3404 Industrial Drive - Bossier City, LA 71112

The Board of Commissioners of the Bossier Levee District met in regular session on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 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 – LARKIN, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, and STELLY. Staff: Mark Long, Devan Jordan, Deanna Rabb, Phillip Sturdivant and German Velazquez from the Department of Transportation and Development, and Curtis Joseph, District Counsel for the Bossier Levee District.

ABSENT: ALLEY and 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 Moore, and unanimously passed, the Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved the minutes of the regular Board Meeting previously held on May 10, 2023.

REQUESTS BY VISITORS:

Ryan Ferguson with Comstock Oil & Gas, Louisiana – LLC requested a permit for approval for the construction, operation, maintenance, upkeep and use of access roads and a new well pad site, for the drilling operation and maintenance of 2 wellbores, being Campbell 9-16-21 HC #3 ALT and Campbell 9-16-21 HC #4 ALT near Flat River.

On motion by Moore, seconded by Stelly, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the permit request on behalf of Comstock Oil & Gas, Louisiana, LLC. (PERMIT #2023 – 11)

Christopher Myers, Engineer with Coyle Engineering Co., Inc. appeared to request a permit on behalf of their client Word of God Ministries located at 1760 Swan Lake Road to allow construction for more parking spaces for the expansion of the existing parking and storm drainage outfalls that will encroach into the Bossier Levee District’s Control area of Benoit Bayou.

On motion by Stelly, seconded by Moore, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the permit with modifications that still need to be completed: the open swale be stubbed by a piped-in detention area to control the outfall, grading is to be kept outside of the 50’ BLD Control Area, restrict grading within the CA to at-grade construction for pavement area, fill in the existing swale below the natural ground line, that there delineation in Plans of the limits of the subject construction area, riprap to be utilized in and around the existing pipes, approved minor encroachment of paved area, and final plans to be reviewed by the Operations Coordinator, Mark Long and DOTD. (PERMIT #2023 – 18)

Donnie Barker on behalf of the developer, Mr. Ed Gaiennie attended the Applications Meeting/Board Meeting requesting an encroachment permit along Macks Bayou Lateral to build a proposed outfall structure and detention pond for needed improvements to be made for the Preserve Phase II Subdivision.

On motion by Stelly, seconded by Montgomery, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the encroachment permit on behalf of Mr. Gaiennie after requesting one that the low water crossing be provided for maintenance access across outfall structure and subject to Bossier City and DOTD’s review and approval. (PERMIT #2023 -23)

Homeowner, Mr. Michael Brothers, represented by Backyard Products requested a permit to place a portable storage building / shed on his property located at 2463 Brookside Drive that would potentially encroach Flat River.

On motion by Moore, seconded by Montgomery, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the permit request submitted by Backyard Products on behalf of Michael Brothers, homeowner to place his portable storage building/shed at his residence. (PERMIT #2023 – 24)

Christopher Myers with Coyle Engineering Co., Inc. appeared to request the following items be revised from a previous letter of request for approval for Willow Chute Ranch Subdivision: one 26’wide roadway crossing, outfall pipes, three roadside ditches discharging into Willow Chute Bayou, clearing of trees and underbrush, and installation of fences all within the Levee District 100’ Control Area.

On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Stelly, and on recommendation from the Applications Committee the Board approved the permit contingent on the following: the setting of iron pin for encroachment area along all lot lines and at road right of way, field verification by Mark Long of set pins will need to be conducted before final approval, and the final plat is subject to his approval as well. (PERMIT #2022 – 58)

OLD BUSINESS:

Updates on the NFIP Red River Levee Risk Assessment with the USACE were discussed, Tim Larkin stated that he had composed and mailed a letter, stated that the BLD would work with the CORPS in which a scope of work had been received and reviewed by the parish - Butch Ford, the COB, and Mark Long.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board did not review the Willow Chute Ranch plat received from the Coyle Engineering for approval and authorization of No Objection Letter from the Bossier Levee District due to fact that it was incomplete.

Resolution authorizing secretary to transfer $300,000.00 from Huddleston / Smith Investments to checking account for all upcoming monthly expenditures.

On motion by Montgomery, seconded by Moore, the Board approved the transfer of $300,000.00.

