Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners public meetings in 2023

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners will meet to address personnel changes and administrative matters. The board will discuss optional pay for three employees and promotions for three equipment operators. Other items include a Right of Entry request for surveys in St. Martin Parish.

• Right of Entry request for surveys and soil borings in St. Martin Parish
• Optional pay discussion for Joseph R. Jarreau, David Patin, and Cary Andre
• Promotion discussion for Brandon Bonaventure and Dexton Trahan to Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy
• Promotion discussion for Dillon Stassi to Mobile Equipment Operator 2/Heavy
• Selection of a Board Secretary

The Board approved several employee promotions and optional pay. It also passed resolutions recognizing the retirement of Janice Jarreau and the death of Larry Brashier, and elected Kristy Jewell as the new Board Secretary.

• Approved November 1, 2023 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Corps of Engineers right of entry for surveys and soil borings in St. Martin Parish, W-52 (unanimous)
• Approved optional pay for Joseph R. Jarreau, David Patin, and Cary Andre (unanimous)
• Approved promotion of Brandon Bonaventure and Dexton Trahan to Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy (unanimous)
• Approved promotion of Dillon Stassi to Mobile Equipment Operator 2/Heavy (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution recognizing Janice Jarreau's 40 years of service (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution of condolences for the family of Larry Brashier (unanimous)
• Elected Kristy Jewell as Board Secretary (unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board will discuss and vote on insurance policy renewals, a bid for a new board room, and other routine matters including the 2024 meeting schedule and organizational chart. Public comments will be heard before decisions.

• Insurance policy renewals: LWCC, general liability, employee health, supplemental
• Approve bid for new board room
• Approve 2024 Board Meeting Schedule and publication in Official Journal
• Approve Organizational Chart
• Corps of Engineers and CPRA matters

The Board of Commissioners approved renewals for workers' compensation, general liability, and employee health insurance. The board rejected the sole bid for boardroom renovations due to substantial project changes. A revised organizational chart and the 2024 meeting schedule were also approved.

• Approved October 4, 2023 minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved workers’ compensation insurance renewal with Simmons & Savoie (Unanimous)
• Approved General Liability Option 2 with uninsured motorists’ coverage (10-0)
• Denied General Liability Option 2 without uninsured motorists’ coverage (5-5)
• Approved employee health insurance renewal with 6.15% increase (Passed)
• Approved renewal of supplemental employee health insurance (Passed)
• Rejected the single bid for boardroom renovation (Unanimous)
• Approved revised Organizational Chart (Unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to approve minutes from the September 6, 2023, meeting and review several professional service agreements. The agenda also includes discussions regarding Corps of Engineers dredging access and various staff appointments and promotions.

• Right of Entry request for annual dredging and maintenance in Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge
• Approval of professional service agreements for CPA, Legal Counsel, Stenographer, Janitorial, I.T., HVAC, and Copy Machine Maintenance
• Personnel actions including permanent status for four employees and a reallocation for Hunter Amond
• Review of an invoice for Mougeot Architecture
• Annual Levee Inspection

The Board approved three right-of-entry requests from the Corps of Engineers for dredging and repairs. It also approved several professional service agreements, personnel status changes, and a payment to Mougeot Architecture. The board noted that annual levee inspections are scheduled for late October and November 2023.

• Approved Corps of Engineers request for parking for dredging and maintenance in Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge (Unanimous)
• Approved Corps of Engineers request for stone and mat repairs on the main line Mississippi River (Unanimous)
• Approved Corps of Engineers request for stone and mat repairs on the Atchafalaya River (Unanimous)
• Approved professional service agreements for CPA, Legal Counsel, Stenographer, Janitorial, Computer/I.T., and HVAC System (Unanimous)
• Approved permanent status for Jacob LeMoine, Maurice Mitchel, Joshua Touchet, Randy Latiolais, and Hunter Amond (Unanimous)
• Approved reallocation of Hunter Amond from Mobile Equipment Operator 1 to Mobile Equipment Operator 2 (Unanimous)
• Approved $155,000 invoice from Mougeot Architecture (Unanimous)
• Approved minutes from August 2, 2023, and September 6, 2023 (Unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review the August 2, 2023, meeting minutes and address several personnel matters. The agenda also includes discussions regarding Corps of Engineers matters, CPRA, and the annual ALBL Conference in New Orleans.

• Permanent status for Jacob Lemoine and Maurice Mitchel
• Reallocation and permanent status for Hunter Amond
• Discussion of optional pay for Chad Jarreau
• Promotion and detail discussion for George Guillory
• Annual ALBL Conference scheduled for December 6-7 in New Orleans

The board did not have a quorum present, preventing any votes on the August 2, 2023 meeting minutes or pending personnel matters. The meeting consisted of reports and updates without formal decisions.

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet on September 6, 2023, to review minutes from the August 2 meeting and address several personnel changes. The agenda also includes discussions regarding Corps of Engineer matters, CPRA, and an upcoming annual conference.

• Permanent status for Mr. Jacob Lemoine
• Permanent status for Mr. Maurice Mitchel
• Reallocation and permanent status for Mr. Hunter Amond
• Optional pay discussion for Mr. Chad Jarreau
• Promotion and detail discussion for Mr. George Guillory

The Board of Commissioners approved a bid for uniforms and authorized legal action to resolve a property title dispute. The board also approved the minutes from the July 12, 2023, meeting.

• Approved July 12, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted low bid from Don’s Sportsman for uniforms (unanimous)
• Authorized attorney to file suit to clear title on entire property (unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Board approved a lease modification to allow David Adair to replace a collapsed septic tank at a campsite near Belle River. The Board also approved a personnel reallocation for a mobile equipment operator.

• Approved minutes of the June 7, 2023 meeting (unanimous)
• Authorized attorney to add David Adair to a campsite lease to allow septic tank replacement (unanimous)
• Approved reallocation of Alvin Woolfolk from Mobile Equipment Operator I to Mobile Equipment Operator II (unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting on July 12, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. in Port Allen, Louisiana. The board is set to discuss a lease agreement for Mr. David Adair in St. Martin Parish and consider a personnel reallocation for Mr. Alvin Woolfolk. Other items include public comments, approval of minutes, and updates from the Corps of Engineers and CPRA.

• Discuss a lease agreement for Mr. David Adair in St. Martin Parish
• Discuss and approve reallocation for Mr. Alvin Woolfolk
• Corps of Engineers Matters
• CPRA (Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority) update
• Public Comments

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider levying or adjusting millage rates. The meeting also includes receiving bids for fuel, aggregates, and an official journal, as well as discussing personnel promotions.

• Public hearing on adjusted millage rates with an estimated tax increase of $109,834.86
• Bid openings for Official Journal, Aggregates, and Fuel
• Promotion of Gregory David to Levee Foreman
• Promotion of Terry LeBlanc to Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy

The Board approved an adjusted millage rate of 4.04 mills for 2023 and selected a design option for rebuilding the boardroom. The board also approved the 2023-2024 budget and awarded a contract for the official journal. Bids for fuel and crushed limestone were taken under advisement.

• Approved adjusted 2023 millage rate of 4.04 mills (10-0)
• Approved Option #3 for rebuilding the boardroom (unanimous)
• Approved lowest bid from Pointe Coupee Banner for official journal at $5.00 per sq inch (unanimous)
• Approved 2023-2024 budget including $43,000 income for Solar Farm Pilot (unanimous)
• Approved promotion of Gregory David to Levee Foreman B (unanimous)
• Approved promotion of Terry LeBlanc to Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy (unanimous)
• Tabled fuel and crushed limestone bids for further advisement (unanimous)
• Approved May 3, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting to discuss a dividend check from Simmons & Savoie, receive updates from the Corps of Engineers and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), and handle personnel matters including a request for permanent status for Dillon Stassi and performance market adjustments for classified employees. The board will also attend a 2023 Attorney General Civil Law Training session.

• Approval of minutes from April 5, 2023
• Dividend check discussion with Don Savoie of Simmons & Savoie
• Request permanent status for Dillon Stassi
• Discuss performance market adjustments for classified employees
• 2023 Attorney General Civil Law Training

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners will meet to review a design presentation and discuss levee repairs. The board will also consider updates to safety policies and property matters.

