Stormwater Committee

Stormwater Committee Meeting December 12, 2022 Human Resources Training Room 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM. 2. Roll Call: Roll was called by Barbara Brumbaugh, there was not a quorum at the meeting. In Roger Baxter’s absence, Markiella Moore, the Committee Vice Chair, acted as Committee Chair. Committee Members in Attendance: Markiella Moore (Acting Committee Chair) Michael Poyner Mario Aponte Vic Nicholls Michael Battle Crystal Bloom (PW Asst City Engineer) Ross Brockwell (PW Operations Administrator) Cory Wolfe (Assistance City Attorney) Barbara Brumbaugh (PW Environmental Program Manager) Absent Committee Members Roger Baxter (Committee Chair) Todd Reigle Traycie West-Pinkoski Kevin Walker Laura Mae (Alternate) Citizens in Attendance: Sarah Sajjan – Fernwood Farms Krysta Valadanzouj – Fernwood Farms Carolyn A. Abron-McCadden – Fernwood Farms 3. Meeting Minutes No Quorum - minutes approval was deferred to the next meeting. -1- 4. Citizen Comments o Sarah S. noted that there is proposed project of 180 -188 unit development at the intersection of Fernwood Farms Rd and Great Bridge Blvd. o The builder said that the drainage is going to be pushed into the Fernwood Farms development which already has flooding. o She had 11 inches of water in her garage during a storm earlier this year. o Carolyn A. stated that she has lived there for 40 years, and she has observed that all new building in the area has brought more flooding. She stated that there has been additional flooding from Veteran’s Bridge, and development around Fernwood and Great Bridge Blvd. o Carolyn asked what the City is doing for resiliency, and noted that FEMA has purchased 14 lots in Fernwood Farms over the past several years. o Carolyn stated that the ditches are not always cleaned. She called about this prior to hurricane season. She has had to raise the floor in one area. o Crystal said that any development plan will have to be approved by the City. They will have to demonstrate that the plan meeting state and City code. o Carolyn pointed out that just like Dominion Meadows, Dominion Lakes, River Walk, and Manns Reach, there will be an increase in runoff. o Crystal mentioned that in accordance with the Watershed Master Plan the runoff from new development in that area should go west, and that a developer normally can’t “swap” watersheds. o Mike Battle asked if the project has been accepted (no). o Sarah S. said that the developer is trying to get rezoning for a hotel, townhomes, and commercial development. o Crystal noted that Fernwood Farms was built prior to the current minimum elevations for homes and streets. It was built to a 5 year storm (standard) and the current requirement is a 10 year storm. The options to address this are raising homes and/or a seawall. o Carolyn asked if the City has applied for federal funds. Crystal said that the City has not applied for federal funds as planning is not developed enough to apply for grants. o Krysta noted that her house used to have a seawall which has broken down. She asked why the houses in this area are not being prioritized. Crystal said it is mainly a budget issue, and that the entire stormwater budget is $23 million. o Carolyn said it appears they (Fernwood Farms residents) are being sacrificed. She mentioned that there was a large storm predicted in 1985 that didn’t materialize. Since the late 90s the storms have gotten worse. She said new residents aren’t being told about the flooding. She has seen people who had to move because of it. o Krysta stated that she has many photos. During the last large storm on January 22, 2022 water was up to the fire hydrant. She will share the photos. o Mike P. asked what the Committee can do to help the residents. He asked if we can stop the project. Crystal mentioned that any new development must be constructed to new standards. Ross mentioned that it should be on a Planning Commission agenda. -2-  o Sarah S. said the owner of the property (proposed for development) is powerful. She believes the ditches in the area could be made wider and deeper. o Mike P. suggested a petition to City Council by the neighborhood. o Ross said he will look at the area from a maintenance perspective. o Carolyn asked if the City can ask for a grant to update the neighborhood to a 10 year storm. o Markiella asked what other areas have low streets. Norfolk Highlands, Mains Creek. o Carolyn said it appears that communities of color are being sacrificed. o Mike B. said that he used to live in Camelot and that flooding was very bad. The Civic League president was very vocal. o Carolyn mentioned that they are in the “A” group for evacuation. She wants to see some form of resiliency. o Crystal mentioned that there have been FEMA buyouts which require the