Feb 2026 Meeting
Meeting Summary:
1. Update on all levee/flood gate construction including importance of establishing additional funding for anticipated increasing costs due to increased levees/gates with inadequate revenues. All operating expenses are only from approximately 5 mills generating approximately
$ 200,000. Projected required operating could exceed $ 600,000.
2. Explanation of importance of establishing guaranteed funding sources PRIOR to entering into any contracts to ensure we don’t encounter issues in receiving CPRA funding.
3. Getting vendors paid for outstanding invoices via working with CPRA
4. Next to complete levee construction projections
5. Future meeting locations
Letter to Governor Landry
January 26, 2026
Press Statement from
Senator Pat Connick
regarding the LAILD
Important Message from the President
DATED
January 2026
Lafitte Area Indepenent Levee District
January 2026
To all residents of Lafitte, Barataria & Crown Point:
Due to inadequate guaranteed recurring revenues, the LAILD was forced to make drastic cuts virtually eliminating all full time employees leaving us with one contracted person. (SEE ADOPTED BUDGET BELOW)
Without adequate funding, we will not be prepared for the upcoming Hurricane Season. THIS IS A CRITICAL SITUATION!
We must do something now.
Adequate operational funding is critical to being prepared for hurricanes/flooding. Without funding these services will be effected:
• Close gates
• Cut grass
• Maintain protection
• Respond to storms
Without funding, flood protection is at risk.
I am URGING the following responsible parties to take immediate action to allocate funding to be used for OPERATIONAL COSTS:
• CPRA
• State ELECTED legislators:
Governor Jeff Landry
Senator Pat Connick
Representive Tim Kerner Sr.
• Jefferson Parish ELECTED Parish officials:
Jefferson Parish Councilman Tim Kerner Jr.
Councilman Scott Walker
Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken
I will meet any/all of you anytime to discuss this URGENT matter.
Kerry Lauricella
President
LAILD
504-234-5075
President's
Proposed Budget
2025
This is the initial proposed budget presented by the President of the LAILD to the board at the October meeting.
By Louisiana Law... the LAILD must present a balanced budget. The budget was prepared based on our prior years property millages, vehicle sale and misc revenues. This budget may need to be amended and to also include capital projects based on actual allocated revenues.
(Approved at the January 27 meeting).
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Highlights from January, 2026 Meeting
Lafitte Levee District Meeting Highlights
Here’s what happened at tonight’s meeting:
2025–2026 Budget Adopted
The new budget is officially approved and posted publicly at:
LafitteLeveeDistrict.com
Board Officers Elected
• President – Kerry Lauricella
• Vice President – Steve Marques
• Secretary – William “Hoot” Gibson
Major Operational Concerns Discussed
The Levee District is currently facing serious challenges:
• Spending more than revenue
• Only ONE employee maintaining 14 floodgates + miles of levees
• No truck, mower, or equipment
• Town cooperative agreement ended
• Rising insurance + operational costs
• Millions available for construction — BUT ZERO funding for maintenance & operations
Bottom line:
We can build levees… but we don’t have funding to maintain or operate them.
Hurricane Season is approaching !
The LAILD President, Kerry Lauricella stressed that operational funding is critical to:
• Close gates
• Cut grass
• Maintain protection
• Respond to storms
Without funding, flood protection is at risk.
The LAILD President and board are urging:
• CPRA
• State legislators: Senator Pat Connick and Representive Tim Kerner Sr.
• Parish officials: Jefferson Parish Councilman Tim Kerner Jr.
to help secure operational funding, not just construction money.
Progress Still Happening
• Goose Bayou project
• Crown Point improvements
• Multiple FEMA-reimbursed projects approved
• Bills paid for storm recovery work
Public comments are always welcome
Stay informed, stay involved, and help protect our community.
December 2025 Meeting
Highlights from December 16, 2025 Meeting
Lafitte Area Levee District – Meeting Highlights Tonight’s Levee Board meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, followed by the official welcome of Hoot Gibson as the newest board member. Mr. Gibson brings decades of engineering experience, including work with the U.S. Navy, the Department of Energy, and leadership on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. As a Barataria homeowner and taxpayer, he emphasized that he has “skin in the game” just like every resident the levee system protects.
The board approved key financial and transparency measures, including a Resolution to open banking account(s) with Home Bank which includes an interest-bearing bank accounts and creation of account to separate funds into operating, capital projects, and FEMA-related accounts. The Resolution was introduced by Steven Marques, seconded by Chuck Shano and approved unanimously: Yeas: Shano, Marques, Lauricella and Gibson.
A new communication section was added to the agenda to ensure the public can view correspondence between the board, CPRA, and elected officials. Minutes from the previous meeting were suspended from reading since they are posted online. During public comment, Chris Fournier, President of the Barataria Civic Association, spoke about post-Hurricane Ida property tax losses and suggested exploring whether Jefferson Parish could reimburse the Levee District for approximately $330,000 in uncollected taxes. He also expressed support for the board and willingness from residents to help where possible. A major portion of the meeting focused on ongoing financial reconciliation with CPRA and FEMA. The board explained that CPRA has provided $3.3 million in storm-related funding since 2017, but FEMA reimbursements must be returned to CPRA per agreements. After reviewing FEMA records, the board determined that approximately $1.48 million still needs to be repaid to CPRA, pending final confirmation. Additional FEMA reimbursements are still being pursued. The board stressed its commitment to honoring all agreements while maintaining a good relationship with CPRA, which is critical for future projects requiring an estimated $80 million in funding. The board also explained the long-term financial strain caused by FEMA’s 90% reimbursement rule, leaving the district responsible for unreimbursed 10% costs after each storm. With only about $170,000 per year in recurring revenue, repeated storms have significantly impacted the district’s finances. Several bills were approved, including operating expenses and a $50,430.75 payment to Grillatz Construction for levee pen clean-out work, which will be fully reimbursed through FEMA. Additional engineering, appraisal, and abstractor bills are pending final authorization and are expected to be addressed at the next meeting. The 2025 operating budget was discussed but not approved due to the recent addition of a fourth board member. The proposed budget is posted on the Levee District website and totals $169,174, which is only enough to operate with one employee. Requests have been made to the state and Jefferson Parish for increased funding, but additional support is not expected until the next legislative session. The board reaffirmed that once financial issues are fully resolved, focus will return to priority projects, including Goose Bayou and Crown Point, with ongoing coordination and approvals from CPRA. 📅 Next meeting: January 27 at 6:00 PM 🎄 The meeting concluded with well wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
November 2025 Meeting
Highlights from November 28, 2025 Meeting
Levee Board Meeting Highlights – What You Need to Know
Tonight’s meeting gave us a clear look at the financial reality of the Lafitte, Barataria & Crown Point Levee District.
Senator Pat Connick joined us and thanked the board for finally bringing years of issues into the light. He acknowledged the tough situation and committed to working with CPRA, FEMA, and the Governor’s office to secure the funding needed to move forward.
The Financial Picture
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$2.18M in the bank
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$3.2M in bills owed
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Only $170K a year in guaranteed revenue
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We cannot use CPRA construction funds for operating expenses
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FEMA reimbursement of $700K is pending
What This Means
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The district is operating at a deficit
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Engineering firms were told to pause all non-essential work
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Only Goose Bayou and Crown Point Phase 1 are continuing
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A minimal operational budget is being prepared for next meeting
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All financial documents will be posted at LafitteLevyDistrict.com
Moving Forward
Despite the challenges, the board is committed to fixing the problems, paying what’s owed, protecting our community, and building the levees Lafitte needs.
Next meeting: December 16 at 6 PM.
October 2025 Meeting
Highlights from October 28, 2025 Meeting
Here are the highlights from tonight’s Barataria–Lafitte–Crown Point Levee Board meeting: We’re keeping our focus on building protection where it matters most—Goose Bayou and Crown Point. Thanks to State Representative Kerner, we secured $1,000,000 in Capital Outlay. And thanks to Senator Pat Connick for his efforts to make sure that those funds were properly applied for and between the LAILD and various governmental entities.
The debris cleanup from Hurricane Ida is moving forward under a $1,000,000 grant—now effectively with 90% match from FEMA and a 10% reimbursed with help from Jefferson Parish and the state.
For Crown Point Phase 2, the working alignment favors the homeowners’ side to avoid federal delays, with design tweaks to protect local businesses like Bayou Barn and Des Familles’ ability to see the bayou.
We welcomed Hoot Gibson (Barataria resident, former DOE Strategic Petroleum Reserve leader) as a pro bono consulting engineer.
Budget reality: we have $180K recurring revenue against $350–$400K in annual costs; we’re seeking an additional $250K recurring for safe operations and maintenance.
The board approved reimbursable survey work ($131,480) for Goose Bayou and is opening an interest-bearing account to stretch every dollar.
Next meeting: Nov 25.
If you’re inside the protected area, please vote to renew the millage on Nov 15—it keeps our community safer.
September 2025 Meeting
Highlights from September 23, 2025 Meeting
CPRA Update:
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Welcomed Michael Hare (Executive Director, CPRA) and Andrew Bell (Chief of Project Management).
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Goose Bayou levee segment: Design & permit in hand; final geotech (≈ $37k, handled locally) wrapping up. Fully funded for construction once permit notes are cleared. Estimated build window about 2 years once bid is let.
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Crown Point – Phase 1: 100% design submitted; permitting next. CPRA tracking a $1.8M gap they expect to close while permitting proceeds. Targeting bid Fall 2026, start Winter 2026 (subject to permit & funding finalization).
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Two earlier projects completed; Rosethorne project is essentially complete pending close-outs.
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Long-term system need remains significant (on the order of $250–$300M across all phases).
Finance & Operations:
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Hand-delivered repayment check to CPRA: $676,815 (part of emergency support to be repaid as FEMA funds arrive).
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Current district funds on hand reported at $2,104,638.18; obligations (incl. FEMA-related) about $2,223,321.04.
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Only recurring revenue: property taxes, projected ≈$166,000 this fiscal year.
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Expected operating costs: ≈$473,300 → highlights the need for recurring support to meet the state’s balanced budget requirements.
Readiness & Community:
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Partnering with the Cajun Navy for hurricane preparedness and response.
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Ecolab donated thousands of high-quality supersacks (major cost savings); warehouse stocked.
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Working with DOTD on closing a critical 500-ft protection gap near the old car wash—aiming to align upcoming road elevation with levee protection to save local dollars.
Next meeting: October 28, 6:00 PM.
Thanks to everyone working to keep Lafitte, Crown Point, and Barataria protected. We’re building levees—and building trust—with clear numbers, open doors, and steady progress.
August 2025 Meeting
Recent Communications
In our prior LAILD meeting I asked our elected officials to help us to locate additional funding necessary to provide maintenance of our levees.
This is the letter (10-2-2025) I mentioned that was being sent to them all.
Goose Bayou Project
Recent letter of support from Senator Pat Connick. Senator Connick was extremely helpful to the LAILD in making sure that all steps were properly followed to ensure that we received this funding.
State Representative Tim Kerner initially secured this Capital Outlay funding of $ 1,000,000.
The LAILD continues to thank our elected officials for finding, allocating and securing this type of important funding necessary for the development of levees to protect our communities.
Completed & Upcoming Levee Projects
Balance Sheet
as of
September 22, 2025
2023-2025 Revenues & Expenses
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Past 6 years Hurricane Expenses & FEMA Reimbursements
Hurricane Costs: $ 6,695,548.00 (FEMA reimburses approximately 90% = $ 6,036,116.00) = <$ 659,432.00>
This means that over the past 6 years the LAILD needed to fund approximately $ 650,000 in reimbursement shortfalls.
The majority of the Federal Un-Paid $ 3.4 million includes approximately $ 2.5 million in projects that have not begun or not been paid for. The remaining uncollected funds are being sought after.
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Board Members:
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Kerry Lauricella, President
Barataria
504-234-5075 (call/text)
kerry@laild.com
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Steven Marques, Vice President
Crown Point
-
Frank Panepinto, Treasurer
Crown Point
-
Chuck Shano
Lafitte
Meetings usually take place on the second Thursday of each month.
Meetings also televised on Facebook
This month’s board meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
7001 River Road
Marrero, LA 70072
QUESTIONS:
Office: 504-689-2470
Mailing Address :
7001 River Road, Marrero, LA 70072
PAST PROJECTS:
September 5, 2023—The town of Jean Lafitte and the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District broke ground on the Lower Lafitte Tidal Protection Project. The $14 million project is the third of 10 tidal protection projects planned for the greater Lafitte area.
