member Frank Long (county appointment) Mr. Long was introduced and welcomed as the newest member of the Board. IV. Approval of Board Minutes a. BRAA Board Meeting Minutes 01/24/2026 Having had an opportunity to review the minutes and comment thereon, Director Davis moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of the regular meeting on January 24, 2026. The motion was seconded by Director Patterson and passed by unanimous voice acclamation without opposition. V. Approval of January 2026 Financial and Statistical Report This information was presented by the Executive Director. From July 2025 through January 2026, airport income exceeded expected/budgeted income, and expenses have been less than expected/budgeted expenses. However, the Executive Director cautioned that expenses are expected to rise once expensed from the February snow event are paid and included in the financial statistics. Contour Airlines is behind on its final rent payments, but Ben Muson has assured the Executive Director that all outstanding rent obligations will be satisfied. The airport’s current financial statements (with month-to-month and year-to-year comparisons) were reviewed. The Board also reviewed current accounts receivable. The Board also reviewed statistical reports for: (a) passenger counts; (b) parking lot revenues; (c) car rental revenues; (d) air traffic counts; (e) jet A fuel sales; and (f) avgas fuel sales. Notably, air traffic counts and avgas sales are down, while Jet A sales are up. Page 2 of 4 The Executive Director also reported that today (February 23, 2026) is “moving day” for Skywest in taking over/assuming commercial air service at the airport. Contour’s last flight was last night. Skywest begins service on February 24, 2026, with a 50-seat aircraft and fourteen roundtrip flights per week serving Chicago and Houston. Having had an opportunity to review this information and ask questions, Director Patterson moved to approve the January 2026 financial and statistical reports. The motion was seconded by Director Scruggs and passed by unanimous voice acclamation without opposition. VI. Airport Director’s Report a. Contour/SkyWest Transition This item was presented by the Executive Director, who reported that he is in talks with Contour about potentially purchasing some ground handling equipment from it in order to manage charter flights. SkyWest will only oversee their own charters but will not assist in third-party charters, like the casino flights. The potential price is being discussed, and the Executive Director will report back to the Board. The Executive Director also noted that there is a substantial difference between Contour and SkyWest. SkyWest has been highly engaged in making the transition, including performing a tabletop emergency exercise. b. Inaugural Flight Celebration on February 27, 2026 The Executive Director invited the Board to join the airport staff, the Judge Executive, the Mayor, and others to celebrate SkyWest at a ceremony on February 27, 2026. c. Chamber Breakfast and Lunch of Barkley Pledge The Executive Director has invited the Board to join him and airport staff at the upcoming Chamber of Commerce breakfast, where representatives of SkyWest will be the featured speaker and the airport will launch the Barkley Pledge. d. Marketing Report This report was presented by Kat Byars. She has been working on the SkyWest inaugural flight celebration and the launch of the Barkley Pledge. She presented the Board with a packet and written report of certain marketing metrics. Chair Crockett had questions about advertisements and solicitations on social media platforms. The Executive Director noted that SkyWest complimented the Marketing Director on her marketing efforts. e. Ground Transportation Concerns The Executive Director reported that he had attended a meeting with Mayor Bray and others from the City of Paducah regarding transportation to and from the airport giving the timing of the early and late flights. The City is looking to work directly with Uber and Lyft to subsidize and motivate transportation to and from the airport, as PATS is not an option. f. Snow Event Recap The Executive Director reported that the snow event in February 2026 was a tough storm. The airport has lots of worn out and broken equipment that it is trying to repair and get back into working order. The Executive Director purchased a pull-behind tractor blade in Page 3 of 4 an effort to be prepared for future storms. The airport used significant amounts of diesel fuel in the event. An additional diesel tank and gas tank will be installed near the new terminal as part of the fuel farm rehabilitation/upgrade project. The airport’s snowblower broke down and will be repaired. New and upgraded snow removal equipment is designated to be purchased as part of the FAA CIP. g. Construction Update The following items and updates were presented by the Executive Director and Mike Reiter of CMT. i. General Aviation Terminal Lots of work has been performed on the GA terminal over the past month. Flooring and lighting have bene installed. Fire alarms are being installed. The restrooms have undergone significant upgrades. Outside sitework still needs to be performed but it is projected to be completed at the end of March or in early April, depending on weather conditions. Completion of the project is still projected for the middle of April. Chair Crockett asked questions about painting the upstairs of the terminal. The Executive Director explained that he hopes the project will be under budget and that he believes the painting can be completed after the project is completed. ii. Fuel Farm The airport continues to collaborate with the contractor to motivate work on this project. An updated schedule from the contractor shows completion in June 2026. iii. Runway Rehab Phase III Jim Smith Contracting worked to complete this project before winter but there are a few remaining finishing items, including finalizing some electrical work and sow/re-seeding. This is projected to take about two weeks to complete. iv. Perimeter Road A few remaining items are left before completing this project, including pouring the tops to some structures and an additive bid to complete/rehab ditches because the project is under budget. This work will be completed once the weather improves. v. Airfield Lighting Project The U.S. Senate, through Senator McConnell, has earmarked $3.1 million for this project, which will be added to funds already set aside for this project. The total cost is expected to be around $4.1 million. The airport desperately needs a new airfield lighting vault. This project will result in new runway lighting on 14/32 and new lighting on many taxiways. The lighting will be LED. The project is currently under design, will be sent out for bid in May, and physical work is expected to begin in 2027.