The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 10:10 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: Commissioners - ALLEY, LARKIN, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, AND STELLY Staff: Mark Long, Deanna Rabb, Tom Arceneaux - staff attorney, Robert Tomasek and German Velazquez from the Department of Transportation and Development.
ABSENT: BANTLE
The first order of business was the opening prayer by Commissioner Montgomery and the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Larkin.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular Board Meeting held on February 10, 2021.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Micha Duffy with Coyle Engineering Co., Inc. and on behalf of their client Louisiana Lagniappe Developments, LLC appeared requesting approval for an encroachment permit for a storm water detention pond and an outfall pipe to be located in the outside 50’ of the Levee District’s Control area in the Airline Lagniappe Subdivision, Unit #1 (which is a re-subdivision of the existing Lot 1, Willow Chute Commercial Subdivision, Unit No. 4). PERMIT #2021-10
On motion by Alley, seconded by Stelly, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the issuance of the encroachment permit for a storm water detention pond and an outfall pipe to be located in the outside 50’ of the Levee District’s Control area in the Airline Lagniappe Subdivision, Unit #1, subject to approval by DOTD and Mark Long, once plan revisions for the outfall pipe are completed. No comments from the public.
Ryan Estess with Raley and Associates, Inc. attended the Applications Committee Meeting requesting a permit to install a new parish sanitary sewer force main for St. Charles Court Villages, Unit #1 to be located in the BLD’s Control Area, due to the current utility conflicts in the existing servitude. PERMIT #2021-08
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee, the Board approved the installation of the new parish sanitary sewer force main for St. Charles Court Villages, Unit #1 to be located in the westerly outer 15 ft of the Control Area. No comments from the public.
Butch Ford with the BPPJ appeared requesting a permit to replace an existing 60-inch concrete culvert with two new 60-inch metal pipes with rip rap and adding flap gates to both of the pipes. PERMIT # 2021-05
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Alley, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee, the Board approved the installation of the two new 60-inch metal pipes, rip rap, and flap gates, subject to the approval of a Coperative Endeavor Agreement to share cost. No comments from the public.
Michan Holbrook with Coyle Engineering Co., Inc. on behalf of Willow Heights, LLC appeared before the Board requesting approval for an encroachment for two storm water detention ponds, outfall pipes, approval for the extension of Mahogany Lane across Willow Chute Bayou, approval for a sewer force main and a water main bore across Willow Chute Bayou for Willow Heights, Unit No. 3. PERMIT #2021-09
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee, the Board approved the encroachment permit for two storm water detention ponds, outfall pipes, approval for the extension of Mahogany Lane across Willow Chute Bayou, approval for a sewer force main and a water main bore across Willow Chute Bayou for Willow Heights, Unit No. 3, contingent upon DOTD and parish approval. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mark Long updated the Board regarding the Red Chute Levee Widening Project. He communicated and reported on the current progress, the anticipated cost overruns, and stated that the completion rate was around 72% as of March 10th , 2021.
Kurt Nixon with Nixon Engineering briefed the Board on the current progress of his work on the Red River Levee Raise 408 Permit process with the Vicksburg CORPS of Engineers.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board was to discuss any proposed plats received from the MPC that were needing approval from the Bossier Levee District. There were none to review, therefore, no action was taken.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Alley, the Board approved a resolution for Tim Larkin, President to sign a Legal Counsel Contract for Mr. Michael D. Lowe, attorney with Kean Miller, LLP effective January 10th , 2021 to enable him to provide extra legal counsel regarding the Red Chute Levee Widening Project and Testament Construction Company on behalf of the Bossier Levee District. No comments from the public.
The Board discussed the adoption of the 2021 - 2022 BLD Proposed Budget which will be reviewed by the Finance and Insurance Committee and once changes are made it will be brought before the Board for adoption during the April Board meeting.
Commissioner Stelly made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery to enter into Executive Session:
Voting in favor: Alley, Larkin, Montgomery, Moore and Stelly
Opposed: None
Motion carried.
Commissioner Montgomery made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stelly to close the Executive Session.
Voting in favor: Alley, Larkin, Montgomery, Moore and Stelly
Opposed: None
Motion carried.
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 22, 2019 – contract signed with Testament Construction.
- July 23, 2019 – Started Time Charges.
- January 6, 2020 – Work approximately 50% complete.
- February 28, 2021 – Work approximately 72 % complete.
Red Chute Levee Raise Project
- Mitigation analysis for levee raise is being conducted by Nixon Engineering and Dewberry Consultants.
- October 31, 2019 – Nixon Engineering delivered mitigation report.
- December 8, 2019 – Kurt Nixon and Jacob Lesue presented the board with mitigation study results.
- March 11, 2020 – Kurt Nixon submitted a revised mitigation study report with recommendations for a levee raise and mitigation.
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 November 11, 2019.
- December 9, 2019 – Donald Walker, Chief of Vicksburg Corps Emergency Management called and advised that the Vicksburg Corps would be providing funding for approximately 10 bank caving sites along the levee.
