The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, June 12, 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, BANTLE, LARKIN, MOORE, WEBB, AND TAUNTON MELVILLE, ATTORNEY standing in for M. THOMAS ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY.
ABSENT: MONTGOMERY, STELLY, 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 Bantle, 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 May 8, 2019.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Kirk Thomas, Agent with Pulley-White Insurance Agency, was present to discuss quotes and other information that he had received from United Fire and Glatfelter to replace the Commercial General Liability, Commercial Auto, and Commercial Property Insurance for the District due to letter of nonrenewal of insurance received from The Hanover Insurance Co. expiring on July 1st, 2019. In a comparison, United Fire & Indemnity Company offered broader coverage than others.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Moore, and unanimously passed the Board approved the Commercial General Liability, Commercial Auto, and Commercial Property Insurance for the District to be covered by United Fire & Indemnity Company effective July 1st, 2019. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board continued a prior discussion regarding the placement of shipping containers located on the District’s lot at Dogwood Trail for the purpose of storing sandbags for future flood events on Red Chute Bayou.
The Board concluded that no action would be taken since there was no immediate need for sandbags nor sandbag storage at this time due to the fact that it is near the end of flood season. Discussions will continue with the City regarding the placement of the containers as the BLD and Testament Construction commence work on the Widening Project of the Red Chute Levee. No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board discussed continued issues with South Bossier Flooding, specifically Sligo Road and the Cane Bend area, and a feasibility study conducted by the USACE that offered some suggestions for channel improvements on Red Chute Bayou for possible consideration.
Mark Long discussed the ongoing impact study by Nixon Engineering and Dewberry Consultants for mitigating a possible levee raise, he also advised that the scope of the impact study had been expanded to include improvements to reduce South Bossier flooding. No
comments from the public.
Tim Larkin, President advised the Board of the letter received from the Red River Waterway Commission referencing the nomination for the Bossier parish Seat. He notified the Board that he had drafted a letter based upon their verbal recommendations and mailed it to Governor Edwards, due to the fact that the deadline (30 days before July 1 st ) was prior to the Board Meeting, confirming that the BLD re-nominated Mr. David Jones to serve in the capacity as Commissioner for the RRWC.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Bantle, and unanimously passed the Board approved to ratify the nomination for Mr. Jones for the next upcoming 6 years for his seat on the Red River Waterway Commission. No comments from the public.
The Board was updated on a letter of no objection written and mailed on May 30th, 2019 to the Metropolitan Planning Commission that was approved by President, Tim Larkin and Mark Long, Operations Coordinator on the proposed plat for The Excelerate Subdivision.
On motion by Webb, seconded by Bantle, and unanimously passed the Board approved the transfer of $150,000.00 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.
- May 6, 2019 - Received letter of no objection to issue notice to proceed from Statewide Flood Control.
- June 11, 2019 – on northern section of levee approximately one foot of water remains on levee toe as of this date; water elevation at Dogwood Trail is 160.21 and falling at an approximate rate of 0.1 feet per day.
Red Chute Levee Raise Project
- Mitigation analysis for levee raise is being conducted by Nixon Engineering and Dewberry Consultants.
- June 6, 2019 – Kurt Nixon gave a power point presentation on ongoing study for mitigating potential levee raise impacts; analysis to be expanded to include improvements for south Bossier drainage.
Red Chute Bayou Channel
- Recent high-water events have caused several slope failures on the bayou inside Barksdale AFB; work is needed to remove trees and stabilize slope failures near levee. Work to be scheduled when water levels drop sufficiently to make a complete assessment of damages and allow for tree removal and placement of riprap.
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 completed on June 10, 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.
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.
- Construction on metal building scheduled to resume week of June 17, 2019.
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 Bantle, with second by Moore, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the Secretary for the District to make the payments in the total amount of $194,973.00 as set forth in materials provided for the Board.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, the June 12 th , 2019 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:55 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary