Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners public meetings in 2020

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Commission unanimously adopted the 2021 proposed budget and approved several land leases and construction contracts. They also authorized the disposal of surplus equipment and the reallocation of remaining 2020 project funds.

• Approved 2021 proposed budget (unanimous)
• Awarded Teague Trails Extension design contract to Civil Design Group, LLC with $1.5M construction allotment (unanimous)
• Approved Coushatta Recreation Area Dock Construction Change Order No. 1, decreasing cost by $3,794.58 (unanimous)
• Approved addendum to Grant Parish Sheriff's Office agreement for an additional storage bay at Colfax Recreation Area (unanimous)
• Awarded 23.6-acre St. Maurice Cutoff lease to JH Global Interests, LLC for $2,950.00 (unanimous)
• Awarded 91-acre Socot Capout lease to Rodney Achord for $9,122.72 (unanimous)
• Approved 2020 surplus equipment list for disposal (unanimous)
• Approved increasing undesignated-unreserved funds by $378,295.68 from completed 2020 projects (unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission certified that it has complied with Louisiana Revised Statute 39:1307 regarding public participation in the budget process for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. The notice states that a public hearing and availability for public inspection were held in accordance with applicable statutes. No other substantive items are listed on this agenda.

• Certification of compliance with Louisiana Revised Statute 39:1307 for FY 2021 budget process
• Public hearing and inspection notice held as required by law

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold its monthly meeting on December 16, 2020, with committees meeting first. The commission will consider approving the 2021 budget, awarding a design contract for the Teague Trails Extension, and awarding public bid land leases for two tracts. Other items include a change order for dock construction at Coushatta Recreation Area, an addendum to a cooperative endeavor agreement with Grant Parish Sheriff's Office, and approval of the 2020 surplus equipment list and audit engagement letter.

• Consideration of approval of 2021 Budget
• Authority to award design contract for Teague Trails Extension (2020 Request)
• Award of public bid land leases: St. Maurice Cutoff (23.6 acres) and Socot Capout Phase II (91 acres)
• Change Order No. 1 for Coushatta Recreation Area dock construction (Project 19-01)
• Consideration of approval of 2020 Audit Engagement Letter

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold a public hearing on its proposed 2021 budget. The meeting will be held in person with limited occupancy and safety measures, or virtually via Zoom. Public comments can be submitted in advance by email or text.

• Public hearing on proposed 2021 budget

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Revenue, Banking & Budget Committee will meet on November 30, 2020, to conduct business. The primary item on the agenda is a discussion regarding the proposed budget for 2021.

• Discussion of 2021 Proposed Budget

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold its monthly meeting on November 18, 2020, with committee meetings the day before. Key items include approving dock repair contracts at four recreation areas, a cooperative agreement for a 100,000 sq ft warehouse with the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission, and discussing the 2021 proposed budget. The meeting will be held both in-person and via Zoom due to the COVID-19 emergency.

• Consideration of approval of proposals for dock repairs at St. Maurice and Natchitoches Recreation Areas (bids open Nov 16)
• Consideration of approval of proposals for dock repairs at Grand Ecore and Colfax Recreation Areas (bids open Nov 16)
• Consideration of approval of Amendment No. 1 to Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Caddo-Bossier Port Commission for a 100,000 sq ft warehouse
• Consideration of funding request from Bossier Parish Police Jury for Teague Trails Extension
• Discussion of 2021 proposed budget

The Commission approved several infrastructure contracts, right-of-way agreements, and a funding request for a pedestrian walkway. It also established a new policy prohibiting memorials on commission property.

• Approved $1.8M funding for Bossier Parish Police Jury to extend Teague Trails pedestrian walkway
• Approved $179,960 payment for 30-inch natural gas pipeline right-of-way to Exploration Land Services, LLC
• Approved $93,400 bid to Skip Converse, Inc. for deck repairs at Grand Ecore and Colfax Recreation Areas
• Approved $36,417 bid to Martin Metal Construction for dock repairs at St. Maurice and Natchitoches Recreation Areas
• Approved 20-year right-of-way extension to CenturyLink Communications, LLC for $22,500
• Approved reallocation of $600,000 in Caddo-Bossier Port project funds from soft costs to construction
• Approved policy prohibiting memorials on Red River Waterway Commission property
• Authorized public bid lease for 30 acres at Lock and Dam 4 at minimum $20.00 per acre

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Commission will meet on October 21, 2020, to review financial reports and committee updates. Key discussions include approving the 2021 contracts list and considering public bid leases for Kateland Realignment and St. Maurice Cut-Off.

• Approval of 2021 Contracts List
• Award of Public Bid Lease for Kateland Realignment (100 acres)
• Request to advertise for Public Bid Lease for St. Maurice Cut-Off (23.6 acres)
• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with City of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Convention Visitors Bureau
• Approval of September 2020 expenditures and financial statements

The Commission approved the 2021 contracts list and awarded a 5-year lease for 100 acres to Andre Martin. It also authorized a public bid lease for 23.6 acres and approved a cooperative endeavor agreement for the KingKat National Championship.

• Approved 2021 contracts list (unanimous)
• Awarded 5-year lease of 100 acres to Andre Martin for $10,000 (unanimous)
• Authorized public bid lease for 23.6 acres at St. Maurice Cut-Off with $25/acre minimum bid (unanimous)
• Directed Red River Levee Bicycle Trail parties to seek Levee Board approvals before returning to Commission (unanimous)
• Approved cooperative endeavor agreement with City of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Convention Visitors Bureau for KingKat National Championship (unanimous)
• Tabled public memorial request and instructed staff to develop a memorial policy (unanimous)
• Approved September 2020 financial reports (unanimous)
• Approved September 16, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will meet on September 16, 2020, to consider awarding bids for a porch addition, approving channel dredging, authorizing a public bid lease for Kateland Realignment tracts, and approving settlement documents for Cool Planet. The meeting will be held both in-person at the Grand Ecore RV Park Activity Center and virtually via Zoom, with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

• Consideration of Award of Colfax Activity Center Porch Addition Bids/RRWC Project No. 20-05
• Consideration of Approval of Channel Dredging for Navigation
• Consideration of Authority to Advertise for Public Bid Lease/Kateland Realignment/Tracts 1, 3, 5 & 7/100 Acres
• Consideration of Approval of Settlement Documents/Cool Planet
• Discussion of 2021 Recreation Projects List

The Commission approved a $59,760 contract for a porch addition at the Colfax Activity Center and authorized a public bid lease for 100 acres of land. A settlement agreement with Cool Planet was also approved. No action was taken regarding channel dredging for navigation.

• Approved $59,760 bid to Martin Metal Construction for Colfax Activity Center Porch Addition (unanimous)
• Approved budget amendment increase to $70,000 for Colfax Activity Center project (unanimous)
• Authorized public bid lease for Kateland Realignment tracts 1, 3, 5 & 7 (100 acres) at minimum $20 per acre (unanimous)
• Approved settlement agreement with Cool Planet (unanimous)
• Approved August 2020 financial reports (unanimous)
• Approved August 19, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Tabled channel dredging for navigation (no action taken)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Commission will hold several committee meetings and a monthly meeting on August 19, 2020. Agenda items include reviewing a land lease for 195 acres at Lock & Dam 2 and adopting the 2020 Tax Millage by resolution.

• Approval of Public Bid Land Lease Agreement for Tracts 5, 6, 8 & 9 (195 Acres) at Lock & Dam 2
• Funding request for Texas Street Bridge Lighting Project for the Cities of Shreveport and Bossier City
• Approval of Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission
• Adoption of 2020 Tax Millage by Resolution
• Presentation of Sedimentation and Hydraulic Analysis by the Corps of Engineers

The Commission approved a $1 million funding request for the Texas Street Bridge Lighting Project and adopted 2020 tax millage rates. A 5-year land lease was awarded to Big Lake Hunting Club, LLC, and a cooperative agreement was approved for the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission.

• Approved $1,000,000 funding request for Texas Street Bridge Lighting Project (unanimous)
• Adopted 2020 Tax Millage rates of 1.52 mills for capital outlay and 0.82 mills for operations and maintenance (unanimous)
• Approved 5-year land lease to Big Lake Hunting Club, LLC for $19,500.00 (unanimous)
• Approved $22,475.00 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission (unanimous)
• Approved July 2020 financial reports (unanimous)
• Approved July 15, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Directed Executive Director to use combined in-person and Zoom meetings during pandemic mandates

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Commission will meet to consider several operational items, including the Grand Ecore RV Park operator contract and the assignment of dredging contract RRW-743. The meeting also includes committee reports on marketing, personnel, and land management proposals.

• Approval of Grand Ecore RV Park Operator Contract
• Authority to advertise Colfax RV Park Activity Center Addition
• Assignment of Dredging Contract RRW-743
• Approval of Mitigation Development and Management Proposal
• Presentation regarding Texas Street Bridge Lighting Request

The Red River Waterway Commission approved a two-year operator contract for Grand Ecore RV Park and authorized advertising for construction bids at the Colfax RV Park Activity Center. The Board also approved a mitigation development proposal involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

• Approved revised July 15 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved June 17 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved June 2020 financial reports (unanimous)
• Approved two-year Grand Ecore RV Park operator contract (unanimous)
• Authorized advertising for Colfax RV Park Activity Center construction bids (unanimous)
• Approved assignment of dredging contract RRW-743 to Crosby Dredging, LLC (unanimous)
• Approved Mitigation Development and Management Proposal with USACE and LDWF (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution of Appreciation for Larry Sayes (unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold committee meetings and a monthly commission meeting on June 17, 2020, at the Grand Ecore RV Park Activity Center. Committees will consider contracts, land leases, a demand letter from Cool Planet, and a funding request. The full commission will vote on these items and receive the 2019 audit report.

• Consideration of Cool Planet Guaranty/Demand Letter
• Approval of contract with Air Data Solutions
• Award of public bid land lease for Lower Gin Lake Realignment (120 acres)
• Leaseback renewals for Lock & Dam 1 tracts (43 acres, 106.9 acres, 5.7 acres)
• Presentation of 2019 Audit Reports

The Commission approved multiple land lease renewals and a new 5-year lease for 120 acres. Additionally, the board authorized $60,000 in funding for the 2021 Mr. Crappie Expo and approved several service contracts.

• Approved two-year contract with Air Data Solutions for aquatic vegetation surveys (unanimous)
• Awarded Womack Brothers, LLC $32,400.00 for picnic shelter painting (unanimous)
• Authorized staff to extend Grand Ecore RV Park operator agreement for two years (unanimous)
• Approved 5-year lease for 120 acres to Mr. Sammy Guillot for $9,000.00 (unanimous)
• Approved 5-year leaseback renewal with Agri-South Group, LLC for $3,655.00 (one abstention)
• Approved 5-year leaseback renewal with Agri-South for $8,017.50 (one abstention)
• Approved 5-year lease extension to Mr. Ricky Dupuy with a 10% premium increase (unanimous)
• Approved $2,900.00 for storm damage clearing assistance for Delta Ridge Ranch, LLC (unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The regular monthly meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2020, has been cancelled. This cancellation follows Governor’s Proclamation order number 27-JBE-2020.

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners has cancelled its regular monthly meeting scheduled for April 15, 2020, under Governor's Proclamation order number 27-JBE-2020. The next regular monthly meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.

• Regular monthly meeting of April 15, 2020 cancelled per Governor's Proclamation 27-JBE-2020
• Next regular meeting scheduled for May 20, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold committee meetings and a monthly commission meeting on March 18, 2020. Key items include a funding request for a feasibility study to extend navigation into Arkansas, consideration of a public bid lease for 120 acres at Lower Gin Lake, and leaseback renewals for Lock & Dam 1 tracts. The commission will also consider an operator agreement for Grand Ecore RV Park.

• Consideration of funding request for feasibility study/extension of navigation into Arkansas
• Consideration of award of public bid lease for Lower Gin Lake Realignment (120 acres)
• Consideration of leaseback renewal for Lock & Dam 1 Tract 1 (43 acres)
• Consideration of leaseback renewal for Lock & Dam 1 Tract 1 Segments B & B-1 (106.9 acres)
• Consideration of approval of Grand Ecore RV Park Operator Agreement

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission's regular monthly meeting scheduled for March 18, 2020 has been cancelled under Governor John Bel Edwards' Proclamation order number 27-JBE-2020. The next regular meeting is currently scheduled for April 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

• Meeting cancelled under Governor's Proclamation order 27-JBE-2020
• Next regular meeting scheduled for April 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will consider Change Order No. 2 for the Brouillette Recreation Area Ramp Widening Project, approve purchasing vehicles on state contract, and review fence construction proposals for Ft. Buhlow Recreation Area. The board will also discuss the Grand Ecore RV Park operator agreement, Colfax RV Park activity center addition, Boyce Boat Dock damage and repair, and a request for right of entry for a pipeline survey in Pool 5. A discussion of the Supreme Court ruling on the Catahoula Lake case is also on the agenda.

• Consideration of Change Order No. 2 for Brouillette Recreation Area Ramp Widening Project (RRWC Project No. 18-01/Contract No. RRW-739)
• Consideration of approval of purchasing vehicles on state contract
• Consideration of fence construction proposals for Ft. Buhlow Recreation Area
• Discussion of Grand Ecore RV Park operator agreement
• Consideration of request for right of entry to perform survey for proposed pipeline right-of-way in Pool 5 (Tracts 8, 54B & 55)

The Red River Waterway Commission approved several contracts and financial reports. The Board also approved a right-of-entry request for energy surveys and tabled vehicle purchasing discussions.

• Approved agenda unanimously
• Approved January 15, 2020 meeting minutes unanimously
• Approved December 2019 and January 2020 financial and investment reports unanimously
• Approved Change Order No. 2 for Brouillette Ramp Widening Project (unanimous)
• Awarded Spytech contract for Ft. Buhlow fence construction ($4,860.00)
• Approved Aethon Energy right-of-entry request for surveys (unanimous)
• Tabled vehicle purchasing on state contract until March 2020 meeting

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold committee meetings and a monthly commission meeting on January 15, 2020. The commission will consider awarding a land lease extension for 60 acres at Hudson Cutoff, and discuss a funding request for a feasibility study to extend navigation into Arkansas. Other items include cancellation of two land leases, approval of the 2020 travel calendar, and approval of the 2019 audit compliance questionnaire.

• Consideration of award of land lease extension at Hudson Cutoff (60 acres)
• Consideration of request to cancel land lease for Pool 3 Tract 76 Segment A (34.5 acres)
• Consideration of request to cancel land lease for Lower Gin Lake Realignment (120 acres)
• Discussion of Boyce Boat Dock damage and repair
• Discussion of funding request for feasibility study to extend navigation into Arkansas

The Commission approved a 5-year lease extension for 60 acres at Hudson Cutoff and processed two land lease cancellations. The board also approved the 2020 travel calendar and the 2019 Audit Compliance Questionnaire.

• Approved 5-year lease extension for 60 acres at Hudson Cutoff to Kerry Luneau for $7,590.00 (unanimous)
• Approved lease cancellation for 34.5 acres at Pool 3 Tract 76 Segment A from Marcus Ward with $200 fee (unanimous)
• Approved lease cancellation for 120 acres at Lower Gin Lake Realignment from Michael Charrier with $200 fee (unanimous)
• Authorized re-advertising of Lower Gin Lake property with $15.00 per acre minimum bid (unanimous)
• Approved 2020 travel calendar (unanimous)
• Approved 2019 Louisiana Audit Compliance Questionnaire (unanimous)
• Approved December 2019 Expenditures and Investment Reports (unanimous)
• Approved December 18, 2019 meeting minutes (unanimous)