The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 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: Commissioners - ALLEY, LARKIN, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, AND STELLY
Staff: Mark Long, Deanna Rabb, Tom Arceneaux - staff attorney, and Robert Tomasek 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 April 14, 2021.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Travis Sturdivant, a Land Surveyor with Raley & Associates, Inc., representing TIL Holdings LLC, submitted a request for an after fact permit to encroach 6 foot into the existing 25 foot Bossier Levee Board Control Area for the Valvoline Instant Oil Change located at 2240 Airline Drive that was constructed in 1992. Due to jurisdiction changes in 1967, action taken by the Board in 1991, and a “Waiver and Dedication Agreement” dated February 12,1992 the BLD is asking for a motion to release the servitude for the above request. PERMIT #2021- 17
On motion by Alley, seconded by Montgomery, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board authorized Mr. Larkin to execute the Release of Servitude and for the document to then be filed at the Clerk of Court’s Office. No comments from the public.
Gary Clark with Civil Design Group, LLC retained by the Red River Waterway Commission appeared before the Applications Committee and the Board requesting a permit for the extension of the existing walking trail from its current termination at Lake Caroline boat launch facility to a new termination at Parkway High School. This project will include the construction of approximately 2.33 miles of new trail with 3 levee crossings, 2 covered pavilions, and 3 parking lots.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee and unanimously carried the Board approved the request from Civil Design Group and the RRWC and authorized Mr. Mark Long to issue the permit approving the extension of the walking trail, levee crossings, covered pavilions, and parking lots. No comments from the public.
Kay Loftin in the absence of Dee Hanson, who both reside in the Benton area appeared before the Board and had a discussion proclaiming mismanagement of the Cypress Black Bayou Recreational Board. The Board listened to her presentation and stated that they would take all of the issues discussed into consideration when time came to write the recommendation of appointment letter on behalf of the BLD for the Cypress Black Bayou Recreational Board seat. No comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mark Long updated the Board regarding the Red Chute Levee Widening Project. Mr. Long briefed the Applications Committee and the Board stating that Testament Construction, the contractor working on the state project has made more progress towards completion. They also discussed the relationship between liquidated damages, submitted and forthcoming payment requests. They also discussed writing a letter to advise Testament of the surrounding circumstances, with copy to Mr. Hayter. No comments from the public.
Mr. Long updated the Board on the current progress of the Red River Levee Raise 408 Permit process with the Vicksburg CORPS of Engineers. The discussion included funding and anticipated actions, the need to acquire graphic of area below the design height of the levee, an overall rough estimate of yardage required to get to the desired height, and the possibility of needing an estimate from surveyor to survey the area to have profiles.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery and unanimously carried the Board passed a motion to acquire a surveyor to survey the area. No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Bossier Levee District reviewed Kingston Plantation, Unit #9 plat received for approval from the MPC. This plat is relocating plat # 5, front setback does not affect the BLD Control Area. No issues perceived and a letter of no objection will be issued.
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.
- April 30, 2021 – Work approximately 76.1 % complete as of most recent application for payment.
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.
- Corps Routine annual inspection conducted on May 3, 2021 on the Red Chute Bayou Levee.
- Corps Periodic Levee Inspection conducted May 4-5, 2021 on the Red River Levee.
Red River Levee Certification
- May 8, 2018 – sent letter to Corps requesting their services in providing new levee certification.
- 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.
- 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.
- April 12, 2021 – conference call held with Katy Breaux and members of the Vicksburg Army Corps of Engineers to discuss a Risk Assessment to be used for levee certification.
- April 22, 2021 – conference call with Vicksburg Corps to discuss Risk Assessment; Katy Breaux advised that the Corps has obtained funding for the Hydraulic Analysis portion of a Risk Assessment; work to begin as soon as an engineering firm can be obtained for the work.
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.
- 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 completed on April 30, 2021; total cost of $48,842.67
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 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 May in the amount of $268,220.04 as set forth in the materials provided for the Board.
The May 12 th , 2021 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:25 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary