TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 19, 2017
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Lake County Forest Preserve District for construction of off-site wetland mitigation necessary for Contract 13-370-3F, Buffalo Creek Reservoir Expansion, with payment to the Lake County Forest Preserve District in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00, Account 501-50000-612400
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) for construction of off-site wetland mitigation necessary for Contract 13-370-3F, Buffalo Creek Reservoir Expansion, with payment to the LCFPD in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00.
On April 7, 2016, the Board of Commissioners authorized the District to enter into an IGA with the LCFPD and Village of Buffalo Grove to expand floodwater storage capacity of the Buffalo Creek Reservoir, located on LCFPD property just north of Lake-Cook Road. The construction cost for this project is estimated to be $21.1 million. The project will provide an additional 180 acre-feet (58,650,000 gallons) of flood storage, protect 107 structures, and provide in excess of $25 million in flood relief benefits to downstream residents within the District’s service area.
On June 16, 2016, the Board of Commissioners authorized the District to negotiate a separate IGA with LCFPD to mitigate 2.70 acres of unavoidable impacts to wetlands under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The terms of the IGA allow for LCFPD to enhance a portion of northern flatwoods wetland and wet woods within the LCFPD’s Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve. The proposed work includes invasive and understory mesic tree clearing; native seeding; small invasive tree, shrub, and plant control; and 5 years of maintenance and monitoring, as required by the USACE. The District would provide a payment of $400,000.00 to LCFPD as compensation for LCFPD’s work towards the restoration and maintenance of the site. Upon completion of the work, LCPFD would own and perpetually maintain the project improvements.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to enter into an IGA with the LCFPD, and make payment to the LCFPD in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00. 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 are available in Account 501-50000-612400.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JK
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Kari K. Steele, 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 January 19, 2017