home to be demolished and turned into open conserved space. The (Fernwood Farms) residents says this does not help their neighborhood. o Carolyn mentioned that Maple Street already floods, and wanted to know what the impacts of a new park will be. o Crystal said she has been involved in the project. There is no potential for stormwater improvements as it is a very low lying area. It will be a passive park. Markiella says the City doesn’t know the impacts, but she believes the purpose is to protect the Elizabeth River. o Crystal says development alters the shape of the land and may push water in the other direction. o Mario asked if the FEMA buyout program has been successful. There was a brief discussion of the FEMA Buyout Program. o Mike B. asked if it is based on rezoning. o Mike P. asked why residents aren’t informed of flooding. o Markiella said there has not been a study done. She noted that water creeps in around Mapleshore. She wants to know why people are at ease with 14 homes being demolished. She doesn’t believe it’s a matter of “if” but “when”. She believes the City should utilize bonds for stormwater work. She noted that Stormwater is the only division not using bonds. o Mike B. asked about the criteria for a project. o Crystal noted there have been 3 projects in Fernwood Farms. o Mike P. said that tidal flooding is a big problem. o Barbara asked if the last watershed study pointed to any new improvements needed. Crystal said that a new watershed study is underway. The last one is out of date. 5. Bylaws Update – Corey Wolfe o Corey noted that the updated bylaws must go to Council first prior to adoption by the Committee. A quorum is needed to vote on them. -3- 6. PW Operations Report – Ross Brockwell o Ross said he will send video of remote control mowers. o He noted that there was a CSR dropoff and numbers are lower. o Ross said that the “Debris in Road” work orders have a paperwork issue. The work is being done but the WOs are being closed late. o They try to get roadside ditches done quickly – within 30 days. o Ross didn’t see a WO for Fernwood Farms. He mentioned that citizens should get a service request number so that the WO can be tracked. o Markiella noted a situation where a citizen spoke to Crystal and the Ops crew was out quickly. o Ross showed some photos including: Gloria Drive before and after clearing; Long Ridge Rd where a ditch was opened up; and Weiss Lane stages of a cave-in repair. 7. Engineering Update - Crystal Bloom o Crystal said she submitted the Stormwater Capital Budget, she plans to give a presentation in April. o There is a new project for rural roads crossing upgrades. Rural areas don’t tend to score well. The project is targeted to the farming community. o Budget accounted for inflationary impacts. o Mike B. noted that during the Planning Commission the Frank Williams COVAC project got approved and Economic Development will be purchasing the property. The meeting got nasty and he left early. o Markiella said she would like to see the City improve relationships with the citizens. o Markiella asked about the Engineer IV position for Stormwater. Crystal said the position has been filled. o Markiella also asked about the Stormwater fee rate increase as it was not billed. The City is working on this issue. o Markiella asked who is representing the Public Works Director and City Engineer at the Stormwater Committee meetings. Crystal is the Assistant City Engineer (Engineering Manager) and represents in that capacity. 7. MS4 Update – Barbara Brumbaugh o Barbara noted that there has been a retirement on her team and there will be a position open for an Engineering Technician III to do BMP inspections, investigate pollution incidents, etc. o Barbara mentioned that the City has a relatively new contract for ditch cleaning and small dredging projects. The first project has been started to do some spot dredging in a BMP where the inlet pipe had been silted over. So far the project is going well. -4- 8. Old Business/New Business o Markiella asked about the memo responding to the Resiliency Plan comments. An updated memo was distributed during the meeting. Markiella requested that a discussion be put on the January meeting agenda. o Barbara noted that the State Air Control Board voted to take Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This program has been funding the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) grants. It is unclear how or if the program will continue to be funded. The City will continue to monitor the situation. o Markiella asked if the January agenda could include the City’s plans for Round 4 of CFPF The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 pm. Minutes approved by the Committee _____________________________ Date _____________________________ -5-