OFFICIAL PROCEEDING OF SOUTH LAFOURCHE LEVEE DISTRICT January 13, 2014

Transcription

1 OFFICIAL PROCEEDING OF SOUTH LAFOURCHE LEVEE DISTRICT January 13, 2014 The Board of Commissioners of the South Lafourche Levee District met in a regular session at its regular meeting place, Highway 3235, Galliano, Louisiana, on Monday, January 13, 2014, at three (3:00) o clock p.m., pursuant to the provisions of a notice of regular session duly promulgated and posted in accordance with the law. The regular meeting for the month of January was called to order by President Ronald Callais. He directed the secretary to call roll. Board members present: Board members absent: Ronald Callais Robert Bobby Eymard, Sr. Bob Faulk Monty Vegas (arrived at 3:08p) Ray Mayet Brent Duet Lula Auenson Mitch Danos Clarence CJ Marts, Jr. Also present were: Executive Secretary and General Manager Windell Curole; Administrative Assistant 5 Mary Punch; Clerical Assistant Amy Gisclair; Levee Board Operations Superintendent Jimmy Badeaux; Attorneys Bryce Autin and Don Harang; Engineering Personnel John Plaisance, Joe Picciola, Brad Adams, and Neil Angelette; The Beta Group Robert Billiot; All South Consulting Engineers Steve Smith; North Lafourche Levee District Dwayne Bourgeois; and news media. READING OF THE MINUTES The minutes of the December 9, 2013 Regular Meeting were approved unanimously upon a motion by Bob Faulk and seconded by Lula Auenson. PRESIDENT S REPORT ELECTION OF OFFICERS President Callais opened the floor for the election of officers for the Board of Commissioners of the South Lafourche Levee District for the year For the election of President of the Board of Commissioners: Ronald Callais was nominated. For the election of Vice-President of the Board of Commissioners: Lula Auenson was nominated. For the election of Executive Secretary of the Board of Commissioners: Windell Curole was nominated. Moved by Bobby Eymard, seconded by Bob Faulk and unanimously approved, the board accepted the nominations for election of officers for the year Commissioner Bob Faulk invited everyone to the Wild Game Supper to be held February 20 th at the Larose Civic Center. He gave a brief description of the types of foods offered. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS President Ronald Callais announced that Committees would be announced at the February meeting. He asked that he be notified of any requests to change committees.

2 Page 2 of 7 AUDIENCE COMMENTS President Callais recognized Dwayne Bourgeois of North Lafourche Levee District. Mr. Bourgeois stated that he had no business to discuss. GENERAL MANAGER S REPORT LEON THERIOT LOCK DAMAGES DEC. 19, 2013 ACCIDENT (SLIDE PRESENTATION) General Manager Windell Curole presented slides showing the damage that occurred from an accident involving a barge that hit the fender system of the lock on the southeast side. Quotes were received and material was ordered. Field Superintendent Jimmy Badeaux stated that repairs would start January 20 th. Mr. Curole explained that they were looking to extend the pilings by an additional 56 feet and requested the board give their approval. Engineer Joe Picciola offered drawings for a double barrier design that was originally suggested by the Corps of Engineers. The board agreed to review options and, if needed, call a special meeting to make a decision. Mr. Curole showed pictures of other areas of improvements around the levee and areas of concern. He explained that he d like to put 1,000 ft. of plastic sheet pile in front of the levee on A-East section inside of the borrow canal where wave action was causing erosion along the levee. He explained that the cost would be around $20,000 for sheet piles and that the levee district could supply the labor to install them. He further explained the need to have the sheet piles installed by next year and requested the board authorize that project. Moved by Monty Vegas, seconded by Lula Auenson and unanimously accepted, the board agreed to purchase and install plastic sheet piles in Section A-East where erosion from wave action was taking place along the levees inside edge. Mr. Curole showed maps of the Morganza to the Gulf project and explained that work would soon be started in Reaches K & L of the Lafourche side of that project. He explained that the agreement was that SLLD would administer the project, but would put limited funding into it. He further explained that he learned in discussions with the state and Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District, that the state would be turning the engineering over to CB&I for the floodgate project, and All South Consulting Engineers and Angelette-Picciola for the levee projects. Mr. Curole requested board approval to award those engineering contracts as discussed. Moved by Bob Faulk, seconded by Monty Vegas and unanimously accepted, the board agreed to award engineering contracts to C B & I for the floodgate, and