HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-08-21 - MinutesCity Council Water & Sewer Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
Page I of 7
Member Aldermen
Mayor Dan Coady Ward 1 Position 1 — Adella Gray
V10
Ward 2 Position l - Kyle rt Cook
CityAttorney Kit Williams � 1 Ward 3 Position 2—Robert Ferrell
Ward 4 Position 2 - Lioneld Jordan
City Clerk Sondra Smith ARKANSAS
City of Fayetteville Arkansas
Special City Council Water & Sewer Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council Water & Sewer Committee was held on August 21,
2008 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West
Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Alderman Kyle Cook, Chair; Alderman Lioneld Jordan;
Alderman Robert Ferrell; Alderwoman Adella Gray
STAFF PRESENT: David Jurgens; Mayor Dan Coody; City Attorney Kit Williams
Chairman Kyle Cook called the meeting to order.
Water System Improvements for Mt. Seuuovah, Hyland Park and Other Higher Elevations
Alderman Cook explained that this special public meeting was scheduled to hear from everyone
affected by the four options for placement of a water tower. He asked David Jurgens to give
some background on this issue before opening the floor to public comment.
David Jurgens said we have an essential need that must be resolved. He presented slides giving
an overview of the system, the problems and requirements (both regulatory and hydraulic), the
alternatives for tank sites and the construction alternatives for the type of tank to be built. In the
Mt. Sequoyah system we have about 1800 connections, around 162 fire hydrants, two water
pump stations and the elevated water storage tank on the top of the mountain (on Skyline Drive).
That tank is at about 1815 ft. above sea level which is the critical elevation. He said most of the
pipelines are 4" — 8" in diameter and are over 35 years old. Mr. Jurgens outlined the problems
with this system, which includes grossly inadequate fire protection. He said on a hot summer day
98% of the fire hydrants in this system cannot fight a sustained house fire. Even on an average
day 65% of the fire hydrants in the system cannot provide adequate flow to fight a fire. He said
on hot summer days there is very low pressure on the hilltops. He said one water main break can
shut down the entire area. He said that that the City's insurance (ISO) rating is at risk because we
have this significantly sized area that does not have adequate fire protection.
Chief Tony Johnson, Fayetteville Fire Chief, talked about the City's ISO rating. He said
Fayetteville currently enjoys a rating of "4" which is similar to the majority of the municipalities
in the country. He said "10" is no fire protection at all and "1" is absolutely the best. He said this
administration has been committed to providing the best possible fire protection to the residents
of our community at the lowest possible price. He said this pressure plane is the one area we
really need to improve because we have a fire flow of only about 250 gallons per minute, which
113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 521-7700 (479) 575-8257 (Fax)
accessfayetteville.org
City Council Water & Sewer Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
Page 2 of 7
is not considered to be a fire flow by the National Fire Protection Association. He said our trucks
are capable of pumping 1500 to 2000 gpm (if available in the fare hydrant) and if we hook to a
hydrant on that pressure plane, we run the risk of collapsing the water distribution system. He
said roughly 12% of a home insurance premium is for fire insurance. He asked representatives
from three major insurance companies what would happen if the City could lower the ISO rating
from "4" to "2" and they said it would cut the fire protection portion of the premium roughly in
half. He said we are scheduled to be reassessed by the ISO and if we come out of that assessment
with a deficiency or get a split rating in the areas where we have less than adequate water flow, it
could change our rating to a higher number. That would negatively affect those homes affected
by that flow. He said staff is working to resolve these issues and that would be of direct benefit
to the homeowners affected by the Mt. Sequoyah pressure plane. He said 50% of our rating is
based on the fire departments ability to respond and extinguish a blaze, 10% is for
communications capabilities and 40% is based on our water distribution system (our ability to
flow water equally throughout the city).
David Jurgens displayed a slide showing current fire flow in this area. He said all of the
solutions to be discussed will physically work though they are not all optimum. Mr. Jurgens
reviewed the regulatory requirements which include a requirement for minimum water storage to
equal the average daily consumption plus fire protection. In 2005 that number was 970,000
gallons and we currently have 250,000 gallons. He said the Arkansas Department of Health has
sent us two letters recommending a 750,000 gallon tank. Staff proposes to accomplish this by
building a 500,000 gallon tank and when the Mt. Sequoyah tank (built in 1959) has to be
replaced, upsizing it to 500,000 gallons. He quoted the Arkansas Department of Health letters
which said that the Hyland Park site appears to be the best site and encouraging the City to
address the situation. Reviewing the hydraulic requirements, Mr. Jurgens said 1,500 gallons per
minute at fire hydrants meets ISO residential requirements and he said the new tank has to be
located so that the elevation of the water in the tank is at 1815 ft. above sea level. He said some
piping will be built no matter which alternative is constructed but it will be dictated by the tank
location and how well water can flow from the tank to the places where there is demand in the
system. Mr. Jurgens then talked about the constraints, saying reinforcing the pump system will
not work. The system is too large and elevation differences are too great. The pipe system is also
too old to handle water hammers created when the pump kicks on. He also explained that the two
tanks should be physically separated to operate independently during breaks, maintenance, etc.
