TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2015
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to negotiate and enter into a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers for Lyons Levee Flood Control Improvements, and to make payment to the United States Army Corps of Engineers in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00, Account 501-50000-612490
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Dear Sir:
On April 18-19, 2013, severe flooding occurred when the Lyons Levee was overtopped by the Des Plaines River in the Village of Forest View (Village). Nearly 270 homes and numerous businesses located along Harlem Avenue sustained flood damages as a result of this event. The District has nearly completed preliminary engineering to improve the levee. Concurrently, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) received authorization to conduct a study under Section 205, Flood Control Act of 1948 (Section 205) to investigate measures to address flood risks in the communities of Forest View and Stickney, Illinois. Section 205 authorizes the Secretary of the Army, in cooperation with non-Federal interests, to plan and construct flood risk management projects costing up to $10,000,000.00.
The Corps has requested that the District agree to assume the role of local sponsor and participate in a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA) for their Section 205 study. The Corps estimates the District’s contribution will not exceed $150,000. The District may also be able to contribute in-kind services based on the work that it has already completed, to the extent that these contributions benefit the Corps in completing its study. If the project is determined feasible, the Corps will look to enter into a cost sharing agreement with the District for construction whereby the costs would be shared as follows: 65% Federal and 35% non-Federal.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to negotiate and enter into the FCSA with the Corps, for the feasibility study, and to authorize payment, by direct voucher, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 to the Corps for the District’s local cost-share participation. It is further requested that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, the Executive Director and the Clerk be authorized to execute said 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 the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Funds in account 501-50000-612490 are contingent on the Board of Commissioners approval of the District’s budget for 2016.
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 October 1, 2015