The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at 10:10 a.m. at the Levee Board Office, 3404 Industrial Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana.
The 1st Vice President, Tim Larkin, called the meeting to order.
PRESENT: ALLEY, LARKIN, MOORE, STELLY, WEBB, TOM ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINEER.
ABSENT: BANTLE AND MONTGOMERY.
The first order of business was opening prayer by Commissioner Webb and pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Larkin.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 14, 2017.
AMENDMENT TO AGENDA:
On suggestion of the Chair to add an item to the agenda, Webb moved and Moore seconded a motion to add to the agenda The Enclave at the Reserve. Alley moved and Stelly seconded a motion to add the item to the agenda. The President asked if any member of the public wished to speak on whether to add the item to the agenda, and there were no requests 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:
Kirk Thomas appeared representing Pulley White Insurance Agency to discuss the potential purchase of a Cyber and Security Breach Exposure Policy and after his presentation the Board declined the purchase of said policy.
T. Ryan Estess, Engineer, representing Raley and Associates Inc., appeared requesting a permit to drain into both Willow Chute and Flat River for drainage outfalls for the new Benton High School development.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Moore and unanimously passed the Board approved the permit regarding the drainage outfalls for the Benton High School, subject to the DOTD’s review and approval. No comments from the public.
James Sterritt, Attorney, representing Cook Yancey Law Firm and Sheri Sterritt appeared requesting the resubdivision of Hickory Ridge Estates Unit #3, Lot 2, Block A. He requested that the writing of the proposed plat and the marking of the Control Area on the restrictions on the plat, and that the Control Area did not apply to his property.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Alley the Board unanimously concluded that the above applicant, Mr. Sterritt, should present a written proposal to the Bossier Levee Board’s legal counsel for his review. Further discussion of this project was tabled until the August 9th meeting.
No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board discussed a proposal from Wetlands Unlimited, LLC for wetland delineation for the Red Chute Levee widening project. Due to the loss of the past firm, 404 permit changes, and core changes, a new firm was needed to conduct this research. (This agreement was previously executed by the Board.)
On motion by Webb and seconded by Moore and unanimously passed, the Board approved the hiring of the firm, Wetlands Unlimited, LLC to perform the wetland delineation for the project.
Commissioner Larkin, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee presented a slate of officers for the duration of the 2017-2018 year as follows (term ending on June 30, 2018).
President - Tim Larkin
1st Vice-President - Lyndell Webb
2nd Vice-President - Bill Alley
He asked if there were more nominations from the floor. Upon acclamation of no nominations from the floor the above officers were then elected to serve the Board for the remaining 2017-2018 term.
No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
On motion by Alley, seconded by Moore and unanimously passed the Board authorized the secretary to transfer $150,000.00 from Huddleston/Smith Investments to the Board’s checking account for expenditures. No comments from the public.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Moore and unanimously carried the Board passed a resolution to update the signature cards with Citizens National Bank.
The Board reviewed a contract presented by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office for the annual audit to be performed by Broussard and Company.
On motion by Alley and seconded by Moore and unanimously carried the Board passed the resolution for the newly elected President to sign the contract from the state of Louisiana approving Broussard and Company to perform its annual audit for fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019.
The Board reviewed an agricultural fence request by James & Jill Souter for Lot 2 of the Willow Chute Commercial Subdivision, Unit #5 located at 5490 Airline Drive, Somewhere LLC. In addition, it was discussed that Mr. Mark Long would contact requestor and gain additional information needed and notify them that the BLD is actively pursuing the adoption of several different types of fence permits to remain consistent in the future.
After a lengthy discussion of maintaining the control area of the Bossier Levee District, a motion was made by Moore and seconded by Stelly to table this request until next month when more information was submitted.
The Levee Board was notified that Commissioner Larkin had been invited to attend a recent MPC meeting on behalf of the Bossier Levee Board. He conveyed to the BLB that he had discussed details of a prior study of the South Bossier River Basin, FEMA Flood Study, drainage plans, and an authorization of plats from the MPC for the new proposed development comprised of approximately 120 acres, The Enclave at the Reserve along Mack’s Bayou.