Mr. Jurgens displayed a list of the possible tank sites (Alternative 1: Canterbury Lot 22;
Alternative 2: Skyline Drive; Alternative 3: Crest Drive; Alternative 4: Canterbury behind
Tennis Court) and the relative costs. He said it is his obligation to go for what he believes is the
optimum solution for all customers and therefore he has to support Alternative 1. The guidance
from the Water & Sewer Committee and the mayor is to find the location that works best for
everybody, recognizing we have to solve the problem. From that standpoint he feels Alternative
4 is a better choice. He noted that the cost estimates listed on the slide were figured when diesel
was $2 cheaper per gallon. Also the costs do not include a pump station (which will have to be
built for any of the alternatives) or the cost of land purchase. Mr. Jurgens reviewed the piping
requirements and pointed out which pipes would have to be built for each alternative. He then
reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. He explained that wherever the
tank goes, it will not increase the (static) water pressure. Instead it will stabilize the pressure and
make it more consistent and will provide significantly more flow. The pressure won't fluctuate
based on how much water is being pulled out of the system as it does now. He displayed slides
depicting different tank construction alternatives. He said which tank will be most cost affective
is dictated by the height of the tank and the varying prices of steel and concrete.
113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 521-7700 (479) 575-8257 (Fax)
accessfayetteville.org
City Council Water & Sewer Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
Page 3 of 7
Alderman Cook asked when the State first commented about this pressure plane.
David Jurgens said the first letter we received from the State was in December 2005. The need
for a tank was identified in 1974 when the plat was filed and it also was identified in our Master
Facilities Plan in 1988. He said the development of Stone Mountain Subdivision was the
impetus to run the model that made staff aware that the entire system had a significant problem.
The subdivision put in larger diameter piping that actually helped the system. Ruskin Heights
also did some off-site work that reinforced it by putting in some of the piping that improved the
network that helps the water system.
Alderwoman Gray asked Mr. Jurgens to help her understand why our choice is now Alternative
4 rather than Alternative 1. She also asked for an idea of the money involved in Alternative 4.
David Jurgens said the two sites are 100 to 150 yards apart. The cost difference between the two
is less than $200,000, except that we own the property on Alternative 1. He said it comes down
to whether we can negotiate a land trade for the land behind the tennis courts. If we have to pay
for the land, he doesn't believe Alternative 4 would be viable. He said we can get the design
work started but sometime within the next couple of months we will have to decide on a location.
Alderwoman Gray asked if there is the possibility of neighbors' input on the design of the tank.
David Jurgens said McClelland Engineers will design what we ask them to design. He said he
wouldn't be in favor of fancy designs on the bowl because of the maintenance issue, but as far as
coloration, the neighbors could have input.
Alderman Cook opened the floor to public comment.
Brad Lushbaugh said he lives right next to Site #3 on the end of Crest Drive. He said he
believes every taxpayer in Fayetteville should consider the cost of each alternative. What hasn't
been factored into any of the alternatives is the acquisition of the land. He talked about the value
of the property on Crest Drive and the covenants running with the land which restrict its use to a
single family residence. He said Site #3 would be even more expensive than just the cost of
buying the property because we would have to buy the covenants. He said this site is also one of
the most visible sites around Fayetteville and everyone will be looking at that water tower.
Fawn Conner said she lives in Hyland Park and has experienced first hand the problems with
inadequate water pressure. She said she owns Stone Mountain Subdivision and when she began
working on the subdivision in 2003 City engineers told her that another tank was needed and that
there were plans to put one in. She said she paid McGoodwin Williams and Yates to do a water
pressure study. She said she put in 12" lines rather than the standard 8" lines from Hwy 265
where the subdivision begins, through the subdivision to Hyland Park. She also donated a lot in
the subdivision to the City for a pumping station and wrote a check to the City for $75,142.75
toward a future water tank. She said altogether her expenditures total $197,999. Almost five
years later we still don't have a water tank. She urges the Committee to consider the critical
needs of all those residents affected by the lack of adequate fire protection and put the water tank
in wherever it needs to go.
