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Minutes for the Stormwater Management Board meeting on April 20, 2011.
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date: April 20, 2011
Location: Huntington Building
Conference Room
900 West Monroe
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Opening: Chairman Zolper called the meeting to order to order at 8:40 a.m.
In Attendance marked in bold
Members:
Dewaine Beisner, Vice-Chairman
Charles Coleman
Derek Daniels
Michael Daniels
Darrel Dover
Jerry Farris
Garry Meadows
Barry Phillips
Rick Tubbs
Rick Wyatt
Dennis Zolper, Chairman
Officials & Staff:
Harold Perrin - Mayor
Otis Spriggs - Director of Planning & Zoning
Craig Light - Chief City Engineer
Eric Scarbrough, Stormwater Engineer
Joe McKeel - Stormwater Inspector
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
Also in Attendance:
LM Duncan Carlos Wood
Shannon Lenderman Mac McAlister
George Krennerich Todd Welch
James Best Brad Edwards
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes for the January 19, 2011, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Beisner and seconded by Coleman. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
Light stated that he and Scarbrough will set up a meeting with Wyatt in the next month regarding drainage districts.
Light went to Memphis River Commission last week. He spoke with the Colonel over the Memphis district and he is ready to meet with the Mayor and City staff for an update. Light suggested coordinating that meeting with the next SWMB meeting. There may be a change in the time of the next meeting to accommodate Corp.
The adopt-a-stream item was put on hold by the Board until action was taken on the adopt-a-street program. The Transportation Management Board (TMB) recommended the program and it was accepted by the City Council. The ordinance and supporting documentation was made available to the Board for review. Zolper stated it was a good idea and ask the Board to review the information.
The storm lid contest was discussed. Light stated that Scarbrough will lay out a plan over the summer and implement it when school starts in August. Light stated that money would need to be raised for the initial mold and to purchase some lids to be placed in various areas of Jonesboro. Zolper stated that the contest would be positive public relations for the City. He also stated that the Board members could help in raising money to fund the contest and purchase of mold and additional lids.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Light explained the State gives municipalities the authority to set up a Stormwater Utility. He suggested the Board look at setting up a fee schedule based on impervious area. Public meetings will need to be held to inform the public about the fee.
Light explained the Jonesboro Vision 2030 is a comprehensive plan for the City. Spriggs stated the final plan will be completed in February 2012. Light ask the Board review the attachments sent with the agenda packet and to think of things they would like to see included in the plan. The survey is online. A link will be sent to the Board. They were encouraged to share the survey with others.
Farris stated that ASU has a Research Hydrologist on campus. Farris will arrange for her to attend a future meeting.
Light explained that Jonesboro Tool & Die have proposed an expansion in the Floodway. It is currently .63 ft. above BFE and the new regulations require it be 1 ft. They are asking for a variance of .37 ft. to ensure they can move their equipment. Shawn Lenderman gave the Board members a handout and again explained that it would be difficult to move equipment. Beisner made a motion to approve the request by Jonesboro Tool & Die for a variance of .37 ft. Meadows seconded. All voted aye.
Light explained that Best Manufacturing was also requesting a variance. The existing property is 1.63 ft. BFE. To meet the new requirements, the property would have to be raised 2.6 ft. Light spoke with the Floodplain Administration and the City can’t grant a variance over 1 ft. without consequences from FEMA, including potential loss of CRS points. James Best addressed the Board. He stated that his company is proactive when it rains and they have never flooded in 25 years. He also stated that this would be the last expansion to his business because he is landlocked. There was a lengthy discussion between the Board and Mr. Best concerning his property, possible alterations to his current property, and other options available. Carlos Wood requested that the Board grant Mr. Best a 1 ft. variance the City can grant. Meadows made a motion to grant a 1ft.variance that the City can allow and any further variance request must come back to the SWMB for consideration. Coleman seconded. All voted aye. Zolper re-stated a 1 ft. variance has been granted to Best Manufacturing.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, May 18th, at 8:30 a.m.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Light briefly explained current and proposed projects for 2011. The current projects included three projects for the “hot spot” list. Ivy Green is under contract, Huntington, Chestnut, Burke is being done by City Forces, and Sharp Street is complete. Proposed projects for 2011 include Race Street which will be contracted out. City Forces will work on Christian Creek Lateral, Viney Slough Lateral, and Higginbottom Lateral. Light stated work will also be done on Oak Street and Kitchen Court.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Zolper adjourned the meeting at 10:04 a.m.