Columbia Port Commission public meetings in 2024
13 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Columbia Port Commission
The Port Commission will consider awarding the Power to the Port Grant, a State Infrastructure Bank item, and an LGF Address Lease Payment. Old business includes updates on port tenants, the status of the Reynold's land purchase, and construction activities related to DHS security fencing. The board will also review awarded grants and pending applications.
- Power to the Port Grant Award
- State Infrastructure Bank
- LGF Address Lease Payment
- Status of land purchase of Reynold’s Property
- Status on Construction Activities associated with DHS- Security Fencing
The Commission approved the purchase of the Reynolds property for $1,243,775 and modified the Louisiana Green Fuels lease to quarterly payments. The board also adopted an updated Policy Procedure Manual and approved a $600 facility fee for the Caldwell Parish Library.
- Approved purchase of Reynolds property for $1,243,775
- Modified Louisiana Green Fuels lease to quarterly payments of $40,000
- Adopted updated Policy Procedure Manual
- Approved $600 payment to Caldwell Parish Library for meeting space
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices
- Approved previous meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements for checking accounts
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will discuss updates on the Reynold's Property land purchase, the Riverton Campground Road Project, and DHS security fencing construction. They will also consider new business including capital outlay resolutions and an end-of-year event, along with a status report on the pending EPA Clean Port Program grant.
- Status of land purchase of Reynold's Property
- Status on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Status on DHS security fencing construction
- 2024 grants pending award: EPA Clean Port Program
- Capital outlay resolutions and approvals
The Commission approved the previous meeting minutes, accepted bank statements, and authorized payment of all outstanding invoices. The board scheduled an Annual Review Meeting for December 13 and received updates on several solar, rail, and dock projects.
- Approved previous meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Accepted bank statements (unanimous)
- Approved Annual Review Meeting for December 13 (unanimous)
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills (unanimous)
- Approved Guerrero Farms to plant winter wheat on a section of property
- Approved Terral RiverServices to temporarily place cotton seed in old grain elevator at $3,000 per month
Columbia Port Commission
The Commission will discuss capital outlay resolutions and approvals. The meeting includes updates on the Riverton Campground Road Project and the status of awarded and pending grants, including the EPA Clean Port Program.
- Capital outlay resolutions and approvals
- Riverton Campground Road Project status
- EPA Clean Port Program pending grant award
- Update on Port Tenants
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will meet to review a capital outlay request for 2025. The body will also receive status updates on the Riverton Campground Road Project and various awarded and pending grants.
- Capital Outlay Request for 2025
- Riverton Campground Road Project status
- Status of awarded grants including LaDOTD PPP, DRA, DHS, CFA, RAISE, EDA-Disaster Supplemental, DRA-Railspur, and NELA/LaCRED
- Pending grant awards for EPA Clean Port Program, CIF DRA Dock, DOT CFI, and LaDotd PPP
The Commission approved funding for a port planning workshop and grant application. The board also accepted financial statements and approved the payment of all outstanding invoices.
- Approved $5,000 for regional strategic planning workshop and grant application (unanimous)
- Approved previous meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Accepted bank statements (unanimous)
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices (unanimous)
Columbia Port Commission
The commission will open bids for DHS security fencing and discuss a solar farm application involving SPM incorporation into LaDOTD PPP. Members will also review a commitment letter from Global Gas for a grant application and the 2024 capital outlay request.
- DHS Security Fencing bid opening
- SPM incorporation into LaDOTD PPP Solar Farm application
- Leasing of the grain elevator
- Global Gas Commitment Letter for grant application
- 2024 Capital outlay request
The Commission agreed to include CV PowerTech in a LaDOTD PPP Solar Farm Grant to build a 5MW solar farm and a $3.5 million warehouse. The board also authorized the 2025 Capital Outlay Request for railspur and land acquisition projects. Bids for the DHS Security Fence Project were opened, with Fencing Unlimited as the lowest bidder.
- Approved adding CV PowerTech to LaDOTD PPP Solar Farm Grant application
- Approved 2025 Capital Outlay Request for Railspur and Land Acquisition projects
- Approved payment of all outstanding invoices
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
Columbia Port Commission
The Port Commission will review the final report for the FY 2023 audit and adopt the Title VI Plan. The body will also discuss the status of the Riverton Campground Road Project and various pending grant applications.
- Adoption of Title VI Plan
- Final Report for FY 2023 Audit
- Status of Riverton Campground Road Project
- Review of awarded grants including LaDOTD PPP, DRA, DHS, CFA, RAISE, EDA-Disaster Supplemental, DRA-Railspur, and NELA/LaCRED
- 2024 pending applications for LaDOTD PPP, EPA Clean Port Program, and CIF DRA DOCK
The Commission approved a MARAD-required Title VI Plan and a procurement policy for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program. The board also directed the Port Director to provide monthly updates on the Police Manual. Discussions focused on the 2023 audit and various grant-funded infrastructure projects.
- Adopted the MARAD-approved Title VI Plan
- Accepted the TIFIA Program procurement policy and RFQs for Engineering Services
- Approved the payment of all outstanding bills
- Accepted bank statements
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Directed Port Director to provide monthly updates on the Police Manual status
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will discuss and potentially act on a request to prepare a federal grant application for a hydrogen distribution system, review qualifications for engineering services tied to MARAD and EDA grants, and receive updates on audits, tenants, and various awarded and pending grants.
- Request to prepare a US DOT Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Application – Hydrogen Distribution System
- Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services associated with MARAD and EDA grants
- Review of preliminary audit report
- Status on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Update on Port Tenants and multiple grant statuses (LaDOTD PPP, DRA, DHS, CFA, RAISE, EDA-Disaster Supplemental, DRA-Railspur, NELA/LaCRED, EPA Clean Port Program, CIF DRA DOCK)
The Commission adopted a new procurement policy and authorized the pursuit of a DOT grant for hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The board also approved the payment of all outstanding invoices and accepted recent bank statements.
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Approved proposed procurement policy and RFQs for Engineering Services for EDA and MARAD Grants
- Approved pursuit of DOT Fueling and Charging Infrastructure grant application for hydrogen distribution station
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will discuss and potentially act on several grant-funded projects, including a $1.3 million energy storage system and security fencing with a $500,000 match. They will also evaluate joining the NE Louisiana Power Cooperative and receive updates on various grants, the Riverton Campground Road Project, and Tax Increment Financing.
- Resolution for accepting LaDOTD port security grant
- Evaluation of joining NE Louisiana Power Cooperative
- CFA Earmark FY2025 ($1.3 million) Energy Storage System for Emergency Staging Area & Truck Parking Facility
- FY2024 Port Security LaDOTD PPP ($500,000 match for Security Fencing & Guard Station) and DHS PDGP ($1.5 million Energy Storage System & Guard Station)
- Status updates on Riverton Campground Road Project and Tax Increment Financing (FIF) Evaluation Committee
The Commission approved a $200,000 LaDOTD grant for a security guard station and authorized the submission of EPA Clean Port and DHS Port Security grant applications. The board also accepted bank statements and approved the payment of all outstanding invoices.
- Approved $200,000 LaDOTD port security grant for a security guard station
- Approved signing agreements with FHWA and LaDOTD for the RAISE Grant
- Approved submission of EPA Clean Port and DHS Port Security grant applications
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Accepted bank statements
- Adopted previous meeting minutes
- Directed Port Director to determine audit status and report progress at next meeting
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will discuss and possibly act on several grant applications and funding items, including a $500,000 match for a DHS/EDA grant secured by the Caldwell Parish Industrial Development Board, a $1.3 million FY2025 CFA earmark for an energy storage system, and a $500,000 FY2024 Port Security PPP grant for security fencing and a guard station. The board will also receive updates on the Riverton Campground Road project and the status of various other grants.
- Evaluation of resubmittal of MPDG (Overpass funding)
- Caldwell Parish Industrial Development Board secures NELA/LaCRED Grant ($500,000 to be used as match for DHS and EDA grants, leveraging $56,000 local match)
- CFA Earmark FY2025 ($1.3 million) for Energy Storage System for Emergency Staging Area & Truck Parking Facility
- FY2024 Port Security LaDOTD PPP ($500,000 match for Security Fencing & Guard Station) and DHS PDGP ($1.5 million for Energy Storage System & Guard Station)
- Update on Riverton Campground Road Project and status of awarded grants (LaDOTD PPP, DRA, DHS, CFA, RAISE, EDA-Disaster Supplemental, DRA-Railspur, NELA/LaCRED)
The Commission adopted the previous meeting minutes and accepted current bank statements. The board approved the payment of all outstanding invoices. Port Director Greg Richardson provided updates on several grant applications and tenant activities.
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will discuss new business including a DENR Statewide EPA Climate Action Plan and Clean Port Application, and note that a DOE GRIP grant was rejected. Old business includes updates on port tenants, the Riverton Campground Road Project, and status of various awarded and pending grants. The commission will also consider a Tax Increment Financing (FIF) evaluation committee.
- DENR Statewide EPA Clean Port Application
- DOE GRIP grant rejected
- Status on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Tax Increment Financing (FIF) evaluation committee
- Update on port tenants
The Commission approved spending $100 to initiate a solar farm evaluation with Entergy and authorized updated appraisals for the Reynolds and Peanut Carr properties. The Port Director provided updates on multiple grant applications and tenant status, including a rejected DOE GRIP concept letter.
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Approved $100 for Entergy application process to evaluate 5 MW solar farm
- Approved Greg Wilbanks to revise and perform property appraisals for Reynolds and Peanut Carr properties
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
Columbia Port Commission
The Columbia Port Commission will consider a resolution to accept a $1 million grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) for the Railspur project and authorize Greg Richardson to sign the contract. The board will also review a grant implementation plan and receive updates on port tenants, the Riverton Campground Road project, and several pending and awarded grants.
- Resolution to accept $1 million DRA grant for Railspur
- Approval for Greg Richardson to sign DRA contract
- Review of Grant Implementation Plan
- Update on Riverton Campground Road Project
- Status of 2023 and 2024 grant applications (LaDOTD PPP, EPA Clean Port, etc.)
The Commission passed a resolution to accept a $1 million DRA Railspur Grant and authorized Greg Richardson and Darron McGuffee to sign the necessary documents. The board also approved the previous meeting's minutes, bank statements, and outstanding invoices.
- Approved resolution to accept $1 million DRA Railspur Grant
- Authorized Greg Richardson and Darron McGuffee to sign DRA documents
- Adopted meeting minutes
- Accepted bank statements
- Approved payment of all outstanding bills
- Agreed to reimburse Terral Riverservices for out-of-pocket expenses related to RC Road maintenance
Columbia Port Commission
The Port of Columbia Commission holds a special meeting. The only new business is a request from Louisiana Green Fuel to modify their lease, which requires a Lessor Estoppel and Agreement. Other agenda items are procedural reports and announcements.
- Louisiana Green Fuel lease modification requiring Lessor Estoppel and Agreement
The Commission approved a modification to the LGF lease to accommodate requirements from Sumitomo, which is investing $35 million into LGF's Biofuel Project. The modification allows Sumitomo to assume the lease if the property becomes available.
- Approved modification of LGF’s Lease, including Lessor Estopple and Agreement (4-0)
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) grant for the Green Grid Project and a $10 million LaDOTD public-private partnership request for a solar farm. The board will also receive notification of a DRA grant award for additional funds for RC Road and discuss updates on port tenants, the Riverton Campground Road Project, and various awarded and pending grants.
- Request approval for DOE GRIP grant application – $49.5 million for Green Grid Resilience Port Project
- Request approval for LaDOTD PPP application – $10 million for solar farm
- Notification of DRA grant award – additional funds for RC Road
- Upcoming TIF evaluation committee meeting
- PAL membership dues and annual conference registration