MINUTES
POINTE COUPEE WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 1
December 9, 2024
The Pointe Coupee Parish Waterworks District No. 1 Board met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the Courthouse Annex in New Roads, Louisiana.
President John Smith called the meeting to order and directed Secretary Gerrie Martin to call the roll:
PRESENT: Messrs. Danny Boudreau, Freddie Solomon, Chad Vosburg and John Smith.
OTHERS
PRESENT: Mmes Anna Gilbert, Tonilyn Guidry, Mellisa Smith, Messrs. Glenn Cline, Kevin Gravois, Charles Bates, Zane Kelly, Sandy Merrick, David Mougeot, Mike Parks, Major Thibaut, Van Debetaz, Marvin Losavio, Mark Major, Ron Pourciau and Kelly Rivet.
ABSENT: Mr. Tommy Guidry.
DISCUSSION & CONSIDERATION OF APPLYING FOR WATER SECTOR FUNDING WITH THE INTENTION TO CONSOLIDATE PC WATERWORKS DISTRICTS NO. 1 & 2
Parish President Thibaut reported on applying for funding from the Office of Community Development - Water Sector Program Phase III, including $5 million per water system, and an additional $2.5 million per system with the intention to consolidate both water districts. Application deadline is Thursday, December 12, 2024. He reported applicants have a greater chance for approval and receive additional points for consolidation of their system and having matching funds.
Engineer Gravois gave a cost analysis of proposed projects for both districts with the intention for PC Parish Waterworks District No. 2 - Torbert-Frisco Public Water System to consolidate under PC Parish Waterworks District No. 1. After a lengthy discussion with both water districts, the following resolution was offered:
Motion by Mr. Solomon and seconded by Mr. Boudreau:
WHEREAS, the Office of Community Development has presented a statewide funding opportunity for water system improvements for Public Community Water Systems; and
WHEREAS, parties associated with the Pointe Coupee Parish Government, Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish and Waterworks District No. 2 of Pointe Coupee Parish have met to discuss this funding opportunity; and
WHEREAS, this funding program is a competitive grant based upon a statewide scoring system; and
WHEREAS, the consolidation of Public Community Water Systems counts for 20 points of the total of 140 points in the scoring; and
WHERES, the grant application process begins on October 28, 2024 and ends on December 12, 2024: Therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish submit a grant
application with Waterworks District No. 2 of Pointe Coupee Parish for funding with the Office of Community Development - Water Sector Program; and be it
RESOLVED further, That Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish seek negotiations with Pointe Coupee Parish Waterworks District No. 2 - Torbert-Frisco Public Water System for consolidation under Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish, pending approval of funding by the Water Sector Program and approval by both water districts boards.
The President called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows:
YEAS: Messrs. Boudreau, Solomon and Smith.
NAYS: Mr. Vosburg.
ABSENT: Mr. Guidry.
On a vote of 3-1-1, the motion carried.
ADOPT MINUTES
Motion by Mr. Solomon and seconded by Mr. Boudreau:
RESOLVED, That the minutes of November 13, 2024 regular meeting be accepted as written with any necessary corrections and be published.
Unanimously carried.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
There were no amendments to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Smith reported Mr. Bates negotiated, on behalf of the water district, selling 100,000 gallons of water by an 18-wheeler in the old False River Waterworks area at a cost of $10 per thousand, including a $300 deposit.
BILLING & COLLECTIONS REPORT
Parish Finance Director Guidry reported the service contracts between PC Parish Government and PC Waterworks District No. 1 and False River Waterworks expiring December 31, 2024. She asked for a three-month extension to renew all contracts.
Motion by Mr. Solomon and seconded by Mr. Vosburg:
RESOLVED, That the service contracts between PC Parish Government and PC Waterworks District No. 1 and False River Waterworks be extended for three months until March 31, 2025 for billing and collections.
Unanimously carried.
Finance Director Guidry reported Doris Watson, Bradley Moore, Charlotte Gandy, Mark and Brenda Hurst, and Brian Chenevert are requesting adjustments to their water bills, due to water leaks. She reported Larry Guerin had his meter changed, and requesting reimbursement for half the cost of his plumber bill. Mr. Mougeot reported that Mr. Guerin also had a water leak.
Motion by Mr. Solomon and seconded by Mr. Vosburg:
RESOLVED, That the water bills for Doris Watson, Bradley Moore, Charlotte Gandy, Mark and Brenda Hurst and Brian Chenevert be adjusted; and be it
RESOLVED further, That Larry Guerin’s request for reimbursement of half the cost of his plumber bill be denied; and be it
RESOLVED further, That the water bill for Larry Guerin be adjusted, pending further review by the finance director.
Unanimously carried.
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Gravois of PEC requested approval of the following invoices:
Motion by Mr. Solomon and seconded by Mr. Boudreau:
RESOLVED, That upon the recommendations of PEC, the November invoices in the amount of $533,186.79 (Pay Estimate No. 5) from Caldwell Tanks, Inc., $6,932.25 from Terracon, and $18,307.20 from PEC for the Elevated Water Storage Tank at Ventress be approved for payment.
Unanimously carried.
On behalf of Engineer Anna Gilbert of Owen & White, President Smith presented the written progress report and updates on the projects, including the booster pump additions, etc., Mix Water
Well No. 3, Lakeland Water Well No. 2, Hwy. 416 waterline extension, and elevated tank repair and repainting.
Engineer Gravois presented the following invoice for approval:
Motion by Mr. Vosburg and seconded by Mr. Solomon:
RESOLVED, That upon the recommendation of Owen & White, the November invoice in the amount of $292,203.00 from Layne Christensen Company (Pay Estimate No. 1) for the Mix Water Well No. 3 be approved for payment.
Unanimously carried.
Motion by Mr. Solomon and seconded by Mr. Boudreau:
RESOLVED, That the engineer reports submitted by Professional Engineering Consultants
Corporation and Owen & White, Inc. be accepted.
Unanimously carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
CPA Merrick reviewed the financial report and bank statement with the board for the month ending November 30, 2024.
CPA Merrick reviewed invoices received for approval of the board.
Motion by Mr. Boudreau and seconded by Mr. Solomon:
RESOLVED, That the monthly invoices submitted by CPA Sandy Merrick of Merrick & Hogan be approved for payment.
Unanimously carried.
Motion by Mr. Vosburg and seconded by Mr. Solomon:
RESOLVED, That the financial report for the month ending November 30, 2024 presented
by CPA Sandy Merrick of Merrick & Hogan be accepted.
Unanimously carried.
MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS REPORTS
Mr. Kelly presented and reviewed the maintenance and operations report (1,380 customers) for the
water system from M & C Water, LLC.
Mr. Mougeot presented and reviewed the maintenance and operations report (700 customers) for the water system.
Mr. Bates presented and reviewed the maintenance and operations report (1,489 customers) for the water system (previous customers of False River Water Works).
Motion by Mr. Boudreau and seconded by Mr. Vosburg:
RESOLVED, That the maintenance and operations reports submitted by M & C Water,
LLC, David Mougeot and Charles Bates be accepted.
Unanimously carried.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Secretary Martin reminded members to submit their certificates before December 31, 2024 for their ethics, sexual harassment prevention and cybersecurity 101 online trainings.
President Smith announced a special meeting of the water district will be held Monday, December 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss results of the rate study by NewGen Strategies & Solutions, LLC.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Boudreau and seconded by Mr. Solomon, meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
__________________________
John Smith - President