The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 10:05 a.m. at the Levee Board Office, 3404 Industrial Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana.
The President, Tim Larkin, called the meeting to order.
PRESENT: ALLEY, LARKIN, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, STELLY, WEBB, TOM ARCENEAUX, 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 April 11, 2018.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
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 Alley, seconded by Stelly and unanimously carried the Board approved the encroachment of the retail structure to be built in the outer 50 feet of the Levee District Control Area; and approved a parking lot and dumpster in the inner 50 feet of the Control Area to be a minimum distance of 10 feet from the high bank of the ditch in accordance with plans dated April 25, 2018.
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 3A, grading work in Unit 2, riprap repairs for an existing outfall pipe, and approval of the subdivision plats for Victoria Meadows Units 3A and 3B.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Moore and unanimously carried the Board approved the request in accordance with the revised plans dated February 2018, and contingent on the removal of encroaching earthwork, and the re-platting of lot 68 of Unit 2.
Mark Hudson, City Engineer representing the City of Bossier City, appeared before the Applications Review Committee requesting a permit for the installation of a 12” Ductile Iron Gravity Sewer Main and 16” PVC Water Main crossing under Benoit Bayou Lateral.
This request was tabled and will be continued at the next meeting on June 13 th , 2018.
Ryan Estess, Raley & Associates, Inc.- representing the City of Bossier City, appeared before the Applications Review Committee to request a permit for the new Innovation Drive Extension and Benoit Bayou Lateral improvements.
Additional information was requested and the request was continued until the next Board meeting on June 13 th , 2018.
Michan Holbrook, Coyle Engineering – on behalf of Willow Heights, LLC appeared before the Applications Committee and the Board to request approval for lots in Willow Heights Subdivision Unit 2 to encroach 10 feet inside the BLD’s Control Area to allow for fencing and a request for a storm water detention pond, outfall pipe, and a 20 foot utility servitude.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery and unanimously carried the Board approved the requested encroachments contingent upon the review of the storm water detention pond and outfall pipe by Marcus Long, BLD Operations Coordinator. The Board also
authorized the issuance of a letter of no objection for Willow Heights subdivision Unit 2.
Reggie Lewis, Raley & Associates, Inc. – presented plats for Tiburon Subdivision Unit 9 for Board to review for approval.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Montgomery and unanimously carried the Board reviewed the subdivision plats for Tiburon Subdivision Unit 9 and authorized the issuance of a letter of no objection to the Bossier MPC.
Jacob Champion with Acadian Land Services representing GEP Haynesville, LLC appeared to request approval for construction, maintenance, upkeep and use of a new proposed access road running parallel to the Red Chute Bayou Levee outside the levee right of way to be used for access to a new well site and future well sites.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Moore and unanimously carried the Board approved this request and permitting will be done administratively by the Operations Coordinator, Marcus Long.
Jacob Champion with Acadian Land Services representing GEP Haynesville, LLC also appeared seeking approval for construction, maintenance, upkeep and use of an existing levee crossing and an access road which runs parallel to the River Levee to be used as access for an existing well pad; also requested approval for four new wells on the existing well pad near the Red River Levee.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Alley and unanimously carried the Board approved this request subject to approval from CORPS and permitting will be done administratively by Marcus Long, Bossier Levee District Operations Coordinator.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
Marcus Long, BLD’s Operations Coordinator discussed a request submitted from John Cordaro who resides at 2437 Brookside Drive whose house backs up to Flat River. He expressed concerns regarding settlement in his back yard and possible movement of his house slab that he thinks may be related to work previously performed in 2012 for the Flat River Bank Stabilization Project Phase 5.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Alley and unanimously carried the Board approved and authorized Mr. Long to hire a geotechnical engineer to inspect his site.
Marcus Long also discussed the Red Chute Culvert Rehab Project and thus requested approval to contract with Cambrigemoen, LLC to install HDPE Liners on the remaining unlined CMP Culverts in the amount of $138,317.52.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery and unanimously carried the Board authorized him to contract Cambridgemoen to complete the HDPE Liner Project.
He also requested approval to hire outside contract personnel to video Red River and Red Chute culverts at a cost not to exceed $33,000.00.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Stelly and unanimously carried the Board approved the video of Red River/Red Chute culverts contingent of not exceeding a budget of $33,000.00.
Deanna Rabb, Asst. Secretary discussed with the Board that the nominating Committee would need to discuss and elect a slate of officers to be held on the Board for the 2018-2020 term and present them at the next Board meeting on June 13, 2018.
Deanna Rabb, Asst. Secretary, Deanna Rabb discussed approval for a $150.00 check to be issued for Petty Cash.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Montgomery and unanimously carried the Board approved the Petty cash expense.
LEVEE AND DRAINAGE REPORT:
Red Chute Levee Improvement Project
- January 4, 2018 - Obtained new borrow pit lease with L J Earnest.
- May 8, 2018 - Corps Permit for Levee Widening Project expected within two weeks.
Red River Levee Certification
- Levee certification expires September 30, 2019.
- May 8, 2018 – letter to Corps requesting their services in providing new levee certification.
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.
Red River Levee Improvements
- June 6, 2017 - 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.
National Levee Data Base
- April 17, 2018 – attended a meeting at the Caddo Levee District Office with members from the Vicksburg Corps, parish, and levee district officials concerning the Corps Levee Safety Program
– Risk Communication. The Corps is suggesting a press release prior to their going online with Levee Summaries on their new National Levee Data Base website now scheduled for May 22, 2018. The Levee Summary for the Red River Levee has not been finalized as of May 8, 2018 nor has the summary for the Red Chute Levee.
Bossier Drainage Maintenance Initiative
- May 3, 2018 –BLD crew and equipment began work on clearing brush and small trees from the left descending bank of the New High School Ditch and Lateral B-4.
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.
Flat River
- April 24, 2018 – Received a request from John Cordaro who lives at 2437 Brookside Drive for engineer to inspect home and yard, repairs to yard, and possible purchase of home for damages he believes are associated with the Flat River Bank Stabilization Project Phase 5.
Red Chute Bayou Levee
- August, 2017 - Received low quote of $144,100.00 from Cambridgemoen LLC.
- January 8, 2018 – Received HDPE pipe.
- January 15, 2018 – Work began on HDPE Liner installation.
- March 14, 2018 – Installation approximately 95% complete. Completion delayed by high water.
- 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.
- April 27, 2018 – Returned Crawler Carriers rented for flood preparations.
- May 8, 2018 – Requesting approval for contract to line remaining unlined CMP Culverts on Red Chute Bayou Levee in the amount of $138,317.52.
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.
- April 11, 2018 thru April 17, 2018 – additional bridge cleaning by Young’s Land Development in the amount of $10,400.00.
Equipment
1) Ordered two 72” zero turn mowers – Kubota ZD1211RL-72R; $13,210.08 each / State Contract
2) Accepted delivery of two – 15 foot flex wing cutters – John Deere CX15; $18,477.88 each / State Contract
3) Ordered 1 extended cab ½ ton truck 4X4: estimated cost $24,888.00 / State Contract
4) To be sold - 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 from recent storms.
- Herbicide application on levees and channels.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Repairing gates on levees.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
On motion by Montgomery, 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 $40,266.57.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Asst. Secretary