to All South Consulting Engineers and Angelette-Engineering for the levees in the northern portion of Reach L as described. LA 1 COALITION: APPROVE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEEMENT Mr. Curole requested approval for the annual donation to LA 1 Coalition be granted in the amount of $1,000, along with authorization to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. Moved by Ray Mayet, seconded by Lula Auenson and unanimously accepted, the board authorized President Ronald Callais to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for the donation of $1,000 to LA 1 Coalition. STATE STUDY ON LEVEE DISTRICTS Mr. Curole reminded the board that at the study on possible consolidation of levee districts was discussed at last month s meeting. Mr. Curole informed the board that a law passed right after Hurricane Katrina would be discussed at the CPRA meeting on Wednesday as another option. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDING Mr. Curole requested the board authorize President Callais to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement with the State for Capital Outlay funding in the amount of $7M. He explained that the money would be used for the Larose Floodwall project. Moved by Bob Faulk, seconded by Bobby Eymard and unanimously accepted, the board authorized President Ronald Callais to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement with the State for Capital Outlay in the amount of $7,000,000 which would be used for the Larose Floodwall Project. HEARING ON ANNUAL PLAN Mr. Curole announced that public hearing meetings to review CPRA s 2015 Annual Plan had been set for Jan. 14 in Belle Chase, Jan. 15 in Thibodaux and Jan. 16 in Lake Charles.

3 Page 3 of 7 FUNDING OF REACH K & L: REQUEST TO THE STATE Mr. Curole requested the board authorize President Callais to sign any agreements necessary, based the on recommendation of the board attorney, to allow North Lafourche Levee and Terrebonne Levee & Conservation Districts to spend funds in the Lafourche portion of the Morganza project. Moved by Bob Faulk, seconded by Monty Vegas and unanimously accepted, the board authorized President Ronald Callais to sign any agreements necessary to allow North Lafourche and Terrebonne Levee Districts to spend money on Morganza to the Gulf, Reaches K & L project in Lafourche Parish. ENTERGY REIMBURSEMENT FOR LEVEE CROSSING, SECTION A-WEST ($37,436.25) Mr. Curole informed the board that Entergy had reimbursed the levee district $37, He explained that the reimbursement was for the cost of building a ramp across the levee so Entergy could work on their new power lines. ENGINEERING REPORT OFFICE OF COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION Mr. Trung-Quan Nguyen was not in attendance. CORPS OF ENGINEERS (JOEY WAGNER) There was no one in attendance from the Corps. PROJECT ENGINEERS PICCIOLA & ASSOCIATES Engineer Joe Picciola gave the following report: A-West Interim Levee Improvements This project consists of using the material resulting from the dredge project and shaping it to achieve a crown elevation of ft. Bids were received from 8 contractors. The low bid was submitted by Volute, Inc. All bid documents were reviewed and we recommend the board award the project to Volute. Moved by Monty Vegas, seconded by Ray Mayet and unanimously accepted, the board agreed to award the contract of A-West Interim Levee Improvements to the low bidder, Volute, Inc., in the amount of $714, Elevation of South Floodgate Investigation Phase 2 Cajun Construction, Inc. was awarded the job. We have been in communication with the Corps regarding a permit being issued. The permit is still being processed and waiting on approval from different divisions within the Corps. Once approval is given we are hoping to receive a permit shortly after. A pre-construction meeting with the contractor has been scheduled for the end of January. This project should be completed by September D-North Levee Improvements Apeck Construction is the contractor for this job and will begin mobilizing onsite within the next couple of weeks. The Notice-to-Proceed is issued for January 20. The contractor will be dewatering borrow pits and drying out the borrow material. The project should be completed by October P.S. No. 2, Relocation of Discharge Pipe Sealevel Construction, Inc. is the contractor for this job and the Notice-to-Proceed was issued on January 06, The contractor is currently fabricating the discharge pipes offsite. This project should be complete by May We are recommending payment of Pay Request No. 1 in the amount of $71, Moved by Lula Auenson, seconded by Bobby Eymard and unanimously accepted, the board approved Pay Request No. 1 in the amount of $71, J. WAYNE PLAISANCE, INC. Engineer John Plaisance reported the following: We will be taking bids at the Port Commission for the new marina tomorrow that will be built inside the Leon Theriot locking system.

