TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2016
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Chicago to share the cost of a research pilot study on the south side of Chicago to gain insight into the effectiveness of various technologies aimed at reducing basement backups
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Chicago (City) to share the cost of a research pilot study on the south side of Chicago to gain insight into the effectiveness of various technologies aimed at reducing basement backups.
The City is planning to conduct a pilot study to evaluate potential runoff reduction and flood protection alternatives, subject to an agreement with the District to equally share the expense. The proposed dataset will be comprised of approximately 40 residential properties in the Chatham neighborhood to evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost improvements in reducing basement backups, such as downspout disconnection and extension, rain gardens, and backflow preventers. Planning and installing the aforementioned improvements will be performed through outside contractors hired by the City, as well as through their green job training program known as Greencorps. The results of the pilot study will provide valuable information for consideration in future efforts to address flooding in the region. The estimated District contribution towards the cost of the pilot study is $400,000.00.
Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Chicago. Once the parties agree in principle to the negotiated terms of the agreement, authority to enter into an IGA will be sought from the Board of Commissioners.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JK
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 August 4, 2016