Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners public meetings in 2024

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Sabine River Authority Board will consider proposed bylaw changes for a January vote and discuss purchasing surge protection equipment for Pump Station #4. The board will also hear staff reports on operations, finances, and a shoreline update, and may enter executive session to discuss pending litigation.

• Review handout of proposed bylaw changes for January vote
• Discuss purchase of surge protection equipment for Pump Station #4
• Executive session on Deloutre Property Rentals litigation (Case No. 0682511)
• Executive session on Baca et al litigation (Case No. 068266)
• Executive session on potential litigation over SRA waterline right-of-way

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Board approved nearly $40,000 for surge protection and sensor repairs at Pump Stations #3 and #4. The meeting also included staff reports on power house operations, reservoir levels, and shoreline permitting.

• Approved $39,931 for surge protection equipment at Pump Station #4 and sensor repairs at Pump Stations #3 and #4 (Unanimous)
• Approved November 6, 2024 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved staff reports as presented (Unanimous)
• Tabled review of proposed By-law changes until January 2025

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting including staff reports, committee updates, and a public comment period. Old business includes discussion of the Pleasure Point Park Road overlay. The board will enter executive session to discuss two pending lawsuits: Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC et al vs Sabine River Authority and Marko & Erica Jill Baca, et al vs Sabine River Authority.

• Discussion of Pleasure Point Park Road overlay
• Executive session for litigation strategy on two lawsuits (Case Nos. 0682511 and 068266)
• Staff reports on TBPJO Fulton, shoreline update, operational update, and financial report
• Committee reports on Diversion Canal, Toledo Bend Division, Parks, Finance, Cypress Bend Golf Resort, and Toledo Bend Project Joint Operations
• Next meeting scheduled for December 5, 2024 at Cypress Bend Resort

The Board approved additional funding to cover a budget shortfall for the Pleasure Point Park Road Overlay project. Members also directed staff to draft by-law amendments regarding the Toledo Bend Joint Operations Board membership and term limits.

• Approved additional $612,000 for Pleasure Point Park Overlay Project (unanimous)
• Approved staff reports as circulated and presented (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the September 26, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
• Approved staff to prepare language for by-law amendments regarding Toledo Bend Joint Operations Board membership for a January 2025 vote (unanimous)
• Approved Legal and Executive Director’s reports (unanimous)
• Appointed Mr. Stanley Vidrine to the Toledo Bend Joint Operations Board

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Sabine River Authority Board will consider approving a land transfer to the Ebarb Choctaw-Apache Tribe, adopt a resolution for banking signatures, and accept the annual audit report for FY 2023-2024. The board will also enter executive session to discuss two pending lawsuits.

• Discuss and approve pursuing transfer of land to the Ebarb Choctaw-Apache Tribe
• Adopt resolution for banking signatures
• Accept annual audit report for FY 2023-2024 by Griffin & Furman, LLC
• Executive session on Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC et al vs Sabine River Authority (Case No. 0682511)
• Executive session on Marko & Erica Jill Baca, et al vs Sabine River Authority (Case No. 068266)

The Board accepted a clean annual audit report for FY 2023-24 showing a net position increase of $4,899,613.00. Members approved moving forward with transferring land to the Ebarb Choctaw Apache Tribe and Sabine Parish School Board pending federal approval. The Board also updated banking signature privileges and approved per diem for CPEX orientation.

• Accepted FY 2023-24 Annual Audit Report (unanimous)
• Approved pursuing land transfer to Ebarb Choctaw Apache Tribe and Sabine Parish School Board pending federal approval (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution to update banking signature privileges (unanimous)
• Approved per diem and expenses for Board members' CPEX orientation (unanimous)
• Approved staff reports, including power house and shoreline permitting updates (unanimous)
• Approved Legal and Executive Director's reports (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from June 25, 2024 meeting (unanimous)

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners will meet to consider routine items including adoption of the agenda, approval of previous meeting minutes, and staff reports. A key new business item is a proposal to approve a Vision Study by the Center for Planning Excellence for the agency's future. The board will also enter executive session to discuss two pending lawsuits.

• Approve Vision Study by Center for Planning Excellence for agency's future
• Executive session on Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC et al vs Sabine River Authority (Case No. 0682511)
• Executive session on Marko & Erica Jill Baca, et al vs Sabine River Authority (Case No. 068266)
• Staff reports on TBPJO, shoreline update, operations, and finances

The Board approved funding for a six-month vision study by the Center for Planning Excellence to assess infrastructure and economic needs. Additionally, the Board authorized a pilot program to install three Osprey nesting platforms in the Lanan Area. Staff reports on power house operations and shoreline permitting were also approved.

• Approved $50,000 contract for Center for Planning Excellence to perform a future vision study (Unanimous)
• Approved pilot program with LA Wildlife & Fisheries to install three Osprey nesting platforms in the Lanan Area (Unanimous)
• Approved staff reports on Power House Operations, Shoreline Permitting, and Operational updates (Unanimous)
• Approved minutes from the June 27, 2024 meeting (Unanimous)
• Awarded contract to D&K Marine Construction for removal of South Toledo Bend Water intake tower

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners will meet on June 27, 2024, at Cypress Bend Resort to conduct routine business including adoption of the agenda, approval of previous minutes, and staff reports. Notable actions include final acceptance of the FY'24-'25 budget, election of board officers, selection of the official journal, approval of resolutions on appointing and purchasing authority, approval of a contract with Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, and a recommendation for deputy director. The board will also enter executive session to discuss pending litigation in two cases.

• Final Acceptance of Budget FY'24-'25
• Election of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary
• Selection of Official Journal: The Sabine Index
• Approve contract with Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips
• Executive session for litigation: Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC et al vs SRA and Marko & Erica Jill Baca et al vs SRA

The Board of Commissioners approved the final budget for fiscal year 2024-25 and appointed Kellie Ferguson as Deputy Director. The Board also authorized a $50,000 legal contract and granted the Executive Director purchasing authority up to $25,000.

• Accepted final Budget for FY 2024-25 (Unanimous)
• Appointed Kellie Ferguson to contractual position of Deputy Director for three years (Unanimous)
• Approved $50,000 contract for legal counsel Taylor, Porter, Brooks, & Phillips, LLC (Unanimous)
• Adopted resolution granting Executive Director purchasing authority up to $25,000 (Unanimous)
• Approved reallocation of $14,073.89 from closed projects to Project #7A-2500 for picnic shelters (Unanimous)
• Selected The Sabine Index as the Official Journal (Unanimous)
• Adopted resolution for Delegation of Appointing Authority (Unanimous)
• Approved Legislative Compliance Questionnaire (Unanimous)

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss routine business, including staff reports and committee updates. They will consider approval of the FY'24-'25 budget and a recommendation for the SRD Capital Project. The board will also enter executive session to discuss pending litigation (Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC et al vs Sabine River Authority). Old business includes an investment update from Hancock Whitney Bank.

• Executive session for litigation: Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC et al vs Sabine River Authority (Case No. 0682511)
• Consider approval of FY'24-'25 budget
• Recommendation for SRD Capital Project
• Investment update from Hancock Whitney Bank
• Committee reports on Diversion Canal, Toledo Bend, Parks, Finance, Cypress Bend Golf Resort, and Toledo Bend Joint Operations

The Board approved the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year and reorganized funding for several infrastructure projects. Staff reports on power house operations, shoreline permitting, and financial performance were also approved.

• Adopted FY 2024-25 Budget (unanimous)
• Approved closing Project #18-Bridge Crossings and moving $166,609.01 to Project #7-SCADA Monitoring System (unanimous)
• Approved delaying Project #16 Repair/Paint/Pump Stations and Piping and moving $956,827.93 to Project #19-New Pump at Pump Station #1 (unanimous)
• Approved staff reports as circulated and presented (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the March 21, 2024 meeting (unanimous)

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners will meet on March 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Pendleton Bridge Office. They will discuss and vote on funding for sewer repairs at the Cypress Bend Golf Resort Conference Center. The board will also enter executive session to discuss pending litigation (Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC vs Sabine River Authority, Case No. 0682511). Other items include approval of minutes, staff reports, and committee reports.

• Discuss and approve funding for sewer repair at Cypress Bend Golf Resort Conference Center
• Executive session for litigation: Deloutre Property Rentals, LLC et al vs Sabine River Authority (Case No. 0682511)
• Consideration of unapproved minutes from January 25, 2024 meeting
• Staff reports: TBPJO Fulton, Shoreline Update, Operational Update, Financial Report
• Committee reports: Diversion Canal, Toledo Bend, Parks, Finance, Cypress Bend Golf Resort, Toledo Bend Joint Operations

The Board approved funding for sewer system repairs at the Cypress Bend Golf Resort Conference Center and authorized negotiations for a water sales agreement with Aqueduct Werks. Staff reports on power house operations, shoreline permitting, and financial status were also approved.

• Approved up to $250,000 for sewer repair at Cypress Bend Golf Resort Conference Center (unanimous)
• Approved Executive Director to move forward with water sales negotiations with Aqueduct Werks (unanimous)
• Approved staff reports as circulated and presented (unanimous)
• Approved Legal and Executive Director’s reports (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the January 25, 2024 meeting (unanimous)

Sabine River Authority Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting on January 25, 2024. The agenda contains no specific items for discussion or decision at this time.

The Board approved a four-year contract renewal for Executive Director Warren Founds and adopted a 'positive pay' resolution for Citizens’ Bank accounts. The Board also approved staff reports and elected chairpersons for four internal committees.

• Approved renewal of Executive Director's contract for four years (unanimous)
• Approved resolution for Citizens’ Bank 'positive pay' program (unanimous)
• Approved staff reports as presented (unanimous)
• Elected Mr. Gibbs as Chairman of Diversion Canal Committee
• Elected Mr. Vidrine as Chairman of Toledo Bend Division Committee
• Elected Mr. Jeane as Chairman of Parks Committee
• Elected Mr. Goodeaux as Chairman of Finance Committee
• Approved minutes of December 7, 2023 meeting (unanimous)