The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, December 15, 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, BANTLE, LARKIN, MONTGOMERY, and MOORE
Staff: Mark Long, Deanna Rabb, and Robert Tomasek from the Department of Transportation and Development.
ABSENT: STELLY
The first order of business was the opening prayer by Commissioner Montgomery and the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Larkin.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Bantle, and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular Board Meeting previously held on November 9, 2021.
AMENDMENT TO AGENDA:
On suggestion of the Chair to add an item to the agenda, Bantle moved and Moore seconded a motion to add a resolution to enable the Bossier Levee District to sign the Acceptance of the Red Chute Levee Project. The President asked if any member of the public wished to speak on whether to add the item to the agenda and there were no requests to speak. The following Commissioners voted:
Larkin - Yes
Alley - Yes
Bantle - Yes
Montgomery - Yes
Moore - Yes
The Commissioners having voted unanimously to add the item to the agenda, it was added.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
None.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Nixon with Nixon Engineering Solutions, LLC reported that his team had completed the preliminary report and construction plans and would be meeting with everyone and city officials as well to discuss options further and to go over all cost estimates.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Alley, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board authorized unanimously carried the Board discussed the potential cost to extend and improve drainage projects in this area including up the west side of Crowing Lane. Project was adopted and granted for up to $350,00.00, which can be adjusted if needed. No comments from the public.
The Board and Mr. Long discussed the Red Chute Bayou Project with Testament Construction and heard from their owner. It was decided by the Board that they needed to enter into Executive Session.
After Executive Session ended the Board decided to let the BLD’s Legal Counsel Mr. Michael Lowe contact Testament attorney and try one last time to come to an agreement with issues regarding liquidated damages and come to a settlement in which would then enable the BLD to make final payment and complete this project in full.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Moore and unanimously passed the Board passed a resolution for President. Mr. Tim Larkin to sign and formally acknowledge the Acceptance of the Red Chute Levee Project on 12/15/21 and record document as a public record at the courthouse. No comments from the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
There were no plats received for review from the MPC for approval and or authorization in need of a no objection letter from the Bossier Levee District.
The Board discussed the HDPE CMP Culvert Liner purchase for Red Chute Levee and if they were going to bid out materials and the work or bid out materials and have the work done by the BLD employees.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Montgomery, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board authorized Mr. Mark Long to bid out the materials and noted that they would vote on project at the next meeting, once bids were received and opened. No comments from the public.
The Board wanted to review and discuss the Bossier Levee Districts procurement procedures. They discussed procurement versus fact bid. It was stated that when operating without encumbrances without state law, it had contract limits, limits for materials and supplies. It was stated in final that the BLD needs to reaffirm the current process that we follow: procurement of materials LA. R.S. 38:2212.1 and follow any further recommendations from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. No comments from the public.
On motion by Alley, seconded by Moore and unanimously passed the Board authorized the BLD to provide lunch during the December 2021 (end of the year) employee recognition and awards meeting.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Moore and unanimously passed the Board authorized the secretary to transfer $250,000.00 from Huddleston/Smith Investments to ensure payments for projects, payroll, and all other expenditures. 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 22, 2019 – contract signed with Testament Construction.
- July 23, 2019 – Started Time Charges.
- January 6, 2020 – Work approximately 50% complete.
- August 5, 2021 – received Certificate of Substantial Completion from project engineer with an effective date of August 2, 2021.
- November 9, 2021 – work on punch list items is near completion; remaining work includes small areas to be seeded, a small amount of cleanup, and a couple of minor fence repairs.
- December 13, 2021 – no observed activity by Testament Construction since November 2, 2021.
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 Slope Repairs
- 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.
- July 8, 2021 – Lanny Barfield with the Vicksburg USACE District, advised that the District recently requested approval from the MVD for funding approval to repair of the sites.
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.
- 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.
- Work underway south of LA 511 Bridge removing encroaching trees and brush.
- November 15, 2021 thru November 18, 2021 video inspection made on all levee drainage structures.
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
- June 8, 2021 – spoke with Katy Breaux, Project Manager with Vicksburg Corps and she advised that work on the Hydraulic Analysis portion of the Risk Assessment should be completed by the end of July 2021.
- On August 17, 2021 Raley and Associates completed work on cross sectioning and topo survey of a 6.0-mile segment of the levee from lock and Dam 5 road north.
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.
- October 11, 2021 - BLD crew completed replacement of three (3) outfall erosion control pipes located on Flat River north of Sligo Road on the Lucky property.
Red Chute Bayou Levee Culvert Rehab
-November 18, 2021, video inspection of the outfall CMP culvert at station 238+30 revealed a separation in the corrugated metal pipe; repair needed as soon as possible.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Mowing levees and drainage channels.
- Painting fences and gates.
- Removed debris from Red Chute Bayou between Dogwood Trail and I-20.
- Removing fallen trees from Red Chute Bayou north of Sligo Road and on BAFB.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- 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 Moore, seconded by Montgomery, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the Secretary for the District to make payments for the month of December in the amount of $176,236.31 as set forth in the materials provided for the Board.
The December 15th, 2021 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:25 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary