Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners public meetings in 2021

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board will meet on December 14, 2021, to consider routine approvals and several new business items. Key actions include a final payment for Hurricane Laura ($33,944.94), approval of a dozer purchase, and a payment to LaCaze for capital outlay applications. Reports from the maintenance superintendent, DOTD, and administrator will also be presented.

• Final payment for Hurricane Laura - $33,944.94
• Approval of purchase of dozer
• Payment to LaCaze for Capital Outlay Applications
• Red River Valley 2022 Annual Convention February 23-24
• Approval of November 2021 financial statements

The Board approved the purchase of a leased dozer and payment for capital outlay application services. Members also approved the November 2021 minutes and financial statement.

• Approved purchase of leased dozer for $67,534.50 (unanimous)
• Approved payment of invoice to Randy LaCaze for capital outlay application work (unanimous)
• Approved November 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved November 2021 financial statement (unanimous)
• Requested additional bids for replacement of four gates on Cane River Lake south end

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners will hold a public meeting to approve minutes and financial statements from October 2021, receive reports from the maintenance superintendent and DOTD, and discuss new business. The agenda is largely procedural with no major decisions or proposals listed.

• Approval of October 2021 meeting minutes
• Approval of October 2021 financial statement reports
• Maintenance Superintendent's Report by Billy Dunn
• DOTD Report by Jamarquis Torrence
• Administrator's Report by Karlton Methvin

The Board of Commissioners approved the meeting minutes and financial statements from October 2021. Members discussed levee and ditch cleaning progress and the need for rental equipment to clean Bayou Passon.

• Approved October 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved October 2021 financial statement (unanimous)
• Directed Maintenance Superintendent to seek rental equipment for Bayou Passon cleaning

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The board will consider routine approvals of minutes and financial reports, discuss changing the monthly meeting time to 6:00 p.m., and review a cost estimate for repairs to the Hampton flood gates. They will also hear reports from the maintenance superintendent and DOTD, and discuss attending the Association of Levee Boards annual meeting.

• Change meeting time for monthly meetings to 6:00 p.m.
• Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana 80th Annual Meeting, December 8-9, 2021
• Discussion regarding cost estimate for repairs to Hampton flood gates
• Approval of September 2021 financial statement reports
• Maintenance Superintendent's Report by Billy Dunn

The Board approved the engagement of Randy LaCaze to help file Capital Outlay requests for two setback levees. The Board also approved the September 2021 minutes and financial statements and moved the monthly meeting time to 6:00 p.m. starting in November.

• Approved September 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved September 2021 financial statement (unanimous)
• Approved engagement of Randy LaCaze for Capital Outlay requests (unanimous, Sklar abstaining)
• Approved changing monthly meeting time to 6:00 p.m. starting November (unanimous)

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board will discuss current capital outlay projects including drainage structures and levee road restoration, and consider an adjustment to the Engineering Services Agreement for the Lower Cane River Project. The board will also receive reports on the annual audit, maintenance, and DOTD matters, and consider attending the Association of Levee Boards annual meeting.

• Discussion of current capital outlay projects: Drainage Structures and Levee Road Restoration
• Adjustment to Engineering Services Agreement for Lower Cane River Project
• Annual audit held in August
• Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana annual meeting, Dec 8-9, cutoff Nov 4
• Approval of July and August financial statements

The Board voted to use $150,000 in Capital Outlay funds to complete grouting on drainage structures, with the District covering the remaining $71,540 of the estimated $221,540 cost. The Board also increased an engineering contract by $25,000 to meet FEMA requirements for the lower Cane River project.

• Approved July 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved July and August 2021 financial statements (unanimous)
• Approved $25,000 increase to Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson engineering contract (unanimous)
• Approved use of $150,000 Priority 1 Capital Outlay funds for drainage structure grouting (unanimous)

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners has cancelled its regular monthly public meeting for August 2021 because of the Covid pandemic. No business will be conducted this month.

• Meeting cancelled due to Covid

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board will discuss committing $100,000 to a drainage project in East Natchitoches, consider employee merit raises and evaluations, and review a levee inspection report. The meeting also includes routine items such as approval of minutes, financial reports, and reports from the maintenance superintendent and DOTD.

• Commitment of $100,000 to Drainage Project in East Natchitoches
• Discussion regarding Levee Inspection Report dated September 24, 2020
• Employee Merit Raises/Employee Evaluations
• HB No. 2 (new business item)
• Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana 80th Annual Meeting, December 8-9, 2021

The Board approved the hiring of Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix & Hixson for engineering work on Capitol Outlay Projects. The District was allotted $150,000 in Priority 1 and approximately $700,000 in Priority 5 funding via House Bill 2. The Board also expressed intent to contribute $100,000 toward improving the L10-11 drainage canal.

• Approved June 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved May and June 2021 financial statements (unanimous)
• Approved hiring Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix & Hixson for Capitol Outlay Projects engineering (unanimous)
• Reviewed and signed employee merit raises and evaluations

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review May 2021 financial statements and reports from the Maintenance Superintendent, DOTD, and Administrator. The meeting also includes a discussion regarding feral pig removal.

• Approval of May 2021 Financial Statement Reports
• Discussion of annual budget
• Discussion of feral pig removal

The Board adopted the 2021-2022 annual budget and voted to purchase a backhoe currently under lease. Members also discussed methods for disposing of feral pigs on levees, expressing a preference for trapping over shooting.

• Approved May 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of leased backhoe for $67,284.53 plus $3,000 warranty (unanimous)
• Adopted 2021-2022 annual budget (unanimous)

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners will meet to adopt tax millage rates for the 2021 tax year. The board will also review applications for a Heavy Mobile Equipment Operator position.

• Adoption of 2021 millage rate(s)
• Review of applications for Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy position
• Review of Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix and Hixson invoice for LA Watershed Initiative Round 1 application
• Approval of April 2021 financial statement reports

The Board approved rolling forward the millage rate for the 2021 tax year and appointed a committee to decide between purchasing the current leased backhoe or leasing a new one. The Board also scheduled interviews for the Mobile Equipment Operator 1/Heavy position and rescheduled the June meeting.

• Approved rolling forward the millage rate for tax year 2021 (7-0)
• Appointed committee (Methvin, Sklar, Swafford) to study purchase vs. lease of backhoe (Unanimous)
• Approved April 2021 minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved April 2021 financial statement (Unanimous)
• Appointed committee (Dunn, Nolan Jones, Jr., Messenger) to interview job applicants (Unanimous)
• Moved June meeting to June 1, 2021 (Unanimous)

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board will discuss passage of a millage at next month's meeting and a request from Natchitoches Parish Government for compensation for work on Miller Farm Road. Other new business includes discussion of the Talley/Giddens property, a resignation, a maturing John Deere lease, and engaging Nick Verrett for remedial work on a pond on the Campti-Clarence Levee Segment. The meeting will also cover approval of March 2021 minutes and financial reports.

• Passage of millage at next month's meeting requiring a quorum
• Request from Natchitoches Parish Government for compensation for work on Miller Farm Road
• Discussion regarding Talley/Giddens property
• Resignation of Terry Brossette effective March 31, 2021
• Engagement of Nick Verrett to prepare plans and specs for remedial action on Talley/Giddens pond on Campti-Clarence Levee Segment

The Board unanimously voted to deny a request from Natchitoches Parish Government for reimbursement of expenses on Miller Farm Road. Members also agreed to seek bids for a new backhoe lease with reduced annual usage hours. The Board decided to wait for a letter from the Corps of Engineers regarding a pond on the Campti-Clarence Levee before taking further action.

• Approved March 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved March 2021 financial statement (unanimous)
• Denied reimbursement for Natchitoches Parish Government expenses on Miller Farm Road (unanimous)
• Agreed to obtain bids for a new backhoe lease from John Deere and Case
• Decided new backhoe lease should be for 500 hours of usage per year instead of 1,000
• Decided to take no further action on the Campti-Clarence Levee pond until receipt of a letter from the Corps of Engineers
• Requested hiring of a replacement for Terry Brossette

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review February 2021 financial reports and superintendent updates. The meeting includes discussions on the Campti-Clarence Levee inspection report and the potential lease or purchase of a backhoe.

• Discussion regarding Campti-Clarence Levee inspection report
• Lease new or purchase existing backhoe
• Review of February 2021 Financial Statement Reports
• Maintenance Superintendent's Report by Billy Dunn

The Board approved the February 2021 minutes and financial statements. Members discussed a levee system rating of "unacceptable" and the expiration of a backhoe lease.

• Approved February 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved February 2021 financial statement (unanimous)

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review financial statements and reports from the Maintenance Superintendent, DOTD, and Administrator. The meeting includes discussions regarding bushhogs, 3.4 miles of levee near Lock & Dam No. 3, and the Federal Wildlife Preserve at Marco.

• Discussion regarding bushhogs
• Discussion regarding 3.4 miles of levee beginning at Lock & Dam No. 3
• Discussion regarding Federal Wildlife Preserve at Marco
• Review of November 2020, December 2020, and January 2021 financial statements

The Board approved the purchase of two heavy-duty bushhogs and accepted a spraying services proposal from Edko, Inc. for 2021. Financial statements and previous meeting minutes were also approved.

• Approved purchase of two new bushhogs with heavy duty gear boxes (unanimous)
• Approved 2021 spraying services contract with Edko, Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved January 2021 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved November 2020, December 2020, and January 2021 financial statements (unanimous)
• Changed monthly meeting time to 7:00 p.m. (unanimous)

Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the State of Louisiana and the NLDD for the Lower Cane River Flood Gates Replacement Program. The meeting also includes approval of financial statements and reports from the Maintenance Superintendent and DOTD.

• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Lower Cane River Flood Gates Replacement Program
• Resolution designating Ronald E. Corkern, Jr. to act on behalf of NLDD for project disbursements
• Approval of November and December 2020 Financial Statements
• Approval of Ronald Corkern, Jr. travel

The Board entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana for the Lower Cane River Floodgate Replacement Program. It also hired a consultant to manage capital outlay funds and approved annual association dues.

• Approved payment of $1,250.00 for Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana annual dues (unanimous)
• Authorized hiring engineer Nick Verrett as a consultant at $55.00 per hour (unanimous)
• Authorized President Karlton Methvin to enter into Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana for Lower Cane River Floodgate Replacement Program (unanimous)
• Designated Ronald Corkern, Jr. to act on behalf of NLDD for capital outlay project matters and state disbursement requests (unanimous)
• Approved December 2020 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved December 2020 check register (unanimous)