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MINUTES FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING ON NOVEMBER 20, 2024
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Date: November 20, 2024
Location: First Floor Conference Room
300 South Church
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Opening:
In Attendance marked in bold
Members:
Susan Merideth
Jeremy Bevill
Janice Porter
Charles Coleman
David Handwork
Jeannie Gillis, Co-Chair
LaGanzie Kale
Kim Schrantz
Jeff Steiling
Pam Alexander
Rick Wyatt, Chairman
Officials & Staff:
Harold Copenhaver - Mayor
Derrel Smith - Director of Planning & Zoning
Craig Light - Chief City Engineer
Roger Gibson - Stormwater Manager
Marvin Day, Craighead County Judge
Melissa Dooley - ASU
Beverly Parker, Keep Jonesboro Beautiful
Ken Kelso - Construction Outreach Coordinator
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER
Wyatt called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Minutes for the September 18, 2024, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Coleman and seconded by Porter. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Light stated they have been notified that HUD will be amending rules beginning January 1, 2025, to comply with new Federal Flood Risk Management Standards (FFRMS). FFRMS implemented a two-foot freeboard requirement for structures in the floodplain. FFRMS were adopted by the grant arm of FEMA. The City of Jonesboro’s current regulation is only one-foot of freeboard. HUD will not allow funding for housing not two-feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). To ensure compliance with these new rules, the City’s minimum BFE needs to be raised to two-foot above BFE.
Coleman questioned if there is a regulatory elevation study. If it is in a floodplain or next to a drainage easement. The model ordinance has a two-foot freeboard requirement but the City has kept it at one-foot since 2011. Steiling questioned if the one-foot has been serving the City well because this is a blanket ordinance for all areas. Light stated FEMA feels one-foot is not serving the nation well. Two-foot freeboard is more protective in the long-term. It is better to do it on new construction than to retrofit. Light stated variance can be granted for various situations. Steiling ask what is best for the community not nationwide. Light stated this only applies to flood zones. Coleman questioned if there were any reservations about adopting this. Would it stop development in other areas? Light stated this only applies to flood zones. Bevill ask if there is a middle ground on the issue. For instance, keep it one-foot and recommend two-foot? Light stated this does not satisfy their requirement for two-foot. Wyatt stated that if this is not done a lot of people would not be allowed to buy a house. Handwork stated it could have a minor effect on development. Merideth questioned the effect on big industrial sites. Light stated industrial sites are built up, they are above BFE. Light stated that the FFRMS went into effect September 9, 2024, and HUD goes info effect on January 1, 2025. The County adopted the model ordinance with two-foot of freeboard. Handwork stated the County set a precedence with the adoption. Coleman made a motion to adopt the two-foot freeboard requirement for structures in the floodplain. Second by Handwork. All voted aye.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Gibson stated mortgage companies are sending out letters regarding the new flood maps as loans are being reviewed. Gibson said the homeowner will have 45 days to obtain or appeal. If they don’t get the insurance, the mortgage company will get it for them. Porter will get with the Communications Department to get out some information regarding the new maps and the insurance requirements.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Wyatt adjourned the meeting at 9:16 a.m.