May meeting minutes are out from the Port. One thing that caught my eye was that Weyerhaeuser was mentioned. Probably just a coincidence, but I've always speculated that Weyerhaeuser would be the fiber supplier. I used to think it could be them or Plum Creek until they merged with Weyerhaeuser. Weyerhaeuser would have one of the largest vested interests in seeing biocoal take off. While processed lumber has been skyrocketing, the cost of raw timber has been plummeting. With the energy crisis, I could see Weyerhaeuser using their clout to find a niche for their raw timber holdings.
2022-06-23 Subcategory MEETING MINUTES NATCHITOCHES PARISH PORT COMMISSION May 16, 2022, Regular Meeting Present were Nettles Brown, Ralph Ingram, William Allen and K. David Zachary Commissioners. Absent was Dan Simmons Also, present were Travis Tyler, Executive Director of the Port, Mickey Chambers, Assistant to the Executive Director of the Port and Mark A. Begnaud of McCoy Roberts & Begnaud, Ltd., legal counsel to the Commission. A motion was made by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Ingram, and, after a request for public comments, of which there were none, the motion duly carried by roll call vote to approve amend the agenda to add the request by ADA to store materials short term. A motion was made by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Ingram, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2022, Commission meeting. As part of the Director's Activity Report, Mr. Tyler reported: 1) approximately 265,000 tons of material have moved through the Port year to date and the Port is on pace to exceed 500,000 tons by year end; 2) Kisatchie Chips has been loading rail cars and have 17 cars currently at the Port; 3) ADA needs additional storage; 4) Frac sand companies have begun to show interest in the Port again; 5) the Port continues to work with a cement prospect; and 6) two (2) prospects continue to show interests regarding grain handling at the Port. Also, as part of the Director's Report, Mr. Tyler reported: 1) the need for a crane or material handler is becoming apparent. The Port is working to get prices on available options and would also need to contract with a stevedore; 2) the Port continues to work with a prospect for Northport tract that will visit the site in the next couple of weeks; 3) an additional local contractor is interested in leasing a site from the Port; 4) the Port continues to work with Weyerhaeuser regarding transloading both in and out of the Port; and 5) he is looking into redoing the Port's website. After reviewing the April 2022 Treasurer's Report, a motion was made by Mr. Zachary, seconded by Mr. Allen and duly carried to accept the report, a copy of which was available for review. In Old Business, Mr. Tyler reported the following: 1) the Port continues to work with the National Guard on a training project for construction of a levee on the Northport tract and is waiting on approval from DEQ; and 2) he met with vendors regarding options for an additional storage facility. In New Business, 1) A motion was made by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Zachary, and was duly approved to permit the Director of the Port to negotiate a short term storage agreement with ADA; 2) a motion was made by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Ingram and duly passed authorizing the Port to enter in three month transloading agreement with Custom Commodities; 3) the Port advertised for bids for the purchase of truck scales. Terra] was the only bidder at $45,000.00. A motion was made by Mr. Ingram, seconded by Mr. Allen and duly passed to accept Terral's bid; and 4) American Soda, LLC, wants to enter into a service agreement with Port, wherein the Port would assist in maintenance repair of certain issues with rail cars. American Soda would provide parts, with the Port staff charging $60 per hour for work. The Port would need hold harmless/indemnification provisions in any agreement. A motion was made by Mr. Ingram, seconded by Mr. Allen and duly passed authorizing the Director to negotiate the agreement at $60 per hour with appropriate safeguards and a minimum charge per job. A motion was made by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Ingram, and after a unanimous roll call vote, the Board entered executive session to discuss litigation and personnel matters. A motion was made by Mr. Allen seconded by Mr. Zachary and duly carried that the meeting be adjourned. 382-22 06/23
