Parish Council still grappling with MC drainage
The St. Mary Parish Council on Wednesday heard from people concerned about the threat of more flooding as the hurricane season begins without a board in place for the key flood control system in Morgan City.
But members also heard a progress report on a $12 million-$14 million upgrade to four pump stations that some found encouraging.
The fallout continues from Hurricane Francine, when more than 300 Morgan City homes were damaged by water. Deficiencies in the pump stations designed to move water from inside the city’s levee system had already been identified. Francine’s rain — officially 8-10 inches here, but believed by some officials to be 20 inches or more — overwhelmed the system.
Councilman Mark Duhon of Amelia and Parish President Sam Jones initiated a push that resulted in the $12 million-$14 million in funding from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority for upgrades at four pump stations.
Then, at the May 14 meeting, the Parish Council voted 8-3 to remove the board of Consolidated Gravity District 2A, which operates the pump stations. Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna responded last week by notifying the parish that the city government will pull out of an agreement under which city workers staff the pumps during daytime hours and perform other work, such as mowing ditches.
The city government is willing to continue to do the work, Dragna said, but the city will expect to be reimbursed.
Officials expect the council to be able to vote on new board members at the June 25 meeting.
Speakers at Wednesday’s meeting urged the council to move toward solutions.
Lee Price of Morgan City came with a long list of technical fixes he suggested for Pump Station No. 9, the recently moved station near Lake Palourde. Engineering problems there have been linked to the Francine flooding.
“We need to get something done as quick as possible,” Price told the council.
Melanie Topham told the council she’s “very concerned about my little city. …
“Not everyone has flood insurance,” Topham said. “So what happens [since] you guys dismantled the board? Is [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] going to step in?”
Jones and Chief Administrative Officer Paul Governale provided one response: an update on the pump station upgrades. The report was one that Jones gets every two weeks from Executive Director Tim Matte of the St. Mary Levee District, which is administering the projects.
In the report:
•A generator has been ordered for Pump Station No. 9 to run a fuel transfer pump and keep the lights on if power goes out. The generator is expected to be installed by the end of June.
•An additional weir near La. 70 has been completed for water running to Pump Station No. 9.
•Bidding is complete for five new pumps and engines at Pump Station No. 4, which serves the Marquis Manor and Cypress Garden area. Lone bidder Associated Pump & Supply of Houma has the contract for $712,000 on work that was originally estimated to cost $775,000.
•Two natural gas pumps at Pump Station No. 4 are being overhauled.
•The Levee District awarded a contract for the Veterans Boulevard opening and waterline relocation work to improve the flow of water to Pump Station No. 9.
•GIS Engineering LLC is working on design and engineering for Pump Station No. 9.
“That’s a very positive report,” Councilman the Rev. Craig Mathews of Jeanerette said.
Jones said the project is moving forward at a good pace.
“I’ve seen places in this state that would go ahead and apply for money,” Jones said, “and get the money, and they wouldn’t see it for five years.”
Councilwoman Dr. Kristi Prejeant Rink of Centerville suggested that the parish’s drainage districts might benefit from a survey by someone with engineering expertise.
No action was taken Wednesday on that suggestion.