LEVEE AND DRAINAGE REPORT:

Red Chute Bayou Channel Slope Repairs
- 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.
- July 21, 2022- BLD provided a right-of-entry to Patrick White with the Vicksburg District for surveying and site assessment needed for plan design for bank stabilization repairs.
- September 12, 2022 – Soil survey for bank stabilization design started.
- October 12, 2022 – Topo survey for bank stabilization design near completion.
- May 4, 2023 - PDT meeting conducted through WEBX; major topic was discussion of unexploded ordinances within project limits. It is anticipated that the project delivery date will be in the fall of this year.
- May 11, 2023 – submitted right-of-way authorization documents to Corps.

Red Chute Levee Raise Project
- Mitigation analysis for levee raise was 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 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, 2021thru November 18, 2021, video inspection made on all levee drainage structures.- USACE Periodic Levee Inspection – embankment inspection conducted on June 6, 2022; mechanical inspection conducted on June 1, 2022; structures inspection performed on June 22, 2022.
- September 1, 2022 – relined two existing CMP outfall structures on Red Chute Levee at levee station 238+40 and 375+00 at a total cost of $131,816.20. October 3, 2022, re-videoed relined culverts for submittal to the Corps.
- November 7, 2022 – BLD crews made repairs to seepage berms on Red River Levee north of Lock and Dam 5 Road.
- DOTD levee inspection conducted April 24 through 26, 2023.

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 additional 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; Will McRae with the Vicksburg Corps Levee Safety Center presented Corps 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.
- July 6, 2022 – re-submitted letter of request to the Vicksburg Army Corps of Engineers for a Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment on the Red River Levee.
- December 13, 2022 – conference call with Will McCrae, Brandon Cummins, Lanny Barfield and other members of the Vicksburg Corps concerning the Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment. Will McCrae advised that new guidance for evaluating a risk assessment would be coming out in February of 2023; he advised waiting for the new guidance before starting the risk assessment.
- March 8, 2023 – Vicksburg Corps met with board and provide updates and recommendations for an NFIP Risk Assessment.
- April 29, 2023 – mailed letter of request for an Accelerated Levee Evaluation (Risk Assessment) for NFIP Purposes to the Vicksburg USACE.
- June 6, 2023 – received cost share agreement and scope of work for the levee risk assessment.

Flat River Outfall Pipes - South of Sligo Road
- February 2, 2022 – signed Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Bossier Parish Police Jury to cost share on the installation of two outfall pipes south of Sligo Road on Flat River.
- October 24, 2022 – Bossier Parish Police Jury crew started work.
- November 22- 23 BLD trucks assisted BPPJ hauling soil for pipe backfill. Remaining work by BPPJ consists of additional backfill, riprap, and installation of flap gates.
- June 9, 2023 – Parish resumed work on outfall pipes.

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.
- July 18, 2022 – work is substantially complete except for fence installation.
- September 13, 2022 – issued contract with F J Burnell for a concrete headwall and concrete apron at a cost of $42,966.00.
- November 7, 2022 – required utility relocation started, new AT&T pole set.
- April 10, 2023 – power lines and communication cables have been relocated; old AT&T pole is scheduled to be removed.

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
- Mowing levees and drainage control areas.
- Inspecting various construction activities near levees and drainage channels.
- Inspecting levees, channels, and drainage structures; cleaning outfall pipes and flap gates.
- Cleared trees and brush along Flat River downstream of Swan Lake Road. Replaced a 36-inch outfall pipe in same location, installed pipe in washout for access purposes.
- Herbicide application along drainage channels and fenced along levees.
- Repaired cattle ruts on Red River Levee
- Cleaning drift from bridges.
- 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 Montgomery, seconded by Stelly Alley, and unanimously approved, the Board authorized the secretary for the Bossier Levee District to make all AP payments for the month of March in the amount of $118,812.64 as set forth in the materials provided for the Board. The June 14, 2023 Bossier Levee District Board Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:48 a.m.

 

__________________________  _____________________________
Tim Larkin, President                   Deanna S. Rabb, Secretary       

 

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Address & Phone

Bossier Levee District
3404 Industrial Drive
Bossier City, LA 71112

P.O. Box 8279
Bossier City, LA 71113

p: (318) 746-7151
f: (318) 746-7206

After Hours/Emergency
Contact: (318) 455-3696

Bossier Levee District - 3404 Industrial Drive - Bossier City, LA 71112

P.O. Box 8279 - Bossier City, LA 71113

(318) 746-7151

 

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