• Design progress presentation by Mougeot Architecture LLC
• USACE Right of Entry request for levee slide repairs in Morganza, Louisiana
• Approval of changes to safety policy
• Discussion regarding Campesi property

The Board approved an extension for levee slide repair access in Morganza and updated the Safety Policy Manual. The Board also authorized its attorney to take necessary actions to clear titles for property owned by Michael Campesi, specifically focusing on 8.3 acres.

• Approved March 1, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved Right of Entry extension for levee slide repairs in Morganza (Unanimous)
• Approved changes to the Safety Policy Manual (Unanimous)
• Authorized Levee Board Attorney to pursue activity to clear property titles for Michael Campesi (Unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Board unanimously approved a motion to advertise an increase in the millage rate from 4.01 to 4.04 to offset potential income loss. Commissioners also approved four Right of Entry requests for the Corps of Engineers to conduct surveys and soil borings. Additionally, the board authorized advertisements for fuel, aggregates, and the official journal.

• Approved advertising to increase millage rate from 4.01 to 4.04 (Unanimous)
• Approved Corps of Engineers Right of Entry for surveys/soil borings in West Baton Rouge Parish, Item 246-R (Unanimous)
• Approved Corps of Engineers Right of Entry for surveys/soil borings in West Baton Rouge Parish, Item 228-R (Unanimous)
• Approved Corps of Engineers Right of Entry in Pointe Coupee Parish on the East River Levee (Unanimous)
• Approved Corps of Engineers Right of Entry in St. Martin Parish near Butte LaRose on the West River Levee (Unanimous)
• Authorized advertisement for fuel, aggregates, and official journal (Unanimous)
• Approved February 1, 2023, meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board will hold a regular meeting on February 1, 2023. They will consider three right-of-entry requests from the Corps of Engineers for surveys and soil borings on levee segments in St. Martin, Iberville, and Pointe Coupee parishes. Personnel actions include a detail/promotion for Chaise Choate and permanent status for Herbert Noel. The board will also discuss an insurance claim for a vehicle damaged by a tree at Maringouin Pump.

• Right-of-entry request for surveys and soil borings on East Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee, E73.3 to E74 in St. Martin Parish
• Right-of-entry request for surveys and soil borings on East Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee, E58 in Iberville Parish
• Right-of-entry request for Smithland to Lacour Levee Enlargement in Pointe Coupee Parish
• Request to detail Chaise Choate from Mobile Equipment Operator 2 to Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy and promote following detail
• Update and discuss insurance claim for damaged vehicle from tree at Maringouin Pump

The Board approved three right-of-entry requests for the Corps of Engineers to conduct surveys and soil borings. Personnel actions included a promotion for Chaise Choate and granting permanent status to Herbert Noel. A gate permit for Jason Halphen was approved with updated lock pricing.

• Approved Gate Permit for Jason Halphen with updated lock pricing (Unanimous)
• Approved January 11, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved right-of-entry for surveys/soil borings on East Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee E73.3 to E74 in St. Martin Parish (Unanimous)
• Approved right-of-entry for surveys/soil borings on East Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee E58 in Iberville Parish (Unanimous)
• Approved right-of-entry for Smithland to Lacour Levee Enlargement in Pointe Coupee Parish (Unanimous)
• Approved detail and promotion of Chaise Choate to Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy (Unanimous)
• Approved permanent status for Herbert Noel (Unanimous)

Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners

The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting to discuss several operational matters. Items include a property acquisition in the Maringouin Area, the cost of lock fees in the gate policy, and an insurance claim for a vehicle damaged by a tree at Maringouin Pump. The board will also consider granting permanent status to employee Charles Babin.

• Request permanent status for Charles Babin
• Discuss cost of lock fee portion of gate policy
• Discuss property acquisition in Maringouin Area
• Update and discuss insurance claim for damaged vehicle from tree at Maringouin Pump

The Board approved a Right of Entry request for the Corps of Engineers to perform slide repairs on the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee. Other actions included a personnel status change and an update to the Gate Permit and Policy regarding lock costs.

• Approved Right of Entry for Corps of Engineers slide repairs on West Guide Levee North of Henderson (Unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the December 21, 2022 meeting (Unanimous)
• Approved permanent status for Charles Babin as Mobile Equipment Operator 2, effective February 15, 2023 (Unanimous)
• Approved change to Gate Permit and Policy to state initial locks cost $40.00, subject to change (Unanimous)