The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, October 10, 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.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: ALLEY, LARKIN, MOORE, WEBB, JERRY EDWARDS, ATTORNEY AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINEER.
ABSENT: BANTLE, MONTGOMERY, AND STELLY
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 Alley and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular board meeting held on September 12, 2018.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Jimmy Huckaby and Michael Guyton appeared before the Finance and Insurance Committee and the Board to discuss the Bossier Levee District’s Insurance Renewal effective December 1, 2018.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Moore, and unanimously carried the Board approved the Bossier Levee District to continue with a rate increase and renew with Blue Cross Blue Shield. It was stated that employees would pay the increased rate difference on their dependent coverage when premiums are withheld from their payroll checks.
Mr. Stanley Aultman appeared before the Applications Committee seeking approval to place a portable storage building on their residential property located at 137 Southwood Drive, Bossier City inside the District’s Control Area, alongside Benoit Bayou Ditch. The Committee previously discussed with Mr. Aultman that his proposed building may encroach on a pipeline easement and advised him to obtain permission from the pipeline company and to verify that the portable storage building complies with his subdivision covenants as well. Mr. Aultman provided the requested written verification of approval from the pipeline owner and the HOA. The Applications Committee recommended the request to the Board for approval.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Moore, and unanimously carried the Board approved the permit request for the portable storage building. No comments from the public.
Reggie Lewis, with Raley & Associates representing Helm Restaurants, Inc. appeared before the Applications Committee requesting a permit for a 10” PVC outfall drainage pipe into Willow Chute Bayou inside the levee districts Control Area. The outfall pipe would provide drainage for the proposed development for a Taco Bell located in the 5500 block of Airline Drive, Bossier City. The Applications Committee made a recommendation to the Board to approve the requested outfall pipe.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Webb, and unanimously carried the Board with the recommendation from the Applications Committee approved the permit request for an outfall pipe into Willow Chute Bayou. Mr. Mark Long noted that the plans submitted would need to be dated prior to the permit being executed. It was stated that the applicant would retain the responsibility of maintaining it and assume all liability. No comments from the public.
Reggie Lewis, Raley & Associates requesting a permit on behalf of Tiburon Subdivision, Unit No. 9. Request was made for an extension of an 18” A200 storm pipe into Willow Chute Bayou located between lots 167 and 168.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Alley, and unanimously carried the Board approved the request to issue a permit for the storm drain pipe on behalf of the Tiburon Subdivision as recommended by the Applications Committee. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Long discussed and updated the Board on both of the Red Chute Projects: Levee Raise and Levee Widening Project. He stated that the plans and specifications of the Widening Project had been submitted to Statewide Flood Control for approval and can be advertised for bids once approval is obtained. The Committee reported to the Board that this project will most likely be advertised for bids prior to the next Meeting. He noted that Dewberry would soon complete the impact study for the Red Chute Levee Raise Project.
The Applications Committee and the Board reviewed a draft letter to the ALBL prepared by Tom Arceneaux in regards to a contribution request for the 2018 year in the amount of $5,000.00 (or less) from the Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana – LA Flood Risk Coalition at the last Board Meeting. The Committee and the Board all agreed that the funds requested may not be permissible expenditures of the District’s funds, however, funds for education might be an appropriate reason for a contribution. The Committee made a recommendation to the board to approve sending the letter to the ALBL as drafted.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, and unanimously carried the Board approved sending the letter as written by Mr. Arceneaux to the ALBL – LA Flood Coalition in response to their request for a $5,000.00 contribution/donation. No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Long addressed the Board seeking the approval to purchase an AFE Cutter Head for the Bossier Levee District at a quote of: $37,090.00.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Alley, and unanimously carried the Committee and the Board approved the acquisition of an AFE Cutter Head. No comments from the public.
Mr. Long also requested approval from the Board to purchase a limb saw attachment for the BLD excavator.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, and unanimously carried the Committee and the Board agreed to authorize the purchase of the excavator limb saw attachment. No comments from the public.
Mr. Long discussed the Herndon Ditch clean out request received from the City of Bossier City. The Committee recommended authorization to spend up to $100,000.00 to address the request.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, and unanimously carried the Board authorized an expenditure not to exceed $100,000.00 to assist with the debris clean up of Herndon Ditch. No comments from the public.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, and unanimously passed the Board approved the transfer of $400,000.00 from Huddleston Smith to the checking account for expenditures and payroll. No comments from the public.
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 17, 2018 – Received appraisal for Patrick Cordaro’s temporary access right of way. Mr. Cordaro is requesting $6,000.00 for the temporary right of way.
- July 19, 2018 – received KCS RR Crossing Agreement.
- August 3, 2018 – mailed KCS RR agreement along with $83,571 check, and insurance certificates.
- August 1, 2018 – amended Dewberry contract in the amount of $6500.00 for work associated with shift in levee alignment and additional information requested by BLD.
- August 8, 2018 – board approved advertising for bids for the Red Chute Levee Widening Project; estimated cost $6,000,000.00.
- September 17, 2018 – Received comments from Billy Williamson with Statewide Flood Control on plans and specifications.
- October 1, 2018 – submitted revised plans and specs to Statewide Flood Control for review and approval.
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.
Bossier Drainage Maintenance Initiative
- July 7, 2018 - BLD Crew resumed tree and brush removal on the east side of Red Chute Bayou between Hwy 80 and I-20; estimated time for completion 4 weeks. Work delayed due to equipment break down.
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.
- August 1, 2018 – received signed right of way servitude from owner.
- August 13, 2018 – FJ Burnell Contractor began work on ditch repair; recent rains have delayed work efforts.
- October 4, 2018 – FJ Burnell Contractor completed work on ditch repairs.
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.
Herndon Ditch
- We received a request from Bossier City to clean out the Herndon Ditch; Polaris Services was hired to provide profile elevations of the ditch centerline and to provide cross-sections every 500 feet on the unpaved section of the ditch; the survey information is needed to determine the scope of the channel cleanout and associated work.
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.
- September 25, 2018 – work began on levee surfacing project.
- October 6, 2018 – work was completed on levee surfacing project.
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 – Requesting approval to hire 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 and Channel Tree Removal
- June 20, 2018 - board approved hiring additional bridge cleaning work and channel tree removal work on hourly basis.
- July 25, 2018 – work began on bridge cleaning and channel tree removal.
- September 6, 2018 – work was completed on bridge and channel cleaning.
Equipment
1) 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.
- Requesting to purchase new RDM44EX Mulcher attachment; estimated cost $37,090.00.
- Requesting to purchase saw blade attachment for track excavator; estimated cost $10,000.00.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Placed clay embankment and riprap for repair of sediment pond levee near Flat River 0.23 miles downstream of Caplis Sligo Road; placed clay embankment and riprap for outfall pipe erosion repair on Flat River 0.32 miles upstream of Sligo Road; placed riprap on eroded ditch north of Luck Trust Bridge on Flat River.
- Mowing levees and channels
- Removing downed trees from levees and channels.
- 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.
- Inspecting levee and channel contract work.
- Sprayed insecticide on Red River Levee for control of army worms.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Moore, 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 $221,284.02
On motion by Moore, seconded by Webb, the meeting was adjourned at 10:55
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary