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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-08-13 minutes MINUTES JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING COMMITTEE Council Chambers John G. Christy Municipal Building 320 East McCarty Street August 13, 2020 Committee Members Present: Attendance Ron Fitzwater 3 of 3 Ken Hussey 3 of 3 David Kemna 3 of 3 Mark Schreiber 3 of 3 Mike Lester 3 of 3 Staff Present: Matt Morasch, Director of Public Works Britt Smith, Operations Division Director David Bange, City Engineer Eric Seaman, Wastewater Division Director Don Fontana, Stormwater Engineer Sonny Sanders, Director of Planning and Protective Services Rachel Senzee, Neighborhood Services Specialist Katrina Williams, Planner II Eric Meyer, I.T. Manager Jessica Rackers, I.T. Support Tech I Ryan Moehlman, City Counselor Steve Crowell, City Administrator Brenda Wunderlich, Administrative Supervisor Chairman Hussey called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. A quorum was present at this time. The following guests were present: Patrick McGeehan, 2202 Green Meadow Dr; Brin and Joe Spaunhorst, 1412 E. Elm; Denise and Harry Spaunhorst, 807 Cardinal; Cynde McDonald, 1522 Calvin; James and Stacey Strobel, 421 Christopher Pl.; Gloria Vogt, 3249 Frog Hollow; Darla Iven, 205 Buchanan; Thomas Knollmeyer, 1515 E. Miller; Denise Fry, 1414 E. Elm; Stephanie Upton, 1312 Bald Hill; Olga Berry, 418 Christopher Pl.; Winston and Debbie Kliethermes, 1530 E McCarty; Jonathan Sumner, 1518/1528 E. McCarty; Debbie and James Nichols, 1512 E. Miller, Bob Mueller, 215 Knaebel; Eugene Koetting, 1513 E. Miller and 100 N. Lincoln; Shantel and Jerry Dooling, 1402 Bald Hill; Jerry Dooling, 1402 Bald Hill; Jeri James, 1905 Allen; and Charles Skornia, 1521 E. Miller. Those attending virtually were: Mayor Carrie Tergin, Councilman Hank Vogt, and Emily Coe with News Tribune. 1. Introductions Introductions were made at this time. 2. Approval of the July 9, 2020 Committee meeting minutes Councilman Fitzwater moved and Councilman Kemna seconded to approve the July 9, 2020 minutes, motion carried. 3. Citizen Opportunity to address Council/Staff on Stormwater and Other Public Works Issues Minutes/Jefferson City Public Works and Planning Committee August 13, 2020 2 Mr. Morasch explained the City experienced a significant flash flood event on July 19 th, 2020. After review of the rainfall data, staff determined the event exceed the 100 year flood rainfall in many areas of the City and in some areas may have approached a 500-1000 year event. The estimated 100 year event for Jefferson City is 3.8 inches of rainfall in two hours. A City rainfall gauge located at our wastewater facility on Calvin Lane indicated 4.4 inches of rainfall fell in 1 hour and 15 minutes (with total rainfall over 4.5 inches for the storm 4:30-7 pm). The Hyde Park facility rain gauge recorded 3.2 inches of rain from 4:30 pm to 7 pm. Many reports of flooded homes/apartments as well as culvert and roadways being topped were received. The majority of the City storm water piping system is designed to flow the 10 year storm with overland routing of major storms. The majority of the homes and businesses that were flooded where built prior to any strict codes related to storm water being enacted by the City (early 1990’s) and the elevation at which they were constructed did not take into account how urban systems route these large storm events. Current code requires that a structures lowest opening be built +1 foot above the regulated 100 year flood elevation and/or 4 foot above the adjacent creek bank/roadway. Flood damage is the responsibility of the home owner. This is a National problem, not just for Jefferson City. However, the City does offer assistance to property owners by describing to them how they could modify their properties so as to protect them from the potential to flood. This typically involves raising/closing opening elevations adjacent to creeks/culverts and adding sump pumps. The City is also a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which allows those in our community to purchase flood insurance. Another tool anyone can use can be found at the link https://floodfactor.com/. This link can tell you the estimated flood risk of your property along with other helpful information.  928 Southwest Boulevard Flooding and Infrastructure Issue (Salvatore Zurawski) Mr. Zurawski was not present to speak on this issue.  Allen Drive Flooding and Infrastructure Issues Ms. James spoke on behalf of her mother regarding the rusting of the corrugated pipe in need of repair. She requested this to be placed on a priority list. Mr. Morasch stated this item is on the list to be replaced.  East Elm Street Flooding and Infrastructure Issues Those speaking in this area were: Ms. Fry, Mr. Joe Spaunhorst, and Mr. Harry Spaunhorst. The above stated this area had never had this type of damage even during the previous floods, the amount of water not only in the homes but washing yards as well, the possibility of widening of the creek, the new construction on Bald Hill causing problems with water runoff, trees being cut down, and a broken sewer pipe crossing the creek which was fixed.  Bald Hill Road Flooding and Infrastructure Issues Minutes/Jefferson City Public Works and Planning Committee August 13, 2020 3 Those speaking in this area were: Ms. Dooling, Ms. Upton, and Ms. McDonald. The above stated their properties were completely destroyed by the flooding, wanting information as to who cut down the trees which clogged the culvert, the City should pay for flood insurance for properties within the City, FEMA explaining their homes were in a minimal flood level, Mr. Wolford’s behavior when turning in an insurance claim, requested the City help with the creek, why a detention pond was never built, and the City needing to rethink City priorities.  Christopher Place Flooding and Infrastructure Issues Those speaking in this area were: Mr. McGeehan, Mr. Strobel, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Sumner, Mr. and Mrs. Kliethermes and Ms. Vogt. The above stated their tenants had lost everything, the size of culverts in this area being insufficient, requesting the City address help with tree cleanup from above their properties, the issues with stormwater and sewer drains needing to be addressed by the City, and concerns with the FEMA 50 percent rule being enforced. Mr. Morasch explained City crews try to clean out culverts at different times but if there is a problem with certain culverts citizens can call the City to have them cleaned out. He stated the FEMA maps were last updated in 2012 and it would be best if a citizen would check with Public Works before buying property located next to a creek. The City follows the National Flood Insurance Program guidelines so that citizens can get flood insurance if needed. He further explained the City had acquired property and lined the creek bank and he showed a video taken by the contractor of the property before and after the project. He stated a 1993 study shows a ten foot culvert was done on Bald Hill and even adding another cell would do nothing further. In order to have better maintenance of the City stormwater systems, the City would need another funding source. Mr. Crowell stated staff did submit to the State of Missouri to make an emergency declaration but were declined. Mr. Morasch stated he would get a flood insurance agent to be present at the next Committee meeting. Committee members thanked those present and they were appreciative of their discussion. Stormwater issues have always been a problem within the City and in 2016 the City tried to get a stormwater utility fee, however, it did not pass at that time. Mr. Smith gave those present the phone numbers for Catholic Charities (573) 635-7719 to provide assistance and the City Public Works (573) 634-6410 if they wish to discuss their options. Mr. Morasch stated he would have staff set aside time to meet with those present. The Committee meeting will be placed on the City website for viewing. 4. Adjourn Councilman Lester moved and Councilman Kemna seconded to adjourn the meeting at the time (9:50 a.m.).