4 Page 4 of 7 BAYOU LAFOURCHE WATER LEVEL CONTROL We are still negotiating with DNR for the permits. We provided them with some information before Christmas, but have not heard back from them. We are also working on potential weirs that would be placed in Breton and Clovelly Canals. I ran some calculations on just one site and we are looking at about 20,000 gpm which is about 20% of the capacity of the current siphons, so both sites would be about 40,000 gpm. LEVEE IMPROVEMENTS ANGELETTE-PICCIOLA, LLC Engineer Neil Angelette reported the following: Section E-North Raising to +13 (Old elevation was 10 ) We are continuing to work with the Levee District as needed on the shaping for this project. C-South and B-North (and a portion of B-South) Levee Improvements The contractor, Terra Logistics, LLC, is continuing with the project construction. recommending approval of Pay Request No. 33 for $204, We are Moved by Bob Faulk, seconded by Ray Mayet, and unanimously accepted, the board approved Pay Request No. 33 in the amount of $204, Section F Levee Improvements The contractor, Southern Delta Construction, Inc., has completed construction to excavate the remaining material in the borrow canal. We are recommending approval of substantial completion as of December 18, Moved by Monty Vegas, seconded by Bobby Eymard, and unanimously accepted, the board approved Substantial Completion of Section F Levee Improvements. Section F Levee Shaping and Compaction We are finalizing the plans and specifications for the shaping and compaction of this reach and we are requesting approval to being advertising to receive bids next month. The estimated construction cost is $350, On a motion by Lula Auenson and seconded by Brent Duet, the board unanimously approved the advertising for bids of Section F Levee Shaping and Compaction. Larose Floodwall (Delta Farms Area) We are continuing with the design for the floodwall improvements in this area. The COE/DNR permit has been applied for, and the wetlands delineation has been submitted to the Corps. The target construction completion date is August of 2015 or earlier. LEGAL, PERMITS, AND RIGHT-OF-WAYS COMMITTEE REPORT In the absence of Chairman Mitch Danos, President Callais announced that nine permit requests were received for review and that none interfered with the levees. On a motion of Ronald Callais, seconded by Monty Vegas, the following permits were approved: 1. APACHE CORPORATION CUP NO: P (Extended) LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Section 73. T19S-R21E; (WGM4) Prospect) Lat N, Long W. (NAD 83); X = 2,306,976; Y = 260, 630 (NAD 27) DESCRIPTION: Proposed excavation, well and structures to serve the WGM4 Prospect. Approximately 24,543 cubic yards of native material will be displaced for excavation of the canal and slip and for lowering an existing line. Four temporary 3-pile clusters are required for a typical drilling barge. Upon successful completion of the wall, a 6 5 x 14 well protector will be installed. Approximately 5.9 acres of non-vegetated water bottom may be directly impacted by the proposed work.

