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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CADDO LEVEE DISTRICT AT REGULAR MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 10, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District held at 10:00 a.m., August 10th, 2023, at 1320 Grimmett Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, the following were present: Patrick Harrison, Kandi Moore, James T. Sims, Jackie Baker, Willie Walker, and Gary Procell. Carolyn C. Prator was unable to attend.
Marshall Jones, Jones & Odom, LLP; Phillip Sturdivant, P.E., LA Department of Transportation and Development; John Barr, Regional Director, Senator John Kennedy’s Office; Ali M. Mustapha P.E., Executive Director; Penny Adams, Assistant Executive Director; and Sam Brimer, Forester, were also present.
The meeting was opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Harrison asked for any comments from the public regarding agenda items or other issues. There were no public comments.
President Harrison stated that the minutes from the July 13th, 2023, meeting had been emailed for review and asked for a motion to approve. Mr. Sims made a motion, with a second by Mr. Walker, to approve the minutes from the July 2023 meeting. The motion unanimously passed.
Mrs. Moore discussed the July 2023 monthly financial reports. She reported that operating expenses were higher this month due to the payments of the annual insurance and the LWCC “Workers Compensation) premiums for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Income from oil and gas royalties and investments is higher than that of the previous years.
The Board reviewed payments and invoices for the month of June 2023 and subsequent bills for the month of May 2023. Mr. Procell made a motion, with a second by Mrs. Moore, to ratify payment of the invoices for the month of June 2023 and subsequent bills for the month of May 2023. The motion unanimously passed.
The Board reviewed payments and invoices for the month of July 2023 and subsequent bills for the month of June 2023. Mrs. Moore made a motion, with a second by Mr. Procell, to ratify payment of the invoices for the month of July 2023 and subsequent bills for the month of June 2023. The motion unanimously passed.
The Board unanimously approved the following Resolution to approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for Audit Engagements of Governmental Entities for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, with a motion by Mr. Sims and a second by Mrs. Moore.
WHEREAS, in accordance with La. R.S. §24:513, the State Legislative Auditor has issued the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for Audit Engagements of Governmental Entities, attached as Exhibit A; and hereinafter referred to as “the Questionnaire”; and
WHEREAS, the staff of the Caddo Levee District has completed the Questionnaire to the best of their belief and knowledge; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislative Auditor requires that the Questionnaire be presented to and adopted by the governing body of the Caddo Levee District by means of a formal resolution in an open meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District, in legal session convened, that it does hereby adopt the completed Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for Audit Engagements of Governmental Entities, attached as Exhibit A; and the staff of the Caddo Levee District is hereby authorized and directed to submit the Questionnaire appropriately as required by the State Legislative Auditor.
There was no President Report.
Mr. Mustapha reported that he has been contacted by a landman with US G Haynesville (working for Trinity Operating) regarding nominating an 80 acres track owned by CLD South of Mooringsport for mineral lease. He advised the landman to submit an official request for review and approval by the Board of Commissioners.
Mr. Mustapha reported that the District has received the second John Deere 6140M Tractor and the John Deere 333G Compact Tract Loader “Skid Steer” that were purchased from Goldman Equipment, LLC. Also, he reported that Extended warranties were purchased for the two Tractors and the Skid Steer.
Mr. Mustapha reported that Mrs. Lenora Krielow, CPA, Auditor, has started working on the 2022-2023 Fiscal year audit which is due for submittal to the State at the end of August. This is the third and last year of the State’s contract for providing auditing services to the district.
Also, Mr. Mustapha provided an update on the status of the Red River Navigation Feasibility Study Project (Shreveport to Texarkana). The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is managing the Study and has approved and signed the project’s contract with the selected Engineering Firm, Freese and Nichols, Inc. The contract’s allocated time is approximately three (3) years and will require coordination, review, and approval by the USACE, Vicksburg District.
Mr. Mustapha reported that Mr. Kevin Bryan, AIA, is continuing his work on the rehabilitation and repairs of the office building exterior walls and will be soliciting quotes for the repairs from qualified contractors to determine if the construction services will require the advertisement for bids.
Mr. Mustapha reported that the contractor for the New West Agurs Pump Station Project, David Lawler Construction has submitted, the structural steel fabrication shop drawings, the concrete mix design, and the piping system materials to CSRS, the design Engineer for review and approval prior to proceeding with construction. The progress of construction of this project is anticipated to be slow because of the specialty items needed for the main structure, the pump system and the Electrical Control system.
Mr. Mustapha also reported that the contractor working on the rehabilitation project of the existing 60” corrugated culvert penetrating the Ring levee segment at Airport Drive and Common Street has started in early August and culverts have been delivered to the site and is waiting on the delivery of the fusing machine to start the slip-ling process. The project is anticipated to completed in late August or early September.
There was no Legal Counsel Report.
Marshall Jones reported that commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas will continue to be unstable worldwide and is predicted to slightly increase during the fall and winter seasons based on the international demands and the Winter weather conditions.
Sam Brimer, Forester, reported that the district’s field crews continued to work on mowing the leave system and removal of tree debris damage from the June storm.
Phillip Sturdivant, with DOTD, reported that he is working on the hiring of an engineer for DOTD’s Water Resource District Engineer Position “the position that was vacated by Robert Tomasek, P.E.”.
There was no Personnel Committee Report.
There was no Legal Committee Report.
There was no Equipment Committee Report.
There was no Recreation Committee Report.
With no further business to be brought before the Board, Mr. Sims made a motion to adjourn, with a second by Mrs. Moore. The motion unanimously passed, and the meeting was adjourned.
President Executive Director
President Executive Director
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Minutes - August
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