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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CADDO LEVEE DISTRICT AT REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JULY 13, 2023 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District held at 10:00 a.m., July 13th, 2023, at 1320 Grimmett Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, the following were present: Patrick Harrison, James T. Sims, Jackie Baker, Willie Walker, and Gary Procell. Carolyn C. Prator and Kandi Moore were unable to attend.
Ronald F. Lattier, Law Offices of Ronald F. Lattier; Phillip Sturdivant, P.E., LA Department of Transportation and Development; John Barr, Regional Director, Senator John Kennedy’s Office; Mark Jusselin, Integrity, Inc.; Ali M. Mustapha P.E., Executive Director; Penny Adams, Assistant Executive Director; and Sam Brimer, Forester, were also present.
The meeting was opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Harrison asked for any comments from the public regarding agenda items or other issues. There were no public comments.
President Harrison stated that the minutes from the June 8th, 2023, meeting had been emailed for review and asked for a motion to approve. Mr. Sims made a motion, with a second by Mr. Procell, to approve the minutes from the June 2023 meeting. The motion unanimously passed.
President Harrison discussed the monthly financial reports and reported that operating expenses and revenues for June were consistent with this time of year monthly averages. All the income reported is from oil and gas royalties and the Certificates of Deposits. The major expenses were for the replacement of one of the three office building HVAC units and flood control infrastructure repair projects.
The Board tabled the review of payments and invoices for the month of June 2023 and subsequent bills for the month of May 2023 incomplete report until the August 10th Board Meeting.
The Board discussed the renewal of a Certificate of Deposit (CD) maturing on July 13,2023 currently held by Home Federal Bank. The Board approved to increase the value of the CD and renew it with the same institution for a 24-months term and tasked the Executive Director to negotiate the rate of return with the Institution’s representative with a motion by Mr. Sims and a second by Mr. Baker. The motion unanimously passed.
The Board discussed the insurance proposal submitted by Parnell-Robinson Insurance, Inc. for the upcoming 2023 – 2024 fiscal year. Mr. Procell made a motion, with a second by Mr. Sims, to approve the insurance proposal for 2023 – 2024. The motion unanimously passed.
There was no President Report.
The Board reviewed, discussed, and denied the request by Invenergy, One South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois (known locally as Mooringsport Solar Energy Center) to nominate a CLD 80 acres tract of land (GEO# 191613-000-0004-00) for lease for the use as a part of a proposed future solar energy center in Northwest Caddo Parish South of the town of Mooringsport.
Mr. Mustapha reported that EDKO has been retained by the district to spray two (2) segments of the C-6 Canal, a segment of Bayou Pierre Channel (South of Bert Kouns to East Ridge Country Club) in Southeast Caddo Parish, and Dooley Bayou’s Channel from I-49 to a point East of LA 3049 in Gilliam in North Caddo Parish to control the growth of heavy vegetation, improve the flow of runoff, and reduce ponding after heavy rain storms.
Mr. Mustapha also reported that the Notice to proceed with construction of the New West Agurs Pump Station Project was issued to the contractor (Lawler Construction), the pre-construction meeting was held, and the contractor has submitted Structural (including steel fabrication), Material (including concrete mix design and piping), and Electrical shop drawings to the design engineer (CSRS) for review and approval prior to purchase for installation. DOTD’s District 4 Construction Section will provide field inspection and observation for the project.
Also Mr. Mustapha reported that all of the 48” in diameter or smaller corrugated metal flood control culverts penetrating the levees have been rehabilitated by the slip-ling method this year. A total of six (6) culverts’ rehabilitation projects are complete (one at Dixie Garden area-Caddo South Levee, three at W. Agurs Levee, and two at Twelve Mile Bayou Levee). Also, he reported that he is planning to Rehabilitate the 60” culvert penetrating the Ring levee segment in late July or August. The cost for lining this pipe is less than $100,000.00 and will not require bidding. The diameters of all the other existing culverts that require rehabilitation are 60” and 72” and rehabilitation of these culverts will require design plans, special specifications and bid documents.
Mr. Mustapha also reported that Mr. Kevin Bryan, AIA, is working on the design of the exterior walls’ covering of the office building repairs/renovations and is evaluating the use of alternative architectural material to replace the existing stucco lining of the exterior walls. He may have the design completed prior to the August Board meeting.
Mr. Mustapha also reported that the Auditor, Mrs. Lenora Krielow, CPA, has started working on the 2022-2023 annual audit and she has mailed letters to all the financial institutions requesting the submittal of the financial information required for the audit. Letters to the district’s legal counsels will be mailed in the next few weeks. Also, information and documents required for the audit will be emailed to Mrs. Krielow upon request.
There was no Legal Counsel Report.
Sam Brimer, Forester, reported that the storms that hit the area in the past 2-4 weeks resulted in major damage to trees located in close proximity to the levees and that required extensive removal and clean-up of tree debris. There is NO Forestry work planned.
There was no Engineer’s Report.
There was no Personnel Committee Report.
There was no Legal Committee Report.
There was no Recreation Committee Report.
Mr. Walker, Equipment Committee Chairman, reported that the district has received one of the two (2) John Deere Tractors that were purchased via bids earlier this year. The second tractor will be delivered in the next 2-3 weeks.
Mr. Harrison discussed with the Board the details of an incident that was reported to him that occurred in early July that was located in close proximity to the Caddo North levee segment at Sentell Road.
With no further business to be brought before the Board, Mr. Sims made a motion to adjourn, with a second by Mr. Baker. The motion unanimously passed, and the meeting was adjourned.
President Executive Director |
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Minutes - July |
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Regular Business Hours : Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm |
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