The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Levee Board Office, 3404 Industrial Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana.
The President, James Rabb, called the meeting to order.
PRESENT: ALLEY, BANTLE, BRANTON, MONTGOMERY, RABB, LARKIN, WEBB, LASSEIGNE, SINCLAIR, TOM ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINEER.
ABSENT: NONE.
The first order of business was opening prayer and pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Sinclair.
On motion by Larkin, seconded by Lasseigne, unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 11, 2016.
On suggestion of the Chair to add an item to the agenda, Sinclair moved and Branton seconded a motion to add to the agenda discussion on donating land owned by the Bossier Levee District on Tilman Ditch to the school board. Sinclair moved and Branton seconded to add this item to the agenda. The President asked if any member of the public wanted to speak on whether to add the item to the agenda and there was no request to speak. By roll call vote with all members present voting “yes” the motion carried unanimously and the item was added to the agenda.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Mr. Don Durr, Durr Engineering representing Bossier Village Lane, LLC, 4012 Benton Road, Bossier City, La. appeared requesting a permit to pave a portion of the easements, to install two subsurface pipes to discharge into Beniot Bayou at (2) points and a new fence will be added at the north property line to the bayou. The permit committee met with Mr. Durr and voted favorable on the request.
On motion by Lasseigne, seconded by Lasseigne, and unanimously passed the Board approved the request from Benton Village Lane, LLC to pave 35 feet inside the levee easement, place a new fence 15 feet from the top bank at the north property line and subsurface pipes to discharge into Beniot Bayou at two point.
The President asked if any member of the public wanted to speak on this permit and there was no response from the public.
Mr. Kirk Thomas with Pulley White Insurance Company, handed out a booklet to each Commissioners showing the insurance coverage with Hanover for the 2015-2016 year. Mr. Thomas reviewed all insurance and coverage with the Commissioners. There was no action The President asked if there were any comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
President Rabb, recognized Robert Tomesek to the Board as Engineer, as the new engineer officially appointed by the DOTD, replacing Harvey Christian who retired earlier this year.
Mr. Brad Smith, Huddleston Smith Investments updated the Board on the current investments. There was various discussion concerning step up bonds and cash investments for future projects. No action was taken.
The President asked if there were any comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board reviewed a letter dated May 25, 2016 from the Department of the Army for the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Stone Repair, Bossier City, La. On motion by Alley, seconded by Montgomery, the Board passed a resolution authorizing the President and Attorney to sign the resolution granting “Authorization to Entry" as presented.
The President asked if there were any comments from the public and there were no comments from the public.
Commissioner Larkin discussed with the Board a certain piece of property on Tilman Ditch/New High School Ditch which has a walking bridge across the property used by students crossing Tilman Ditch. He stated that the land was donated to the Levee District in 1982 and the Board was unaware that the property belonged to the Levee District until the school board contacted the Levee District concerning bridge replacement. Commissioner Larkin stated that Bossier Parish School Board would like to have the property and maintain the bridge.
On motion by Larkin, seconded by Webb and unanimously passed the Board approved a resolution authorizing the Attorney Arceneaux to manage and prepare the document and authorizing the President to sign on behalf of the Bossier Levee District donating the property on Tilman Ditch according to the recorded document #372568 ; Track 1-K,fully described in Vol. 425-593, less Greenacres Subdivision, Units 8,9,10,11,12, 13 and less Street, Sec. 16, Tract 1-G, fully described in Vol 425-693, less Greenacres Sub., Units 8,12,Sec.17, T.18, R, 13.
The President asked if there were comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
On motion by Alley, seconded by Bantle the Board named the Bossier Tribune the official journal for the Bossier Levee District for the year 2016-2017.
The President asked for comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
The Board reviewed a letter from J.W. Operating concerning the consent to assignment of lease, BA#: 001567. JWOC has recently entered into a transaction with Aethon United BRLP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aethon Energy Operating, which will include a transfer of JWOC’s leasehold right in the lease; accordingly, JWOC hereby requests our consent to assign all of JWOC’s interest in our Lease to Aethon, as Assignee.
On motion by Lasseigne, seconded by Alley, and unanimously carried the Board passed a resolution authorizing the President to sign the consent to assignment of lease on behalf of the Levee District.
The President asked if there were any comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
The Board reviewed a letter from Andrew Rogers, Vice President with Encana requesting that a previous issued permit be transferred to GEP Hayesville, LLC. Mark Long, Operations Coordinator advised the Board that the original permit had not been signed or recorded.
On motion by Sinclair, seconded by Branton, the Board instructed the Secretary to write a letter stating that the transfer will be done after the original permit has been signed and recorded.
The Commissioners authorized the President to sign the transfer on behalf of the Board, after the original permit has been signed and recorded.
The President asked if there were any comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
The committee for the Red Chute Levee Raising, presented the Board with all updates since the May meeting. No action was taken.
The President asked for comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Bantle and unanimously passed the Board approved the transfer of $200,000.00 from Huddleston Smith to the checking account for the equipment purchases. The money will be requested when the equipment arrives.
The President asked if there were any comments from the public, there were no comments from the public.
Commissioner Lasseigne, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee presented a slate of officers for the 2016-2018 year as follows:
President – James Rabb
1st Vice- President - Timothy Larkin
2nd Vice- President – Scott Sinclair
The President asked if there were more nominations from the floor. There being no nominations from the floor and the above officers were elected to serve the Board, for the 2016-2018 term. No comments from the public.
The Board reviewed a contract from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office for the 2016 annual audit.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Sinclair and unanimously carried the Board passed a resolution approving the audit and authorized the President to sign on behalf of the Board.
LEVEE AND DRAINAGE:
Red Chute Levee Improvement Project
- July 2, 2015 – submitted final plans to Corps and DOTD for review.
- August 6, 2015 – received letter from Statewide Flood Control for Fiscal Year 2016 Funding; $980,100 for FY 15/16; total to date $2,112,115; balance to complete State’s obligation $2,491,345.
- April 19, 2016 – Met with Vicksburg Corps and discussed 408 review; they advised that the information submitted by Dewberry was inadequate for their review.
- June 15, 2016 – Meeting scheduled with Vicksburg Corps to discuss 408 H&H submittal.
Red Chute Levee Maintenance
- Received approval to advertise for bids for HDPE pipe liners for two locations between I-20 and State Levee; revised estimated material cost $105,000.00.
- Work is scheduled for filling low areas where sand bags were placed in recent high water event.
- Repairs needed on levee surfacing on Barksdale AFB; estimated cost $140,000.00.
Bossier Drainage Maintenance Initiative
- Work to resume on Red Chute Bayou between I-20 and Dogwood Trail when site conditions dry.
Red Chute Bayou Levee Sluice Gate Repair
- Received quote of $20,455 to replace a sluice gate and refurbish sluice gate box located on Barksdale AFB. Sluice gate has been received by contractor; will be installed when water level recedes.
Red River Levee PL 84-99 Repairs
- August 18, 2015 – PL 84-99 Eligibility Determination site visit with Vicksburg USACE to inspect bank caving near Red River Levee station 1080+00 to 1087+00; also area near levee station 2385+00 stability berm is eroding.
- February 3, 2016 – Spoke with Barry Moore with the Vicksburg Corps and he advised that the PL 84-99 request has been approved and funds are available for the bank stability repairs at levee station 10+80 to 10+87. He anticipates that a notice to proceed will be given in June of this year and the estimated completion date is September 15, 2016.
- March 31, 2016 – Sent Authorization for Entry to Corps for PL 84-99 survey work.
- May 26, 2016 – Shannon Bussey with Corps called requesting a construction RW for repair work.
Red River Levee Encroachment Removal
- Removed trees from near flood wall at Horseshoe Casino; cost $7,425.00.
2016 Flood Damages
- Bank Caving on Flat River and Red Chute Bayou; concerns on Flat River near Poole Rd.
- April 14, 2016 – channel inspection found 25,310 feet of bank caving; estimated repair cost for repair $19,000,000.00; damages reported to FEMA no determination on eligibility for funding at this time.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Maintenance repairs on levees at various locations.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Removed debris drift buildup on bridges.
- Breaking Beaver Dams.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
- Mowing levees and channels.
Equipment
- Ordered two new 110 HP Tractors thru state contract; estimated delivery July 7, 2016.
- Ordered one 3/4 Ton crew cab 4-wheel drive truck for spray crew thru state contract; estimated delivery July 15, 2016.
- Ordered one full size 4-wheel drive SUV thru state contract; estimated delivery July 8, 2016.
- Request for Argo 750 for Herbicide application in ditches; estimated cost $22,
APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Secretary for the district be and she is hereby authorized to make the payments as shown on the agenda in the amount of $44,879.18.
ADJOURNED:
On motion by Branton, seconded by Webb the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________ _____________________________
James Rabb, President Mary Jane Easterly, Secretary