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Minutes for the Stormwater Management Board Meeting on October 17, 2018
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date: October 17, 2018
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 Meredith
Jeremy Bevill
L.J. Byrant
Charles Coleman
Marvin Day, Vice-Chairman
Jeannie Gillis
Jerry Farris
Woody Freeman
Garry Meadows
Bob Harrison
Rick Wyatt
Officials & Staff:
Harold Perrin - Mayor
Derrel Smith - Director of Planning & Zoning
Craig Light - Chief City Engineer
Roger Gibson - Stormwater Manager
Eugene Neff - Road Superintendent
Bobby Clark - ASU
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
Mike Foster
I. CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chair, Gillis made a motion to appoint Bevill the Chairman for the meeting. Coleman seconded. All vote Aye. Bevill called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
*Minutes for the April 18, 2018, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Wyatt and seconded by Farris. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
Light gave an update on the Stormwater Utility Fee Study. He stated the he had a conference call with the consultant and they are still a little behind due to earlier delays in getting information from the County. They expect to have the parcels digitized and tables showing how to calculate the fee by mid-November and what the rate may look like by the first of December. The Board will be involved when the data is provided to ensure everything is done correctly before presenting to the City Council. Once the ordinance is passed, it will take at least nine months to implement. It is possible; revenue will not be generated until 2020.
Light explained the mitigation grant awarded to the City from FEMA. The kickoff meeting was yesterday. There are five properties that qualify for the grant and all have agreed to begin the buyout process. The houses will be purchased at market value and the owners can back out at any time during the process. If they choose to not participate, there flood insurance rates will increase. The deadline for the program is March 2021. The City hopes to have the properties purchased by early 2019. The houses will be demolished and the lot will become deed restricted green space.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Light talked about the ordinance that allows rear property lines to be open ditches. He stated the ordinance be modified to state that if water can be conveyed in a 48” or smaller pipe, the ditched must be piped in for better conveyance of water and ease of maintenance. A draft ordinance will be presented to the Board for review.
Light stated as part of the City public outreach, the City could use signage to educate the public as to where water drains. These signs are in place in Nashville. Farris mentioned there maybe grant money available for the project. Bevill suggested choosing major crossings and labeling them. It was suggested presenting an “Adopt a Creek” to the Rotary Club. The sign could be used for advertising the organization at no cost to the City.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Wyatt suggested working with the County Judge’s office to get drainage districts involved with the Board. There are only two drainage districts and the contact for those are Charles Frierson and Don Mixon. Light stated that County Judge Elect Day would continue to serve on the Board.
With the resignation of Beisner, Wyatt recommended electing a new Chairman.
Light stated the Contractor as started work on the Whiteman’s Creek ditch cleaning.
Light stated that other City Boards has language regarding attendance and removal. Light suggested adding language similar to what is in the Land Bank ordinance for the Stormwater Board. Wyatt agreed and stated that the new Chairman may be involved future appointments.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Bevill adjourned the meeting at 9:17 a.m.