OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF

CADDO LEVEE DISTRICT

AT REGULAR MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

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At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District held at 10:00 a.m., September 9, 2021, at 1320 Grimmett Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, the following members were present: Patrick Harrison, Jackie Baker, James T. Sims, Carolyn C. Prator, Willie Walker, and Gary Procell. Kandi Moore was unable to attend.

J. Marshall Jones Jr., Jones & Odom, LLP; Col. Robert Hilliard, Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District; Neal Lewis, Tyler Coleman, and Jason Mooney, US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District; John Barr, Regional Director Senator John Kennedy’s Office; Robert Tomasek, LA. Department of Transportation and Development; Mark Jusselin, Integrity, Inc.; Ali M. Mustapha, Executive Director; Penny Adams, Assistant Executive Director; and Lynda Jones, Administrative Assistant were also present. Ronald F. Lattier, Law Offices of Ronald F. Lattier was unable to attend.

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 August 2021 meeting had been emailed for review and asked for a motion to approve. Mr. Sims made a motion, with a second by Mr. Walker, to approve the minutes from the August 2021 meeting. The motion unanimously passed.

President Harrison discussed the monthly financial reports, reporting that operating expenses and revenues for August are in line with monthly averages for this time of year. 

The Board reviewed payments and invoices for the month of August 2021 and subsequent bills for the month of July 2021. Mr. Procell made a motion, with a second by Mr. Walker, to ratify payment of the invoices for the month of August 2021 and subsequent bills for the month of July 2021. The motion unanimously passed.

Col. Robert Hilliard, Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, presented the Caddo Levee District Board of Commissioners with two (2) Certificates of Merit Plaques for the Operation & Maintenance of Flood Control Projects for the years of 2019 and 2020. Col. Hilliard commended the Board of Commissioners for the superior management of resources in the operation and maintenance of the District’s Levee projects. He also thanked the Board for fully exemplifying the Corps values of safety, integrity, and respect by continuing to actively support the flood damage reduction mission and sustain the public trust. He concluded by thanking the Board for the partnership and commitment to reduce flood risk and protecting lives. 

The Board discussed the renewal of the one (1) CD currently held by Iberiabank. The Board agreed to renew the CD for a 6-month term at a rate of 0.05% with a motion by Mrs. Prator and a second by Mr. Walker. The motion unanimously passed.

The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the following Resolution to adopt the Cyber Security Plan and Financial Security Procedures for Cash Management as required by Act 66 (House Bill 128) of the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature, with a motion by Mrs. Prator and a second by Mr. Baker.

             WHEREAS, Act 66 (House Bill 128) of the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature recognizes the need for cyber security of digital data on computer networks as it relates to the protection of cash assets of the state; and

             WHEREAS, the Act requires all state agencies, departments, boards and commissions to prepare and submit by September 2, 2021, a Cyber Security Plan and related financial security procedures to the Cash Management Board (CMRB) for approval; and of each Levee District prepare, and regularly review, and update its cybersecurity plan along with any related financial security procedures; and

             WHEREAS, the Caddo Levee District’s “Cyber Security Plan and Related Financial Security Procedures” was developed and is currently in use; and

             WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed the “Cyber Security Plan and Related Financial Security Procedures” with an effective date of September 2, 2021.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District adopts the Caddo Levee District’s “Cyber Security Plan and Related Financial Security Procedures” with an effective date of September 2, 2021 and authorizes all actions under the Plan and the statute.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President or the Executive Director be authorized to sign any and all documents necessary to carry out the above.

The Board unanimously approved the renewal of the lease with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the Soda Lake Wildlife Management Area with a motion by Mr. Sims and a second by Mr. Procell.

The Board unanimously approved the attendance of the Executive Director, Commissioners, and Board Legal Counsel at the 81^st Annual Meeting of the Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana to be held on December 8-9, 2021, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, Louisiana, contingent upon pandemic regulations and hurricane recovery efforts with a motion by Mr. Procell and a second by Mr. Walker.

 The Board unanimously approved the following Resolution for Professional Engineering Services with CSRS, Inc. for the Auxiliary Pump Station adjacent to West Agurs Levee, with a motion by Mr. Sims and a second by Mr. Walker.

WHEREAS, CSRS, Inc. (hereinafter “CSRS”), a Louisiana Corporation acting herein by and through Michael Songy, it’s chief executive office, submitted a Contract Agreement to Provide Professional Services for the Auxiliary Pump Station for the new Distribution Center adjacent to West Agurs Levee Segment; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Caddo Levee District’s Executive Director, Ali Mustapha, P.E., has reviewed the scope of the professional services and negotiated the fees for providing these services.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District, in legal session conveyed, that it does hereby agree to the terms in the Agreement with CSRS, Inc. and that its Board President, Patrick Harrison, be and hereby is, fully authorized to execute for and on behalf of the Board of Commissioners the Agreement containing such terms and conditions as he, in his sole discretion, deems proper and necessary, to fully effectuate the intent of this Resolution.

The board unanimously approved the transfer of Campsite Permit from Anthony Juneau to Hamilton Tyler Hollifield for approximately one (1) acre on Black Bayou known as Lot #122 in Section 18, T22N, R15W, 0 Harrison Road, in Caddo Parish, Louisiana with a motion by Mrs. Prator and a second by Mr. Procell.

           Marshall Jones reported that oil and natural gas prices are predicted to remain above average due to high demand for Liquefied Gas. Also, he indicated that OPEC does not plan to increase production in the near future. He expects prices for both commodities to remain stable.  

President Harrison had no report but did express his gratitude for receiving the 2019 & 2020 Certificates of Merit Plaques for Operation & Maintenance of the Levees. Also, he thanked Col. Hilliard and the Corps for their support and partnership in mitigating flood risk and protecting lives.

             Mr. Mustapha reported that a purchase order for two (2) John Deere 6140M Cab Tractor, at $99,612.46, each under Louisiana State Contract pricing, was issued to Goldman Lawn & Tractor, Inc., Bossier City on August 16, 2021. The expected delivery date for the tractors is January to March, 2022.

Mr. Mustapha also reported that the auditor, Mrs. Lenora Krielow, CPA, conducted her on-site visit on August 24, 2021, and everything went well. The deadline for submittal of the Audit Report was extended from August 31, 2021, to September 13, 2021, because of hurricane Ida. Review of the draft report indicated no findings. A copy of the final report will be emailed to Caddo Levee District once it is accepted by the State’s Auditor.  Mrs. Krielow will attend the October Meeting virtually to present the final report to the Commissioners.

Mr. Mustapha also reported the Auditor advised that changing the reporting of Campsites’ Income from Lease Income to Permit Income will ensure compliance with the new accounting rules and regulations for reporting income from Leases.

Mr. Mustapha also provided a written report that detailed the status and progress of all ongoing projects and the status of all open permits. One (1) permit request was received in August and a total of 28 have been received in 2021.

             There was no Legal Counsel Report. 

Mr. Mustapha reported that the Forester, Sam Brimer, is currently working on clearing fire lanes and access roads on Caddo Levee District properties.

There was no Personnel Committee Report.

There was no Legal Committee Report.

There was no Equipment Committee Report.

There was no Recreation Committee Report.

With no further business to be brought before the Board, Mr. Sims made a motion to adjourn, with a second by Mr. Procell. The motion unanimously passed, and the meeting was adjourned.

President                                                                                                 Executive Director