ATCHAFALAYA BASIN LEVEE DISTRICT
P. O. Box 170
Port Allen, Louisiana 70767-0170
Phone (225) 387-2249
Fax (225) 387-4742
January 14, 2015
A Regular Board Meeting of the Board of Commissioners for the Atchafalaya Basin Levee District was held at the Office of the Board in Port Allen, Louisiana at 4:00 pm, Wednesday, January 14, 2015. President John Grezaffi called the meeting to order. Mrs. Janice Jarreau called the roll. The following members were present:
COMMISSIONER PARISH
Gerald Alexander Ascension
Glenn Angelle Iberia
Cory Chustz West Baton Rouge
Bill Flynn West Baton Rouge
John Grezaffi Pointe Coupee
Karen Jewell Iberville
Moise LeBlanc St. Martin
Gerald LeGrand St. Martin
Harry Marionneaux Iberville
Earl Matherne Assumption
Barry Soileau St. Landry
Absent:
Daniel Hebert Iberville
Nickie Rockforte Pointe Coupee
Also Present:
INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTING
Glenn Couvillion CPRA
Leonard Rainey Regional Representative for Senator David Vitter
Richard Sparks Levee Board Operations Supt.
Cecil Tessier Assistant Executive Director
Janice Jarreau Administrative Program Manager
Crissi Canezaro Accounting Technician
Tiffany Weber Accounting Specialist
Kristy Jewell Human Resource Analyst
Will Tyson Executive Director
* * * * *
Moved by Commissioner Soileau, seconded by Commissioner Matherne and unanimously
carried to add the following items to the agenda:
1. Mr. Leonard Rainey, Liaison to Senator David Vitter, to appear before Board
2. Approval to pay the annual membership dues for Association of Levee Boards of
Louisiana.
Roll call vote:
Yeas: Commissioners Alexander, Angelle, Chustz, Flynn, Grezaffi, Jewell, LeBlanc, LeGrand, Marionneaux, Matherne and Soileau
Nays: None
Absent and not voting: Commissioners Hebert and Rockforte
The motion passed without objection.
* * * * *
President John Grezaffi asked for any public comments. Hearing none, he proceeded with the meeting agenda.
* * * * *
Mr. Leonard Rainey, Regional Representative for Senator David Vitter, appeared before the board. He advised the board that he was available to assist with anything the levee board needs on the federal level. He asked that if we do need assistance from Senator Vitter, that we call his office. President Grezaffi advised that Mr. Tyson and some commissioners plan to meet with the Senator at the annual Washington trip in March of this year.
* * * * *
Motion by Commissioner Barry Soileau, seconded by Commissioner Karen Jewell, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2014 meeting as presented, and that the minutes be published in the official journal of the Board.
* * * * *
Mr. Tyson advised the board that he visited the slide repairs being conducted by the
Corps of Engineers this week. It seems the Corps of Engineers is advancing on the project; however, the Corps only has funds to complete one project at this time. President Grezaffi asked Mr. Tyson if the ABLD should be trying to do something regarding the other slides. Mr. Tyson advised the commissioners that these are large projects, and not within our scope. He said they are currently working on the most dangerous slide. President Grezaffi asked if we can get guidance from the Corps regarding these slides.
Commissioner Barry Soileau suggested that we talk to Mr. Leonard Rainey to see if we can schedule Senator Vitter to visit these slides before Mr. Tyson and the commissioners meet with him in Washington in March. Commissioner Soileau will contact Mr. Rainey to see if they can arrange for Senator Vitter to visit the slides.
* * * * *
Mr. Glenn Couvillion of CPRA had no comments.
* * * * *
Mr. Steve Marionneaux, Board Attorney, advised that the two landowners involved in the Pointe Coupee relief well project have negotiated their payments. This relieves us of any legal exposure. He stated the project is going slowly, but is moving forward.
* * * * *
Motion by Commissioner Harry Marionneaux, seconded by Commissioner Earl Matherne, and unanimously carried to grant permanent employment status to George Guillory, a Mechanic at the Ravenswood shop.
* * * * *
Commissioner Earl Matherne made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Barry Soileau and unanimously carried to approve payment as submitted for annual membership dues for the Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana.
Motion by Commissioner Gerald Alexander, seconded by Commissioners Earl Matherne and unanimously carried to approve payment as submitted for registration fees to attend the Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association. Mr. Tyson advised the board that the notice for the annual Washington trip is provided in their packets.
* * * * *
There being no further business to come before the board, upon motion by Commissioner Earl Matherne and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned.
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Janice Jarreau, Secretary John Grezaffi, President
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Linda Alwood, Contract Stenographer
An Equal Opportunity Employer