Stumping for bond proposition

Drainage district leaders are asking Morgan City residents to vote March 25 for a bond proposal that they say would allow them to build a new pumping station but wouldn’t raise residents’ property taxes.

Construction of the new pump station is part of the Morgan City Levee Improvements Project aimed at certifying the city’s levees for 100-year storm surge protection and keeping flood insurance rates from rising. St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District 2, which covers Morgan City and Siracusaville, is in charge of the project.

Jean Paul Bourg, treasurer and secretary of the drainage board, spoke during Tuesday’s Morgan City Council meeting.

The drainage district is asking taxpayers to approve the district to issue $6.25 million in bonds to pay for constructing a new pump station by Lake End Park as part of the levee project. The bond proposition will be on the March 25 election ballot.

Morgan City residents would see their property taxes remain the same with approval of the proposition, Bourg said.

Passing the bond proposition would just allow the district to borrow more money based on a millage that’s already in place, Bourg said.

The new station would replace two pump stations currently located by Teche Regional Medical Center. District personnel plan to reuse pumps and engines from the old stations for the new one.

If voters reject the bond proposal, the district will have to find another funding source to build the pump station, Bourg said.

Workers are currently digging a canal on the Hellenic property in Morgan City that will eventually feed into the new pump station. Dirt excavated from the canal will be used to raise the levees.

Securing funds to build the pump station will allow the drainage district to complete almost all of the levee project with the exception of flood protection for Lakeside Subdivision, Bourg said. The city council approved a resolution during Tuesday’s meeting to request funding for the Lakeside part of the project from the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

The goal of the estimated $18 million levee project is to be able to keep Morgan City residents’ flood insurance rates from rising and possibly lower insurance rates, Bourg said. Levees are being raising anywhere from 1 feet to as much as 5 feet in some places.

Once the project is complete, officials expect to be able to certify the city’s levees for 100-year storm surge, or a storm that has a 1 percent chance of happening in any given year.

Morgan City government has been appealing its flood maps since 2008 due to the maps showing much of the city’s levees insufficient for that 100-year standard and could have caused flood insurance rates to skyrocket.

Officials broke ground Jan. 31 on the $8.1 million Lake End Park to Justa Street portion of the project. Work to raise levees in Siracusaville, the first phase of the levee project, began in May 2016 and is expected to finish by April 25 because of rain delays.

The drainage district also has funds to pay to raise about a quarter-mile section of La. 70 and tie the highway into the mainline levee. Officials plan to go to bid for construction soon on that part of the project, Bourg said.

Also at the meeting, the council approved an ordinance to accept the results of a flood insurance study and adopt the city’s flood insurance rate maps. Federal rules require the city and all municipalities in St. Mary Parish to adopt the flood maps by April 19 to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program.

However, the adoption of the maps is mostly a formality for Morgan City and won’t affect residents’ flood insurance rates. Most of the city will be secluded from using the maps to determine flood insurance until after the levees are all raised, City Planning and Zoning Director Anthony Governale said.

In other business, the council
—Approved the city to give 60 days notice to demolish a structure at 515 Freret St.
—Approved a resolution requesting that the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority recognize the Bayou Teche Flood Protection Project.
—Approved a resolution to request inclusion of the Bayou Chene Flood Protection and Diversion Project in the 2017 coastal master plan.
—Approved the city to issue up to $2 million of revenue anticipation notes for city government to borrow funds as needed.
—Approved a resolution of support for the Point Au Fer Restoration Project.
—Approved a resolution to declare surplus property.
—Approved a resolution to designate a fiscal agent.
—Approved a change order for the city’s wharf rehab project.
—Approved a resolution for a fire marshal release of liability for inspections.
—Approved Porchfest to be held at Lawrence Park from noon to 7 p.m. April 29.
—Approved liquor and beer permits for H&H Food Mart, 7028 La. 182 East; and Bourbon’s, 501 First St.
—Tabled action on an ordinance to declare surplus and sale of property.
—Discussed litigation strategies in an executive session regarding pending lawsuits in which the city is involved.