The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Levee Board Office, 3404 Industrial Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana.
The President, Tim Larkin, called the meeting to order.
PRESENT: LARKIN, MONTGOMERY, STELLY, WEBB, TOM ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINEER.
ABSENT: ALLEY, BANTLE, & MOORE
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 Webb and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular board meeting held on June 20, 2018.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Charlie Coyle, with Coyle Engineering, appeared before the Applications Review Committee prior to the Board Meeting to discuss three plats: Airline Plaza Subdivision, Bennett Subdivision, and JSP Industrial Park.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery, and unanimously carried the Board approved two Subdivision Plats: Bennett Subdivision was approved as submitted for issuance of a letter of no objection with a change in notation regarding the Control Area and the deletion of wording – “as depicted”. A letter of no objection was also authorized for the JSP Industrial Park Subdivision.
The Board did not approve the Airline Plaza Subdivision Plat until the plat is updated to monument the distance of the encroachment and reflect the permit on the plans. This request was tabled for further discussion until the next Board Meeting, August 8, 2018. No comments from the public.
The Applications Review Committee met prior to the Board Meeting to review a request from John LeBlanc, representing AEP/SWEPCO, for a permit for permission of the installation of 2 structures that will penetrate the toe of the Red River Levee at the intersection of Old Minden Road and Hamilton Road; replacing 2 wooden poles with galvanized h-frames and placed inside the station fence 5 feet.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously carried the Board approved the request in accordance with the plans and stated that they authorized Marcus Long, BLD Operations Coordinator to sign and grant the permit contingent upon receiving approval from the USACOE and DOTD. No comments from the public.
Donald Clayton, TRC Engineers, on behalf of the City of Bossier City submitted a permit request seeking approval for road construction that will include a roundabout as part of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway improvements. The construction will result in a more widened opening in the current Red River Levee. This request was tabled until a later meeting.
Donald Clayton, TRC Engineers, representing the City of Bossier City submitted a permit request for the construction of a storm water pump station for the proposed Walter O. Bigby bridge and a 42’ gravity discharge outfall pipe through the Red River Levee.
The permit request from the City of Bossier City seeking the construction permit and a 42’ gravity discharge outfall pipe through the Red River Levee for the proposed Walter O. Bigby bridge was tabled until a future meeting at the request of the City of Bossier City. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Summa Stelly, Commissioner, representing member and on behalf of the Nominating Committee reported that the committee recommended that the sitting officers stay as they are presently with no changes in office and be re-elected. No comments from the public.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery, and unanimously carried the Board approved the present slate of officers to be nominated to their present positions held. The chair, President Mr. Timothy Larkin, asked if there were any other nominations and there were none. No comments from the public.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery, and unanimously carried the Board closed the floor for nominations for officers. No comments from the public.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Webb, and unanimously carried the Board elected the current slate of officers to continue in their current positions for the 2018-2020 term.
Mr. Timothy Larkin congratulated the Commissioners on their positions held on the Bossier Levee Board. No comments from the public.
Mr. Marcus Long, Operations Coordinator, continued a discussion with the Board regarding the analysis of the Red Chute Levee Raise Project. He discussed a previously held meeting with Jacob LeSue with Dewberry and Kurt Nixon with Nixon Engineering where they concluded that additional information was needed concerning the hydraulic study. Mr. Long also discussed with the Board the need for hiring consultants to provide the Type II Independent External Peer Review, the NEPA Environmental Impact Study, and the Quality Assurance & Quality Control Plan to be submitted to the USACOE as part of the 408 permit package for the Levee Raise Project.
Operations Coordinator, Marcus Long, discussed the Red Chute Levee Widening Project and the need for temporary right of ways.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously carried the Board approved authorizing Marcus Long to retain an appraiser for the temporary right of ways. No comments from the public.
Marcus Long to reviewed the revision of Plot Plan of: Lot 68, Victoria Meadows – Unit 2: 2A, 3A, and 3B.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously carried the Board approved the issuance of a letter of no objection for the amended plats which included the monuments and the angle points as presented. No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution to adopt millage rate as is with no changes (4.30 Mills for 2018 – No Rolling Forward). BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2018 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the Bossier Levee District.
MILLAGE 4.30 mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said parish for the year 2018, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:
YEAS: 4
NAYS: 0
ABSTAINED: 0
ABSENT: 3
The President asked if there were any comments from public, and there were none.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Webb, and unanimously passed the Board approved the transfer of $175,000.00 from Huddleston Smith to the checking account for expenditures and payroll. No comments from the public.
