The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, December 14, 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: BRANTON, ALLEY, RABB, LARKIN, WEBB, SINCLAIR , TOM ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINEER.
ABSENT: BANTLE, LASSEIGNE AND MONTGOMERY
The first order of business was opening prayer and pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Webb.
On motion by Sinclair seconded by Alley, unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 9, 2016.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Mark Long, who reviewed the permit application of Jim Saintignan - Palmetto Custom Homes prior to the meeting, summarized the application for the Board. The permit was requested to add dirt to set grade to promote proper drainage away from the proposed new residence at 300 Bevly, Bossier City, La.
On motion by Sinclair, seconded by Alley and unanimously approved the Board approved the permit subject to the permit being in the name of the homeowners and noting that some minor fill in 15 feet of the levee. The President asked for comments from the public and there were none.
Donnie Barker, Mohr and Associates representing Bellaire Baptist Church appeared requesting a permit for outfall structures into Flat River for Victoria Meadows Subdivision Unit 2 along with outfall in Unit #1. Lots grading back to street from house pad, grading only with swale to intercept overflow.
On motion by Larkin, seconded by Webb and unanimously approved the permit subject to approval from the DOTD on the outfall pipe and subject to approval from the City of Bossier Engineer. ** Bossier City will maintain the drainage system. The President asked for comments from the public, there were none.
Skip James - Aillet, Fenner Jolly and McClelland representing Pinnacle Subdivision appeared requesting variance for outer 50 feet of Willow Chute Bayou high bank, to allow building of fences, structures, pools or anything of a permanent nature within the outer 50 feet of the statutory 100 feet of control area.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Branton and unanimously carried the Board approved said permit subject to permittee putting pins downs and signs where easement will be.
Mark Long, who reviewed the permit application of Manchac Engineering for the City of Bossier prior to the meeting, summarized the application for the Board. The permit was requested because the City desires to carry treated water away from the existing treatment plant on Shed Road in Bossier City, La., and the installation of these mains requires crossing the Red River Levee.
On motion by Sinclair, seconded by Alley and unanimously approved the permit was approved subject to DOTD and Corps approval. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board discussed BHP request for EGP 25 Lateral Gas Pipeline on the Red River Levee. No action taken, more information needed. No comments from public.
On motion by Sinclair, seconded by Larkin and unanimously approved the Board approved the contract for Tom Arceneaux, Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts as Counsel from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 at a monthly rate of $1500.00 plus, out of pocket expenses in accordance with the regulations issued by the Attorney General office, State of Louisiana. Travel time, at the direction and for the convenience of the District, is billable as services if done during normal working hours and if it does not cause service charges for the day to exceed 8 hours. No comments from the public.
The Board discussed the safety meeting with instruction by David Price No action was taken.
On motion by Branton, seconded by Scott the Board authorized the President to sign the Anadarko document presented to the Board.
The Board discussed BHP request for EGP 25 Lateral Gas Pipeline on the Red River Levee. No action was taken, additional information needed.
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.
- July 21, 2016 – Met with Statewide Flood Control manager and discussed building the project in two phases; Phase 1 being from ground line up to current levee elevation and Phase 2 being from current levee elevation up to new levee design grade when approved by Corps. Billy Williamson, Statewide Flood Control manager, spoke favorable of the plan for 2 phases of construction; at this time, we have not received an official approval.
- July 29, 2016 – Approved contract for Dewberry for additional work required for Corps 408 permit H&H submittal in the amount of $71,210.00.
- October 11, 2016 – Submitted plans for Red Chute Levee Widening Project to the Vicksburg Corps for permit approval.
- November 7, 2016 – Received Letter dated July 21, 2016 advising of additional funding from Statewide Flood Control for Fiscal Year 2017 in the amount of $2,491,345 bring the project to be fully funded at $4,603,460.00.00.
- December 6, 2016 – Received call from Vicksburg Corps, Neal Lewis, Ray Wilson, and James Harper advising that the levee widening permit request requires an H&H study. Randy Denmon and Jacob Lesue are working on an estimate for the study.
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 ongoing by BLD crews filling low areas on Red Chute Levee between Hwy 80 and Dogwood Trail.
Bossier Drainage Maintenance Initiative
- BLD crew mulching trees and logs removed from Red Chute Bayou Channel Cleaning project.
Red River Levee Maintenance Repair Project
- October 5, 2016 – Opened bids for Red River Levee Maintenance Repair Project; with a low bid from 3 Gen Construction LLC of $397,626.00.
- November 16, 2016 – notice to proceed given.
- December 13, 2016 - Work has been delayed by rain; project is approximately 20% complete.
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.
- June 8, 2016 - Furnished construction RW document for repair work.
- July 12, 2016 – Verbal commitment from Corps for work to begin mid-September with Corps Hired Labor Crew.
- October 31, 2016 - Barry Moore with Vicksburg Corps advised that funding for PL 84-99 repairs is on hold.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Maintenance repairs on Red Chute Levee between US 80 and Dogwood Trail.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Mulching debris from channel cleanout and clearing.
- Cleaning debris from bridges on Red Chute Bayou and Flat River.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Branton and unanimously passed the Board authorized the Secretary to pay the bills for the month of November in the amount of $127,269.20.
The President asked if there were comments from the public, there was none.
On motion by Branton, seconded by Webb the meeting adjourned.
__________________________ _____________________________
James Rabb, President Mary Jane Easterly, Secretary