Floodplain Permit Committee Meeting

FLOODPLAIN PERMIT COMMITTEE MEETING 201 West Gray, Building A, Conference Room D Monday, May 17, 2021 3:30 p.m. Minutes PRESENT: Shawn O’Leary, Director of Public Works Scott Sturtz, City Engineer Ken Danner, Subdivision Development Manager Lora Hoggatt, Planning Services Manager Bill Scanlon, Citizen Member Sherri Stansel, Citizen Member OTHERS PRESENT: Carrie Evenson, Stormwater Program Manager Amy Shepard, Staff Brian Rowe, Johnson & Associates Mike Gobble, Citizen The meeting was called to order by Mr. Shawn O’Leary at 3:30 p.m. Item No. 1, Approval of Minutes: Six members of the committee were present, a quorum was established, and Amy Shepard called roll. Ms. Jane Hudson was absent. Mr. O’Leary called for a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of May 3, 2021. A motion was made to approve the minutes by Mr. Scott Sturtz. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bill Scanlon. Mrs. Shepard called roll for approval, and the minutes were approved 6-0. Item No. 2, Floodplain Permit Application No. 632: Mr. O’Leary stated this application is for the installation of a gas line on the west side of 12th Avenue NW between Franklin Road and Tecumseh Road, which is to be located in the Little River floodplain. Dr. Carrie Evenson gave the staff report for Floodplain Permit Application No. 632. Dr. Evenson said the Applicant is Oklahoma Natural Gas, the contractor is B & H Construction, and the Engineer is Johnson & Associates. Dr. Evenson said Brian Rowe with Floodplain Permit Committee Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 2 Johnson & Associates is in attendance via Zoom to represent the Applicant. Dr. Evenson said Oklahoma Natural Gas is constructing 4,510 linear feet of 6” gas line. Dr. Evenson said approximately 1,900 ft of this new gas line will be bored below the flow line of Little River and the Little River floodplain along the west side of 12th Ave NW between Franklin Road and Tecumseh Road. Dr. Evenson said the bore pits for this project will be located outside of the floodplain. Dr. Evenson reviewed aerial photographs of the property and the location of the gas line to be installed. Dr. Evenson reviewed the Bore Profile Plans and the location of the boring pits outside of the floodplain. Dr. Evenson said no fill will be brought into the floodplain as part of this project. Dr. Evenson said the Applicant’s Engineer cerified that the project will not cause a rise in the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Dr. Evenson reviewed all the applicable floodplain ordinances and confirmed all ordinance requirements have been met. Dr. Evenson said staff recommended approval of Floodplain Permit Application No. 632. Mr. O’Leary asked if there were any comments from the engineer. Mr. Rowe said the presentation was thorough and reiterated that the project should cause no disturbance within the floodplain. Mr. O’Leary asked for questions from the committee or a motion. Mr. Sturtz recommended approval of Floodplain Permit Application No. 632. Mr. Scanlon seconded the motion. Mr. Ken Danner asked about the location of the gas line in the statuatory right of way. Mr. Rowe said the line is four feet within the right of way. Mrs. Shepard called roll, and the committee voted to approve the application 6-0. Item No. 3, Floodplain Permit Application No. 633: Mr. O’Leary stated this application is for the installation of breakaway fencing at 301 Merkle Drive, which is to be located in the Merkle Creek floodplain. Dr. Carrie Evenson gave the staff report for Floodplain Permit Application No. 633. Dr. Evenson said the Applicant is Mike Floodplain Permit Committee Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 3 Gobble and that he was in attendance via Zoom to represent himself. Dr. Evenson said the Applicant owns an approximately 0.4 acre parcel located at 301 Merkle Drive. Dr. Evenson said the property is partially located in the Merkle Creek floodplain. Dr. Evenson said on April 5, 2021, City staff received a complaint regarding fill being placed and a stockade fence being constructed at 301 Merkle Drive in the mapped floodplain. Dr. Evenson said on April 8, 2021, the Applicant was sent a Notice of Violation regarding a potential violation of the City’s Floodplain Ordinance. Dr. Evenson said City records indicated that a floodplain permit had not been obtained for the placement of fill and/or construction of the fence at that time. Dr. Evenson said on April 12, 2021, the Applicant contacted City staff to discuss floodplain permitting procedures and appropriate steps to remedy any potential floodplain violations. Dr. Evenson said according to the Applicant, any fill placed in the floodplain will be removed and the floodplain restored to the original grade. Dr. Evenson said this application is for installation/modification to the stockade fence to meet the breakaway requirements specified in the City’s Floodplain Ordinance. Dr. Evenson reviewed aerial photographs of the property and the location of the fence. Dr. Evenson said no fill will be brought into the floodplain as part of this project. Dr. Evenson reviewed all the applicable floodplain ordinances and confirmed all ordinance requirements have been met. Dr. Evenson said staff recommended approval of Floodplain Permit Application No. 633. Mr. O’Leary asked if there were any comments from the Applicant. Mr. Gobble said he didn’t have anything to add to the presentation. Mr. O’Leary asked for questions from the committee or a motion. Mr. Scanlon said that he spent some time researching information on breakaway fencing in preparation for this meeting and is glad to see the applicant utilizing the hinged option to prevent debris from accumulating. Mr. O’Leary said that due to the weather events and property damage over the past year the committee can Floodplain Permit Committee Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 4 anticipate residents potientially showing more interest in fence replacement, and in turn, an increase in floodplain applications for fence replacement. Mr. Sturtz recommended approval of Floodplain Permit Application No. 633. Mr. Scanlon seconded the motion. Mrs. Shepard called roll, and the committee voted to approve the application 6-0. Item No. 4, Miscellaneous Discussion: a) Mr. O’Leary said the deadline for submittals for the June 7, 2021 meeting is Wednesday, May 19, 2021 and there is the potiential for up to four (4) applications. b) Mr. O’Leary said the deadline for the June 21, 2021 meeting is Wednesday, June 2, 2021, and there were no pending applications at the time of the meeting. Mr. O’Leary said the City of Norman is forecasted for a large amount of rainfall and the community has experienced five (5) previous weather distasters over the last year, with flooding potientially the next. Mr. O’Leary stated that this was a reminder of how important floodplain management is as a preventative measure and that once flooding happens the damage is already done. Dr. Evenson noted that future Floodplain Committee meetings will be in person to comply with the Open Meeting Act. Item No. 5, Adjournment: Mr. O’Leary called for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Sturtz motioned to adjourn and was seconded by Mr. Scanlon. Mrs. Shepard called roll, and the motion was approved 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 3:49 p.m.