5 Page 5 of 7 2. SHORELINE SOUTHEAST CUP NO: P LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Well Lat N / Long W (NAD83) and X = 2,341, / Y = 206, (NAD27); POB of propwashing Lat N / Long W; Sections 31 & 32, T21S-R22E; Little Lake. DESCRIPTION: Proposed propwashing a channel/slip and the installation of structures to drill and serve the Leeville Deep SHL No. 1 Well. Approximately 8,505 cubic yards of waterbottoms will be propwashed to access the well sire. Approximately 4.85 acres of waterbottoms will be disturbed by this proposed activity. 3. CHEVRON USA INC CUP NO: P LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Lat N / Long W; Block 1; Bay Marchand Area; DESCRIPTION: Install and maintain a proposed mat supported jack up rig in order to drill the SL 1365 Loc. No. 89. A typical caisson well protector will be installed with slots for two more locations in the future. No dredging for access is required. 4. APACHE CORPORATION CUP NO: P (Amended) LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; POB at Tank Battery 16: Lat N and Long W (NAD 83), X=2,320,635 and Y=270,373; POE at Tank Battery 7: Lat N and Long W (NAD 83), X=2,314,676 and Y=256,251; Section 70, 74 and 75; T19S-R21E; Section 5, T20S-R21E; approximately 4.5 miles northwesterly of Golden Meadow, LA. DESCRIPTION: Proposed to install j+/-16,302 of 8 flowline from Tank Battery 16 to Tank Battery 7. Approximately 2,436 will be installed by jetting. Approximately 2,796 will be installed by boring. Approximately 11,070 will be laid on the marsh. Approximately 1,973 cubic yards of material will be excavated and place onsite. Approximately 0.17 acres of waterbottom and approximately 3.81 acres of wetland habitat may be impacted by the proposed activity. AMENDMENT 1: Proposed to amend permit to include the following completed corrective actions. Installation of the permitted pipeline was halted resulting from the line becoming stuck and breaking as it was being pulled through the bore hole. Since the majority of the line was through the bore, it was determined that if the line could be reached from directly above, it would be possible to re-connect and continue with the line. The spoil from accessing the line (+/-40 x 60 work area) was placed in a nearby shallow water area (+/-40 x 60 ). The line was accessed and successfully connected and has been tested and is a good line. To re-join the original route, the line was then laid on the surface the remaining way to where it deviated from the permitted route at the bore entry. To restore the excavated site, material was excavated from the adjacent canal (+/-100 x 60 x 9 ) and put in the hole where the excavation had taken place. 5. TERREBONNE LEVEE AND CONSERVATION DISTIRCT CUP NO: P LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Lat N, Long W; Lat N, Long W; Sec. 6, T19S-R20E and Sections 52, 53, 55, 58, 59 & 65, T18S-R19E; Montegut, LA. DESCRIPTION: Proposed clean out of Bayou Point Aux Chene to improve drainage, flow and water quality of the bayou. Approx. 22,380 cu. Yds. Of native material will be excavated and transported to a non-wet disposal location within the Point-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area. Approx acres of non-vegetated waterbottom may be impacted as a result of this proposed activity. 6. GREATER LAFOURCHE PORT COMMISSION CUP NO: P LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Southwest Corner of Slip Lat N / Long W; Section 1, 2, 12, 25, 35 T23S-R22E; Port Fourchon, LA

6 Page 6 of 7 DESCRIPTION: Proposed dredging of a 1,000 x 3,872 slip (Slip D ) for the Port Fourchon Northern Expansion Phase 3. Also, construction of a 30 x 4163 roadway. Approx. 12,335 cy. of concrete/asphalt material will be required for roadway constriction. Approx. 3,872,000 cy. of native material will be excavated during Slip D dredging activities. Approx. 2,431,234 cy. of the excavated material will be used as permanent fill (Phase 3 Developmental Areas) to be placed onsite for (temporary) retainer levees, in adjacent water bottoms for industrial development. Approx. 89,260 cy. of the excavated material will be placed adjacent to the previously permitted Phase 2 Mitigation Site as compensatory mitigation for Phase 3 Expansion Project. The remaining 1,351,506 cy. of excavated material will be dispersed between Phase 3 Developmental Areas and Phase 3 Mitigation Site to meet required plan specifications. Approx. 264 acres of non-vegetated water bottoms and approx acres of wetlands may be impacted by the proposed project activity. 