Watershed Management Commission
Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 5:30 p.m.
TCRC 315 South Franklin Street
PRESENT: Roger Bland, Clayton Dillavou, Gary Jones, Mari Macomber and Jim Novinger
ABSENT: Kenny Coy, Scott Ellis, Marty Jayne and Jerry Smith
OTHERS PRESENT: Stewart Blessing, Phillip Ayers, Rich Morrow, Brian Todd, Jack Schuster and John Buckwalter
Chairman Dillavou called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.
A motion approving the minutes as presented was made by Gary Jones and seconded by Jim Novinger. The motion carried with the following vote: Roger Bland – aye, Kenny Coy - absent, Clayton Dillavou – aye, Scott Ellis – absent, Martin Jayne – absent, Gary Jones – aye, Mari Macomber – aye, Jim Novinger – aye, and Jerry Smith – absent.
No introductions were made.
The Commission began the meeting by reviewing page 5 of the draft Source Water Protection Plan. After much discussion, the Commission agreed that it was important to maintain water quality. The Commission also agreed that it was important to minimize sedimentation. It was suggested that controlling urban runoff should be another goal. The group discussed the merits of this and determined there were no indicators that urban run-off was an issue for either watershed. Jack Schuster stated that it is the goal to not let the water quality deteriorate now or in the future.
There was a question regarding the testing protocols. Chairman Dillavou noted that this would be discussed later. Chairman Dillavou then asked the group whether the Plan should include testing. The group agreed that the testing not be included in the Plan.
The Commission discussed the need to educate and inform the public and adjacent property owners. The grant that was submitted included the education of adjacent property owners and others within the watershed. It will be important to use the grant to disseminate information on best practices used to preserve the condition of the watersheds.
Mari Macomber made a motion that it be the goal of the Source Water Protection Plan to preserve Water Quality. The motion died for a lack of a second.
There was additional discussion regarding the information contained on page 5 of the Plan. A motion stating that both the purpose and goal of the Source Water Protection Plan was to preserve the water quality of both watersheds was made by Jim Novinger and seconded by Mari Macomber. The motion carried with the following vote Roger Bland – aye, Kenny Coy - absent, Clayton Dillavou – aye, Scott Ellis – absent, Martin Jayne – absent, Gary Jones – aye, Mari Macomber – aye, Jim Novinger – aye, and Jerry Smith – absent.
Stewart Blessing noted a correction in Section 3 of the Plan, labeled Forest Lake. The document referred to “proper” no-discharge sewer systems. He asked that the words “adequate sewer systems” be used instead of “proper no-discharge sewer systems.”
Chairman Dillavou asked the group to review the entire Source Water Protection Plan over the next ten days and provide any feedback, changes, and questions to him by August 7.
The Chairman Dillavou introduced the next agenda item noting that a Model Watershed Management Ordinance was not a requirement, but an option for the Commission to consider and that there was time to develop one.
Mari Macomber informed the group of the City Council’s concerns with the Model Ordinance that had been previously distributed. The Ordinance outlined the need for enforcement with much of the watershed lying outside of the city limits. The City would need to rely on the County to implement and enforce such an ordinance. Gary Jones noted that the Commission would be willing to adopt an ordinance, but did not have the staffing to enforce it. One other important issue raised by the City Council was the requirement of an impact study for every development. They believed this to be too restrictive.
Jim Novinger stated that we had discussed a voluntary effort encouraging sound practices from property owners in the watershed. Both Mari Macomber and Gary Jones agreed that the City and County would need to discuss an ordinance before it could be considered. It was asked whether an ordinance should be included in the Source Water Protection Plan. Novinger stated that it should not be included and that we should table the discussion on an ordinance.
A motion to seek voluntary support and cooperation from property owners within the watersheds as opposed to seeking an ordinance was made by Roger Bland and seconded by Gary Jones. The motion passed with the following vote Roger Bland – aye, Kenny Coy - absent, Clayton Dillavou – aye, Scott Ellis – absent, Martin Jayne – absent, Gary Jones – aye, Mari Macomber – aye, Jim Novinger – aye, and Jerry Smith – absent.
Chairman Dillavou began reviewing the testing protocols. He explained the tests reviewing referring the group to the table, which outlines the threats to the watershed. The tests for the bacteria threats were reviewed. Chairman Dillavou then described the testing completed on Hazel Creek approximately four weeks earlier. He noted the number of sample areas, five and the locations of each. The results of these tests were given. The tests for Forest Lake were conducted two weeks later and included five testing sites, as well. Chairman Dillavou discussed some of the protocols used and the information documented. The Commission discussed the need to have established protocols for the site selection, the testing method and the frequency of each test.
The Commission was reminded that the results of the mini grant would be known sometime in September.
Rich Morrow asked if there was information on the number of septic systems in the watershed. It was agreed that staff would need to gather this information. It was suggested that a survey instrument be used to gather the information. Bill Kurtz with the University of Missouri Extension Office was identified as a possible source, as a result of his work with the Long Branch Watershed.
The Commission briefly discussed the silt ponds and buffer strips and various options within the watersheds. It was noted that there could be several buffer strips and that both watersheds had existing buffers due to the amount of land owned by the City and the State of Missouri.
The Commission set the next meeting date for Thursday, August 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the TCRC.
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mari E. Macomber
Commission Secretary