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
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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.).