The city of Walker has undertaken major drainage improvements since the disastrous flood of 2016, with more work on the way, according to an overview presented by Mayor Jimmy Watson and city attorney Bobby King at Monday’s regular city council meeting.
A $12.5 million partial settlement of a class action lawsuit filed over the installation of concrete median barriers on I-12 that plaintiffs said impeded the southward flow of water, which contributed to the flooding, will finance most of the work yet to be performed.
That work will include removing the solid barriers that created a dam and replacing them with intermittent barriers 18 feet in length, with a 13-inch space at the bottom to allow for greater flow during high water.
King explained the barriers to be installed were new technology not available a decade ago, and the installation would begin at LA. 447 and proceed westward for a distance of 3300 feet.
The Department of Transportation and Development was to begin accepting bids on Wednesday of this week at a cost estimated at between $15 million and $20 million. The work is expected to take 475 calendar days for completion, King said.
He said Gulf Engineers & Consultants of Baton Rouge is the lone holdout in the settlement of the lawsuit.
In other action, the council agreed to take part in a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) with the Livingston Parish Council and Drainage District No. 5 to perform approximately 19 miles of cleanup along Coyell Creek between Juban and Cane Market roads. The work is expected to cost about $375,000, with the parish council paying 50 percent of the cost, the city of Walker 25 percent, and Drainage District No. 5 contributing the remaining 25 percent in in-kind services, i.e., performing the actual work.
Parish Public Works Director Robert Dugas said the cost estimate was just that — an estimate. “We could encounter unforeseen log jams or other obstructions which might mean more work,” he said.
The city is in the second year of a five-year, $8.9 million grant to finance drainage work along Taylor Bayou, including the construction of two retention ponds to alleviate flooding.
An ordinance was introduced for consideration next month, on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Committee, to exclude apartments from commercial classification.
The Walker High School Fishing Club was recognized by the mayor and council for winning the state championship in the state tournament held at Lake Verret in Assumption Parish. Team coach Tom Burris said the team had a catch total of 56 pounds for first place. Second place had 47 pounds, and third place had 44 pounds. “That tells you how well we did,” Burris said.
Team members included Landin Sholty, Gavin Walterscheid, Kristin and Kalie Blythe, Tyler Laughlin, Drake Burchfield, Caleb Matthews, Gavin Mahen, Gavin Alexander, Jace Johnson, Samuel Holcomb, Luke Zeller, Cade Best, Lace Pate, Kolten Miller, Caleb Beard, Cody Carboni, Malachi Viator, Clinton Beauregard, Corbin Myrick, and James Melancon.
New Walker High School head football coach Chris Harrell was also introduced at the meeting.
