Drainage committee reviews completed designs for Lower Texas/Maury/Pontchart and approves multiple small repairs; retracts waterway-cleaning bid

The Assumption Parish Drainage Committee on April 9 was presented with completed preliminary engineering plans for the Lower Texas, Maury, Pontchart and Himalayan Canal drainage projects and approved a series of small repair payments and equipment purchases while retracting a waterway‑cleaning bid for scope clarification.

Sawan, a staff member representing the engineering team, told the committee, “I have the completed plans here, tonight. I will also be sending electronic copies to your staff,” and said the drawings are stamped but remain preliminary pending the parish staff review. Sawan said the plans include options that can be phased and that the project team will provide an updated opinion of probable cost once staff and engineers meet to finalize scope.

The committee also discussed Himalayan Canal in detail. Sawan said clearing and tree removal to reopen the canal are included in the engineering scope and can be phased separately from permanent dredging; he advised the jury to avoid advertising work that has already been done in‑house to prevent double payment. He described pump‑station options, saying the design can support either electric drives with a diesel backup or only diesel drives and offered to remove electric motors for return to the jury if the diesel‑only option is chosen.

Several smaller project overages and repair purchases were approved by motion during the meeting: an overage of $1,478 for project 93199 (Edward Blindville drainage project); an overage of $1,919.93 for project 93152 (outfall replacement at 7400 Highway 1, Ward 7); a COVID‑era replacement at 1597 Highway 308 (Ward 1); a purchase of a 3‑piece solar starter panel and associated equipment for Ward 3 in the amount of $3,625; and multiple culvert/cover replacement payments for addresses listed on the agenda. Motions were made and seconded for each item and recorded as approved by the committee.

The committee removed the advertised bid from Martel Johnson for waterway cleaning and directed staff to draft a tighter scope with specified equipment sizes and performance requirements so bidders can be compared on equivalent terms. A motion to retract that bid was made by Mr. Pattero and seconded by Mr. Broom; the motion carried.

Committee members also discussed clearance and permit requirements: Sawan and Mr. Landry noted that if DNR and U.S. Army Corps permits require chipped and sprayed disposal for removed trees, that will affect contractor pricing and scope.

The committee concluded that staff will review the preliminary plans, meet with the engineering team to confirm phased items and quantities, and return to the jury with updated cost opinions and a finalized scope for advertising and bidding.

Votes at a glance: project 93199 (overage $1,478) — motion by Mr. Carter, second by Mr. Blanchard — approved; project 93152 (overage $1,919.93) — motion by Mr. Blanchard, second by Mr. Brule — approved; COVID replacement at 1597 Highway 308 — motion by Lee Landers, second by Mr. Matherne — approved; solar starter panel purchase $3,625 (Ward 3) — motion by Mr. Patero, second by Mr. Mattern — approved; retraction of Martel Johnson waterway cleaning bid — motion by Mr. Pattero, second by Mr. Broom — approved.

The committee asked staff to confirm which listed projects have already been completed in‑house so quantities can be adjusted before advertising.