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Minutes for the Stormwater Management Board meeting on February 18, 2009.
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date: February 18, 2009
Location: Huntington Building
City Council Chambers
900 West Monroe
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Opening: Chairman Vance called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m.
In Attendance marked in bold
Members:
Dewaine Beisner
Todd Wilcox
Michael Daniels
Alec Farmer
Jerry Farris, Vice-Chair
Betty Shaw
John Street
Gene Vance, Chair
Jon Wilbanks
Dennis Zolper
John Easley
Officials & Staff:
Harold Perrin - Mayor
Tony Thomas - Project Administrator
Erick Woodruff - Public Works Director
Otis Spriggs - Director of Planning & Zoning
Craig Light - Chief City Engineer
Michael Morris - Civil Engineer
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
Also in Attendance:
Allison Whitley
Floyd Lemm
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
After roll call, Vance questioned if Tony Thomas should be removed from the agenda as a staff member since he is now concentrating on grants. Perrin stated yes.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes for the January 21, 2009, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Zolper and seconded by Beisner. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Vance read the mission statement provided by Light. Zolper questioned the issue of water quality. Vance stated that would be a good issue for a subcommittee. Vance stated that he and Light had discussed dividing the Board into subcommittees. They discussed a visionary committee that would look at projects that would take place 10 - 20 years in the future. That committee would then meet with the “nuts and bolts” committee to discuss and then bring to the full Board.
Street questioned if there was a timeline on water quality. Light stated that the MS4 Permit has been updated this year but he has not gotten it. He will provide copies to the Board when he receives it.
Vance asked that items to be added to the mission statement be e-mailed to himself, Light, and Cooper. Addition will be made and brought to the next meeting.
Light stated that the Model Floodplain Ordinance outlined the duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain Administrator but was not adopted. Light stated that the City Engineer is the designated Floodplain Administrator and that ORD-06:066 had given some authority to the position. He stated the duties and responsibility in that Ordinance were copied and added to.
Zolper questioned if a separate department was needed to handle the Floodplain Administration. Perrin stated that it should remain a part of the Engineering Department. Vance recommended the Ordinance to the Public Works Committee and then to City Council. Zolper motioned to submit the Ordinance to the Public Works Committee, Street seconded. All voted Aye.
Light discussed long-ranging planning as it relates to Stormwater. He began by giving a status report on the “hot spots”. The plans are complete for Centre Grove but the City needs to settle with Jonesboro Public Schools on property. Light has a meeting scheduled with Miller-Newell to discuss Farm Creek. It is close to bidding. The Nettleton Avenue project (611 E. Nettleton) is ready to bid. Beisner questioned what was included in the estimated cost provided. Light stated that some costs (such as property acquisition, engineering, etc.) have already been incurred. Light will redo the format of the document to provide more detail.
Light stated the ditch at Kent’s Place is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the City. Because of the extreme condition of the ditch, the City may be able to get some grant money to help with this project.
Beisner requested a map of the “hot spot” locations. It was provided by Morris.
The Vegetative Management Program was discussed by Light and Farris. The University would do a study to identify three types of channels. Light stated that the Stormwater Drainage Design Manual has one cross-section for ditches. Farris suggested making this a substantial project and possibly getting some grant money to help with this project. It was suggested working with Tony Thomas on the grant process.
Light stated that there is funding to do a smaller drainage basin. He stated that an Engineer needs to be selected.
Light stated that The Grove is complete. Light and Perrin will meet with ASU on April 23rd to discuss the Marshall Street Drainage.
Light stated that Melissa Houston is working on a plan for the MS4 Permit. A copy will be available at the next meeting. Light stated that Engineering Department personnel gave a presentation to the Home Builders Association on residential SWPPPs.
Light stated that the City received a letter from FEMA stating that they would not accept the maps submitted because some did not meet specifications. FEMA will redo the maps and it could be 2011 before they are complete. Perrin stated that this sets the City back 18 months in having a floodplain map. Perrin and Light will meet with the Engineer. Street questioned if the City has to accept what FEMA submits. Light stated that there would be a public comment period and then the City would accept the maps.
Vance stated the all Engineers should give a cost-benefit analysis for all projects. This information can be used to prioritize projects.
The Vegetative Management Program was discussed. Farris stated that if approved the first phase of the project could start this summer. Vance stated that an appropriation of $40,500 would be necessary to start the first phase of this project. Zolper motioned to request that the Public Works Committee review, approve, and recommend to the City Council for funding of this phase of the project. Daniels seconded. Wilcox questioned what the City would receive for their money. Light stated that three broad classifications of ditches would be identified and what needs to be done to start managing them. He stated that they may have to be sub-categorized. Light stated that a resolution would have to be done to enter into an agreement. Farris stated that this baseline study would help in applying for grants. The motion was read again and all voted Aye. Farris sustained from voting because of personal conflict.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 18th, at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. All regularly scheduled meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month. An error on the City Clerk’s webpage has been corrected to reflect that.
V. PENDING ITEMS
VI. STAFF REPORTS
Floyd Lemm was introduced as the new Street Superintendent. Perrin questioned if the meetings were going to be held quarterly or monthly. Vance stated monthly because of pending items such as creating a mission statement and setting project priorities. If it were just an Appeal Board then quarterly or “as needed” meeting would be sufficient. Light stated he will be doing a video to be run on Channel 24 explaining the Stormwater Ordinance.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Vance adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m.