Monica Salins Gorman

The Board of Commissioners meeting included committee reports and new business resolutions. The Security/Safety Committee and Equipment Committee reported no items. The Finance Committee discussed and approved the Third Amendment to a Supplemental Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc. regarding the Westshore Enhancement Project. The committee also approved establishing a PLD Subcommittee for the Master Plan RFQ and approved the RFP for the redesign/upgrade of the PLD Website. Several invoices were approved, including regular monthly invoices, invoices from Civix, and invoices from counsel and various project consultants like McKim & Creed and Burk Kleinpeter, Inc. The Board approved a right-of-entry request from the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, for annual maintenance surveys. In New Business, a resolution was adopted providing for the appropriation of lands, easements, servitudes, and rights-of-way required for the construction of the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Project, including a one-year extension for Temporary Work Area Easements. The Board also approved the Certification of Just Compensation for specific parcels related to the Stockpile Contract.

The meeting included committee reports. The Security/Safety and Equipment Committees had no reports. The Finance Committee reported on several items, including the approval of Application of Payment No. 30 to The Lemoine Company, LLC for the Laurel Ridge Levee Extension Project, and the approval of the low bid from Regency Contracting Group for the Pontchartrain Levee District Administrative Building Board Room Repairs and Renovations Project. The Finance Committee also approved the renewal of the Professional Services Contract for the Board Secretary, as well as numerous regular monthly invoices and specific invoices from contractors such as Civix, Dwight Poirrier, APLC, McKim & Creed, and Burk Kleinpeter, Inc. Staff reports covered various ongoing projects, including the West Shore-Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Protection Project and the Laurel Ridge Levee Extension Project. The Board unanimously approved a right-of-entry request from the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, for vehicle parking and access related to annual maintenance dredging across several parishes for 2026. New Business included a discussion regarding the Foreign Trade Zone Application initiated by the Port of South Louisiana.

The meeting included reports from various committees. The Insurance Committee approved the 2026 renewal coverages for General Liability, Auto, D&O, Cyber, Crime, and Property, among others, totaling $447,836.26, and also approved 2026 flood insurance coverage invoices totaling $5,085.00, and the 2026 Workers Compensation renewal coverage for $112,416.00. The Finance Committee approved several items, including Application of Payment No. 31 invoice to The Lemoine Company, LLC for the Laurel Ridge Levee Extension Project ($344,917.18), the Town of Lutcher request for Phase I, King Avenue Drainage Improvements (up to $100,000.00), the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Laurel Ridge Levee Extension, a time-only Change Order No. 5 for the same project, and approval of regular monthly invoices for November 2025 ($57,261.93). Additionally, invoices from Civix, Dwight Poirrier, APLC, and McKim & Creed for various projects were approved, as well as the invoice from Burk Kleinpeter, Inc. for the Ascension Storm Surge ($1,070,071.50). New Business included the addition and subsequent approval of Just Compensation for parcel acquisitions related to the River Reintroduction to Maurepas Swamp and West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Project based on USACE-approved appraisals, and the approval of the Pontchartrain Levee District By-Laws.

The meeting included committee reports from the Security/Safety Committee regarding a meeting date change, the Bonfire Committee concerning the approval of the 2025 Bonfire Guidelines, and the Finance Committee, which covered approvals for payment applications, change orders, and various invoices related to projects such as the Laurel Ridge Levee Extension. Staff reports were presented, covering the Executive Director's updates and project reports on hurricane protection and flood risk reduction initiatives. The board also discussed and approved rights of entry for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the certification of just compensation for land acquisition related to hurricane and storm damage risk reduction projects.

The meeting addressed several key financial items, including the approval of proposals for the Bayou Manchac Regional Flood Risk Reduction Project Design Engineering Services, the purchase of a tire balancer for the PLD Maintenance Shop, and the approval of regular monthly invoices. Additionally, the board approved invoices from Civix, Dwight Poirrier (Board Attorney), and McKim & Creed for various projects. The board also discussed and approved expenses for the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association meetings, annual membership dues for the National Waterways Conference, and a Statement of No Objection for St. John the Baptist Parish. Furthermore, the board approved adding Arlene Lee to the Regions Bank Accounts signature cards and moving the PLD September board meeting to a later date. The board also approved rights of entry for the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, for various levee projects.