On motion by Stelly and seconded by Moore and unanimously passed the Board authorized Mark Long to draft a letter to the MPC affirming that the Civil Engineer for this development has been in contact with the Bossier Levee District in regard to the proposed subdivision and is following normal permitting procedures for the development properly maintain flood control of this land that was previously anticipated for development and zoned accordingly.
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.
- February 14, 2017 – Received call from Mike Miller with Vicksburg USACE Regulatory advising that we need to submit a new 404 permit request.
- February 27, 2017 – Vicksburg Corps members by conference call advised that the proposed levee widening project would require a H&H Analysis as currently designed; they implied that if the levee widening could be shifted to the land side of the levee the H&H Analysis would not be needed.
- April 25, 2017 – Dewberry submitted an additional H&H analysis for the levee widening project to the Vicksburg Corps; uncertain at this time on when the Corps will comment on their review.
- June 2, 2017 – Received call from Neal Lewis with Vicksburg Corp; he stated that he thought the levee widening permit would be approved; additional reviews are required by MVD; estimated time to receive 408 permit 30-45 days. In addition, a 404 permit is required and will not be approved until after the 408 permit is received.
- July 6, 2017 – conference call with Johnny Kiser and Neal Lewis with Vicksburg Corp; discussed upcoming meeting with Vicksburg Corps and BLD.
Flat River Erosion Repair
- Hired Nixon Engineering to survey and prepare plans for erosion repairs near Hwy 80 and at south end of Golden Meadows Subdivision on Flat River.
Red River Corps Study
- March 15, 2017 – Received email from Rich Brontoli advising that the Vicksburg Corps had received funding for the Sediment Survey and Hydraulic Model for the Red River.
- March 29, 2017 – Received schedule of activities for Corps Sediment Study and Hydraulic Analysis for the Red River; estimated time for Hydraulic Model to be finalized is July 2019 and the estimated time for the Sediment Model to be finalized is December 2019.
Bossier Drainage Maintenance Initiative
- Received a quote in the amount of $49,050.00 from Timberland Maintenance Services to remove trees and brush from Shady Grove Ditch and Southgate Estates Ditch and an additional cost of $2.25 per linear foot for fence repair which will be required for access; the estimated cost for fence repair is $2,250.00 bringing total estimated cost for work to $51,300.00.
- June 26, 2017 – Work completed on Shady Grove Ditch and Southgate Estates Ditch.
Red River Levee Improvements
- Hired Denmon Engineering to survey and develop a preliminary plan for gap closures at two locations where the Red River Levee alignment and UP Rail Road cross between Viking Drive and Shed Road. During the June 2015 flood event the water surface elevation was within approximately 1.9 feet of low points of the Rail Road crossings.
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.
- February 23, 2017 – Spoke with Katy Breaux with the Vicksburg USACE who advised that funding for the Red River Levee Bank Caving Repairs was available through supplemental funding received by the Corps.
- April 11, 2017 – spoke with Katy Breaux and she advised that the Corps had ordered the riprap for the levee repairs at Red River Levee station 1080+00 to 1087+00 near A.R. Teague Parkway and it should be delivered in approximately one month; she said work should begin soon after riprap is received depending on Corps hired labor crew schedule.
Equipment
- June 21, 2017 -received John Deere 160G LC Track Excavator thru State contract in the amount of $167,040.90.
- Request approval to order two new John Deere 6145M Cab Tractors thru state contract in the amount of $91,972.64 each; total $183,945.28.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Herbicide application on channels and levees.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Cleaning debris from bridges on Red Chute Bayou and Flat River.
- Mowing levees, drainage easements and channels.
- Removing trees and brush on west side of Red Chute Bayou between Hwy 80 and Shed Road.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Secretary for the district be and she is hereby authorized to make the payments set forth above in the amount of $356,238.91.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Stelly the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Mary Jane Easterly, Secretary