Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners public meetings in 2023

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The provided text contains only procedural information regarding meeting schedules and public comment rules. No specific actions, projects, or decisions are listed for this meeting.

The Board approved the 2022-2023 audit report, November financial statements, and a new rule for disability accommodations in meetings. Members authorized the submission of an amended Annual Plan to the legislature and approved the advertisement for a Master Plan request for qualifications (RFQ).

• Approved 2022-2023 audit report (unanimous)
• Approved November 2023 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (unanimous)
• Elected Clint Cointment as chair of the Master Plan Evaluation Committee (unanimous)
• Approved proceeding with RFQ advertisement for the Master Plan (unanimous)
• Adopted rule for disability accommodations to comply with Act 393 of 2023 (unanimous)
• Authorized submission of amended Annual Plan to the legislature by Jan 1, 2024 (unanimous)
• Renewed Redshift Consulting LLC contract contingent on reinstatement with Secretary of State (unanimous)
• Approved 2024 Regular Meeting Schedule (unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

This is a procedural notice for the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners meeting on November 14, 2023. The agenda only includes meeting logistics, public comment rules, and ADA information; no specific decisions, proposals, or discussion items are provided.

The Board unanimously passed Resolution 1173 to support LWI Action Plan Amendment #3, which seeks to dedicate $100 million to Region 9 for transformative mitigation projects. The Board also approved previous meeting minutes and October 2023 financial statements.

• Approved Resolution 1173 supporting $100M dedication to Region 9 (11-0)
• Approved October 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes (unanimous)
• Approved October 2023 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (unanimous)
• Approved motion for legal counsel to research Act 393 Public Meeting Law (unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

This is a procedural agenda for the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners. It sets the regular meeting schedule for the second Tuesday of each month through February 2024 at the Louisiana State Capitol, and outlines public comment procedures including a 3-minute limit per speaker and a 10-speaker cap. No specific items for discussion or action are listed; a detailed agenda will be posted later on the district's website.

The Board approved a project in Ascension Parish to redirect water from Spanish Lake and Bluff Swamp into Marvin Breaux Basin. Members also approved the 2023-2024 Administrative Budget Amendment #1 and a new RFP/RFQ procurement process. Additionally, the Board authorized a contract amendment to keep an access road at White’s Bayou.

• Approved September 12, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved September 2023 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (unanimous)
• Approved Amendment #1 to the 2023-2024 Administrative Budget (unanimous)
• Approved proposal to allow access road at White’s Bayou to remain with a gate (unanimous)
• Approved support for Ascension Parish project involving Spanish Lake and Bluff Swamp (unanimous)
• Approved RFP/RFQ Procurement Process (unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

This is a regular meeting of the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners. The agenda contains only procedural information, including public comment rules and meeting logistics, with no specific items for discussion or action listed.

The Board appointed a new Executive Director and approved several funding applications for flood risk reduction. They also authorized legal agreements for the Comite River Diversion Project and a utility servitude for DEMCO.

• Hired Rachael Lambert as Executive Director at $145,000 annual salary (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 1171 to apply for $800,000 in Region 9 Coordinator funding (Unanimous)
• Approved submission of letter of intent for $3.5M GOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Funds for Wards Creek (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 1172 to authorize execution of agreements for Comite River Diversion Project (Unanimous)
• Granted servitude agreement to DEMCO for powerlines on McHugh Rd (Unanimous)
• Added Rachael Lambert as authorized signer for Hancock Whitney and LAMP accounts (Unanimous)
• Approved August 8 and August 29, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved August 2023 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (Unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

This is a regular monthly meeting of the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board. The agenda is procedural, noting the meeting time and location, and detailing public comment rules under Act 850. No specific decisions, proposals, or financial items are listed.

• Public comment allowed with 3-minute limit per speaker, reducible if more than 10 speakers
• Meeting held at Louisiana State Capitol, 900 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge
• Livestream available via YouTube link on www.amitebasin.org

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board will hear from OCD Director Pat Forbes on LWI funding, then consider action on LWI Round 2 deadlines, ranking criteria, and timelines. The board will also vote on the ARBC Annual Plan and receive updates on the Executive Director search and other projects.

• OCD Director Pat Forbes to speak on LWI funding (Q&A)
• Action on LWI Round 2 deadlines, ranking criteria, and timelines
• Action on ARBC Annual Plan
• Update on Executive Director search
• Action on Stokka Brown CSRS proposal

The Board approved the July 2023 financial statements and the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire. Members authorized the Executive Committee to work with CPRA on an Annual Plan and voted to remove a 2016 interactive map from the web. A special meeting was set for August 29, 2023, to finalize project rankings and address the Executive Director position.

• Approved July 11, 2023, meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved July 2023 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (Unanimous)
• Scheduled Special Meeting for August 29, 2023, to approve Region 9 priority projects and discuss Executive Director position (Unanimous)
• Denied proposal with CSRS and approved removing 2016 Interactive map from the web (Brin Ferlito abstained)
• Authorized Executive Committee to work with CPRA to obtain an Annual Plan (Unanimous)
• Approved Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire (Unanimous)
• Authorized ARBC to contact selected applicants for Executive Director interviews (Unanimous)
• Agreed to hold September-December meetings at the State Capitol

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review LWI Round 2 deadlines and ranking criteria. The meeting includes actions on the FY 2023-2024 auditor, procurement processes, and employee review policies.

• LWI funding presentation by OCD Director Pat Forbes
• Approval of Auditor for FY 2023-2024 Audit
• Approval of ARBC Proposal and Qualification-based RFP/RFQ Procurement Process
• Action on ARBC Employee Annual/Performance Review Policy
• Action on Public Record Request of Data policy, procedure, and fees

The Board approved the hiring of Diez, Dupuy, Ruiz, LLC as auditors for a three-year period and granted a 7% salary increase to Executive Secretary Toni Guitrau. Members also approved the June 2023 financial statements and a public record data user agreement.

• Approved June 20, 2023, meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved June 2023 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (unanimous)
• Approved engaging CPRA for assistance with Annual Plan scope, schedule, and budget (unanimous)
• Approved User Agreement for Public Record Request of Data (unanimous)
• Delayed action on procurement rules and RFQ until an Executive Director is hired (unanimous)
• Hired Diez, Dupuy, Ruiz, LLC as auditor for three fiscal years beginning 2023 (unanimous)
• Approved Employee Annual/Performance Review Policy (unanimous)
• Approved 7% salary raise for Executive Secretary Toni Guitrau (unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board will consider approval of the 2023-2024 administrative budget and an amendment to the current year's budget. They will also discuss the status of intergovernmental agreements, the executive director search, and legislative funding. New business includes an intergovernmental agreement with Ascension Parish for drone video, an invoice for an interactive map, and deadlines for LWI Round 2. Public comments are invited on action items and non-agenda topics.

• Approval of 2023-2024 administrative budget (Action)
• Approval of Amendment #3 to 2022-2023 administrative budget (Action)
• Intergovernmental Agreement with Ascension Parish for drone video (Action)
• Invoice from Quantum Spatial for ARBC Interactive Map (Action)
• Update on Executive Director search (Discussion)

The Board approved the 2023-2024 Administrative Budget and an amendment to the 2022-23 budget. Members also approved an agreement with Ascension Parish for drone video of the CRDC Project and established a procedure for sharing ARBC data with an LSU project.

• Approved May 16, 2023, meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved May 2023 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (unanimous)
• Approved Administrative Budget 2023-2024 (unanimous)
• Approved Administrative Budget 2022-23, Amendment #3 (unanimous)
• Agreed to hold future meetings second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. (unanimous)
• Approved IGA with Ascension Parish for drone video at no cost to ARBC (unanimous)
• Approved establishing a procedure and legal disclaimer for using ARBC data for an LSU project (unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Amite River Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at the Ascension Parish Council Chambers. The agenda provided contains only procedural information regarding the meeting time, location, and public viewing options.

The Board approved six priority flood projects across Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, and St. James parishes for funding. Additionally, the Board approved several contract renewals and authorized the search for a new auditor and Executive Director.

