TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2014
COMMITTEE ON StORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to negotiate and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Glenview for the acquisition of flood-prone properties, with payment to the Village of Glenview in an amount not to exceed $8,000,000.00
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is requested to negotiate and enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Village of Glenview (Village) to outline responsibilities associated with the acquisition of flood-prone properties in the Village, with payment made to the Village for property acquisition in an amount not to exceed $8,000,000.00.
On August 7, 2014 the Board of Commissioners adopted a policy for the selection and prioritization of projects for acquiring flood-prone property. Also at the meeting, the Board granted authority for the Engineering Department to proceed with a feasibility assessment for the acquisition of flood-prone properties in the Circles and Pine Street neighborhoods in the Village. The purpose of the feasibility assessment is to determine if a local government agency is willing to serve as a sponsor of the property acquisition project by accepting the responsibilities associated with that role. The Village has expressed a desire to serve in this capacity, and to enter into an IGA with the District under which the responsibilities of each party will be delineated. The Village has indicated a willingness to accept the following responsibilities:
1. Obtain appraisals of flood-prone properties using appraisers approved by the District, and pay all associated costs of the appraisal process.
2. Deliver purchase offers to property owners and maintain records of all rejected offers.
3. Schedule closings for accepted offers and pay legal, title, and closing costs.
4. Deconstruct all purchased structures, and restore property to open space.
5. Ensure long term maintenance of property.
Under the terms of this IGA, in consideration of the Village taking on the above-referenced responsibilities, the District would reimburse the Village for the purchase price of the properties as well as assist in the management of the process, and perform compliance inspections as necessary. The Village previously applied for property acquisition assistance from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and anticipates receiving $3 million in funding from IEMA for this project. There are 18 flood-prone properties in these neighborhoods for which appraisals would be obtained, and the District's responsibility would be for the total purchase price exceeding the $3 million committed by IEMA. It is estimated the District's contribution will be between $6 million and $8 million depending on the appraised value of the homes.
Based on the foregoing, the Engineering Department recommends that the District be authorized to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Glenview and make payment to the Village in an amount not to exceed $8,000,000.00 for the acquisition of flood-prone properties in the Village, and that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, the Executive Director, and the Clerk be authorized to execute said intergovernmental agreement on behalf of the District, upon approval by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Funds are available in Account 101-50000-645690.
Requested, Catherine A. O'Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JPM
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Michael Alvarez, Chairman Committee on Stormwater Management
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for September 18, 2014