7. CAILLOUET LAND LLC CUP NO: P LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Lat N and Long W; POE Bulkhead: Lat N and Long W; POB Bulkhead: Lat N and Long W: Bayou Lafourche; Section 3 and 10; T23S-R22E; Port Fourchon; approximately 9 miles southerly from Leeville. DESCRIPTION: Proposed port-development project (Caillouet Land Bulkhead and reclamation Plan) which includes; (1) the construction of a bulkhead, (2) construction of four boat slips (3) the construction of three stockpile area for the temporary placement of dredged material and (4) the dredging of portions of Bayou Lafourche and the flotation canal. Approximately 497,200 cubic yards of material will be excavated and placed onsite. Approximately 140,300 cubic yards of fill required. Approximately 23 acres of waterbottom may be impacted as a result of excavation. Approximately 35 acres of land and waterbottom may be impacted as a result of fill placement. 8. LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENT CUP NO: P LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Lat N / Long W (Breach 1); Lat N / Long W (Breach 2); Lat N / Long W (Breach 3); Lat N / Long W (Breach 4); Lat N / Long W (Breach 5); Caminada Headland, Port Fourchon. DESCRIPTION: After the fact response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill close five breached along the Caminada Headland in an effort to protect wildlife and the State s natural resources by preventing oil from reaching the wetland marshes. A combination of PVC sheeting, rip rap, sand and sand bags were used were installed and removed for this project. A total of 8,775 cubic yards of filling and excavation of approximately 2.3 acres of coastal shoreline was temporarily impacted from this project. 9. SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY CUP NO: P (Amended) LOCATION: Lafourche Parish, LA; Lat , Long ; DESCRIPTION: Follow-up investigation showed 0.58 acres of saline marsh impacted as a result of previously permitted activity to lower the 24 Mars Pipeline (~3500ft) and to cover approx.. 237ft of pipeline with sandbags material. Remaining pipeline will be lowered via jetting or dredging. Approx. 14,876 cu. yds. of material was excavated and temporarily placed on site. Two bulkheads will be temporarily removed and restored to pre-project conditions. Restoration of 0.31 acres of saline marsh via planting completed and 7linear feet of bankline purchased (0.21 aahus) from the Louisiana Land Exploration Company, LLC. BOARD ATTORNEY Attorney Bryce Autin had to leave early so no report was given.

7 Page 7 of 7 FINANCE COMMITTEE INVOICES Commissioner Monty Vegas announced that the Finance Committee had reviewed the invoices and recommended they be paid. On a motion of Monty Vegas, seconded by Lula Auenson, and unanimously carried, the board approved the payment of the invoices as presented. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Curole announced that a book entitled American Energy and Periled Coast by Jeremy Theriot, formerly of Houma, would be coming out in March. He explained the nature of the book and said that there was extensive writing that would tie into the issue with the pipeline and land loss. Mr. Curole asked Mr. Dwayne Bourgeois to give an update on the four year flood insurance delay. Mr. Bourgeois informed the board that it looked as though they might have enough votes in the Senate to pass the bill. He explained that timing might be an issue and that they might take it up at the end of the week, but it was doubtful they would be able to wrap it up before the end of their break which would start Jan. 20 th. Mr. Curole added that the bill was renewable every five years, and if it passed, it would give us more time to come up with a solution before it renewed again. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Callais announced that the board would go into Executive Session to discuss legal matters concerning a Class Action Lawsuit. Under the direction of President Ronald Callais, a motion was made by Bobby Eymard to enter into Executive Session with a second by Ray Mayet. The Secretary was asked to call the roll. With seven Yea s, two Absent, no Nay s and none Abstained, the board entered into Executive Session. Moved by Bobby Eymard, seconded by Bob Faulk and unanimously approved, the board exited Executive Session and re-entered Regular Session. President Callais announced that a roll call was needed to amend the agenda to add Eymard Shooting Academy. On a motion by Monty Vegas and seconded by Ray Mayet a roll call was taken and a vote was unanimously agreed upon to amend and add Eymard Shooting Academy to the agenda. EYMARD SHOOTING ACADEMY Mr. Curole briefed the board on the issues with the hunting range, and of the concerns of the employees and contractors working in that area. He requested the board authorize President Callais to take any legal action necessary and to hire attorney Donald Harang to handle any and all legal issues regarding the shooting range. On a motion by Ray Mayet and seconded by Bob Faulk, and unanimously accepted, the board authorized President Ronald Callais to sign any documents necessary to take legal action against Eymard Shooting Range, and also to hire attorney Donald Harang as legal counsel. With no further business to discuss, the board unanimously adjourned the meeting on a motion of Bobby Eymard and seconded by Bob Faulk. /s/ronald Callais, President /s/windell A. Curole, Executive Secretary