Planning & Projects Meeting

January 9, 2008

 

 

Chairman Buddy Daisy called to order the Planning & Projects Committee Meeting of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District at the TLCD Office located at 220 Clendenning Road, Houma, Louisiana, on January 9, 2008, at  7:o’clock.

 

Upon roll call by Angela Rains, Commissioners recorded present were Mr. Alford, Mr. Daisy, Ms. Dillard, Mr. Leward Henry, Mr. Willis Henry, Mr. Luke, Mr. Moore, Ms. Teuton, and Mr. Talbot. 

 

Under Public Wishing to address the Board, Mr. Talbot requested that Nicky Buskey with the Houma Daily Courier address the board regarding recent fires set to levees within Terrebonne Parish.  She interviewed the fire chiefs within the parish and reported on the ongoing investigation by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Commissioner Teuton asked Board Attorney Jimmy Dagate to ask the Terrebonne Parish District Attorney to prosecute any offenders to the full extent of the law.

 

Under Executive Director’s Report, Mr. Zeringue asked the board for authorization to surplus sheet pile material from the Reach J-1 Levee Project.

 

A motion was offered by Commissioner Leward Henry, seconded by Commissioner Willis Henry, motion carried, to surplus the additional sheet pile material for the Reach J-1 Project. 

 

Mr. Zeringue asked the board to authorize task order PSI-05 for Geotechnical Work on the HNC Lock Access Road in the amount of $28,100.00.

 

A motion was offered by Commissioner Willis Henry, seconded by Commissioner Leward Henry, motion carried, to authorize task order PSI-05 for geotechnical work for the HNC Lock Access Road in the amount of $28,100.00.

 

Mr. Zeringue mentioned an upcoming NOAA presentation by Dr. Stephen Baig, hosted by the TLCD and the TPCG which will be held Friday, January 25, 2008, at the Parish Council Meeting Room, with a time to be assigned.  He invited all Board members to attend this presentation. 

 

Mr. Zeringue briefed the board on the Morganza to the Gulf update.  He commented on a news article written by Jeremy Alford which appeared in the Gambit Weekly.

 

Under Field Superintendent’s Report, Greg Gautreaux briefed the board on the ongoing in-house efforts to repair the Ward 7 Levee.  The TLCD is currently hauling material on the Lower Ward 7 Levee.  Approximately 4,000 CY have been hauled with about 11,000 CY remaining.  Bids for dirt material are currently being accepted by the TLCD with an opening date of January 31, 2008.

 

Mr. Gautreaux updated the board on the status of the TLCD excavator and the option to purchase an excavator on a State Purchase Buy Back Program.

 

Mr. Gautreaux asked the board for authorization to purchase one Track Mounted Crawler Carrier.

 

A motion was offered by Commissioner Talbot, seconded by Commissioner Leward Henry, motion carried, to advertise to accept bids for one track mounted crawler carrier on January 31, 2008, at 2:00 P.M.

 

Mr. Gautreaux asked the board for authorization to purchase two new pick-up trucks on state contract for use in the field.

 

A motion was offered by Commissioner Willis Henry, seconded by Commissioner Leward Henry, motion carried, to purchase two additional vehicles on state contract.

 

Mr. Keith Meyer with Evans-Graves Engineers, Inc. gave an update on the Pointe-Aux-Chenes Floodgate First Lift Levee System and the status of the Joint Permit Application. 

 

Mr. Zeringue briefed the board on the status of Reach J-2 on behalf of GSE Associates, Inc.  The Notice to Proceed has been given for design on J-2 Levee.

 

Mr. John Spiece with Morris Hebert, Inc. reported on the title opinions for the Pointe-aux-Chenes Floodgate, as well as the title opinions associated with the First Lift Levee System. 

 

 

 

 

Planning & Projects Committee Meeting

January 9, 2008

Page Two

 

 

James Geihsler with Shaw Coastal, Inc. reported on the Ward 7 Levee Construction Project.  He presented the Board with a slide presentation on this project.  The contractor has not completed surveys indicating the quantity of additional material that may be required, but additional material can still be expected.  Mr. Geihsler indicated that more material has been required on the levee section near the Chabert property as this portion was impacted the greatest by the flooding in 2005.  More information on additional soil quantities needed will be provided at the Regular Meeting scheduled for January 14, 2008.

 

Mr. Hilary Thibodeaux with Shaw Coastal, Inc. provided the Board with information regarding the scope of work for the Upper Ward 7 Levee Mitigation Project.  After discussion, this item will be deferred until the Regular Committee Meeting on January 14, 2008.

 

On Reach H, Segment 3, Shaw has received the geotechnical report from Eustis Engineering pertaining to the +10 foot elevation.  Shaw is anticipating that by March 22, 2008, everything will be completed.

 

On the Bayou Black Levee and Pump Station Project Reach II Project, 25% Plans and Specs are complete.  Shaw is currently waiting on ROW acquisitions.

 

On the Lower Bayou Dularge Mitigation Plan, Mr. Thibodeaux reported that the monthly uploading of data is continuing and this project is ongoing.

 

On the Morganza to the Gulf Reach H Permitting Project, Shaw has been working with the landowners to acquire permission to proceed with mitigation on this project.

 

Mr. Stephen Smith of T. Baker Smith, Inc. gave an update on the Forced Drainage 4-3C West Project.  The project was declared substantially complete on October 3, 2007.  The contractor is currently working on completing the punch list items for the project.  Substantial completion was recorded on November 20, 2007, and the 45 day clear lien period ended on January 4, 2008. The fence installation will be complete by the end of the lien period.  Deductive balancing change order has been sent to the contractor for signature.

 

On the Morganza to the Gulf Reach J-1 Levee and Floodwall, J-1A is under construction and work is progressing.  The compacted levee section is complete.  Currently, the Contractor is working on completing the non-compacted levee section and hauling borrow material for stockpile at the Discovery Pipeline crossing.

 

Mr. Smith asked the board for authorization of an amendment to the Program Manager Contract in the amount of $100,000.00.

 

A motion was offered by Commissioner Willis Henry, seconded by Commissioner Luke, motion carried, to authorize the amendment to the Program Manager Contract in the amount of $100,000.00.

 

Under President’s Report, Mr. Alford had nothing to report.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Leward Henry, unanimously carried, to adjourn the January 9, 2008 Planning & Projects Committee Meeting of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District at 8:45 o’clock P.M.

 

 

 

________________________________       

Walton Daisy, Chairman

 

 

 

________________________________       

Jerome Zeringue, Secretary