John and Sherry Altman spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Mt. Sequoyah
Assembly. Mr. Altman said the southeast corner of the grounds at Mt. Sequoyah Center is one of
the proposed alternative sites. He said they support this important community need, however
113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 521-7700 (479) 575-8257 (Fax)
accessfayetteville.org
City Council Water & Sewer Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
Page 4 of 7
they are not in favor of placing a second water tank on the grounds of Mt. Sequoyah Center
because of the cultural and historical significance of the property and the need to preserve the
integrity of the remaining thirty-two acres. He talked about the history and background of the
Assembly. He said this site is the most costly and seems to be the least desirable technical
solution to the existing water problem. Ms. Altman also raised the issue of the risk in the event of
a natural disaster. She said if both tanks are side by side they could both be disabled at the same
time. Ms. Altman said they ask that if the Committee decides to recommend the Mt. Sequoyah
Assembly site that their neighborhood be allowed to express their views at a later time.
Mayor Coody said this is a tough decision to make but it has to be made. He talked about the
insurance rating issue and the inadequate fire protection in this area. He said if the problem can
problem be solved as quickly as possible we can all start saving money and have better fire
protection. He said Lot 22 is obviously not a good site and he believes there is a better
alternative.
Rob Stevens said he is the current president of the Hyland Park II Homeowners' Association. He
said the neighborhood vehemently states that the City does not own Lot 22 and that it is owned
by the Homeowners' Association. He also stated that Lot 22 is literally someone's front yard and
if a tower is built here and if it should fall, two to three homes would be in the fall zone. He
asked that the Committee take into consideration that this lot is at the entrance to a 25 to 30 year
old established neighborhood.
Margaret Rutherford said the financial considerations are important, as are the community's
needs but she said there is also an intrinsic value in the money, work and love that people put
into their homes. She believes putting a water tower in someone's front yard gives a message to
people who might move here that we are not good planners and that we do not respect the
individuals in the community.
Doug Koonz said he is a co-owner of the property that is listed as Alternative #4 and it is in back
yard of one of the owners. He encouraged the Committee to come to the area and look at the
alternative sites. He said in his experience the perfect solution is rarely the correct solution.
He believes there will be a "correct" solution that will solve everyone's problems and will allow
the Committee to uphold their fiduciary responsibility to the citizens.
Gary Combs said he feels the numbers presented as the cost of each alternative are skewed to
make Alternative #1 seem the most favorable. He said there is extra land which the City
purchased from the Mt. Sequoyah Assembly on which the City could put this tank.
Amy Driver said she represents David and Amelda McClinton who could not be here. They own
the property on the other side of Alternative #3. She said this site is the most visible location
from downtown Fayetteville and she believes that is important to consider.
Chip Wright said he speaks on behalf of Hyland Park Phase IL He is of the opinion that Lot 22
belongs to the homeowners association. He urged the Committee to take into account that the
City might not own the lot and if that is the case, the cost of building on this site will be
significantly different.
Steve Clark said he is a civil engineer and was contacted to look at this system and give his
opinion. From a technical standpoint, the location which the City has proposed is probably the
best option. However that doesn't take into account the surrounding area. Putting the tank at this
113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 521-7700 (479) 575-8257 (Fax)
accessfayetteville.org
City Council Water & Sewer Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
Page 5 of 7
site will have a negative impact on the subdivision. He suspects there are other alternatives (such
as a ground storage tank with pumps) that might not be as desirable from an engineering
standpoint but which would be functional and more acceptable to the neighbors.
Dave Jorgenson said someone had brought up the possibility of eliminating the water tank and
putting in a pump station. He said that defies logic and economics. He distributed some
information from a hydraulics manual and explained that information. He said a ground storage
tank could be done but the piping system leading to the pump station and leading from the pump
station to where it needs to go would have to be upsized dramatically and that would be
unbelievably costly. He said the pumping idea is not feasible which brings us back to the storage
tank at a sufficient elevation.
Bill Clark said no one wants a water tower in their neighborhood. Other alternatives might not
be as cost affective but are possible. He believes there is no reason for staff and this committee to
focus in on any of these four alternatives without considering other alternatives. He said there is
bound to be some site in the pressure plane area that is undeveloped. He talked about his
conversation with someone from the State Health Department who said there is no immediate
urgency and that it is up to the City of Fayetteville to decide what to do and when to do it. He
mentioned that there is a fault that dissects the city from the southwest to the northeast that may
become active within the next 50 years. He said a tower built on either site 1 or 4 would violate
the height regulations the City places on wireless communications towers because of the fall
zone. He questioned whether the construction of a water tower would lower the City's ISO rating
or that the insurance rates would be reduced.
Dirk Van Veen said he would like to see the committee have the political will to see this water
tower through because it has been needed for quite a while. Also, as a taxpayer he said he hopes
we take the most fiscally responsible direction toward increasing the fire flow in Fayetteville.
Bob Hall said he isn't sure we have explored all the options available. He said we should look at
the cost to all the homeowners whose property will lose value because of the location of the
water tank. He asks that we look at some other option.
Mike Shannon urged the Committee to find the location that best serves the city and provides
the most safety for all our families.
Mark Braden said he feels enough doubt has been raised tonight about potential other solutions
(pumping stations, ground tanks) that it would be premature for this group to make a decision
between only these four options. He strongly urged the Committee to look at other options that
could maintain the beauty of Fayetteville.
Allison Kieklak said she has a lot of respect for our fire department which is consistently rated
as one of the top departments in the state. She said she has the faith that they will provide her and
her family with the appropriate response should her house catch on fire. She doesn't worry about
the water pressure because the FFD has great pumper trucks. She said she does worry about her
children playing around a huge water tower. She said looking for better options is the difference
between knowing right from wrong.
Tony Meyer said Alternatives 1 and 4 are by far the best technically. But he agrees that the best
technical solution isn't always the best solution. He said he has read the engineering reports and
even though there is a drastic drop in elevation, he believes Stone Mountain could work. He said
113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 521-7700 (479) 575-8257 (Fax)
accessfayetteville.org
City Council Water & Sewer Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
Page 6 of 7
even though it is desirable it isn't technically true that you have to have an elevation of 1815 ft.
He said you can operate from different elevation planes and service the houses at a higher
elevation with pumps.
Andrea Romine said she represents Holly Lind who could not be here tonight. She read Ms.
Lind's comments outlining her opposition to the water tower being placed on the site of
Alternative #1. She believes placement of the water tower at this location, which is right next to
her house, would bring her property value down to zero.
Charlie Sego said what we have heard tonight from people from various neighborhoods
indicates that the City might need to look at this a little further. He thinks there is surely a spot
that is not already developed that could offer a solution.
Frank Broyles urged the Committee to look at the human side of this situation and find
something that won't be so financially destructive to the people involved.
Stacy Furlow encouraged the Committee to find a better way.
Ed Tacker said Mr. Jurgens made a great presentation in terms of taking Mt. Sequoyah off the
list of alternatives. He said co -location of the tanks is probably not going to help our fire
insurance rating. Also the significant amount of necessary piping is not only expensive and
difficult, but is environmentally damaging to Mt Sequoyah. Also a major failure of the tank
would endanger many people on Mt. Sequoyah. He said Mt. Sequoyah is not a solution.
Jim Waseleus said he is probably the most directly affected by the location of the water tank. He
said his property would be devastated by this water tower and he believes there are a lot of other
options. He said he leaves it in the Committee's hands to make the right decision.
Margaret Kilderah said her home is under construction at Stone Mountain and there is not
much water in that subdivision. If there was a fire she doesn't believe there would be any help.
She said she hopes the Committee will make the right decision for all the residents.
Zan Jarvis reminded everyone that we need these infrastructure improvements and they have to
be in somebody's back yard. She said Mt. Sequoyah carries a lot of infrastructure for the entire
city with phone and cable towers as well as water tanks. She would like to see some of them
spread around.
There being no further public comment, Alderman Cook returned the discussion to the Water
& Sewer Committee.
Alderman Ferrell said this is not an easy job. He said our Water & Sewer Director and our Fire
Chief both say we need more water capacity and pressure. We either have confidence in them or
we don't. He said we have looked at many alternatives. Decisions have to be made for the good
of the community. He said he wishes it was in the Committee's power to make everyone happy
but it isn't. If cost were not a factor we would have more options. But we have to be concerned
about all the citizens of Fayetteville. He said he hopes some kind of trade can be worked out
between Alternatives 1 and 4.
Alderman Jordan said safety is a top priority. He said he wouldn't want a water tower in his
back yard either but there are times you have to make decisions that aren't popular. He said his
113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 521-7700 (479) 575-8257 (Fax)
accessfayetteville.org
City Council Water & Sewer Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2008
Page 7 of 7
number one priority has been and will always be the safety of the community so whatever
decision he makes will be based on that.
Alderwoman Gray said she agrees with both aldermen and with many who have spoken. She
said there are a lot of people in that pressure plane and their ability to have their fires fought
depends on this water tank. The residents of Stone Mountain deserve to have good water
pressure, especially since the developers of that subdivision thought they were doing what they
needed to do based on what they were told the City was going to do. She said this is not a new
problem; the City has been working on it for thirty-five years. She said she believes Lot 22
belongs to the City of Fayetteville and she agrees a swap that would be the best thing to do.
Alderman Cook said the bottom line is that we have a water pressure issue in the urban part of
the city and we have to build a water tower or do something to fix this. And it will go in
someone's back yard. There's no way around that. He said he honestly believes that somewhere
on the top of this mountain is the proper location for the tank. He said he has a water tower and a
cell tower near his house and they haven't messed with his property values.
Alderman Ferrell moved that the Committee ask City staff to move forward on trying to
accomplish a land swap with Lot 22 and pursue acquisition and engineering for Alternative 4.
Alderwoman Gray seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 521-7700 (479) 575-8257 (Fax)
accessfayetteville.org