- December 10, 2019 – Captain Papia with the Vicksburg District made a site visit to assess the bank repair areas.
- March 30, 2020 – received letter dated March 24, 2020 from the colonel of the Vicksburg District Army Corps denying our request for PL 84-99 funding for bank caving repairs.
- Waiting for further direction from Corps on repair requirements.
Levee Inspection Compliance
- BLD has completed an inspection and report of deficiencies on the Red River Levee including items listed on the USACE 2019 Levee Inspection Report. Our plan of action is to start removing all unwanted vegetation and other encroachments in areas where permission can be obtained from property owners.
- Work on north end of levee is underway removing encroaching trees and brush.
- August 12, 2020 – board approved work for sluice gate valve repairs on Red River Levee in the amount of $24,956.00.
- January 5, 2021 – sluice gate repairs at station 1170+00 substantially complete.
- March 8, 2021 – sluice gate repairs are underway at Red River Levee station 1070+00; repairing embankment throughout levee system.
Red River Levee Certification
- May 8, 2018 – sent letter to Corps requesting their services in providing new levee certification.
- Levee certification expired September 30, 2019.
- September 9, 2020 – hired Kurt Nixon to review options for levee certification.
- January 11, 2021 – held conference call with Vicksburg Corps and discussed 408 permit requirements for raising the areas with deficient free board on the Red River Levee north of Lock and Dam 5.
- March 3, 2021 – Kurt Nixon provided progress letter on status of the 408 permit; he is currently working to obtain Corps models to be used for an impact analysis of the proposed levee raise.
Red River Corps Study
- August 28, 2019 – the Vicksburg Corps met with the Flood Technical Committee and briefed the Committee on the preliminary findings from the Study. The Study has produced a new 100-year flood profile which indicates that a portion of the levee north of Lock and Dam 5 has less than the minimum 3-foot free board; the new 100-year flood profile will also require new Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) be established. The Study is scheduled to be completed in March or April of 2020. Shona Gibson with FEMA Region 6 was also at the meeting and she said the Corps and FEMA will be working together to produce the new BFE’s; she also said that our levee system will not be re-certified due to the deficient levee height north of Lock and Dam 5.
- December 6, 2019 – we received the new 1% WSE river profile grades for the Red River Levee from the Vicksburg Corp.
- December 13, 2019 – we received plan and profile drawings with new 1% WSE river profile.
- February 7, 2020 – we received word from Craig McRaney with the Vicksburg Corps that the levee can be raised above elevation of Lock and Dam 5 Road; Mr. McRaney also advised that the levee district should submit a request for a 408 permit to raise the levee in the areas with insufficient freeboard.
- February 10, 2020 – a conference call was held with several members of the Vicksburg Corps; the purpose of the call was to seek guidance on how to expedite the permit for the levee raise and to request that the Corps provide assistance in obtaining the permit. Very little new information was obtained from the call; the Corps did say that they would research the Congressional Authorization for the levee to determine if any restrictions such as an additionally congressional authorization would be needed to raise the levee.
- August 6, 2020 – Corps held a WebEx meeting and discussed the summary report; they also provided copies of the report.
Flat River Erosion Repairs
- Nixon Engineering – working on survey and preliminary design for erosion control work north of Sligo Road.
- Drop pipe replacement planned pending design from DOTD; location approximately 2 miles upstream of Sligo Rd.
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.
- August 12, 2020 – board approved replacing a double 48” x 193’ CMP with a new 10-gauge Poly coated CMP; with a low quote in the amount of $105,000.00 from F.J. Burnell, Inc.
- Pipes delivered to BLD yard on December 18, 2020; installation pending suitable site conditions. Bossier Levee District Facility Maintenance Repairs
- August 12, 2020 – board approved various facility repairs in an amount not to exceed $65,000.00.
- Jackson Construction began work on January 27, 2021; work approximately 90% complete.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Clearing brush and tree encroachments on Red River Levee.
- Making various repairs on the Red River Levee in preparation for a USACE Periodic Levee Inspection scheduled to begin on March 15, 2021.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Removing fallen trees from levees and channels.
- Breaking up beaver dams.
- Repairing gates on levee.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
Surplus Equipment
- The following equipment is scheduled to be sold as surplus.
1) 2003 Case MX 110 with 5313 hours; Equipment # 205.
2) 2016 John Deere 6135E with 520 hours; Equipment # 380.
3) 2016 John Deere 6135E with 326 hours; Equipment # 381.
4) 2009 John Deere 7230 with 4975 hours; Equipment # 207.
5) 2009 John Deere 7230 with 4705 hours: Equipment # 208.
6) 2007 Ford F-450 with 103,566 miles; Equipment # 108.
7) 2000 John Deere Track Excavator with 4790 hours; Equipment # 203.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the Secretary for the District to make payments for the month of March in the amount of $192,101.72 as set forth in the materials provided for the Board.
The March 10th, 2021 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:13 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary