The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, July 20, 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 – ALLEY, BANTLE, LARKIN, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, and STELLY. Staff: Mark Long, Devan Jordan, Deanna Rabb, Robert Tomasek & German Velazquez from the Department of Transportation and Development, and Tom Arceneaux, District Counsel.
ABSENT: None
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 Alley, and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular Board Meeting previously held on June 8, 2022.
REQUESTS BY VISITORS:
Kirk Thomas with Pulley White Insurance was present to discuss the Bossier Levee District’s Insurance Renewals for General Liability, Property Coverage, Inland Marine/ Equipment Coverage, Commercial Auto, Cyber, and Workers Compensation for 2022 – 2023.
The Board discussed options and rates, as well as possible potential financial issues and on a motion by Stelly, seconded by Bantle, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved his proposal with an overall small increase in line with the current inflation. No comments from the public.
Loreli Lopez of Lopez Investments submitted an encroachment permit request to reduce the side setback from 10’ to 5’ encroaching next to Benoit Bayou to enable the proposed construction of a single family home on the property located at Lot #357 in Chez Moi Gardens.
On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved issuing an Encroachment Permit to Lopez Investments for the additional five feet to construct a home located at Lot #357 – 28 Chez Moi Drive. No comments from the public. PERMIT #2022 -46)
J & R Juneau, LLC represented by Fred White, Commercial Construction & Development and Micha Duffy with Coyle Engineering submitted a permit request to remove all existing paving and be replaced with new and additional paving to surround their building located at 1310 Driftwood Drive near lateral B-4.
On motion by Bantle, seconded by Alley, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the permit contingent upon the relocating of the encroachment moderately to allow for BLD Crew access by moving the proposed parking lot approximately 15 feet, subject to approval of review of the amended final plans by Mr. Mark Long, Operations Coordinator and Mr. Tim Larkin, President. (PERMIT #2022 – 47)
Willow Chute Bayou Land Development, LLC being represented by Michael Kelsch, P.E. with Raley & Associates, Inc. has requested a permit to place fill material in a portion of the outer 50 feet of the 100 foot Bossier Levee District’s Control Area on Willow Chute Bayou and also included were revised plans relocating the previously approved overflow flume location for Canes Landing, Unit #2. (PERMIT #2022 – 51)
On motion by Alley, seconded by Montgomery, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the revised permit at this location consistent with the plans submitted. No comments from the public. (PERMIT #2022 – 51)
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
No plats were discussed as none were submitted for recommendation.
Review the letter received from the CORPS regarding a Request for Right of Entry for surveying and planning, Red River Basin: Bossier Parish; P.L. 84-99 Red Chute Bayou Bank Stabilization, RM 199 -59, Sites 1-9. The Board has been asked to execute a letter, resolution, and will need to authorize Tim Larkin, President to sign the Authorization for Entry and the BLD’s legal counsel, Mr. Thomas Arceneaux to sign the Attorney’s Certificate of Authority as well.
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 USACE Vicksburg District, advised that the District recently requested approval from the MVD for funding approval to repair of the sites.
- May 10, 2022 – Received an email from Craig Prestwood, Senior Project Manager, with the USACE Vicksburg District advising that our request for bank stabilization repairs has been approved by the MVD and that they are getting ready to send in a funding request to MVD for design and data collection.
Red Chute Levee
- USACE Periodic Levee Inspection scheduled for week of June 6, 2022.
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.
- May 9, 2022 – work approximately 84% 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
- Made various repairs in preparation for the USACE Periodic Levee Inspection.
- Removed fallen trees from levees and channels in various locations.
- 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 Moore, seconded by Montgomery, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the secretary for the District to make payments for the month of April in the amount of $102,448.76 as set forth in the materials provided for the Board. The July 20, 2022 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:25 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary