Indianapolis Airport Authority Meeting - December 19, 2025

The December 19, 2025, meeting of the Indianapolis Airport Authority convened with a full quorum to approve multiple agenda items including FTZ operator agreements, construction amendments, and staff augmentations. The Executive Director provided a year-end report highlighting record non-stop flights, increased passenger numbers, and strong local economic impact. The board unanimously approved all presented resolutions before adjourning for the holiday season.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of the November 21, 2025, meeting were unanimously approved (8 motion, 1 second, roll call unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were recorded during this meeting.

Discussion Items

FTZ Operator Agreements (BP 2025-12-1 & 2)

• Phoenix Retail LLC (BP 2025-12-1): Presented an FTV operator agreement for a facility in Greenfield, Indiana, spanning 369,000 square feet. The proposal anticipates creating 213 full-time jobs and generating $13.6 million in annual fees, with a grantee fee of $48,000 annually. The Foreign Trade Zone Board, led by Jeff Gaither, recommended approval.
• ElectroSpec (BP 2025-12-2): Presented an FTV operator agreement for a 55,000 square foot facility in Franklin, Indiana, specializing in electroplating. The facility employs 50 full-time staff with a payroll of approximately $3.6 million. The Foreign Trade Zone Board recommended approval.

Restroom Renovation Amendment (BP 2025-12-3)

• Scope and Rationale: Jared Klaus presented an amendment not to exceed $827,650 for Etika Group. This amendment covers construction administration for both the non-secure and secure side restroom projects at the Indianapolis International Airport.
• Project Split and Bid Concerns: Klaus explained the original bid failed because the $17 million project was too complex and required two to three years of night work. Consequently, the project was split into two: non-secure (current) and secure (future). The amendment primarily (73%) covers 18 months of construction administration and (13%) covers the costs of splitting the projects.
• Board Concerns and Responses: Board member Brian Goodwin expressed concern that the amendment size was high for a project that has not yet begun. Klaus responded that the split mitigates risk, as lessons learned in the first phase will likely reduce costs in the second. He noted that tools on the secure side require stricter verification, adding complexity, and that the team aims to offset costs through increased efficiency.

Planning Office Renovations (BP 2025-12-4)

• Strategic Pivot: Jared Klaus presented an amendment not to exceed $113,866 for Synthesis. The project originally assumed renovating existing office areas, which would have caused significant disruption. Synthesis proposed building out an underutilized "skeleton" section of the former Plumbers Union Hall. This approach reduces costs and disruption while allowing for future-proofing design based on staff growth projections.

Staff Augmentations (BP 2025-12-5 & 6)

• General Augments (BP 2025-12-5): Jared Klaus presented amendments for Shrewsbury Associates to support the $2 billion capital program. He noted that while 2024 augmentation costs were over $6 million and 2023 were $3.8 million, this year's total (including Ruseberry) is approximately $3.3 million.
• Staffing Ratios: Klaus clarified that approximately 35% of the staff are now hired in-house rather than augmented, though recruitment remains slow in the current market. Board member Brian Goodwin inquired about the composition, noting a mix of engineers, architects, and project managers, all working full-time hours.
• Specific Vendors (BP 2025-12-6): The board approved action items for staff augmentation contracts with B&H Engineering ($484,000), JS Held ($754,820), and Karamita ($320,000). Karamita was noted as providing environmental professionals.

Executive Director's Report

• Financial and Operational Status: Mario Rodriguez reported record non-stop flights (55), a surplus of over 500 operating days reserved, and record passenger numbers.
• Economic Impact: The report highlighted that 91% of last year's airport spending was local, totaling over $200 million.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Approval of minutes for the November 21, 2025, meeting.
• Unanimous Approval of the FTV operator agreement for Phoenix Retail LLC (BP 2025-12-1).
• Unanimous Approval of the FTV operator agreement for ElectroSpec (BP 2025-12-2).
• Unanimous Approval of Amendment #3 with Etika Group for restroom renovations up to $827,650 (BP 2025-12-3).
• Unanimous Approval of Amendment #1 with Synthesis for planning office renovations up to $113,866 (BP 2025-12-4).
• Unanimous Approval of augmentation amendment for Shrewsbury Associates up to $1,704,901 (BP 2025-12-5).
• Unanimous Approval of combined staff augmentation contracts for B&H Engineering, JS Held, and Karamita (BP 2025-12-6).
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for Friday, January 16, 2026, at 8:00 AM. The board adjourned with holiday wishes.