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MINUTES FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING ON NOVEMBER 19, 2025
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Date: August 20, 2025
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
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
Others in Attendance:
Darryl Dromgoole - CWL
I. CALL TO ORDER
Wyatt called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Minutes for August 20, 2025, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Steiling and seconded by Porter. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Light stated that the position on the Board filled by the President of the Northeast Arkansas Home Builders Association (NEAHBA) is appointed by title. The NEAHBA is dissolving at the end of the year. Schrantz has agreed to stay on the Board. An ordinance will have to be passed by City Council to amend the technical position and appoint Kim Schrantz. A motion was made by Alexander and seconded by Coleman to amend the makeup of the Board and appoint Kim Schrantz.
Wyatt stated the next order of business is a variance (VR-6-25) for O’Reilly Auto Parts. Light stated that O’Reilly Auto Parts is requesting a variance to reduce the ten (10) foot buffer to an adjoining property. The detention pond will be built to the adjoining property line. City staff have reviewed the variance. The abutting property line is a ditch that no one claims. The buffer belongs to the ditch. The owners will maintain to the top of the ditch. Coleman questioned if someone checks variances once they are granted. Wyatt stated inspections are done during the building process but not for the variance. Light stated that when variance requires pipe or elevation, they are checked before the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued.
Alexander asked if maintenance is required as a part of the variance. Light stated there must be a mowable slope with a four to one slope.
Gillis questioned if the area had ever flooded. Light stated it is an open ditch with a culvert under the driveway on ArDOT right-of-way.
Parker stated her concern about how this would affect trails in the area. Light stated the trails are on Harrisburg. This property is located on Stadium and there are no trails in the connectivity plan for this area.
Coleman suggested adding to variance that the owner will maintain the from top of edge to Higginbottom ditch. Parker suggested looking at how ponds are built, suggesting beautifying on the front end. Light stated the will be grass.
Parker asked if there are currently any trees. Light stated there are no trees. She asked if trees would be planted. Day stated that trees should not be planted in detention ponds because of roots damage and maintenance.
Coleman made a motion to grant the variance with the stipulation that the Developer/Owner will maintain the grassed area north of the property to the tree line of Higginbottom Creek and the protected tree line be maintained. Porter seconded. All voted Aye. Variance passed.
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Alexander stated “Keep Jonesboro Beautiful” recently met at the Embassy Suites and had a great turn out.
Light stated that the 2026 budget will be released soon. He stated the funds allocated can be discussed at the next meeting. Alexander questioned if there was a stormwater line item. Light stated it is called Miscellaneous Drainage. It is typically used for small projects outside of the scope of what the Street Department does.
Wyatt has invited Shane Wood with ArDOT to give an update at an upcoming meeting in 2026.
Day stated there will be a meeting to discuss a connector route from Red Wolf to Airport at Grace Baptist Church tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Gillis made a motion for adjournment. Bevill seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.