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MINUTES FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING ON AUGUST 18, 2021
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date:
August 18, 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
Woody Freeman
Jeannie Gillis, Co-Chair
Chris Kidd
Matt Taylor
Rick Wyatt, Chairman
LaGanzie Kale
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
Melissa Dooley - ASU
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
Also in attendance:
Scott McDaniel, Ramsons, Inc.
Jason MacDonald, Fisher Arnold
John Williams, Camfil APC
Todd Willey, Camfil APC
Michael Boggs, Tralan Engineering
Beverly Parker
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 July 21, 2021, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Coleman and seconded by Bryant. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Wyatt ask the guest in attendance to introduce themselves.
Wyatt stated that the first variance to be discussed is VR-03-21 at 4119 Stadium Blvd. The City denied the application based on the enclosure of the ditch along the property. Michael Boggs stated the existing development is built lower than Stadium Blvd forcing the water the drain back to the proposed project. Gillis ask if the property is behind the gated area because she had a hard time seeing it. Boggs stated the existing facility is on Stadium Blvd and the new part is in the back. The request is not enclose the ditch on Stadium. Because this is state highway right-of-way, Bevill questioned if ARDOT prefers open ditches. Boggs stated yes. He spoke with Rick Carmack with ARDOT. Light stated the ARDOT does prefers open ditches. Bryant questioned if enclosing the ditch would cause a problem. Boggs stated the with the required pipe size, the new top of the pipe would be close to 257 and the edge of the asphalt is 256. Freeman ask will it drain. Light stated the Developer said yes. It was denied because it does not meet code. Part of the property is already developed and drains. The existing property will not drain. Light stated that allowing property to be developed is against City code. The property does not currently meet City code and the proposed development does not meet City code
Freeman questioned if the existing property could be drainable if the top the pipe is higher than the existing road. Kidd ask since it is in ARDOT’s right-of-way, what is the easiest for them to maintain? If it is enclosed, does the City maintain it? The City helps maintain. There would need to be a permit from ARDOT. Light stated that if the City does not permit because the ditch has to be enclosed and ARDOT does not permit if not an open ditch, then the property could not be developed.
Light stated the site was not developed according to City standards and developments should not be allowed that do not meet City standards. Light stated the entire site would need to be raised. Boggs stated the only way to do that would be to tear down the existing structures and start over. Boggs stated the new structure meets City code and the issue is with the existing structure. Bevill ask how much road frontage was involved. Boggs stated approximately 200’. Wyatt ask if ARDOT is ok with enclosing ditches if the City requires it. Light stated that ARDOT wants long runs of enclosed ditches, not one with small gaps. Coleman suggested tabling this agenda item and getting a written opinion from ARDOT before making a final decision. Wyatt ask Boggs if the variance could be wait another month. Boggs they wanted to start the project before the weather gets too wet but it could wait. Freeman made a motion to defer the variance to the next meeting to allow for feedback from ARDOT. Coleman seconded. All voted aye. Boggs left the meeting at 8:50 a.m. Wyatt or Light will reach out to ARDOT regarding this issue.
Parker stated that the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Committee would like to see fewer open ditches. With open ditches, drains are clogged with debris. It is difficult for City crews to unclog and clean the ditches.
Wyatt stated the next item is VR-04-21. This variance is a request to not enclose the ditch. Bevill abstained. Light stated this variance and the next one are both located in the Craighead Technology Park (CTP) and both meet the requirements of the ordinance that was recommended to City Council at the last SWMB meeting the exclude developments in the CTP from enclosing ditches. With that being said, Bryant made a motion to grant the variance (VR-04-21). Seconded by Freeman. All votes Aye.
Since VR-05-21 meets the same criteria as the previous various, Bryant made a motion to grant the variance (VR-05-21). Seconded by Coleman. All vote Aye. McDaniel, MacDonald, Williams, and Willey left the meeting at 9:52 a.m.
Light thanked the Board for tabling VR-03-21 until the next meeting to give to look at it closer and to contact ARDOT.
Gibson stated the attached progress report was for the Board’s review and that it has already been approved.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Light stated the City is in the process of purchasing two properties with Hazard Flood Mitigation grant money. The two other eligible properties were not interested.
Bryant inquired about allocating more money to use for the match for repetitive loss structures purchased with FEMA money. Light stated the properties purchased are land restricted and cannot be developed. It can only be transferred to another government entity; otherwise, it is the City’s responsibility to maintain.
Wyatt stated he and Coleman meet with the Mayor regarding possible funding for stormwater and the Mayor took their suggestions under advisement.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Light stated the City had no errors on elevation certificates the past year. Light stated the City only gets an elevation certificate if the project is permitted. Only engineers and surveyors can do elevation certificates.
Wyatt presented two letters from concerned citizens regarding drainage issues.
Wyatt ask about the status of the new floodplain maps. Light stated the floodway in industrial park was not included in the maps and the City ask for it to be included. This inclusion has caused an 18-month delay.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Wyatt adjourned the meeting at 9:30 a.m.