The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 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, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, STELLY, WEBB, AND TOM ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY.
ABSENT: BANTLE AND ROBERT TOMASEK, DOTD ENGINER.
The first order of business was opening prayer by Commissioner Webb and the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Larkin.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular board meeting held on April 10, 2019.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Kirk Thomas, Agent with Pulley-White Insurance Agency, updated the Board on three letters of nonrenewal of insurance received from The Hanover Insurance Company expiring on July 1 st , 2019.
The Board discussed the notification of nonrenewal for the Bossier Levee District received from Hanover regarding the District’s Commercial General Liability, Commercial Auto, Commercial Property and Excess Insurance. Mr. Thomas discussed that he has actively been engaged in reviewing the District’s account and has been marketing it to several insurance companies. He stated that while he has received several declinations from other carriers, he has received positive responses from United Fire, which recently conducted a site visit, and Glatfelter Public Sector. Mr. Thomas is expecting one or more quotes to be returned prior to the next Board Meeting with hopefully less than a 3 – 5% difference or a cost similar to current premiums. Therefore, no action was taken and no members of the public had comments.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Long presented a site plan submitted by Gopika Nair with the Bossier MPC for lots A, B, C, including a Resubdivision of part of lot 5, of the J.B. Whittington Subdivision for a proposed climate controlled storage building; Benton Road Office and Storage – Phase 3.
The Applications Committee and the Board conducted a preliminary review of the proposed site plan and in response concluded that there was no need for a recommendation until the District receives a permit request or request for a letter of no objection. No comments from the public.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, and unanimously passed the Board approved the transfer of $250,000.00 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 9, 2019 at 9:30 am. – opened bids on Red Chute Bayou Levee Improvement Project; with low bid of $5,145,791.49 from Testament Construction Services, LLC.
- March 21, 2019 – Railroad contractor installed RR Crossing at Red Chute Levee.
- March 22, 2019 – Contract signed with Testament Construction.
- April 10, 2019 - Held preconstruction meeting.
Levee Inspection Schedule
- Corps of Engineers Red River Levee Inspection was made on February 19, 2019. DOTD Red Chute Levee Inspection made on February 18, 2019. Corps of Engineers Red Chute Levee Periodic Inspection scheduled for June 10 thru June 14, 2019.
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 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
- Red Chute brush removal between US 80 and I-20 scheduled to resume when site conditions dry.
Flat River Erosion Repairs
- Nixon Engineering – working on survey and preliminary design for erosion control work north of Sligo Road.
Herndon Ditch
- October 10, 2018 – board approved a project to regrade 4400 LF of the ditch.
- October 18, 2018 - Newt Brown Contractor started work excavating and grading ditch.
- December 18, 2018 – channel excavation substantially complete; grading of spoil dirt to be completed when site dries.
- February 11, 2019 – Ditch side slopes developed extensive embankment slides after recent Flat River high water event.
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.
Bossier Levee District Facility Upgrades
- March 18, 2019 – M&M Builders started work on Bossier Levee District Facility Upgrades.
- April 8, 2019 – earthwork grading, drilled piers, stone base, and forms set for slabs on new shop and on existing shop. -- - April 9, 2019 - concrete slab poured on existing equipment shed; concrete slab pour scheduled for April 12th on new shop.
- April 12, 2019 – poured concrete slab on new shop building.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Mowing levees and drainage channels.
- Spraying herbicide on drainage channels and levees.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Repairing gates on levees.
- Cleaning debris buildup on bridges.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
Equipment
- March 13, 2019 submitted purchase order for 3 new John Deere 6145M Tractors thru the State Contract in the amount of $99,501.20 each. Estimated delivery time August 15, 2019.
- March 14, 2019 submitted purchase order for a new F-450 Crew Cab 4X4 Work Truck for tractor crew. Estimated August 15, 2019.
Surplus Equipment
- Requesting to declare the following as surplus equipment to be sold at auction:
1) 2003 Case MX 110 with 5313 hours; Equipment # 205.
2) 2016 John Deere 6135E with 459 hours; Equipment # 380.
On motion by Alley, with second by Webb, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the Secretary for the District to make the payments in the total amount of $355,873.91 as set forth in materials provided for the Board.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Montgomery, the May 8 th , 2019 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:25 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary