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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CADDO LEVEE DISTRICT AT REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MARCH 13, 2025
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District held at 10:00 a.m., March 13th, 2025, at 1320 Grimmett Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, the following members were present: Patrick Harrison, James T. Sims, Jackie Baker, Carolyn C. Prator, and Willie Walker. Kandi Moore was unable to attend.
Ronald F. Lattier, Law Offices of Ronald F. Lattier; Joshua Monroe, P.E., LA Department of Transportation; Mark Jusselin, Integrity Inc.; Patrick Furlong, P.E., Executive Director; and Penny Adams, HR Analyst, 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 February 13th, 2025, meeting had been emailed for review and asked for a motion to approve. Mr. Sims made a motion, with a second by Mr. Baker, to approve the minutes from the February 13th, 2025, meeting. The motion unanimously passed.
President Harrison reported the monthly financial reports with a slight increase of income from the financial portfolio, oil and gas royalties, and monthly expenses were lower but in line with monthly averages.
The Board reviewed payments and invoices for the month of February 2025 and subsequent bills for the month of January 2025. Mr. Walker made a motion, with a second from Mr. Baker, to ratify payment of the invoices for the month of February 2025 and subsequent bills for the month of January 2025. The motion unanimously passed.
The Board opened the meeting to a public hearing to discuss the operating budget of Caddo Levee District for the 2025-2026 fiscal year with a motion by Mr. Walker and a second by Mr. Sims. The Board discussed the proposed budget and reviewed in detail the projected revenues and expenditures for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed with a motion by Mr. Walker and a second by Mr. Baker.
The Board unanimously passed the following resolution (3 of 2025) to approve the operating budget for the Caddo Levee District 2025-2026 fiscal year with a motion by Mr. Sims and a second by Mr. Walker: BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District in legal session convened, that: Section 1: The attached estimate of revenues for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, be and the same is hereby adopted to serve as an operating budget of revenues for the District, during same period. Section 2: The attached estimates of expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, be and the same is hereby adopted to serve as a budget of expenditures for the District during the said period. Section 3: The adoption of the operating budget of expenditures be and the same is hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein set forth within the terms of the budget classification. Section 4: Amounts are available for expenditures only to the extent included within the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Director is hereby authorized and in his sole discretion, to make transfers within the various budget classifications from one classification to another as he may deem necessary provided that any transfer of funds in excess of five percent (5%) of the classification must be approved in advance by action of the Board of Commissioners at a meeting duly noticed and convened.
The Board unanimously passed the following resolution (4 of 2025) to designate funds for the Caddo Levee District budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year with a motion by Mr. Sims and a second by Mr. Baker: BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District, in legal session convened, that it does hereby designate $51,697,716 for capital outlay and $8,000,000 for flood fight contingencies for the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget.
The Board unanimously approved the payment of the 2025 dues for the National Waterways Conference in the amount of $1,525.00 with a motion by Mr. Walker and a second by Mr. Sims.
The Board unanimously approved the payment of the 2025 dues for the Mississippi Valley Flood Association in the amount of $1,135.00 with a motion by Mr. Walker and a second by Mr. Sims.
The Board unanimously approved the attendance of the Commissioners, Executive Director, and Attorneys at the Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana 38th Annual Workshop to be held on May 1-2, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a motion by Mr. Sims, and a second by Mr. Baker.
The Board unanimously approved the sign recognizing the Caddo Levee District at the Red River Waterway Commission’s 1North Adventure Trails per the lease agreement, with a motion by Mr. Sims, and a second by Mr. Walker.
The Board unanimously passed the following resolution (5 of 2025) to approve a request by Cypress Energy Partners, LLC to nominate a tract of land located in Section 29 and/or 37, T17N, R15W containing 1.50 acres for an oil and gas lease with a motion by Mrs. Prator and a second by Mr. Sims: WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District has received a letter dated February 13, 2025, from Nick Palmer stating that Cypress Energy Partners, LLC is interested in acquiring an oil, gas and mineral lease covering land in Section 29 and/or 37, T17N, R13W, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, said lands being described as: That certain tract or parcel of land containing 1.50 acres, more or less, being situated in Section 29 and or Theoretical Section 37, Township 17 North, Range 13 West, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. Being more fully described in that certain Act of Donation, dated October 10, 2002, and being recorded under Entry #1824167, in the Conveyance Records of the Clerk of Courts office, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District, in legal session convened, that it does hereby authorize the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board and the Office of Mineral Resources to accept nominations, advertise for bids for oil, gas and mineral leases on the above described tract, accept bids, and award oil, gas and mineral leases on the above described property on behalf of the Caddo Levee District in the manner prescribed by law for minerals from the surface of the ground to 100 feet below the stratigraphic equivalent of the deepest producing interval underlying the leased premises or any portion thereof which may be included in a producing unit at the end of the primary term of such lease. In case a well is drilling when the primary term ends, the determining date shall be the date when such well is completed as a producer or a dry hole. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any Lessee of the above-described lands shall comply with the following requirements of the Lessor: 1. The Caddo Levee District will accept the following minimum percentages for the submitted acreage above: No less than 22.5% royalty revenue from production. 2. The Caddo Levee District requires that the royalty to be paid shall be “cost-free”. 3. Lessee shall pay the Caddo Levee District $2,000.00 minimum per acre bonus. 4. There shall be no surface operations on the property. 5. At the end of the primary term of the lease, unless said lease is extended beyond the primary term pursuant to the terms and provisions of the lease, Lessee shall release the lease. 6. The Caddo Levee District requests the primary term of the lease to be no more than thirty-six (36) months from date of execution of the lease.
The Board discussed the Red River 1% Water Surface Elevation data from the USACE regarding the J. Bennett Johnson Waterway. Mrs. Prator requested Mr. Furlong invite USACE and RRWC to a Commissioner meeting to provide recommendations.
President Harrison reported the State of Louisiana Attorney General’s office gave a response regarding drainage channels and thanked AG’s Office and Laura Seabaugh for her assistance. Mr. Lattier commented that the Caddo Levee District does have authority to maintain certain drainage channels under certain conditions as stated by the AG’s office.
Mr. Furlong reported Caddo Day in Baton Rouge is being held April 23rd & 24th, 2025. Mr. Furlong also reported that there is a new President of the Red River Valley Association. Mr. Furlong gave a report on the field staff chemically spraying levees.
There was no Engineering Report.
There was no additional Legal Report.
Mr. Furlong gave the Oil & Gas report, that a notice is being prepared for an operator to rectify oil and gas payment errors.
Mr. Sims expressed appreciation for all aiding in recent legal matters and Mr. Furlong for his proactive demeanor.
Mr. Walker reported all equipment repairs had been completed and are ready for utilization.
There was no Recreational Committee Report.
Mr. Walker reported he had been contacted by a few citizens in the north part of the Parish needing drainage channel maintenance. Mr. Furlong said he would review the concerns.
Mrs. Prator requested Mr. Furlong continue community outreach efforts and expressed interest in upcoming promotions.
With no further business to be brought before the Board, Mrs. Moore made a motion to adjourn, with a second by Mr. Sims. The motion unanimously passed, and the meeting was adjourned.
President Executive Director
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MARCH 13, 2025 |
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CADDO LEVEE DISTRICT TENTATIVE AGENDA MEETING ON MARCH 13, 2025 10:00 A.M. 1320 GRIMMETT DRIVE SHREVEPORT, LA 71107
1. Call meeting to order. 2. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Public comments. 4. Approval of minutes of regular meeting held on February 13, 2025. 5. Discussion of monthly financial reports. 6. Ratify payment of statements and invoices for the month of February 2025 and subsequent bills for the month of January 2025. 7. Opening of public hearing and request for comments from the public on the operating budget of Caddo Levee District for fiscal lyear 2025-2026. After comments from the public, close of public hearing. 8. Approval of budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. 9. Designation of funds for fiscal year 2025-2026. 10. Approval of payment of 2025 dues for the National Waterways Conference in the amount of $1,525.00 11. Approval of payment of 2025 dues for the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association in the amount of $1,135.00 12. Approval of attendance at the Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana 38th Annual Workshop of May 1-2, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 13. Approval of a sign recognizing the Caddo Levee District at the Red River Waterway Commission’s 1North Adventure Trails per the lease agreement. 14. Consideration of resolution regarding interest in acquiring an oil and gas lease by Cypress Energy Partners, LLC in Section 29 and/or 37, T17N, R13W containing 1.50 acres, more or less. 15. Discussion of Red River 1% Water Surface Elevation data from the USACE regarding the J. Bennett Johnson Waterway. 16. President’s Report. 17. Executive Director’s Report. 18. Forester’s Report. 19. Engineer’s Report. 20. Report of Ron Lattier, Board’s Legal Counsel. 21. Report of Marshall Jones, Board’s Oil & Gas Counsel. 22. Legal Committee Report. 23. Equipment Committee Report. 24. Recreation Committee Report. 25. Other Business to Bring before the Board. 26. Adjourn. |
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Minutes - March 13, 2025
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Regular Business Hours : Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm |
