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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-22-08Little Rock Board of Directors Reconvened Meeting Minutes - April 22, 2008 Little Rock Board of Directors Reconvened Meeting April 22, 2008 - 6:00 PM The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a reconvened session with Mayor Mark Stodola presiding. Nancy Wood, City Clerk, called the roll with the following Directors present: Hendrix, Adcock, Keck, Wyrick, Cazort, Kumpuris, Wyrick, Wright, Vice Mayor Hurst, and Mayor Stodola. Directors Richardson and Fortson were absent. The purpose of the reconvened meeting was to consider the Welspun Annexation, and to hold a public hearing on the FEMA Flood Maps and Appeals. 1. PUBLIC HEARING & ORDINANCE NO. 19,555 - To annex 800 plus acres south of Little Rock Port, west of the Arkansas River, south and east of Thibault Road and Frazier Pike, and the classification of the land to I -3 Heavy Industrial. ( Welspun Annexation). Planning Commission: 11 ayes, 0 nays. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Annexation of 800 plus acres south of Little Rock Port, west of the Arkansas River, south and east of Thibault Road and Frazier Pike, and the classification of the land to I -3 Heavy Industrial Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing. There was no one present to speak in favor or opposition to the annexation. Ms. Jane Dickey, Legal Counsel for the applicant, was present to answer any questions. The ordinance was read the first time. A motion was made by Director Adcock, seconded by Director Cazort to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present being two - thirds in number, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the second time. A motion was made by Director Adcock, seconded by Director Keck to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present being two - thirds in number, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the third time. Mayor Stodola closed the public hearing. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present being two - thirds in number, the ordinance was passed. Directors Fortson and Richardson were absent. 2. PUBLIC HEARING FEMA Flood Map Revisions. Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing. Mr. Hal Kemp representing the Ranch Properties and Mr. Paul Latture, representing the Little Rock Port presented appeals of the federal flood map updates that show part of their properties in a floodway. The Little Rock Port Authority spent more than $20 million to lift land at an industrial park on the river above the 100 -year flood plan, to make development possible and to attract potential developers. The land east of the levee has been filled with dirt over the years to sit several feet above the current 247 foot flood elevation shown on the flood maps. FEMA's proposed maps lower flood elevations by one foot to 246 feet above sea level, yet designates the port's harbor as a floodway, where development is not allowed, so that river water can overflow. Mr. Latture said nothing should have changed; FEMA engineers used outdated information from before the land was raised, to make its calculations. He stated this would have a severe effect on the Port because that is the area where all their shipping is done from. He said it would affect about 300 of the 1600 acres of Port property. He stated they were optimistic that they had made a good case, because virtually all the area is higher than the 246 foot above sea level. 1 Little Rock Board of Directors Reconvened Meeting Minutes - April 22, 2008 FEMA officials previous had said they redefined the riverbank to the levee as a floodway to keep the levee from failing. FEMA engineers have re- studied rivers and creeks across the county to produce updated topographical and flooding information. Congress required FEMA in 2004 to create new digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps for about 92 percent of the county. In Arkansas, 20 of the 75 counties are being mapped. People can use the maps a guide to build away from flood prone areas or build structures high enough off the ground to protect them from floodwaters. To keep Little Rock property owners eligible for flood insurance, City Directors have to pass an ordinance approving changes to the maps. An appeal can take several months. Mr. Kemp representing the Ranch Subdivision near the Maumelle River, asked the directors to endorse their appeal; saying that the new maps show the area off Highway 10 and Ranch Boulevard with a food elevation of 266 above the level on current maps. If the changes are approved, 54 properties will be in the flood plain and mortgage companies could require the owners to buy flood insurance. He said that significant dollars are at risk, for owners of property in and near the subdivision. Mr. Kemp stated their engineers have found errors with FEMA's math measurements. As federal engineers studied the Little Maumelle River's flow and water capacity, they used data estimating the maximum density that could develop along the river, and that goes against FEMA regulations. Mr. Kemp stated that flow rates don't take into account existing areas where excess water pools , making the river's profile incorrect. Mr. Tom Richardson, a resident, living at 8722 Ranch Boulevard, said he hired an engineer to double - check his home's elevation after the proposed maps were released in January. He said the engineer found his home sits 267 feet above sea level, higher than FEMA's proposed elevations, and yet on paper, he would still be in the food plain. He stated there is something wrong with the FEMA study. He did not think his house would be washed away. Mr. Steve Beck, Public Works Director for the City, said he also expects the city to file protests with FEMA over expanded flood plain boundaries in four areas. The areas Mr. Beck mentioned were at Rodney Parham Road and Interstate 630, near Mabelvale West Road and at Chenal Parkway and Arkansas Systems Drive. The public hearing was closed. A motion was made to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to FEMA endorsing the Community Appeal. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the motion carried. Directors Richardson and Fortson were absent. A motion was made by Director Keck, seconded by Director Cazort to adjourn. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the meeting was adjourned. ATTEST: APPROVE: Nancy Wood, CMC City Clerk 2 Mark Stodola Mayor