The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, August 14, 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, MOORE, MONTGOMERY, STELLY, WEBB, THOMAS ARCENEAUX, ATTORNEY, AND ROBERT TOMASEK ALONG WITH TWO OTHER DOTD EMPLOYEES – HUNTER CONKLE AND ANGEL VELAZQUEZ.
ABSENT: BANTLE.
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 Moore, and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular Board Meeting held on July 10, 2019.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Charlie Yokem and Glen Barnhill representing Willow Chute Land Development, LLC and Michael Kelsch with Raley and Associates appeared to request a permit for Cane’s Landing Subdivision to encroach 50 feet inside the 100 foot Willow Chute Bayou easement. They also requested to place a utility easement in the 50 foot encroachment as well as fences.
The Applications Committee reported favorably on the request to the Board. On motion by Webb, seconded by Montgomery, and unanimously passed the Board approved the encroachment request as shown on the preliminary plans dated May 9, 2019, for fences and lawn development, as well as an easement for underground utilities within the outer 50 feet of the District’s Control Area, subject to approval from DOTD and the final review of the Subdivision plat to be provided at a later date. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mark Long briefed the Board on the ongoing State Project #H.011533, Red Chute Levee Widening Project. He stated that the project started on July 23, 2019 and that the Bossier Levee District was working with Testament Construction, Denmon Engineering, and Beast Engineering to ensure all issues are resolved in a timely manner as they arise. No action taken. No comments from the public.
Mr. Long also discussed some updates regarding Herndon Ditch. He reported on some more recent cave-ins resulting from heavy rain and related issues. Further discussions ensued and will need to be had to secure a long-term solution. No action taken. No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board was updated on approval given to the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) by President, Tim Larkin and Mark Long, Operations Coordinator regarding the proposed plat for The Crossing at Wemple Road, Unit No. #4. There were no other plats submitted for approval. No comments from the public.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Alley, and unanimously passed the Board approved the transfer of $850,000.00 from Huddleston Smith to the checking account for upcoming expenditures including payroll and construction projects. 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.
-July 23, 2019 – Started Time Charges.
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.
- July 24, 2019 – Vicksburg Corps conducted a damage assessment of high-water damages on Red Chute Bayou; no determination as of August 13, 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.
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.
- August 8, 2019 – BLD crew graded spoil piles left from ditch grading.
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.
- August 13, 2019 – construction on metal building approximately 90% complete.
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.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
Equipment
- July 16, 2019 took delivery of 3 new John Deere 6145M Tractors purchased thru the State Contract in the amount of $99,501.20 each.
- March 14, 2019 submitted purchase order for a new F-450 Crew Cab 4X4 Work Truck for tractor crew. Truck scheduled to be built October 7, 2019; estimate delivery mid-October.
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 Moore, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the Secretary for the District to make payments in the amount of $764,848.01 as set forth in materials provided for the Board.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Webb, the August 14 th , 2019 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:25 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary