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Minutes for the Stormwater Management Board Meeting on March 17, 2021
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date:
March 17, 2021
Location:
Municipal Center
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
L.J. Bryant
Charles Coleman
Jerry Farris
Woody Freeman
Jeannie Gillis, Co-Chair
Chris Kidd
Brett Provost
Matt Taylor
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
Eugene Neff - Road Superintendent
Bobby Clark - ASU
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
Carroll Caldwell
I. CALL TO ORDER
Wyatt called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
*Minutes for the October 21, 2020, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Bryant and seconded by Freeman. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Wyatt changed the order of the meeting to allow Carroll Caldwell to discuss an issue with impeding the flow of water in neighborhoods. He specifically mentioned privacy fences being installed to the ground. He questioned if the City has any enforcement authority when fences are installed. Light stated that fences can’t be place in drainage easements and restrict the flow of water. The City allows drainage swells on back property lines. The City does have a fence permit but not everyone gets a permit. If the fence in not in a drainage easement, the City doesn’t have authority.
Wyatt questioned if the SWMB could make a recommendation to city council to add some language to stop fences from being built on the ground. Light stated people have the right to protect their property from stormwater. These situations are civil issues and it can be taken to court and a judge can decide what can be done. Day ask if Smith had encountered this issue in other communities. Smith stated that not a lot can be done outside of the drainage easement. Light stated he would talk to the City Attorney to see if there is anything the City can do about the situation. Caldwell thanked the Board. Caldwell left at 8:54 a.m.
Gillis gave the Board a packet of pictures she took of trash around town. She stated that a lot of the trash is on the main roads going to the landfill. The trash is not being picked up and is going to cause drainage problems. Wyatt said he will contact Angela at the landfill to see if employees police the road. Light stated that the City has both “Adopt a Street” and “Adopt a Stream” programs. It was suggested that Beverly Parker be invited to the next meeting to see how she can help with the current situation and give some insight into what the future plans are for the beautification of Jonesboro.
The Board discussed trash in the stormwater system (ditches, pipes, etc.). Light stated the City had demoed a vacuum truck and it was amazing how fast pipes could be clean out. Freeman made a motion to recommend to City Council to acquire a vacuum truck. Bryant seconded the motion. All vote Aye.
Wyatt questioned, who is responsible when the orange plastic fencing at job sites blows down. Smith answered the Inspections Department. Light state the Stormwater Inspector hits all the sights monthly. The Stormwater Inspector can write tickets but stop work orders seen to be more effective than the ticket. The Chief Building Inspector and Stormwater Inspector will be made aware of this issue.
Light stated there will be piping work done in Bennett Addition and Quail Ridge. He also discussed that when Colony Park was built the Developer was allowed to use black plastic pipe and now the entire drainage system needs to be replaced. It will be replaced with metal pipe.
Light informed the Board the City has the draft report for Phases 2, 3, and 4 for the Corp. The report will be review over the next month or so. It is getting close to being completed.
The FEMA maps are out for review. Light stated several areas have been put in Zone A and some areas have been removed.
The Corp of Engineers installed flood gauge stations in the Industrial Park area approximately two weeks ago. Currently, the City has two gauging stations with USGS and pays $30,000 per year for maintenance. This payment has been used towards the City’s in-kind contribution for the Corp study. With the study wrapping up, Light stated that he didn’t know if he would ask for the funding for these gauging stations to continue.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Light stated the City is working with ArDOT on an agreement regarding enclosing ditches along state routes. It has been a slow process getting an agreement regarding how this will be done. ArDOT has not always been in agreement with ditches being enclosed. Open ditches do not work with sidewalks and other requirements.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Wyatt adjourned the meeting at 9:26 a.m.