ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH – June 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Contract awards for design and management of a variety of projects was the topic of discussion during Tuesday night’s Finance Meeting. Additionally, an agreement was authorized with Motorola for upgrades to the 911 system, managed by the Department of Public Safety.
To take advantage of a no interest purchase, the Public Safety Director requested and received approval of an agreement with Motorola for the VESTA 911 System. This system is engineered to ensure there is essentially no single point of failure by having hardware duplication within the system. The upgrades are funded through the 911 Communications District in the amount of $356,256.00 with two payments in 2015 and two payments in 2016. The system upgrade will also include technical support moving forward.
A task order in conjunction with Phase 4 of the Mississippi River Multi-Use Trail was approved with Meyer Engineering, Ltd. The task order included $101,140 for basic engineering services and a not to exceed amount of $152,486 for supplemental services, such as geotechnical investigation, environmental clearance through DOTD, permitting, coordination of agreements, and resident inspection. Once completed, the trail will extend the entire length of the Mississippi River on the east bank of St. John the Baptist Parish. St. John is the recipient of approximately $2,470,000.00 in grant funds through DOTD’s Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) with an 80/20 cost share. Conceptual plans were partially funded through the Regional Planning Commission and the Parish’s local match will be funded through the 2014 Bond Issue and the 2016 and 2017 Parks and Recreation fund. “With construction of Phase 3 to begin this year, we look forward to design and construction of the final 14.3 miles of the trail to complete the project,” said Parish President Natalie Robottom. “This project is a true collaboration between the Parish, Region and State to improve the quality of life of our residents,” said Parish President Natalie Robottom.
An amendment to the management contract for Digital Engineering, Inc. was approved in the amount of $57,197.75 for additions to their existing scope of work. The additions include the Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Project required by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH), amendments to the System Improvement Plan associated with the project, and Temporary Servitude Services for the Mississippi River Waterline Crossing Project. Digital Engineering, Inc. is currently managing the $6 million LDHH Drinking Water Loan which is funding altitude valves at select elevated storage tanks, adjustments and upgrades to the water intake structure at the Lions Pump Station, replacement of old filters at the Lions Treatment Plant, and installation of a water main beneath the Mississippi River to connect the Lions Water Plant to the Edgard Water Plant. Among the improvements listed, the UV Disinfection Project designed by CJ Savoie Consulting Engineers, Inc was recently added to the loan project. Construction of the project was awarded to Sealevel Construction, Inc., with a target completion date of October 2015 to fulfill a requirement by LDHH.
In other business, Blake Fogleman was confirmed as Utilities Director after being recommended previously by Parish President Robottom. Following a subsequent recommendation and a letter of recommendation from DHH, Fogleman was confirmed for the position. Blake Fogleman is a Professional Engineer with experience in both public and private sectors and is involved in all phases of various utility projects of local governments. He has experience with potable water treatment and supply projects, sewer collection and treatment projects, and wetland impact and drainage studies.
Mr. Fogleman has worked closely with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality on project funding and approval and regulatory matters. “Based on discussions and previous experience with Mr. Fogleman, along with his apparent knowledge, skills, and expertise in the areas of drinking water and wastewater, it is my strong belief that Mr. Fogleman would serve St. John the Baptist Parish as Utility Director very well and my office would look forward to working with Mr. Fogleman in this capacity,” said Jake Causey, Chief Engineer/Safe Drinking Water Administrator for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. Mr. Fogleman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Louisiana State University.
