Columbia Port Commission public meetings in 2022
12 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will review the revised 2022 budget and the proposed 2023 budget. The meeting includes status updates on various grants, the Riverton Campground Road Project, and plans for 2023 funding and bonding.
- Proposed 2023 budget
- Status of Riverton Campground Road Project
- Update on LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, and DHS grants
- Resolution for securing land purchase option from LGF
- 2023 Bond for Phase II - Land Purchase & Engineering for Railroad
The Commission approved the revised 2022 budget and the 2023 budget, noting that a missing lease payment from LGF will require the Port to operate with borrowed bond money. A resolution to secure a land purchase option from LGF was tabled.
- Adopted revised 2022 budget
- Adopted 2023 budget
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Adopted November meeting minutes (with amendment)
- Accepted bank statements
- Tabled resolution for securing land purchase option from LGF
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission is meeting to discuss routine business including financial reports, new and old business, and specific port facilities such as the grain elevator, rock yard, cottonseed warehouse, and biofuels project. Rent matters for tenants Terral, McClenahan, David Guerrero, and LGF are also on the agenda. The meeting includes commissioner reports and announcements.
- Discussion of grain elevator operations
- Rock yard business update
- Cottonseed warehouse status
- Biofuels project update
- Rent items for Terral, McClenahan, David Guerrero, and LGF
The Commission approved a requirement for LGF to provide a letter of credit to cover expenses including loan interest, lost farm revenue, and engineering. The Commission also accepted bank statements and approved the payment of all outstanding bills.
- Approved requirement for LGF to provide a letter of credit for expenses including loan interest ($20,000), lost farm revenue ($13,000), and engineering ($100,00)
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
Columbia Port Commission
The Port Commission is meeting to authorize FY2023 capital outlay submittals and a letter of commitment for the EastSide Sewage District. The body will also review the status of several grants and land acquisition phases.
- Qcell’s Solar Farm
- Update on grants from LaDOTD, USDA Rural Development, DRA, and DHS totaling $18.7 million
- Status of DOT PIDP Grant ($21,588,000/$11.25m)
- Status of DOT MPDG Rural Grant ($58,556,000/$29.249m)
- Riverton Campground Bid Package submittal to LaDOTD Port Priority Program
The Commission approved the signing of all capital outlay submittals, prioritizing a $2 million railroad spur project. The board committed $400,000 in matching funds for the Eastside sewage system, contingent on LGF project development. Other actions included approving payments for a land appraisal and power line relocation.
- Approved signing all capital outlay submittals
- Committed $400,000 to assist Eastside sewage (contingent on LGF project)
- Approved payment to Entergy for power line relocation
- Approved payment to Greg Wilbanks for land appraisal
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills presented
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission is meeting to discuss new and old business, including a power plant proposal, a federal lobbying trip, and updates on port tenants and office setup. Key items include the status of several federal grants: a $250,000 USDA Rural Development Grant, a $40,622,000 DOT RAISE Grant, a $21,588,000 DOT PIDP Grant, and a $58,556,000 DOT MPDG Grant. The board will also review the Riverton Campground bid package and land acquisition phase II.
- Status of DOT RAISE Grant ($40,622,000)
- Status of DOT MPDG Grant ($58,556,000)
- Status of DOT PIDP Grant ($21,588,000)
- Status of USDA Rural Development Grant ($250,000)
- Andrew Ryan, Ryan Enterprises – Power Plant discussion
The Commission adopted the previous meeting minutes and bank statements. Director Greg Richardson provided updates on grant statuses, a planned trip to Washington DC, and the Riverton Campground Road design bid. The board approved the payment of outstanding port invoices.
- Adopted minutes and bank statements
- Approved payment of outstanding Port Invoices
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will review financial reports and updates on various grant applications. The meeting includes discussions regarding power plant projects, pilot programs, and staff updates.
- Status of $40,622,000 DOT RAISE Grant
- Status of $21,588,000 DOT PIDP Grant
- Status of $58,556,000 DOT MPDG Grant
- Status of $250,000 USDA Rural Development Grant
- Appointment of Mark Mckee to Commission
The Commission approved the hiring of a consultant to evaluate a potential Green Energy Power Plant and authorized travel to Washington DC to discuss port needs. The Commission was notified of a $1 million award from the DHS Port Security Grant Program.
- Adopted previous minutes and bank statements
- Approved hiring John Holtz as a consultant to evaluate Green Energy Power Plant funding
- Authorized funding for Greg Richardson and Gary Lagrange to travel to Washington DC
- Approved payment of outstanding Port invoices
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will review financial reports and updates on various federal and state grant applications. The meeting includes discussions on new business regarding electric availability studies and land acquisition.
- EDA Economic Recovery Fellows Grant
- Land Acquisition Phase II
- Funding for Electric Availability Study by Entergy
- Status of DOT RAISE Grant ($40,622,000)
- Status of DOT PIDP Grant ($21,588,000)
The Commission authorized the submission of an EDA grant application and approved a list of candidates to be submitted to the Police Jury for a vacant position. The board also approved the payment of outstanding port invoices and the adoption of previous minutes and bank statements.
- Adopted previous minutes and bank statements
- Approved submission of EDA grant application
- Approved candidate list for Police Jury vacancy including Pam Kelly, Roland Garcia, Jimmy Kenney, and Mark McKee
- Approved payment of outstanding Port invoices
Columbia Port Commission
The Port Commission is meeting to discuss the status of several federal and state grant applications. The body will also address a DHS port security grant and the submittal of a Riverton Campground Road RFP to DOTD.
- DOT RAISE Grant status ($40,622,000 / $17.233m)
- DOT MPDG Grant status ($58,556,000 / $29.249m)
- DOT PIDP Grant status ($21,588,000 / $11.25m)
- DRA Grant application status ($400,000)
- USDA Rural Development Grant status ($250,000)
The Commission approved payments for railroad crossing and rail switch design and permitting. The board also agreed to pay all outstanding invoices and established a process to interview candidates to replace Commissioner John Cooksey.
- Approved $25,000 payment to Union Pacific for Riverton Campground Road rail crossing design and permitting
- Approved $109,070 payment to Union Pacific for proposed railspur rail switch design and permitting
- Approved payment of all outstanding debits
- Adopted previous minutes and bank statements
- Agreed to interview 12 potential candidates to replace John Cooksey
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission is reviewing the status of several federal and state grants. New business includes a DHS port security grant and the submission of a road RFP to the DOTD.
- Riverton Campground Road RFP submittal to DOTD
- DRA Grant application ($400,000)
- USDA Rural Development Grant ($250,000)
- DOT RAISE Grant ($40,622,000 or $17.233m)
- DOT PIDP Grant ($21,588,000 or $11.25m)
The Commission approved a $1,000 budget for a dock barrier and signage to prevent trespassing. A resolution was passed to request authority to advertise State Project H.014968 (322). The board also approved the payment of all outstanding invoices.
- Adopted previous minutes and bank statements
- Approved $1,000 for dock barrier and signage
- Approved resolution to advertise State Project H.014968 (322)
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will review updates on various grant applications, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The meeting also includes reports on port tenants, office setup status, and financial committee updates.
- Capitol Outlay request
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act grant application
- Status of LaDOTDPPP & Capitol Outlay ($2M) awarded grants
- Update on Riverton Campground Road
- Review of pending RAISE, PIDP, Mitch Landrieu, USDA, and DHS applications
The Commission adopted the previous meeting minutes and bank statements. Director Greg Richardson provided updates on accountant services, tenant status, and grant applications.
- Adopted previous minutes and bank statements
Columbia Port Commission
The Port Commission will meet to discuss a resolution authorizing a loan for Riverton CG Road. The body will also review the status of various grant applications and the establishment of port offices and policies.
- Resolution to authorize loan for Riverton CG Road
- Status of $2M awarded from LaDOTDPPP and Capitol Outlay
- Update on pending RAISE, PIDP, Mitch Landrieu, USDA, DHS, and Capitol Outlay grants
- Status of office, website, employee, and policies and procedure manual setup
The Commission approved the previous meeting's minutes, bank statements, and a modified lease agreement for David Guerrero. Strategic Biofuels provided an update on the design of a test well to be drilled on private property. The board directed staff to follow up on payments and state regulations regarding carbon sequestration.
- Approved previous minutes and bank statements
- Approved modified lease agreement for David Guerrero
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission is meeting to discuss the development of a Policies & Procedures Manual and grant applications for RAISE and EDA. The body will also review the status of a DOTD Port Priority Project and the renewal of a lease for Terral.
- RAISE & EDA Grant Application
- Development of Port Of Columbia Polices & Procedures Manual
- Renewal and expansion of Terral’s Lease
- Status of DOTD Port Priority Project
- Certification and training for Port Director
The Commission approved the 2021 budget after reviewing projected surpluses. The board also received updates on a biofuel project and warehouse rental payments.
- Adopted 2021 budget (motion by Monty Adams, jr., seconded by Charles Hearns; passed)
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will meet to discuss new business including a resolution for a revenue bond and an engagement letter for Foley & Judell. The agenda also includes discussions regarding property appraisals, lease renewals, and various service contracts.
- Resolution for Revenue Bond
- Hiring Greg Wilbanks for appraisal of adjacent property
- Engagement Letter of Foley & Judell
- Terral new Lease for Rock Yard
- Port Director Contract
The Commission approved seeking $4 million from the Bond Commission for land purchase, engineering, and operational costs related to the LADOTD Port Priority Grant. The board also hired a full-time Port Director and approved the 2022 budget.
- Authorized seeking $4 million in funding from the Bond Commission
- Hired Foley & Judell as bond attorney
- Hired Greg Wilbanks for appraisal services (limit $5,000)
- Hired Laura Hart for accounting services
- Hired Greg Richardson as full-time Port Director effective February 1, 2022
- Adopted the 2022 Budget
- Appointed Monty Adams, Jr and Charles Hearns to the Financial Committee
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices