The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 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 - BANTLE, LARKIN, MOORE, MONTGOMERY, and STELLY. Staff: Mark Long, Deanna Rabb, Robert Tomasek & German Velazquez from the Department of Transportation and Development, and Tom Arceneaux, District Counsel.
ABSENT: Alley
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 Stelly, and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular Board Meeting previously held on March 16, 2022.
AMENDMENT TO AGENDA:
On suggestion of the Chair to add an item to the agenda, Moore moved and Stelly seconded a motion to add the discussion to give authorization to the President, Tim Larkin, to create a letter to the CORPS stating that the Bossier Levee District requests to work together on a Red River Levee Risk Assessment. 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
Bantle - Yes
Montgomery - Yes
Moore - Yes
Stelly - Yes
The Commissioners having voted unanimously to add the item to the agenda, it was added.
OLD BUSINESS:
Willow Chute Bayou Land Development, LLC represented by Engineer, Michael Kelsch, appeared seeking a permit for the construction of an outfall pipe into Willow Chute Bayou for the development of Cane’s Landing Unit #2.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously passed the Board approved the permit request for Willow Chute Bayou Land Development, LLC to install an outfall pipe to encroach into Willow Chute Bayou due to the new development of Cane’s Landing #2. No comments from the public. (Permit #2022 -22)
Clinton Patrick and Bobby Masters attended the Board meeting on behalf of Cypress Baptist Church located at 4701 Palmetto Road in Benton discussed a permit request for the potential installation of a drainage culvert into Flat River to Flat River Willow Chute Cut-Off.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery, and unanimously passed the Board approved the permit to enable Cypress Baptist Church to install an additional drainage culvert into Flat River Willow Chute Cut-Off pending the BLD receiving a signed set of plans and subject to the approval of DOTD as well. No comments from the public. (Permit #2022-28)
Nixon Engineering representing Mr. Michael Miller who resides at 164 Lakewood Point Drive in North Bossier has requested a permit for the construction of multiple rice field berms that would potentially be within the 100’ easement of Willow Chute Bayou – Bossier Levee District Control Area.
On motion by Moore, seconded by Montgomery and unanimously passed the Board approved Mr. Miller’s request to construct rice berms and encroach into Willow Chute Bayou contingent upon the review and further approval issued from the Parish Flood Plain Manager and it was also stated that DOTD would like to do a physical site visit before obtaining their approval. No comments from the public. (Permit #2022 - 32)
Continued discussion regarding Mr. Bill Bowden’s previously submitted permit request on behalf of Performance Proppants to be authorized to haul equipment on the Red River Levee and the possible outcome of an alternate path or solution. Performance Proppants are going to utilize another route for the submitted request, therefore, no action was taken.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board reviewed two plats received from the MPC for approval and authorization of No Objection Letters to be issued by the Bossier Levee District.
1). DALCO BROWNLEE – Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish
2). ROBELLA OFFICE PARK - Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish
The Board reviewed the plats and stated that Mr. Mark Long would approve both plats administratively and issue letters of no objection.
Discussion to authorize the President, Tim Larkin to write a letter to the CORP advising them that the Bossier Levee District would like to participate and proceed with a risk assessment regarding the Red River Levee.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Bantle, the Board unanimously agreed to adopt the following resolution regarding the new guidelines to achieve accreditation together with the estimated expenses to be between $250,000.00 and $750,000.00.
Be it resolved that the President of the Bossier Levee District be and hereby is authorized to draft and send a letter in substance at his discretion to the USACOE, Vicksburg District, requesting an in depth levee risk assessment regarding the Red River Levee for levee accreditation purposes, with the cost to be split 50% by the USACOE and 50% by the Bossier Levee District.
Be it further resolved that the President be and hereby is authorized to take such further action as he may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of the foregoing resolution.
The Board discussed a resolution authorizing the BLD admin staff to attend the 35th ALBL Annual meeting to be held in Baton Rouge, LA on May 5 – 6, 2002, and to be reimbursed for expenses.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and unanimously passed the Board authorized Devan Jordan to represent the Bossier Levee District while attending the ALBL conference located in Baton Rouge, LA on May 5 & 6 th , 2022 and to be reimbursed for all expenses incurred. No comments from the public.
The Secretary, Deanna Rabb reviewed changes that had been made to the Proposed Budget by the Finance and Insurance Committee at their previously scheduled meeting.
On motion by Stelly, seconded by Moore and unanimously passed the Board authorized the previously approved proposed budget to be Adopted as is for the 2022 - 2023 Fiscal Year. No comments from the public.
LEVEE AND DRAINAGE REPORT:
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.
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.
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.
- January 4, 2022 – received a status update on the CORPS H&H Analysis for the Red River Levee; the H&H Analysis is complete however they are waiting on new risk assessment classification guidance before issuing a report.
- March 28, 2022 – a meeting with the Vicksburg Corps and local officials was held; the Corps presented their recommendations for a path forward on levee accreditation and discussed an in-depth levee risk assessment to be cost shared with the Corps and local entities; estimated cost range between $250,000.00 and $750,000.00.
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 Outfall Pipes - South of Sligo Road
- February 2, 2022 – Cooperative Endeavor Agreement made with the Bossier Parish Police Jury to cost share on the installation of two outfall pipes south of Sligo Road on Flat River.
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.
- December 15, 2021 – the board approved advertising for bids for HDPE culvert liners to line two CMP culverts on Red Chute Levee located on BAFB.
- January 12, 2022 - HDPE Culvert Liner Bid from Isco Industries, Inc. in the amount of $62,816.20 was approved by board.
- February 2, 2022 – received delivery of HDPE Culvert Liners.
Tinsley Ditch Culverts
- December 15, 2022 – the board authorized Kurt Nixon with Nixon Engineer to proceed with survey and design for the replacement of existing culverts under Crowing Lane and installation of a new culvert between Crowing Lane and Lateral B-4 ditch.
- February 1, 2022 – revised construction plans received from Nixon Engineering.
- March 3, 2022 – Bids were opened for the Crowing Lane Drainage Improvements with a low bid of $232,757.50 from FJ Burnell.
- March 30. 2022 – work began.
- April 12, 2022 – work approximately 32% complete.
Red River Levee Ponding Area
- January 5, 2022 – requested surveyor to survey area near Red River Levee Station 147+00 to determine how best to drain an area of ponding water adjacent to the levee.
- April 1, 2022 received survey information from Travis Sturdivant with Raley and Associates of ponding area and proposed drainage ditch.
Levee and Drainage Crews
- Removing fallen trees from Red Chute Bayou in various locations.
- Removed fallen trees from levees and channels in various locations.
- Broke beaver dams in Willow Chute Bayou.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Trimming trees and brush on levees and drainage channels.
- Mowing levees and drainage channels.
- Servicing and repairing equipment.
Surplus Equipment
- The following equipment is 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 Bantle, seconded by Alley, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the Secretary for the District to make payments for the month of April in the amount of $78,961.64 as set forth in the materials provided for the Board. The April 13, 2022 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:35 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary