Trussville council delays stormwater ordinance changes

Council members with newly promoted Police Sergeant Chad Jones. Photo by Tanna Friday/The Trussville Tribune. 

The Trussville City Council opted Tuesday evening to postpone voting on new stormwater ordinances until the changes can be reviewed, the Trussville Tribune reports.

The city is in the process of repealing an existing stormwater ordinance that encompasses erosion and sedimentation, illicit discharge, and post-construction bringing the city’s stormwater management process in compliance with a permit received from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

The council is working alongside the city’s inspection manager, David Arnett, and the Cahaba River Society to not only keep the Cahaba River environmentally healthy, but also monitor the city’s developments during and post-construction.

“I was pleased to discuss with you, in a previous work session, about the post-construction stormwater ordinance before you,” said Stewart, executive director of the Cahaba River Society. “We had sent the mayor, council, and Mr. Arnett our comments and suggestions about this ordinance. We have really appreciated the opportunity to work with David and Mayor Choat.”

Stewart said that many of the changes requested are related to the practical application of the program.

“We still seek, what we see, a fundamental difference in the presentation of what this ordinance is for and it flows from the permit that you received from ADEM for your stormwater program,” said Stewart. “The city is responsible for implementing that permit.”

The ordinance in question focuses on detention and retention basins which are important strategies for handling flood management and flood control. Stewart explained that this is not what the permit is asking.

“The post-construction stormwater ordinance is also about looking at your small rains — everyday, frequent rains — and reducing the water quality pollution and the runoff that causes problems down the stream from those rains,” said Stewart.

Stewart pointed out that retention and detention basins often do not achieve the purposes mentioned.

“What we are asking for tonight is that you give us a little more time to have conversations and uniformity on this ordinance,” she said. “Basically, we are asking the council to take the language from the permit you received from ADEM, describing the standard for managing post-construction stormwater, and put it straight into the ordinance. Right now it is not in the ordinance.”

Stewart added that a standard should be in place and clearly outlined in the ordinance.

“We think that if that standard was there, than it would be clear that whatever best management practices they use will have to satisfy that standard for managing stormwater,” she continued. “We hope you will give a little more time with this tonight and allow us to have further conversations and achieve this last piece to get this ordinance where it needs to go.”

Arnett commented and explained to council that the language is included in the draft ordinance.

“The only comment I have is that the part that Stewart is referencing is that 1.1 inch of rainfall in a 72-hour period,” said Arnett. “This is mentioned and stated in appendix A of the post construction, which is adopted in the ordinance and referenced.”

Arnett shared documentation of the references stated in the ordinance with the council.

“These will be required to be completed by anyone who is looking for a post construction maintenance plan and a retention and detention pond permit,” he said. “Because, what Stewart shared, sometimes retention and detention ponds would not satisfy the requirements. This is why we have these figures for the engineering record to go in and prove to us that this is what would work.”

Stewart reiterated that this would only apply to retention and detention ponds and shared her hopes that, in addition, the city would encourage green infrastructure.

Because of the extensive details of the ordinances and short notice for review, the council requested to table their action until the next meeting in June 12.

Recognizing a New Sergeant

In other business, the council recognized Trussville police officer, Chad Jones, who was promoted to sergeant.

“Chad has given great service to the police department in a very sensitive nature and also in a dangerous nature in terms of the duties that he has had to perform,” said Councilor Brian Plant, liaison to public safety. “He has done these duties admirably and very well. The training that we have put into Chad has been valuable to serve and to protect Trussville. We appreciate all he has done and appreciate the whole department.”

Fellow officers, family and friends were also present in support of Jones.

Other Business

In other business, the Council approved:

• Minutes from May 8;
• Slag Heap Brewing retail/wholesale license;
• Rescheduled hearing on public nuisance to 6335 Patriots Pass, revisiting in June;
• Ordinance Stormwater – Erosion & Sedimentation tabled until June 12;
• Ordinance Stormwater – Illicit Discharge tabled until June 12;
• Ordinance Stormwater – Post Construction tabled until June 12;
• Ordinance 2018-009ANX to annex 7260 Roper Road;
• Merit increases for 2 Firemen, 1 Inspections officer, 1 Library staffer, 3 Park & Recreation employees, and 2 policemen;
• Promotion of Chad Jones to Sergeant effective May 26 to replace Michael Bruce;
• Hiring 3 part-time Library Pages, and one Life Guard;
• Reappointment of Rob Meadows and Wally Coker to the Telecommunications Committee through May 27, 2021;
• Authorization of mayor to allocate up to $1,000,000 for TRA projects;
• Authorization to close Hewitt Street from Chalkville Road to Rockridge Avenue on MAy 23 from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for Trussville First Baptist Church event on Magnolia Mall;
• Authorization to close Morrow Avenue from Main Street to the end and closing the alley from Morrow to South Chalkville Road on June 9 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for Downtown Merchant Association Block Party;
• Accounts payable;
• AMROA Summer Conference for Payne on July 11-13 for $265;
• AAMCA Summer Conference for Porter on June 27-29 for $200 plus expenses; and
• MCWF Audited billing for Workman’s Comp for $35,456.

The next council workshop is scheduled for June 7 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The next council meeting will be June 12.