Under Construction
Rosethorne Basin
The Rosethorne Tidal Protection project, the second in a series of 10, aims to shield the communities of Jean Lafitte, Lower Lafitte, Crown Point, and Barataria from tidal and rainfall flooding. The project is taking place in two phases:
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Phase 1: Construction of 1.95 miles of concrete-capped floodwall and floodgates along Bayou Barataria. Construction began in March 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
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Phase 2: Development of 3.4 miles of earthen levee and a new structural floodwall along the south side of the Rosethorne Basin. Phase 2 began in May 2024, with an anticipated completion in the first half of 2026. All structures are designed to an elevation of 7.5 feet above sea level to protect against 10-year high tides and rainstorm events.
Lower Lafitte (Orange Street) Basin
The Lower Lafitte (Orange Street) Basin Tidal Protection Project, the third in the series, includes:
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Approximately 1.34 miles of new concrete-capped floodwall along Bayou Barataria.
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Enhancements to 1.39 miles of existing earthen levee.
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Construction of 0.54 miles of new earthen levee to complete the ring.
Scheduled to begin in August 2024, this project aims to protect the area from 10-year tidal or rainfall flooding events and is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Under Design
Several tidal protection projects are progressing through the final design stages, aimed at enhancing flood protection for additional basins:
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Crown Point
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Goose Bayou
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Pailet
Next Meeting Agenda
LAFITTE AREA INDEPENDENT LEVEE DISTRICT (LAILD)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Regular Board Meeting – Meetings are Open to the Public
7001 River Road, Marrero, LA 70072
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – 6:00 P.M.
AGENDA
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Call to Order – President
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Roll Call – Secretary
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Pledge of Allegiance
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Agenda Amendments – Commissioners
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Affirmation of the Agenda – Commissioners
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Motion to accept and approve the minutes of the January 27, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
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Presentation – Evans-Graves Engineers Inc.
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Presentation – Home Bank
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Public Comments (Limited to two minutes per person)
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President’s Report
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Commissioners’ Opening Statements
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Motions:
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to authorize the payment of $186,455.00 of any FEMA reimbursement funds received for Tropical Storm Laura to Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Disbursement of Funds for the Emergency Response to the 2020 Named Storms between the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District.
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to end Lafitte Area Independent Levee District participation in all drainage infrastructure development that is not directly tied to the construction of flood protection infrastructure and to authorize the President to communicate this intent to all affected parties.
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to authorize APTIM Goose Bayou Amendment #8 for additional geotechnical services at a total cost not to exceed $37,290.00; and to authorize the President to execute any documents to carry out the intent of this action.
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to authorize Meyers Engineers Crown Point Amendment #13 for a cultural resources survey at a total cost not to exceed $67,870.00; and to authorize the President to execute any documents to carry out the intent of this action.
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to authorize the payment of Rosethorne Phase 2 Pay Applications #3 and #4 for Circle Construction with total costs of $3,033,314.73 and $1,640,514.74 respectively upon receipt of funding from CPRA.
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to authorize the payment of Rosethorne Construction Inspection services invoices for APTIM in the amount of $124,882.64 upon receipt of funding from CPRA.
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to authorize the payment of James Juneau Appraisal Services invoices for the Lower Lafitte Project in the amount of $87,000.00 upon receipt of funding from CPRA.
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Motion by Mr. Gibson to authorize the payment of Abstract Title invoice for the Rosethorne Basin Phases 1 and 2 in the amounts of $59,077.50 and $9,815.00 respectively upon receipt of funds from CPRA.
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Motion to enter Executive Session:
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Chad Michael Rogers Jr., Nathan James, and Christina Rogers vs. the Board of Commissioners of the LAILD, Case 2:24-CV-02560.
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CMP, LLC vs. the Board of Commissioners of the LAILD, Case 2:24-CV-02298-WBV-JVM.
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Set time and place of the next meeting:
Public Hearing for LAILD 2026-2027 Budget
7001 River Road, Marrero, LA 70072
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 6:00 P.M.
Regular Board Meeting
7001 River Road, Marrero, LA 70072
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – Immediately following Public Hearing
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Adjournment
Kerry Lauricella
(Name of Authorized Person)
Lafitte Area Independent Levee District ___________________
(Name of Taxing District)
7001 River Road, Marrero, LA 70072
(Mailing Address)
504.689.2470
(Telephone Number)
NOTE: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Kerry Lauricella at 504.689.2470 describing the assistance that is necessary.