Old Mandeville Shoreline Protection Study

Public Meeting

October 1, 2013

Meeting Overview

The first of three public meetings was held for the Old Mandeville Shoreline Protection Study on October 1, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Paul Spitzfaden Community Center in Mandeville, Louisiana. The meeting was advertised on the city’s website (www.cityofmandeville.com, Appendix A). Approximately 40 people attended (Appendix B). The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the study and provide a forum for the public to discuss the project with the study team leaders in an open-house format.

Meeting attendees began arriving at approximately 5:40 p.m. As attendees entered the meeting, meeting facilitators directed them to a sign-in sheet where they could provide their email addresses and indicate whether they would like to receive updates about the project. PowerPoint slides provided an overview of the study’s purpose and milestones and were projected on a screen throughout the duration of the meeting (Appendix C). Meeting hand-outs included maps of the study area, comment cards, and a project fact sheet, which gave an overview of the study and an email address for sending comments electronically (Appendices D and E).

Mayor Donald Villere began the meeting by welcoming attendees and providing an overview of the study. He explained that funding for the study was provided by an EPA grant and the City of Mandeville, and that the study’s purpose is to develop and evaluate alternatives for alleviating flooding and drainage problems in the Mandeville lake front and surrounding area. He then introduced the two local firms chosen to conduct the study in partnership, GEC Inc. (GEC) and Dynamic Solutions. A GEC representative, Jeff Robinson, then presented a summary of GEC’s and Dynamic Solutions’ experience with flooding issues in southeastern Louisiana. He then directed attendees to review the project fact sheet and maps provided and to discuss the project with study team engineers, who were seated at tables around the room to answer questions and receive comments. He encouraged attendees to leave written comments on the comment cards provided or to email comments to the study team via the email address provided on the fact sheet. He explained that the comments would be considered by the study team in generating alternatives for the project.

Following Mr. Robinson’s address, an informal question and answer session commenced between the attendees and GEC/Dynamic Solutions’ study team leaders. Questions focused on the purpose of the study, the scope of modeling that will be performed, whether the study will address the city’s drainage problems, and how attendees can stay informed about the study’s progress. Mayor Villere closed the presentation portion of the public meeting at 6:37 p.m. and launched the open house portion of the meeting, where attendees had the opportunity to discuss the project and the city’s flooding issues individually with the study engineers, ask questions, and submit comments. The meeting concluded at approximately 7:30 p.m. A summary of the meeting was posted on the website www.nola.com on October 1, 2013 (Appendix E). Fourteen attendees completed and submitted comment cards during the meeting (Appendix F).

Appendix A

Public Meeting Notice

City of Mandeville, Louisiana - mayor's message

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mayor's message back

Date of Record: September 13, 2013

Dear Residents of Mandeville: There will be a meeting regarding flood control to be held at the Community Center onMonday, September 30th at 6 p.m. The general public is invited to attend. We have a lot going on in the city! Free fall concerts have begun at the Trailhead on Saturdaynights, the Dew Drop concerts have begun, Octoberfeast is just around the corner as well asthe Sunset Symphony by the Louisiana Philharmonic Symphony on October 27. You can findall of that information on our front page below. Also, our approved Operating Budget for FiscalYear 2014 can be found under updates in the Finance Department section or click here to viewit. A public notice has been issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and UnitedStates Coast Guard regarding modifying the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway dual bridges. Formore information, please see the Public Notice on the front page of our website underUpdates. I have just sent out our new edition of Mandeville E-Briefs. This is a short news brief ofcurrent news in the City and will be sent out to all subscribers bi-monthly. If you have notreceived a copy and would like to subscribe, click the E-Briefs icon on the front page of thissite and simply hit send. We will take care of the rest. Sincerely, Donald J. VillereMayor

CONTACT US3101 East Causeway ApproachMandeville, LA 70448

985-626-3144

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Appendix B

Sign-In Sheets

Appendix C

Power Point Slides

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

welcome to the PUBlic MEETINGHave you signed in? Make sure to visit our welcome table and register to receive email updates about future public meetings.

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

we’re glad you’re hereThis open house is designed to provide you the opportunity tolearn more about the Old Mandeville Shoreline Protection Studyand to provide input to our project team. From our experiencewith events like tonight’s, we have learned that this style of openhouse is the most conducive to meaningful interaction betweenthe public and project team. We hope you agree, and look forwardto working with you as the project progresses.

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

your project teamG.E.C., Inc., a Louisiana engineering and planning resource, hasgrown during its 28 years through the talents and experience of itsengineering and planning professionals. With offices inMandeville, Metairie and Baton Rouge, and together with ourlongtime partner Dynamic Solutions, a coastal and hydraulicmodeling leader in Baton Rouge, we are proud to have beenselected for this project and greatly appreciate the opportunity tocontribute to our local community.

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

Located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, thehistoric and unique community of Old Mandeville isfrequently inundated by lake water during and after stormsand tidal events. Subsequent flooding causes increasedsewer flows, interruptions to property drainage andcommerce, and degradation of Mandeville’s historic andcultural resources.

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

STUDY PURPOSEThe purpose of this study is to develop alternatives for protectingthe low-lying Mandeville lake front and surrounding areas, and todetermine which flood protection alternatives are most effectiveand feasible.

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

WHAT CAN MANDEVILLE EXPECT FROM THIS STUDY?Increasing the level of flood protection for Old Mandeville is vitalto the health of the community, the surrounding area, and to thenatural waterways of the area. The increase in protection willreduce occurrences of issues such as: the sewer system becominginundated and overflowing into drainage features, debris flowingfreely into the lake after a flood event, damage to structures, anddamage to infrastructure including electrical panels and trafficsignals.

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

STUDY MILESTONESSept 19, 2013 Contractors chosen to conduct the study: GEC, Inc.

and Dynamic Solutions

Oct 1, 2013 Conduct first Public Workshop to present the project

Nov 29, 2013 Evaluate existing conditions and identify levels of protection

Jan 28, 2014 Identify proposed solutions for levels of protection

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

STUDY MILESTONES (continued)Feb 4, 2014 Conduct Second Public Workshop to present

proposed solutions to be investigated

May 5, 2014 Study/model the proposed solutions to determine levels of protection

June 3, 2014 Conduct third Public Workshop to present the results of proposed solutions and recommendations

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTIONStuDY

we want to know what you thinkHave a comment or concern about the project? Comment cardsare located throughout the meeting area. Please complete a cardand place at either the welcome or informational tables. You canalso email us at comment@gecinc.com by Nov 1, 2013.

Appendix D

Meeting Handouts

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTION STUDY

STUDY MILESTONES

The project team anticipates that the study will progress in accordance with the following time line:

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to develop alternatives for protecting the low-lying Mandeville lake front and surrounding areas, and to determine which flood protection alternatives are most effective and feasible.

WHAT CAN MANDEVILLE EXPECT FROM THIS STUDY?

Increasing the level of flood protection for Old Mandeville is vital to the health of the community, the surrounding area, and to the natural waterways of the area. The increase in protection will reduce occurrences of issues such as: the sewer system becoming inundated and overflowing into drainage features, debris flowing freely into the lake after a flood event, damage to structures, and damage to infrastructure including electrical panels and traffic signals.

Located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the historic and unique community of Old Mandeville is frequently inundated by lake water during and after storms and tidal events. Subsequent flooding causes increased sewer flows, interruptions to property drainage and commerce, and degradation of Mandeville’s historic and cultural resources.

Have a question or comment about the study? Email us at comment@gecinc.com by Nov 1, 2013.

Project team selected to conduct the study: G.E.C., Inc. and Dynamic Solutions

Conduct first Public Workshop to present the project

Evaluate existing conditions and identify levels of protection

Identify proposed solutions for levels of protection

Conduct second Public Workshop to present proposed solutions to be investigated

Study/model the proposed solutions to determine levels of protection

Conduct third Public Workshop to present the results of proposed solutions and recommendations

Sept 19, 2013

Oct 1, 2013

Nov 29 2013

Jan 28, 2014

Feb 4, 2014

May 5, 2014

June 3, 2014

OLD MANDEVILLE SHORELINE PROTECTION STUDY

WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HEREThis open house is designed to provide you the opportunity to learn more about the Old Mandeville Shoreline Protection Study and to provide input to our project team. From our experience with events like tonight’s, we have learned that this style of open house is the most conducive to meaningful interaction between the public and project team. We hope you agree, and look forward to working with you as the project progresses.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINKHave a comment or concern about the project? Comment cards are located throughout the meeting area. Please complete a card and place at either the welcome or informational tables. You can also email us at comment@gecinc.com by Nov 1, 2013.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?Have you signed in? Make sure to visit our welcome table and register to receive email updates about future public meetings.

YOUR PROJECT TEAMG.E.C., Inc., a Louisiana engineering and planning resource, has grown during its 28 years through the talents and experience of its engineering and planning professionals. With offices in Mandeville, Metairie and Baton Rouge, and together with our longtime partner Dynamic Solutions, a coastal and hydraulic modeling leader in Baton Rouge, we are proud to have been selected for this project and greatly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to our local community.

City of Mandeville Old Mandeville Shoreline Protection Study

Public Comment

Comments: _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Name ___________________________ Affiliation _______________________________

Street ______________________________________ Phone ________________________

City, St Zip __________________________________ Fax ___________________________

e-mail __________________________________________

Appendix E

Nola.com Article

Old Mandeville residents suggest ideas for flood study Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on October 01, 2013 at 8:07 PM, updated October 01, 2013 at 8:38 PM

Several dozen Mandeville residents appeared at a community meeting Tuesday night to provide suggestions for a study geared toward finding a solution to chronic storm surge flooding near the city’s lakefront. The meeting marked the launch of the Old Mandeville Shoreline Protection Study, which will be conducted by a partnership of the engineering firm GEC Inc. and Dynamic Solutions, a Baton Rouge coastal and hydraulic modeling specialist.

Representatives from both outfits solicited comments and potential solutions from residents, promising to evaluate a wide range of alternatives for lessening the storm surges that have repeatedly flooded the historic Old Mandeville community over the years.

After an introduction by Mayor Donald Villere, GEC representatives seated at several tables in the Paul Spitzfaden Community Center in Mandeville met individually with residents. Residents were encouraged to write down ideas or suggestions on how the storm surge issue should be addressed.

“We don’t want to discount any possible solutions,” Villere said.

The ideas that have been discussed at other meetings during the past few months include a breakwater in Lake Pontchartrain, a portable barrier that could be rolled out across the seawall to absorb wave energy, and backflow preventers attached to the drainage pipes jutting into Lake Pontchartrain from the seawall. The pipes help drain lakefront neighborhoods, but during bad weather, lake water rises over the pipes, stemming the outflow.

The City Council on Sept. 12 approved a $280,000 contract with GEC to perform the study, which is intended to produce alternatives for protection against storm surges and cost estimates. A $180,000 federal grant administered through the Lake Pontchartrain Restoration Act will help pay for the study. The city will contribute $100,000 from its coffers to cover the balance.

The City Council has earmarked $1 million toward solutions to the storm surge problem. Councilman Ernest Burguieres, who represents Old Mandeville, has said the issue should be the city’s No. 1 priority.

The engineers presented a timeline for the project Tuesday night. By the end of November, the project team expects to have completed its evaluation and identified various levels of protection. The team has set Jan. 28, 2014, as its target date for identifying proposed solutions to the storm surges, and plans to hold another public

hearing to present the solutions on Feb. 4. After further study, the final recommendations will be presented to the city on June 3.

Earlier this year, the city solicited proposals from engineers interested in performing the storm surge study, drawing responses from 10 companies. A committee of the mayor, Public Works Director David DeGeneres and City Engineer Henry DiFranco selected GEC.

GEC was established in 1986 as a small engineering consulting firm in Baton Rouge, and now has offices in Mandeville, Lafayette and Metairie.

Appendix F

Comment Cards