Mr. Marcus Long, BLD Operations Coordinator, discussed the Trench Settlement and Preventative Maintenance Project in reference to Mr. John Cordaro’s property improvements due to the potential effects caused from the Flat River Stabilization Project Phase 5 previously completed in 2012.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously carried the Board reviewed a report on the proposed permanent repairs to be made by Mr. Don Maddox. The Applications Committee and Board agreed that the project should be granted to Mr. Maddox contingent upon verification of insurance for workers compensation and liability coverage of his employees. No comments from the public.
Deanna Rabb, Secretary, proposed a resolution authorizing President, Tim Larkin to sign agreement with the State Legislative Auditor, Broussard Company, CPA’s and letters on behalf of the Bossier Levee District to enable Broussard Company to prepare financial statements and perform the audit for the year of July 1 st , 2017 through June 30 th , 2018.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously carried the Board approved the signing of all documents by the Board President, Mr. Tim Larkin.
LEVEE AND DRAINAGE REPORT:
Red Chute Levee Improvement Project
- January 4, 2018 - Obtained new borrow pit lease with L J Earnest.
- May 9, 2018 – Received Corps Permit for levee widening project.
- May 16, 2018 – Sent letter to Vicksburg Corps requesting that they resume their review of our request to raise the Red Chute Levee.
- May 31, 2018 – participated in conference call with PDT Members for the Red Chute Levee Raise Project; the Corps advised the levee district to resubmit all aspects of the Red Chute Levee Raise Permit Request including Plans, Specifications, H&H Study, and etc. in a complete package for their review in accordance with EC 1165-2-216.
- July 9, 2018 – The levee widening project should be ready to advertise for bids in mid to late August 2018.
- July 11, 2018 – Additional access temporary right of way needed on south side of KCS Rail Road.
Red River Levee Certification
- Levee certification expires September 30, 2019.
- May 8, 2018 – sent 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.
Bossier Drainage Maintenance Initiative
- BLD Crew to restart tree and brush removal on the east side of Red Chute Bayou between Hwy 80 and I-20; estimated time for completion 6 weeks.
- Tree and brush removal scheduled for lateral B-7; work to begin in approximately 6 weeks.
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.
- July 9, 2018 – waiting for owner to approve construction and maintenance easements. 2437 Brookside Drive – on 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.
- May 15, 2018 – site inspection was made by Mark Long and Robert Tomasek, DOTD Engineer. No visible damage to house, no cracks in brick or slab visible. Back yard has some uneven settlement but no major issues observed.
- July 3, 2018 - received proposed plan of work and estimated cost for repairs from Don Maddox in the amount of $7,332.00.
Flat River Erosion Repairs
- Nixon Engineering – working on survey and preliminary design for erosion control work north of Sligo Road.
Levee Surfacing
- June 20, 2018 – board approved contract levee surfacing on the Red River Levee from levee station 1738+25 to 1782+00 and from station 1853+75 to 1905+50 in South Bossier near Taylor Town; approximate total length 9,550 feet; estimated quantity 2,476 Tons; Low quote of $122,562 from Newt Brown Contractor LLC.
Red Chute Bayou Levee Culvert Rehab
- May 9, 2018 –approval given for contract to line remaining unlined CMP Culverts on Red Chute Bayou Levee in the amount of $138,317.52.
Red Chute Levee High Water Event
- 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.
- June 20, 2018 – board approved hiring contractor to remove sand bags.
- July 6, 2018 – received quotes for sand bag removal with a low quote of $21.90 / CY from Young’s Land Development LLC; estimated total of 1300 CY for a total estimated cost of $28,470.00.
Bridge Cleaning
- June 20, 2018 - board approved hiring additional bridge cleaning work and channel tree removal work on hourly basis.
Flat River – Illegal Dumping of debris in Channel
- Flat River North West of Airline Drive residents are dumping large piles of tree limbs, etc. on slope of channel. Residents have been advised to remove debris; also contacted Bossier Parish Sherriff’s for assistance in having debris removed.
Equipment
1) June 28, 2018 - Purchased extended cab ½ ton truck 4X4: cost $25,387.00 thru State Contract.
2) 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
- Clearing trees and brush along Red River Levee north of I-220.
- 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 Webb, seconded by Montgomery, 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 $127,671.96.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Montgomery, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary