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MINUTES FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING ON MARCH 20, 2024
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date: March 20, 2024
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
Janice Porter
Charles Coleman
David Handwork
Jeannie Gillis, Co-Chair
LaGanzie Kale
Kim Schrantz
Jeff Steiling
Pam Alexander
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
Melissa Dooley - ASU
Beverly Parker, Keep Jonesboro Beautiful
Ken Kelso - Construction Outreach Coordinator
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
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 February 21, 2024 Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Porter and seconded by Bevill. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Wyatt introduced Ken Kelso as the new Construction Outreach Coordinator. He will be working with builders and developers to resolve any issue that may come up.
Light stated the contractor started working on a drainage project installing 120’ of storm drainpipe on the corner of Casey Springs and Sloan Lake. Upon completion of this project, the contractor will move to Short and Wood. There is water standing. The area will be drained. Parker questioned where the water would drain. Light stated north to College across Wood to the road that runs north and south.
Light stated the funding for drainage project this year was tied to ARPA funding that did not make it through City Council. The City has $92,000 allocated for drainage. Hopefully, there will be funding later in the year. Projects are limited this year due to the lack of funding. The City is continuing regulatory and stormwater reviews.
Wyatt stated there needs to be funding for stormwater. He suggested asking City Council for money for a bond issue.
Wyatt stated that he has noticed many leaves being racked into ditches. He asked about the vacuum truck. Light stated they demoed a vacuum truck with a jet sprayer to clean plugged ditches. The truck that was demoed did a great job. The price was approximately $400,000 and we would need a qualified crew to operate it. It is very dangerous because of the water pressure. The City has enough pipe in the system to justify the truck and crew but funding is not available.
Parker asked about educating the public about litter and leave in the ditches. Light stated the Communications Department has done social media post, the Sanitation Department is encouraging the use of paper over plastic, and Code Enforcement has gotten more involved.
Wyatt asked why the new sidewalks are wider. Light stated is part of the Master Street Plan to have 6’ sidewalks. Multi-use side paths have been installed at Culberhouse and Highland. Multi-use paths are for high volume traffic and speed areas. Bicycles can be ridden on these paths. There is an ordinance that states bicycles cannot be ridden on sidewalks.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Parker asked for an update greenspace. Wyatt stated that Smith said there has been no meeting to discuss.
Parker encouraged more tree planting along trails to make it more appealing. She suggested working with the tree council. She stated there is grant money for landscaping along the MLK Trail. Light stated there has been discussion about landscaping beyond the contract. Light stated the Parks Department maintains the planting so it is driven by them.
Parker also stated there is Grant money on hold for trees to be planted in low-income areas.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATION
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Wyatt adjourned the meeting at 9:05 a.m.