May 8th, 2025

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF

CADDO LEVEE DISTRICT

AT REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MAY 8th, 2025

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At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Caddo Levee District held at 10:30 a.m., May 8th, 2025, at 1320 Grimmett Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, the following members were present: Patrick Harrison, Kandi Moore, James T. Sims, Jackie Baker, and Willie Walker. Carolyn C. Prator attended part of the meeting through teleconference.

The following people were also present: Col. Jeremiah Gibson, Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District; Hunter Simrall, Katy Breaux, Stephanie Bell, and Chase Gartrell, US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District; Edward Knight, Billy Williamson, Joshua Monroe, LA Department of Transportation; Colin Brown, Red River Waterway Commission; Marcus Long and Devan Jordan, Bossier Levee District; David Williamson; John French; Joey French; Gary Clark; Mitch Guy; and Patrick Furlong, P.E., Executive Director of Caddo Levee District.

The meeting was opened with 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 April 10th, 2025, 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 of the April 10th, 2025, meeting. The motion unanimously passed.

1st Vice President Moore reported on the monthly financials with a healthy balance, typical income from royalties and banking investments, and typical expenses.

The Board reviewed payments and invoices for the month of April 2025 and subsequent bills for the month of March 2025. Mrs. Moore made a motion, with a second from Mr. Baker, to ratify payment of the invoices for the month of April 2025 and subsequent bills for the month of March 2025. The motion unanimously passed.

The Board unanimously passed the following resolution to set the millage rate for 2025 at zero:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2025 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by Caddo Levee District:

MILLAGE

Caddo Levee District 0.00 mills

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Caddo, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2025, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

The foregoing resolution was read in full; the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

YEAS: 5 NAYS: 0 ABSTAINED: 0 ABSENT: 1

President Harrison announced a reminder to Commissioners to submit their annual Tier 2.1 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement due to Louisiana Board of Ethics by May 15, 2025.

The Board unanimously approved the Second Amendment to the Right of Passage Agreement with Meridian Brick LLC, with a motion by Mr. Sims and a second by Mr. Walker.

President Harrison announced an agenda change for Item 8 would be moved to Item 20 and all other items would be shifted down. Mr. Harrison reported that, he and Commissioner Sims, the Director, and Board Attorney attended the Association of Levee Board of Louisiana (ALBL) Annual Workshop in Baton Rouge, LA on May 1-2, 2025. Mr. Harrison reported that the workshop included helpful educational information and project updates.

Director Furlong gave the Executive Directors Report explaining recent flood mitigation efforts, state department networking outcomes following Caddo Day in Baton Rouge, and utilization of new AED devices for the office and field staff from completing First Aid Training. Special recognition was given to Mr. Knight and Mr. Williamson from DOTD in Baton Rouge for continued assistance and attendance of the meeting.

Mr. Brimer reported on regular field activities of gate and pump operations and utilization of all tractors to keep up with the mowing and maintenance of the levees.

There was no Engineering Report.

Mr. Lattier reported the information from the Legal Meeting at the ALBL Workshop, which main topic of which was the Public Records Request Act and Open Meetings Laws.

Mr. Jones reported oil prices continuing to decline, natural gas prices are predicted to increase, and a response from an operator for royalty payment rectification was received.

Commissioner Sims reported on the passing of retired Executive Director, Ali Mustapha, and efforts in his memorial, as well as a plaque for the upcoming ALBL December meeting.

Commissioner Walker confirmed all equipment is in good working order.

Director Furlong introduced Col. Jeremiah A. Gipson, the Commander, and personnel from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), from the Vicksburg District, and discussed of risk assessment and future levee certification/accreditation due to the Red River 1% water surface profile. Commander Gipson reported his Headquarters are currently investigating a design deficiency of Lock & Dam 4 & 5 with a hopeful two-year timeline. Ms. Bell reported that hydraulics were studied to update the water surface profile which corelates to the flowline and water surface elevation. The funding received provided 2023 flowline data but did not officially update it. Ms. Breaux reported on the steps of a general evaluation report, funding, and cost share circumstances to update the official flowline. Commissioner Prator expressed concern in obtaining short term data to best protect the citizens within the next few years. President Harrison expressed his support for the general evaluation report if data was not sufficiently obtained from the other projects. Director Furlong explained safety and erosion areas of interest in which projects have been submitted to USACE and requested updates. The Bayou Pierre Channel assurances and rating was discussed. USACE recommended the research of the LA Red River gravel package for aid in obtaining gravel on the levee tops. Mutual appreciation between the Board and USACE was expressed.

With no further business to be brought before the Board, Mr. Sims made a motion to adjourn, with a second by Mr. Walker. The motion unanimously passed, and the meeting was adjourned.

President

Executive Director

11406144 6/17/25 ($282.20)