Columbia Port Commission public meetings in 2023
12 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will consider approving applications for two major grants: a $49.5 million DOE Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) program for the Green Grid Resilience Port Project, and a $10 million LaDOTD PPP request for a solar farm. The commission will also receive notification of a DRA grant award for additional funds for RC Road and discuss updates on tenant status, road projects, and pending grants. A TIF evaluation committee meeting is upcoming.
- Request approval for DOE GRIP program application – Green Grid Resilience Port Project, $49.5 million
- Request approval for LaDOTD PPP application for solar farm, $10 million
- Notification of DRA grant award for additional funds for RC Road
- Upcoming TIF evaluation committee meeting
- Status updates on awarded grants: LaDOTD PPP, DRA, DHS, CFA, RAISE, EDA-Disaster Supplemental, DRA-Railspur
The Commission approved the FY2024 budget and hired Kolder, Slaven, & Company as the Port's auditors. The board also authorized a payment plan for LGF rent and approved Terral to maintain Riverton Campground Road. Port Director Greg Richardson provided updates on several million dollars in awarded and pending grants for a railspur and emergency staging area.
- Adopted FY2024 budget
- Hired Kolder, Slaven, & Company as Port auditors
- Approved LGF to pay $120,000 of rent by Dec 31, 2023, and $40,000 by July 1, 2024
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Approved Terral to maintain Riverton Campground Road provided the Port pays for materials
- Adopted meeting minutes
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will discuss multiple grant awards, including a $5 million solar farm earmark for 2025, and consider new grant applications for 2024. The board will also revisit its charter, review the budget, and receive updates on tenant status and the Riverton Campground Road project.
- EDA Disaster Supplemental – Emergency Staging Area grant
- CFP – Earmark for 2025 ($5 million solar farm)
- Revisit Modification of Charter
- Status on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Grant applications for 2024 including EPA Clean Port Program
The Commission approved the FY2024 budget and hired Kolder, Slaven, & Company as auditors. The board also authorized a delayed rent payment plan for LGF and approved a road maintenance agreement with Terral.
- Adopted FY2024 budget
- Hired Kolder, Slaven, & Company as Port auditors
- Approved LGF to pay $120,000 of rent by Dec 31, 2023, and $40,000 by July 1, 2024
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Approved Terral to maintain Riverton Campground Road provided the Port pays for materials
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will discuss a proposed agreement with LGF to secure property rights, along with updates on the Riverton Campground Road Project and awarded grants. The meeting also includes reports on tenants, funding objectives, and a Tax Increment Financing evaluation committee.
- LGF's proposed agreement with Port to secure property rights
- Status on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Status on awarded grants (LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, DHS, CFPA & RAISE)
- 2023 Funding Objectives and Grant Plan (Capital Outlay, PIDP, RTEPF, and EDA)
- Tax Increment Financing (FIF) Evaluation Committee
The Commission approved the hiring of attorney Wes Shafto and passed a resolution to submit an EDA grant application for an Emergency Staging Area. The board also authorized the lease of a copier and approved the Port Director's attendance at two professional conferences.
- Approved hiring attorney Wes Shafto (Passed)
- Adopted resolution to submit EDA grant application for Emergency Staging Area (Passed)
- Approved lease of a copier (Passed)
- Approved Port Director's attendance at DRA Annual Conference and LCORPI seminar (Passed)
- Accepted bank statements and adopted previous meeting minutes (Passed)
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices (Passed)
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will meet to discuss new business including an attorney and auditor search and a kickoff for the RAISE Grant. Old business includes updates on port tenants, the Riverton Campground Road Project, and status of awarded grants. The commission will also review the 2023 Funding Objectives and Grant Plan and the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) evaluation committee.
- Attorney and auditor search
- Kickoff meeting for RAISE Grant
- Status update on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Tax Increment Financing (TIF) evaluation committee
- 2023 Funding Objectives and Grant Plan (Capital Outlay, PIDP, RTEPF, EDA)
The Commission adopted a resolution to submit two capital outlay requests for a railspur and port expansion. The board also approved the hiring of Stephanie Ryland to assist with organizational documents for daily operations.
- Adopted minutes (approved)
- Accepted bank statements (approved)
- Approved and signed Change Order no. 4 (approved)
- Adopted Resolution to submit 2 capital outlay requests for Railspur and Port Expansion (approved)
- Hired Stephanie Ryland to assist with organizational documents for daily operations (approved)
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices (approved)
- Moved meeting time to 11:30 AM (approved)
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will consider new business including an Emergency Staging Area grant application under the EDA Disaster Supplemental program, a NELA-LaCRED grant application, and formation of a Tax Increment Financing (FIF) Evaluation Committee. Old business updates cover port tenants, audit status, the Riverton Campground Road project, and status of awarded grants from LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, DHS, CFPA, and RAISE. The meeting also includes a financial report and port director's report.
- Emergency Staging Area – EDA Disaster Supplemental Grant
- NELA – LaCRED grant application
- Tax Increment Financing (FIF) – Evaluation Committee
- Status on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Status on Awarded grants (LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, DHS, CFPA & RAISE)
The Commission approved a grant application for a $2.8 million Emergency Staging Area and hired Stephanie Ryland as a consultant for policy and audit preparation. The board also authorized the payment of all outstanding invoices and accepted the bank statements.
- Approved submission of fy2023 EDA Disaster Supplemental Grant Application for $2.8M Emergency Staging Area
- Approved hiring consultant Stephanie Ryland for 12 months at $35 per hour (max 30 hours/month)
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Agreed that Port Director Greg Richardson continue as a member of the TIF Evaluation Committee
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will review financial reports, grant awards, and updates on various port tenant and road projects. The meeting includes discussions regarding a replacement agreement with LaDOTD and status updates on several active grants.
- Raise Grant Award
- Resolution for Authorizing Replacement Agreement with LaDOTD
- Status on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Status on Awarded grants (LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, DHS, CFPA & RAISE)
- 2023 Funding Objectives and Grant Plan
The Commission approved the purchase of a scanner and authorized a letter to LGF outlining the Port's position. The board also accepted bank statements, paid outstanding invoices, and approved a resolution for the FOIK Infrastructure Project to secure RC Road reimbursements.
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Approved purchase of a scanner
- Approved resolution for FOIK Infrastructure Project signatures (RC Road reimbursement)
- Approved payment of outstanding invoices
- Approved production of a letter to LGF outlining the Port's position
Columbia Port Commission
This is a regular meeting of the Columbia Port Commission with no votes or decisions scheduled. The agenda consists of status reports on port tenants, office and audit setup, the Riverton Campground Road Project, awarded grants, and 2023 funding objectives.
- Update on Port Tenants
- Status of Riverton Campground Road Project
- Status of awarded grants (LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, DHS & CFPA)
- 2023 Funding Objectives and Grant Plan (CFPA, PIDP & DRA Strategic Planning)
The Commission approved the payment of outstanding bills and the adoption of previous minutes and bank statements. Members directed the Port Director to begin building a road around the Reynolds property for emergency vehicle access. The board also withheld payment for a section of RC Road due to failed concrete core samples.
- Approved adoption of May minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Directed Port Director to start building emergency access road around Reynolds property
- Withheld payment for cracked section of RC Road pending engineering solutions
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will review a request to submit a grant application for the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities program. The meeting includes updates on port tenants, office setup, and various ongoing road and grant projects.
- Request to submit grant application for Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) Grant Program
- Discussion regarding opposition to SB214
- Status update on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Updates on awarded grants from LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, and DHS& CFPA
- Proposed modification to the Port’s Charter
The Commission voted to oppose SB214 as written due to concerns regarding the Port Priority Program and project ranking. The board also approved the payment of all outstanding bills and the adoption of previous minutes and bank statements.
- Adopted previous meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Voted to oppose SB214 as written
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will review a proposal for the Strategic Economic Development Plan DRA Grant and a proposal from KDC Enterprises, Inc. regarding the Port Security Grant Program. The meeting also includes updates on port tenants, office setup, and various ongoing grant statuses.
- Approval to submit Strategic Economic Development Plan DRA Grant
- Proposal by KDC Enterprises, Inc. for Port Security Grant Program management
- Update on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Status of LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, and DHS grants
- Modification to Port’s Charter
The Commission approved the hiring of KDC to assist with PSPG grant filings and authorized payment of all outstanding bills. Director Greg Richardson reported a potential $5 million earmark for dock construction and outlined plans for an $11.24 million PIDP grant request.
- Adopted March meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Approved hiring KDC to assist with PSPG filing reports
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
Columbia Port Commission
The Port Commission is meeting to review financial reports and the status of various grants. The body will discuss the Ouachita River and LaHwy 165 Multimodal Connectivity and Safety Project, including a truck parking facility and EV charging station.
- Community Funding Projects Appropriations (earmarks)
- FY2022 Audit status
- FY2023 PIDP Grant application
- Riverton Campground Road Project status
- Modification to Port’s Charter
The Commission approved continuing work on legislation to expand its jurisdiction and modify how commissioners are appointed. The board also accepted bank statements and approved payment of all outstanding bills.
- Approved continuing work on the modification of the Columbia Port Commission Charter
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will receive updates on port tenants, employee staffing, and the Riverton Campground Road project. The meeting includes discussions on 2023 funding objectives, grant applications, and a proposed modification to the Port’s Charter.
- Status of Riverton Campground Road Project
- Update on awarded grants (LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, DHS)
- Status of outstanding grant applications (MPDG-Rural, EDA)
- 2023 Funding Objectives and Grant Plan
- Modification to Port’s Charter
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will meet to adopt the 2023 budget, discuss modifications to the Port's charter, and review the status of grants and funding applications, including RAISE, LaDOTD, DRA, USDA, and DHS. The meeting includes updates on tenants, the Riverton Campground Road project, and office setup.
The Commission approved the 2023 budget and authorized spending for grant development. The board also accepted bank statements and paid outstanding bills.
- Adopted 2023 budget
- Approved up to $5,000 to develop RAISE grant
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements