title
MINUTES FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
body
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date:
September 21, 2022
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
LaGanzie Kale
Clint Jackson
Jeff Steiling
Pam Alexander - 8:38 a.m.
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
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 June 15, 2022 Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Byrant and seconded by Gillis. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
There are two letters from ArDOT. The first states a permit would be issued if required by the City to enclose the ditch and the second states that ArDOT could not issue a permit based on what has been submitted because it does not meet ArDOT requirements. The City requires all ditches along the front and side lot lines be enclosed. The City recommends the ditch be enclosed and the variance request be denied.
Wyatt questioned if the water could be controlled getting on road based on design. Belk answered that ArDOT doesn’t feel there is enough fall for the water. Wyatt ask if the topography could be changed to get enough fall. Belk stated not based on the engineering design. Wyatt asked if any of the ditches to the East or West were enclosed. Belk said no. Coleman questioned how long the developer would be responsible for the ditch. Light stated that when ArDOT issues a permit on commercial property, the property owner is responsible for maintenance forever.
Bryant made a motion to deny the variance. Before a second, Parker ask if there are any low impact development that could be done on the site. She committed open ditches are hard to maintain. Light stated that stormwater mitigation on the site and enclosing the ditch is two different things. Steilings questioned would this be an issue if the site was located further south. Wyatt asked if it was located in the industrial park. Light stated there is an exception for property located in the Craighead Technology Park and there are specific boundaries for that area. Coleman ask if there was a cost difference between what the city requires and what ArDOT requires. By ordinance, cost is not considered a hardship for variance. ArDOT’s current opinion is the design submitted does not work.
Bryant made the motion to deny the variance. Second by Alexander. A roll call vote was taken. Votes are as follows:
Jeremy Bevill - Yes
L.J. Bryant - Yes
Charles Coleman - Yes
Jeannie Gillis - Yes
LaGanzie Kale - Yes
Clint Jackson - Yes
Jeff Steiling - Yes
Pam Alexander - Yes
Rick Wyatt - No
The variance was denied by a vote of 8 - 1.
Wyatt ask Light what the next step is for the property owners. Light stated the City will work with the Engineer and because the City understands the concern and is aware of what ArDOT requires. Belk expressed frustration with the amount of time already put into the project.
Gibson stated the City is currently working with the CRS Technical Coordinator on the five-year CRS audit. This audit will determine the discount the citizens of Jonesboro receive on flood insurance.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Coleman ask why variances are being requested if they are not working with the City prior to requesting the variance. Light stated that consistently denying variance that do not align with the ordinance is a good step. Parker thanked the Board - you have to stick to your guns and start somewhere to remedy the problem.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATION
Kale stated it is political season and KLEK will be hosting debates with the candidates. He also stated it is pledge week and they are asking the community for donations.
Steiling suggested requiring the engineer of record to be at the meetings to describe what is being done and why variances are requested. Owners are having to describe the hardship(s) and have a lack of representation. Coleman agreed that some of the Board has knowledge in dealing with drawings and other engineering data while others do not.
Light made the announcement of a state administered grant. No particular projects have been selected. He has meet with Tony Thomas about potentially doing a drainage project on Prospect Road similar to what was done on Race Street. It would cost approximately $5 million. He also ask the Board if they had any suggestions for the grant funds. He also mentioned that the City and ASU could partner on a project.
Coleman stated he and Wyatt met with the Mayor regarding funding for stormwater. He stated there needs to be a list of projects compiled. Light stated there is a list of projects that total approximately $15 million. The Corps project is not included in the $15 million.
Kale ask that a picture be added to the variance request to give a visual of the area.
Parker would like to see the Board take on more of an educational role to improve the community’s understanding of low impact development. Wyatt suggested it could be done through the Northeast Arkansas Homebuilders Association. Light stated that there have been presentations to the Board in the past but the words “and volume” were taken out of the ordinance, therefore, low impact development is not required.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Wyatt adjourned the meeting at 9:18 a.m.