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Minutes for the Stormwater Management Board meeting on November 17, 2010.
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date: November 17, 2010
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 8:31 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
Travis Fischer - Stormwater Engineer
Joe McKeel - Stormwater Inspector
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes for the October 20, 2010, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Zolper had some minor changes to the minutes. Motion to approve the minutes with the changes was made by Tubbs and seconded by Dover. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
Light gave an update on the 2011 Drainage Projects. Race Street and Ivy Green are scheduled for next year. Also, work is scheduled for Christian Creek Lateral, Higginbottom Lateral, and Viney Slough Tributary.
Wyatt stated that the there has been no meeting with the Drainage District representatives. He wants to set up a meeting with Light and Frierson in the next few weeks. Wyatt will report back at the next meeting.
Light stated that he had and members of the Engineering staff had a kick-off meeting with the Corps of Engineers on November 16th. The Jonesboro project is now the pet project of the Colonel. The Jonesboro project is the project managers only project. There will be monthly conference calls to discuss progress.
Fischer gave the Board the DFIRM Ordinance evaluation. He explained there were a few minor changes. The changes include additional definitions to the Stormwater Management Regulations. Zolper asked the Board to review the definitions and bring back possible comments to the next meeting. Fischer stated the 90 day comment period would end November 28th.
The illicit discharge ordinance was discussed. Zolper stated the word “colorants” was added to the definition of pollutants because of a recent issue with a developer adding color to the water and the water discharged downstream. Light added that State law states that the color of water cannot be changed. Currently, adding color is not in the ordinance for enforcement by the City. Adding the work “colorants” clarifies that any colorant is an illicit discharge. Wyatt made a motion to approve the new language and forward to the Public Works committee. Seconded by Coleman. All voted Aye.
Fischer discussed the contest for the design of a custom manhole cover. Light stated that the contest will serve as part of the City’s public outreach. The mold will cost approximately $5,000 and the winner of the contest will receive a plastic mold of their winning submittal. The City will also receive a plastic mold to display. After the mold is cast, the cover will cost approximately $220.00 each. Light stated that the City would like to raise enough money to purchase 20 covers. Light stated that they will need approximately $12,000 for the contest. Some developers are willing to donate money but he does not know how much. Zolper suggested contacting the civic clubs for donations. There was discussion on a sponsor advertising/marketing campaign. Zolper suggested all submittals be put on display (City Hall, the mall, etc.) The contest will kick-off the first of next year. Scurlock will stock the covers once the mold is made. The price will be the same as for plain covers.
Fischer stated there is no update on the CRS/Floodplain program. A technical assistance visit was made by the ISO. The 5-yar certification visit will take place in the Fall of 2011.
Fischer stated that a presentation of the Environscape model was presented to a Brookland Kindergarten class and a Valley View first grade class. There was an article regarding the presentation on the front page of the Jonesboro Sun. Light stated that illicit discharge inspections will be done this winter in the following areas: Lost Creek, Christian Creek, and Big Creek. Zolper stated that a lot of the general public does not know the definition of an illicit discharge and that illicit discharge is a violation of the law. Light stated that he hoped the manhole cover design cost and the winning design being placed in public areas would bring awareness to the community. Fischer stated beginning in January 2011, the Jonesboro Sun will publish monthly articles regarding stormwater. Light stated that another part of the MS4 program is to develop community activitist groups. One group, Arkansas Rivers Association, is interested in what the City is currently involved with. It may be possible for the City to partner with them to get the “Adopt-a-Stream” program started.
Light stated that the Oakhill Terrace drainage project is complete. He also reported that inmates have cleared a section of Lost Creek from Willett to Culberhouse. They will move to Lost Creek Lateral. The inmates are currently working in Jonesboro a couple of time a month. Zolper questioned if community service workers could be used to assist with Public Works projects. Light stated that inmates can refuse work assigned. There is currently no incentive for them to get out and work. There has been discussion with the Mayor and Police Chief about possibly giving credit for the work they do.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Light discussed substantial improvement requirements. He stated that FEMA requires a noncompliant structure in a floodplain to be brought into compliance if improvements totaling 50% or more are done to the structure. He stated that permits are being broken up to get around this requirement. Light ask if there needs to be some type of limit set for obtaining permits. Setting a five-year period was mentioned. If requirements are met and the permit does not exceed the 50% plus requirement, the City cannot refuse to issue permit. Without a time limit on obtaining permits, a noncompliant structure can be substantially improved without being brought into compliance. Zolper ask that the Board come back to the next meeting with comments. Light stated there are two separate issues: substantial remodel and new construction.
Light stated that the City does not specify that utilities have to be 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The only requirement currently in place is that the utility be raised to the BFE not above it. The City would receive some CRS points if the utilities were raised. There was discussion that requiring the utilities be above the BFE would be a protective measure for the people. Light will bring a draft ordinance to the next meeting for review.
Light discussed a Stormwater Utility. The State law allows for a Stormwater Utility and fee can be levied for Stormwater related issues. Light stated that the collection of the fee would have to be worked out. Hot Springs collects theirs with utility billing. The City would have to coordinate with CWL. Light will discuss with the Mayor and Ben. Daniels suggested on waiting until the Master Drainage Plan is done. Light stated that it will take at a year of planning to figure out everything. Zolper stressed that a fee is not a tax and that that City needs to make sure that the fee is enough to make a difference.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, December 15th, at 8:30 a.m.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Zolper adjourned the meeting at 9:56 a.m.