Assumption Parish drainage committee moves 2025 carryovers to 2026, declares Himalayan Canal substantially complete

The Assumption Parish drainage committee voted to move unfinished 2025 drainage projects into the 2026 work program and accepted a staff recommendation that the Himalayan Canal clearing project be declared substantially complete. Committee members also authorized reissuing the Murray area drainage improvements with a narrowed scope and approved related engineering fee reallocations.

Committee chair opened the meeting by noting the carryover request and staff explained that several projects had been zeroed out in the 2025 budget because they would not be finished by year-end and should be reinstated in 2026. Commissioners questioned the status of specific jobs (including project 93135 and 93147), discussed whether invoices remained outstanding, and asked staff to verify payment records before finalizing carryovers. A motion to approve the carryover list passed on a voice vote.

Engineer Joseph Savoie recommended substantial completion of the Himalayan Canal clearing project following a final inspection. Savoie said the contractor returned to finish minor punch-list items and that staff photographed the work for the jury; the canal was described as “very clean” and the crew’s work “outstanding.” The committee voted to accept substantial completion and asked staff to deliver the photographs to jurors when technical issues with transmission are resolved.

On the Murray area drainage improvements, staff reported that the jury had directed scope modifications that reduced the project to pump-station work and bar-screen repairs and that revised plans were ready for advertisement. Staff identified a funding source of $13,457.50 and proposed reallocating existing project funds (project 93333) to cover additional engineering fees. Commissioners stressed the need to identify funding sources before authorizing work and asked staff to confirm prior contract authorization for the changes; the committee approved reallocation and to proceed with advertisement.

The committee also authorized the president to sign a contract amendment for driveway access improvements at 6909 Highway 308 and then adjourned. No public comment was recorded during the drainage committee session.

Next steps: staff will send committee members the Himalayan Canal photographs and proceed to advertise the Murray project after finalizing funding paperwork.