The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 10:10 a.m. at the Levee Board Office, 3404 Industrial Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana.
The President, Tim Larkin, called the meeting to order
PRESENT: ALLEY, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, STELLY, WEBB, SLATTERY JOHNSON, ATTORNEY AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINEER.
ABSENT: BANTLE.
The first order of business was opening prayer by Commissioner Webb and the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Larkin.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Alley and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular board meeting held on February 14, 2018.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Donnie Barker – Mohr & Associates, Inc., on behalf of Southern Home Builders appeared at the Applications Review Committee Meeting and the Board Meeting seeking permit approval for encroachment along Willow Chute to bore a gravity sewer main to serve the Redwood Subdivision. This sanitary sewer line is located within the right of way of Dean Point Road and runs across Willow Chute Bayou. Robert Tomasek with DOTD stated his objections to the Application. Commissioner Larkin recognized the objection of DOTD, and they discussed that the Bossier Police Jury had already reviewed and approved the proposal and that the proposed work does not create problems for the foreseeable future. Mr. Long discussed the need for the permit to be in the name of the Bossier Parish Police Jury and he also requested that Mr. Barker provide the BLD with a more detailed drawing of the channel depth where the pipe is crossing the bayou.
Donnie Barker – Mohr & Associates, Inc., on behalf of the developer Bellaire Baptist Church. Mr. Barker requested a permit to encroach along the high bank of Flat River for the installation of new drainage facilities for the Victoria Meadows Subdivision – Unit 3. Also, to continue discussions regarding concerns with issues from Unit 2 that are currently pending and how these issues will also impact the new Unit 3 as a result. There was discussion on an outfall pipe that was installed in Unit 2 prior to receiving a DOTD Letter of No Objection and Levee District permit. Mr. Barker discussed a plan to prevent over bank flows from the development by installing a swale ditch and berm. There was an extensive discussion regarding all potential solutions for the drainage and erosion issues on Flat River. Commisioner Larkin stated that he believes the Board does not have enough information to vote on the application and proposed a special meeting be set up to consider the application once additional information is obtained.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Montgomery the Levee Board tabled the discussion on this matter until the Board can consider the existing drainage issue with Flat River, as well as potential future drainage issues. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
The Finance Committee previously met on February 28 th , 2018 to discuss the 2018-19 Bossier Levee District Budget. The Board reviewed and discussed the 2018-19 Budget proposed by the Finance Committee.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Alley and unanimously carried the Board passed a resolution adopting the new Bossier Levee District budget as shown below, with the notes and project projections for the upcoming fiscal year. No comments from the public.
BOSSIER LEVEE DISTRICT
ADOPTED BUDGET
JULY 1, 2018 – JUNE 30, 2019
| REVENUES | |
| Ad Valorem Taxes and Revenue Sharing | $3,219,000.00 |
| Permits | $3,500.00 |
| Interest Income | $125,400.00 |
| Mineral Royalties | $125,000.00 |
| Statewide Flood Control Funding | $1,500,000.00 |
| Rental and Other Income | $38,000.00 |
| TOTAL REVENUES: | $5,010,900.00 |
| EXPENDITURES: | |
| Wages and Benefits | $1,374,500.00 |
| Operating Expenses | $1,732,800.00 |
| Supplies | $80,500.00 |
| Professional Services | $200,500.00 |
| Acquisitions and Major Repairs | $700,000.00 |
| Special Projects | $12,375,000.00 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURES: | $16,482,800.00 |
| EXCESS/EXPENDITURES/REVENUES: | $11,471,900.00 |
| BEGINNING FUND BALANCE | $11,676,524.00 |
| FUND BALANCE ENDING: | $204,624.00 |
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary is hereby authorized and in her sole discretion, to make transfers within the various budget classifications from one classification to another as she may deem necessary provided that any transfer of funds in excess of five percent (5%) of the classification must be approved in advance by action of the Board of Commissioners at a meeting duly noticed and convened.”
The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption of the budget and thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:
Yeas: 6
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
Abstaining: 0
The President asked if there were comments from the public, there were none.
LEVEE AND DRAINAGE REPORT:
Red Chute Levee Improvement Project
- July 2, 2015 – submitted final plans to Corps and DOTD for review.
- 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 – Met 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 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.
- 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 full 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.
- 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.
- August 7, 2017 –Vicksburg Corps Senior Staff, James Ross, Henry Dulaney and others meet with BLD and discussed the ongoing 408 review for the Red Chute Bayou Levee Improvement Project; they made suggestions for revising the permit request letter and funding needs for the Corps 408 review.
- August 23, 2017 – mailed revised 408 request letter to Colonel Derosier for Red Chute Levee Widening Project.
- September 27. 2017 – Received letter from Colonel Derosier advising that his staff work with the levee district to obtain a 408 permit for the levee widening project.
- December 4, 2017 – Wetlands Unlimited submitted the permit application for the Levee Widening Project to the Corps and other environmental agencies.
- January 4, 2018 - Obtained new borrow pit lease with L J Earnest.
- Corps Permit for Levee Widening Project expected around first part of April of this year based on conversations with Vicksburg Corps.
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
- Work ongoing, with BLD crew and equipment, clearing brush and small trees from banks of Red Chute Bayou between I-20 and Hwy 80 on east side of channel has been delayed due to high water.
Pecan Valley Ditch Repair
- September 25, 2017- hired Coyle Engineering to prepare plans and easement description for ditch repairs.
- January 8, 2018 – received final plans; have not received easement description.
Red Chute Bayou Levee
- Red Chute Bayou CMP Repair; requested quotes to install HDPE Pipe Liners for repair of existing 72 inch diameter CMP culverts; received low quote of $144,100.00 from Cambridgemoen LLC. Authorized contractor to order pipe; estimated deliver first week of December 2017.
- January 8, 2018 – Received HDPE pipe.
- January 15, 2018 – Work began on HDPE Liner installation.
- March 14, 2018 – Installation approximately 95% complete.
- March 1 thru March 8, 2018 - Sandbagged low areas on Red Chute Levee with assistance from the City of Bossier, Bossier Parish, and Bossier Sherriff’s Department.
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.
- September 13, 2017 – Denmon Engineering authorized to provide concept plan details for gap closure designs at two Union Pacific RR crossings at a cost not to exceed $5,000.00.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Sandbagged low areas on Red Chute Levee with assistance from the City of Bossier, Bossier Parish, and Bossier Sherriff’s Department deputies and inmates.
- Cleaning Debris buildup on bridges on Red Chute Bayou and Flat River.
- Removing downed trees and beaver dams from channels in various locations.
- Herbicide basil application on small trees and brush in channels.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Trapping hogs and beavers.
- Repairing gates on levees.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
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 $81,629.62
On motion by Moore, seconded by Montgomery the meeting was adjourned at 11:30.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Asst. Secretary