NATCHITOCHES PARISH PORT COMMISSION
August 17, 2020, Regular Meeting

Present were Nettles Brown, Ralph Ingram, William Allen, K. David Zachary and Dan Simmons, Commissioners. Also, present were Travis Tyler, Executive Director of the Port, Mickey Chambers, Assistant to the Executive Director of the Port, Ronnie Blewer, Mark L. Roberts of McCoy Roberts & Begnaud, Ltd., legal counsel to the Commission.

Mr. Blewer was recognized as a guest. Mr. Nettles made a request for public comment. No public comments were made

A motion was made by Mr. Zachary, seconded by Mr. Simmons, and duly carried to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2020, Commission meeting.

As part of the Director’s Activity Report, Mr. Tyler reported: 1) the Port moved approximately 255,000 tons through July 2020, which is slightly behind 2019; 2) ADA should start running 24/7 next week and met with Port staff regarding adding additional transload area from the area Matriculated vacated; 3) Madden has increased railcar activity. The Port unloaded a railcar of asphalt for upcoming Madden projects; 4) Terral’s activity has been limited; and 5) a prospective fuel terminal tenant is interested in seven acres across from the Northport tract.

Also as part of the Director’s Activity Report, Mr. Tyler reported: 1) Project Milton continues to move forward. Representatives for Project Milton have meetings scheduled with potential investors beginning next month; 2) Project Green negotiations continue and representatives are working on obtaining “green” bonds. This tenant would mainly utilize barge and some rail; 3) the Port replaced a pump for its sewer treatment facility at a cost of approximately $8,000.00; 4) a battery terminal was blown on one of the smaller locomotives this week. The Port utilized one its old batteries and it is now running; and 5) there is an electrical issue with the other small locomotive. It is scheduled for service this week.

After Commissioners reviewed the July 2020 Treasurer’s Reports, a motion was made by Mr. Simmons, seconded by Mr. Zachary and duly carried to accept the reports, copies of which were available for review.

In Old Business, Mr. Tyler reported the following: 1) there is no new information regarding Capital Improvements, the rail spur on the Northport tract or the additional storage space. The Port is waiting for potential tenants to move forward; 2) the Port is waiting on a response to its settlement offer regarding the builder’s risk policy; 3) the Port continues to look at expansion of the Northport tract; and 4) a demand letter was sent to Matriculated Services related to eviction and collection of past due rent. Matriculated removed its equipment from the Port’s property, but has not paid the past due rent.

In New Business, a motion was made by Mr. Simmons, seconded by Mr. Allen, and, duly carried approving a short-term lease with Custom Commodities Logistics.

A motion was made by Mr. Ingram, seconded by Mr. Simmons and duly carried that the meeting be adjourned.