TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with and make payment to the City of Des Plaines for the acquisition of flood-prone properties, with payment to the City of Des Plaines in an amount not to exceed $949,829.00, Account 401-50000-612400
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Des Plaines (City) for the acquisition of flood-prone properties, with payment to the City of Des Plaines in an amount not to exceed $949,829.00.
On February 5, 2015 the Board of Commissioners granted authority to negotiate an IGA with the City of Des Plaines for the acquisition of flood-prone properties.
After the April 2013 flood event, the City applied for property acquisition assistance from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and received a commitment for $2,999,810 in funding from IEMA to purchase 13 flood-prone homes in the City’s Big Bend neighborhood, which were severely impacted by flooding from the Des Plaines River. IEMA’s contribution will cover 75% of the acquisition cost with the remaining 25% required to be provided by the City acting as Local Sponsor. In a letter dated December 16, 2014, the City requested the District’s assistance in providing the required Local Sponsor’s share.
Based on the City receiving the IEMA grant, it is recommended the District enter into an IGA with the City whereby the District would provide up to $949,829.00 towards acquisition of the flood-prone properties. The amount determined for the District’s contribution is based on the policy adopted by the Board of Commissioners on August 7, 2014 for acquiring flood-prone property. The terms of the IGA require the City 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 the property.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority for the District to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City and make payment to the City in an amount not to exceed $949,829.00 for the acquisition of 13 flood-prone properties in the City of Des Plaines, 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, as well as any documents necessary to effectuate the transaction and conveyance, upon approval by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by General Counsel as to form and legality.
Funds are available in Account 401-50000-612400.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JPM
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Michael A. 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 3, 2015