• Approved 6 priority flood projects for LWI funding (10-0)
• Approved adding sand and gravel mine operations to priority projects (unanimous)
• Approved advertising for a new auditor with a June 30, 2023 deadline (unanimous)
• Approved advertising for an Executive Director with a salary range of $130,000-$180,000 (unanimous)
• Approved 3-year GeoQuery contract extension at $60 per hour (unanimous)
• Approved 3-year J. David Shoptaugh, CPA contract extension (unanimous)
• Approved 1-year Bankston & Associates legal contract extension (unanimous)
• Approved Administrative Budget 2022-23, Amendment #2 (unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Amite River Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at The Estuary in Baton Rouge. The provided agenda contains only procedural information regarding the meeting time, location, and public comment rules.

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners will meet to review financial statements and vote on several resolutions. The board is discussing project authorizations, intergovernmental agreements, and administrative updates.

• Resolution 1159: Authorize signing of acts of subordination and Right of Entry Agreements for Comite
• Resolution 1161: Authorize President to negotiate and sign an IGA with CPRA
• Resolution 1162: Authorize advertising for the position of Executive Director
• Presentation on Livingston Parish Project to Restore Mouth of Amite River & Adjacent Shoreline
• Proposed creation of an ARBC inventory list and web-based map of flood projects

The Board approved resolutions to execute agreements for the Comite River Diversion Project and the Amite River Basin Flood Risk Reduction Study. It also designated itself as the Steering Committee for Region 9 of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative and authorized advertising for a new Executive Director.

• Approved Resolution 1159 for Comite River Diversion Project agreements (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 1160 to become Steering Committee for Region 9 of Louisiana Watershed Initiative (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 1161 to negotiate Intergovernmental Agreement with CPRA for Flood Risk Reduction Study (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 1162 to advertise for Executive Director position (Unanimous)
• Updated bank signers to include John Clark and Jack Harris (Unanimous)
• Denied motion to change bylaws regarding agenda item placement (2-10)
• Approved creation of a project inventory list and web-based map (Unanimous)
• Proclaimed March 2023 as Flood Awareness Month (Unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting to introduce commissioners and conduct a meet and greet. The agenda includes an overview by the CPRA regarding the district's creation, responsibilities, and tax authority.

• Commissioner introductions
• CPRA overview of ARBC responsibilities and authorities
• Announcement of committees

The board held a special meeting to review the district's legal authority, duties, and powers. Members established the Executive, Finance, Project Inventory, and Executive Director Search committees. No substantive actions were taken regarding the $8M implementation program, which was deferred to the March 14 meeting.

• Established Executive Committee (John Clark, Jack Harris, Lionel Bailey)
• Established Finance Committee (Lionel Bailey, John Clark, Edwin Parker)
• Established Project Inventory Committee (Gary O’Neal, LeeAnn Fitch)
• Established Executive Director Search Committee (Clint Cointment, Gary O’Neal, Joseph “Cedric” Shelton)
• Approved motion to adjourn meeting (unanimous)

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board will meet to elect officers, approve minutes and financial statements, and hear presentations on high-priority tasks, the Amite River Basin, the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, and USACE projects. The board will also consider authorizing a contract for the HR 149 Report and creating committees.

• Election of ARBC officers
• Approval of minutes from 12/13/22 meeting and financial statements ending 12/31/22
• Informational presentations on high-priority tasks, Amite River Basin, Louisiana Watershed Initiative, and USACE
• Authorize contract for preparation of HR 149 Report
• Create Executive and LWI Region 9 Steering Committees

The Board elected John Clark as President and appointed officers for the district. The Board also designated itself as the Steering Committee for LWI Region 9 and approved the December 2022 financial statements.

• Elected John Clark as ARBC President (8-4)
• Appointed Jack Harris as ARBC Vice President by accumulation
• Appointed Lionel Bailey as ARBC Finance Chairman by accumulation
• Approved December 13, 2022 regular meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved December 2022 General Fund and CRDC Fund financial statements (unanimous)
• Designated ARBC Board as the Steering Committee for LWI, Region 9 (unanimous)
• Approved meeting schedule for 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5 pm (unanimous)
• Tabled HR 149 study proposal due to procurement requirements for costs exceeding $50,000

Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet on January 9 at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The provided agenda contains only the meeting notice and the 2024 meeting schedule.