The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, April 11, 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: LARKIN, BANTLE, MOORE, STELLY, WEBB, TOM ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINEER.
ABSENT: ALLEY and MONTGOMERY
The first order of business was opening prayer by Commissioner Webb and the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Larkin.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Bantle and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular board meeting held on March 14, 2018.
AMENDMENT TO AGENDA:
On suggestion of the Chair to add an item to the agenda, Larkin moved and Bantle seconded a motion to add the authorization for the BLD staff to declare some old equipment surplus. Larkin moved and Moore 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. The following Commissioners voted yes (being all Commissioners present):
Larkin - Yes
Bantle - Yes
Moore - Yes
Stelly - Yes
Webb – Yes
The Commissioners having voted unanimously to add the item to the agenda, it was added.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Mr. Jeffrey Belden representing Mr. and Mrs. Derrick Bartley; homeowners, submitted a request for a permit approval to install a 3” drain pipe on Mack’s Bayou at 232 Radbrook, Bossier City - Sunflower Subdivision.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Webb and unanimously approved, the Commissioners approved the request for the 3” outfall pipe encroachment on Mack’s Bayou to facilitate drainage flow off of their property subject to changes specified by the Operations Coordinator, Mark Long. No comments from the public.
Micha Duffy, Coyle Engineering Co, Inc. and Mr. Scott Smith, owner of the Bossier Remodeling Company – representing Mr. Zeyad Rahman LLC, appeared before the Applications Review Committee to discuss a request for a permit to construct a new retail shopping center located at 2112 Airline Drive and to encroach into the district’s control area on Lateral B-1 Ditch. The applicant submitted additional plans and the Committee discussed the proposal and concepts.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Moore and unanimously carried the Board postponed consideration of this request until revised plans are provided and further input from Robert Tomasek, DOTD.
Donnie Barker, Mohr & Associates, Inc., on behalf of the developer Bellaire Baptist Church, represented by the Pastor, Randy Harper met with the Applications Review Committee and the Board to review a request to encroach along the high bank of Flat River for the installation of new drainage facilities for the Victoria Meadows Subdivision – Unit 3, as well as 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 an extensive discussion regarding all potential solutions for the drainage and erosion issues on Flat River.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Stelly and unanimously carried the Board postponed review of the permit request until its May Meeting, pending the receipt of more information.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Bantle and unanimously carried the Board approved the engagement of Mr. Kurt Nixon of Nixon Engineering to advise the Board on the complexity of the existing drainage and erosion issues regarding Units 2 and 3 of the Victoria Meadows Subdivision. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Bossier Levee Board discussed the rental of four IC-50 Crawler Carriers that were acquired for the Red Chute Flood Fight at the cost of $4,500.00 each ($18,000.00 total.)
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Bantle and unanimously carried the Board agreed that due to recent heavy rains and higher water levels the Bossier Levee District should retain all four IC-50 Crawler Carriers for one more month and rental details be reviewed again at the next monthly Board meeting. No comments from the public.
Mark Long, Operations Coordinator BLD requested to seek additional funding for the Pecan Valley MHP Ditch Project. (This project was originally approved for $100,000.) He explained the project and requested an additional $50,000.00 that was needed to enable the
completion of all necessary repairs.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Webb and unanimously carried the Board approved the additional funds of $50,000.00. Mr. Tim Larkin, President of the BLD requested that the budget reflect the approved $150,000.00 for the Pecan Valley MHP Ditch Project. No
comments from the public.
Operations Coordinator, Mark Long presented the low quote of $122,859.00 received from F.J. Burnell, Inc. for repair work on the Pecan Valley MHP Ditch Project.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Bantle and unanimously carried the Board awarded F.J. Burnell, Inc. the bid for repairs on the Pecan Valley MHP Ditch Project. No comments from the public.
Mr. Long also discussed a few proposed facility upgrades with some cost estimates and and reached out to the Board for input on his requests and approvals.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Stelly and unanimously carried the Board approved all facility upgrades discussed: a new equipment shed, paving underneath an existing shed, paved driveway, and demolition of an old maintenance building, fences and landscape improvements to be made, and approved engaging the professional services of Mr. Mike McSwain, architect, to draw up plans for improvements not to exceed $75,000.00 and move towards bids. No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mark Long requested approval for the following purchases to be made through State Contracts:
*Two 72” zero turn mowers – Kubota ZD1211RL-72R; $13,210.08 each
*Two 15 foot flex wing cutters – John Deere CX15; $18,576.52 each
*1 extended cab ½ ton truck 4X4; estimated cost $25,387.00
On motion by Moore, seconded by Bantle, and unanimously carried the Board approved the recommendation presented by the Equipment, Building and Grounds Committee for the purchases of the above equipment and vehicle. No comments from the public.
Mark Long discussed the cost sharing of the purchase of two shipping containers with the Parish for sandbag storage located at Dogwood Trail and the Red Chute Levee at the cost of 2,750.00 each.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Moore, and unanimously carried the Board approved $6,000.00 to be budgeted for the purchase of two shipping containers to be used for sandbag storage, with the location of them to be determined with input from the Parish. Tom Arceneaux, attorney, suggested to the Board that it enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Parish as a result of the potential sharing of property. No comments from the public.
Mark Long discussed the need to seek outside channel herbicide maintenance contractor(s) earlier this year due to excess of rain and weeds, not to exceed $45,000.00.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Bantle, and unanimously carried the Board approved and budgeted $45,000.00 to facilitate the hiring of outside herbicide maintenance contractor(s).
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Webb, and unanimously carried, the Board passed a resolution authorizing the Bossier Levee District staff to an employee recognition luncheon. No comments from the public.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously passed the Board authorized the Asst. Secretary and Operations Coordinator to dispose of the below surplus equipment, which is no longer in use. The President asked if there were any comments from the public, there were none:
EQUIPMENT NUMBER:
#213 - 2001 Rhino 15’ Cutter
#215 - 2005 Rhino 15’ Cutter
#221 - 2008 Bush Hog 15’ Cutter
#222 - 2008 Bush Hog 15’ Cutter
#302 - 2003 Ex Mark 72” Mower
#317 - 2003 Ex Mark 72” Mower
#339 - 2013 Ex Mark 72” Mower
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.
- Lidar Completed on March 31, 2018.
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.
- March 26, 2018 – sent plans, right of entry agreement, and temporary access agreement to Mark Schroeder with Gray Investments LP for review and approval.
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.
- Crawler Carrier Rental.
Bridge Cleaning
- March 6, 2018 - Hired Young’s Land Development LLC on hourly rates to clean debris buildup from bridges on Red Chute Bayou and Flat. Work from March 6 thru March 26 was $29,416.00.
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.
Equipment
1) Request to purchase two 72” zero turn mowers – Kubota ZD1211RL-72R; $13,210.08 each / State Contract
2) Request to purchase two – 15 foot flex wing cutters – John Deere CX15; $18,477.88 each / State Contract
3) Request to purchase 1 extended cab ½ ton truck 4X4: estimated cost $24,888.00 / State Contract
4) Request to declare surplus equipment – equipment numbers: 213 -2001 Rhino 15’ Cutter; 215 – 2005 Rhino 15’ Cutter; 221 – 2008 Bush Hog 15’ Cuter; 222 – 2008 Bush Hog 15’ Cutter; 302 – 2003 Ex Mark 72” Mower; 317 – 2003 Ex Mark 72” Mower; 339 – 2013 Ex Mark 72” Mower.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Mowing levees and channels
- Removing downed trees from levees and channels.
- Herbicide application on small trees and brush on levee.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Trapping hogs and beavers.
- Repairing gates on levees.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the Secretary for the district to make the payments set forth in the attachment to these minutes in the total amount of $102,498.61.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Moore, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Asst. Secretary