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MINUTES FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date:
September 29, 2021
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
Chris Kidd
Matt Taylor
Rick Wyatt, Chairman
LaGanzie Kale
Jeff Steiling
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
Eugene Neff - Road Superintendent
Melissa Dooley - ASU
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
Also in attendance:
Michael Boggs, Tralan Engineering
Brad Smithee, ARDOT
Rick Carmack, ARDOT
I. CALL TO ORDER
Wyatt called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Bryant and seconded by Steiling. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
V. OLD BUSINESS
Wyatt asked the guests from ARDOT to introduce themselves and asked for the benefits for enclosing a ditch and adding a curb and gutter in front of a property.
Smithee stated that doing this would provide better drainage but it the issue is the highways that have been modified in recent years have right of ways that are not consistent and the setbacks and easement lengths all depend on different factors. Consistency is hard to find in these new areas. If we choose to develop one section of curb in order to help with drainage it will turn into 100’ and then an entire city block. All of this for one driveway.
Light stated that a meeting should occur before any permits are granted so everyone is on the same page, the infrastructure needs to be able to support the proposed project.
Carmack stated that the City should not issue a permit until ARDOT approves and permits the project.
Wyatt stated ARDOT should not be responsible for knowing all requirements for each city. He called for Boggs to reintroduce the variance request: VR-03-21.
Boggs stated the request was to get a variance from the ordinance requiring the enclosure of the front ditch of a developed property. He stated that in order for water to drain properly with an enclosed ditch the storm drainage system must be extended.
Coleman asked how far it was to the existing drainage system.
Boggs answered that is was roughly 600’ to the box culvert.
Light stated that the City wants the ditch enclosed and asked if ARDOT has plans to enclose it in any future projects.
Smithee answered doing this would be costly and mostly for cosmetic appeal.
Light asked that the City asks to widen sidewalk and enclose ditched, this is an urban city and we do not want any open ditches along front and side lot lines.
Smithee stated that doing this is expensive and if there is a cheaper option then it should be considered.
Wyatt asked what the street frontage is and would you have to go 600’.
Boggs answered the street frontage is 200’ but in order to go to the full length to the existing drainage system they would have to go the extra 600’ in distance.
Light stated that ARDOT has worked with this property owner in the past and they have had water issues. We are only trying to prevent future problems and get them to follow the drainage code. The curb and gutter are optional, it helps direct water flow but it is optional. The City does require an enclosed drainage system, this is a separate ordinance and code.
Boggs stated that the past water issue has been fixed.
Smithee stated that ARDOT will fix noncommercial issues for free but they require commercial properties to pull a permit to fix any issues. It was determined that the pipes were crushed and needed to be replaced. The property owner did pull a permit and replace the damaged pipes, the issue is resolved as far as they know.
Bryant asked how the Board can be consistent with these types of issues, for example Dollar Tree and Bill’s had similar issues.
Wyatt stated that it comes down to the topography.
Light stated the property drains to the south, meaning it will not flood any property or the road.
Bevill asked if ARDOT would be the ones to maintain the total 800’.
Smithee stated that it would depend on overall resources and the situation. The answer is the big picture is unknown at this time.
Light stated that the City is working to get the appropriated tools to maintain things of this sort. He said the City has a bond with ARDOT but we would not want to use it on a private development. What is the hardship here? Finances are excluded from being a hardship.
Steiling asked what material the pipe would have to be.
Light answered concrete or aluminized metal are both accepted by ARDOT, no plastic.
Wyatt asked that everyone think about the request.
Motion to approve the variance was made by Bevill and seconded by Wyatt.
Aye: 1 - Bevill
Nay: 4 - Bryant, Coleman, Wyatt, Steiling
The motion failed.
VI. OTHER COMMUNICATION
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Wyatt adjourned the meeting at 10:15 a.m.