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Minutes for the Stormwater Management Board meeting on May 19, 2010.
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Date: May 19, 2010
Location:
Huntington Building
Conference Room
900 West Monroe
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Opening: Chairman Vance called the meeting to order to order at 8:31 a.m.
In Attendance marked in bold
Members:
Dewaine Beisner, Vice-Chairman
Charles Coleman
Derek Daniels
Michael Daniels
Darrel Dover
Jerry Farris
Garry Meadows
Barry Phillips
Rick Tubbs
Rick Wyatt
Dennis Zolper, Chairman
Officials & Staff:
Harold Perrin - Mayor
Otis Spriggs - Director of Planning & Zoning
Craig Light - Chief City Engineer
Travis Fischer - Stormwater Engineer
Joe McKeel - Stormwater Inspector
Floyd Lemm - Street Superintendent
Tracey Cooper - Secretary
Also in Attendance:
Gene Vance
Juan Gonzolas
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes for the March 17, 2010, Stormwater Management Board Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Zolper and seconded by Daniels. The minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Vance introduced the new members. Vance ask for nominations for Chairman. A motion to nominate Zolper as Chairman of the Board was made by Beisner and seconded by Wyatt. The nomination was unanimously approved. Vance turned the meeting over to Zolper. Zolper ask Beisner to be Vice-Chairman. Beisner accepted and was unanimously approved.
Light explained that the house located at 1409 W. Matthews was built in a floodplain and that the structure was built below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The problem was discovered when a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) was requested. Zolper questioned if a variance could be given. Fischer explained that a variance could be issued but explained the rating systems and non-compliance could impact the entire City.
There was a discussion on if anything could be done by the City to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again. Light stated that the Floodplain Permit certified before construction begins and before the final CO is issued. The permit currently does not require a “building under construction” certification. Light stated that an ordinance could be prepared to require the intermediate step in the Floodplain Permit process.
There was discussion regarding if the owner, Mr. Gonzolas, would be required to submitted a wavier/release regarding the property. Wyatt stated that a variance should be granted in the instance. A motion to grant Mr. and Mrs. Gonzolas a variance for the property located at 1409 W. Matthews was made by Dover and seconded by Wyatt. The motion was unanimously approved. Mr. Gonzolas questioned if he would have to provide a wavier/release to the City prior to receiving his CO. He was told no.
A motion was made to prepare an ordinance that requires the “Building Under Construction” elevation to be certified. The motion was unanimously approved.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Light gave a brief explain of the vegetative management study for the new members. He then updated the Board. He stated that a demonstration site, Culberhouse Lateral, had been chosen. The project is not moving as fast as expected. Light explained that the City is also looking at spraying. The most effective spray will be chosen. There is approximately 300 miles of ditches and it is impossible to keep up with mowing them all. Plant species will be selected based on what it most beneficial for the City and its needs. Light explained that there are areas to consider regarding structural stabilization, cost, and maintenance.
Light explained to the new members that the City had resubmitted to the Corp of Engineers a balance work load. The Corp will do a master drainage study at 50-50 match. Light went on to explain that the approximate cost to the City is 9% or .5 million over four years. A lot of the hours will be GIS and Surveyor hours. GIS - 50% of time will be spent on this project. Surveyor - 60% of time will be spent on this project. Zolper questioned if ASU could possibly provide assistance. Coleman stated that ASU has a new GIS person and that the City could contact Dr. Parsons regarding surveying interns. Coleman stated that Dr. Morris in the Department of Agriculture and Technology is the contact person for possible GIS assistance. The tentative start date for the project to begin is July. Light also mentioned that the Corp will do the project in-house.
Fischer stated that the annual report is due the first week of June. He also stated that the City is teaming with boy scouts to do some stenciling around storm drains in the City. This event should take place the first or second Saturday in June. Light briefly explained the six state requirements for the MS4 Program to the new members.
Light gave a brief explanation of the benchmark and stated that it is a grant funded program. He stated that the benchmark amendment had been approved by the City Council and hopefully work will begin next month.
Light explained that stormwater enforcement falls under Engineering and not Code Enforcement. The Engineering Department only has one inspector. The ordinance discussed would put some of the enforcement responsibility on the Chief Building Inspector, thus giving Inspections/Code Enforcement more responsibility. With the passage of this ordinance, the number of inspectors would increase from 1 to 8. Light noted that Joe McKeel and Terry Adams are both nationally certified Stormwater inspectors. Coleman made a motion to approve the ordinance amending Article 5 & 6 and seconded by Beisner. The motion was unanimously approved.
Light updated the Board on the 2010 Drainage Projects.
- 611 E. Nettleton Drainage - near completion
- Windsor Landing Drainage Channel - construction began this week. All tree work done. Project going better than expected.
- Oakhill Terrace Detention Basin - open bids June 2nd
- Race Street Drainage Project - budgeted for this year. Working with ASU on acquiring property. Design work is 80% complete. Could be let out to bid this summer.
- Ivy Green - no design work done, scheduled to begin design work this winter. Property has been donated. Bid out next year.
- 2400 E. Nettleton - the owner quitclaim property to City. The City will purchase for back taxes. CWL will give 30’ easement.
- Kersey/Peabody/Kents Place - the City will go to Murray Creek for bank stabilization after Windsor Landing is completed and then to Kents Place for about six weeks.
Wyatt stated that a committee should be formed to interact with the drainage districts Light has a list of districts and contact information. Light and George Johnson has discussed a “meet and greet” with the Board and the Drainage Districts.
Zolper will ask Charles Frierson to serve on the “Drainage District” committee. Wyatt and Daniels were also ask to serve.
Daniels questioned setting up the SWMB similar to MPO. Zolper stated he would like to keep the SWMB one group with the exception of the “Drainage District” committee.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, July 21st, at 8:30 a.m.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Zolper adjourned the meeting at 10:12 a.m.