PROCEEDINGS OF THE AIRPORT DISTRICT, PARISH OF BEAUREGARD, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT SPECIAL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004.

The Beauregard Parish Airport District met in Special Session on Thursday September 16, 2004 at 5:00 P.M.  The following board members were present: Hollis Ray O'Neal, Chairman; R.M. Simmons, Wayne Hall and Eugene Loftin.  Absent were: Elton Pickering, Secretary/Treasurer, Karl St. Romain and Hugh Dubose.  Also present were: John B. Jones, III, Airport Manager and Lee Lancon, Consulting Engineer.

Mr. O'Neal opened the Special Meeting and explained that the meeting had been called to discuss specific problems involved in the Construction of Taxiway A & B. He then introduced Mr. Lee Lancon, Engineering Consultant, who would make the report.

Mr. Lancon told the board that there had been unexpected and serious problems encountered in the project.  The problem was the soil stabilization.  He said that, despite all efforts the required soil compaction had not been achieved.  This was because of moisture in the soil and even the presence of free standing water in some of the soil bores.  Mr. Lancon said that earlier tests had shown no indications of this problem.  He said that the problem was so severe that efforts to achieve the compaction serve only to bring more moisture to the surface.  Mr. Lancon felt that this problem was caused by the record-setting rainfall experienced in the early summer.

Mr. Lancon said that he felt the soil could be stabilized by construction of a subgrade layer using soil cement in general conformance with LaDOTD specifications.  Mr. Lancon had already requested an opinion on this recommendation from the FAA.  The FAA had, in turn, come back with approval to implement the soil cement recommendation.  However, the FAA has no money with which to fund the increase in costs.  Mr. Lancon had estimated additional costs at $80,000 to $100,000.  Therefore, if this is done as an additional part of the project the airport would have to absorb the cost with the understanding the federal funds may possibly be available at a later date.  Another problem is the current shortage of cement.  It is important that cement orders are placed at the earliest possible date.  A quote from the contractor for an estimated cost of $134,688.36 was also reviewed at this time.

There was a lengthy discussion among the board members regarding the most appropriate course of action to solve the compaction problem and the cost estimate submitted by the contractor. There was general agreement among the board members that the airport should not assume any more funding responsibility.

A motion was made by Mr. Loftin to approve the use of soil cement for stabilization provided that:

1. Cost of the soil cement stabilization was less than $105,000 and would come from funds in alternate 1
2. That work would proceed as originally planned on the base bid,
3. That work on alternate 1 after this change, would proceed as far as available funds would permit, and
4. Provided this course of action would be acceptable to the FAA.

The second was provided by Mr. Hall and the motion was unanimously approved.

There being no further business a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Loftin, seconded by Mr. Simmons, and unanimously approved.

    

Hollis Ray O'Neal, Chairman

    

Elton Pickering, Secretary/Treasurer