TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2017
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
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Authority to enter into a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement with the Department of the Army, represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for the McCook Levee, and to make payment in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00, Account 401-50000-645630
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Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA) with the Department of the Army, represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to address flood risks associated with the McCook Levee, and make payment to the Corps in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00.
On January 5, 2017, the Board of Commissioners granted authority to negotiate a FCSA with the Corps for the feasibility study to analyze the McCook Levee. Based on hydraulic modeling and survey data collected by the District, it appears the McCook Levee may be overtopped during significant storm events. Upon reviewing the District’s findings with the Corps, a Federal Interest Determination was completed and the Corps received authorization to conduct a study on a portion of the McCook Levee under Section 205, Flood Control Act of 1948 (Section 20) to investigate measures to address flood risks in the communities of McCook, Lyons, and Summit, 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.
A Project Management Plan (PMP) was created at the completion of the Federal Interest Determination by the Corps, in which a projection of both costs and schedule for a feasibility study was prepared. The PMP estimates the total cost of the feasibility study at $500,000.00, with an estimated completion date of June 2018. The Corps has requested that the District agree to assume the role of local sponsor and participate in a FCSA for their Section 205 study. According the terms of the FCSA, the cost split for the study will be 50 percent Federal and 50 percent non-Federal cost split, or $250,000.00 each. As the local sponsor the District may also be able to contribute in-kind services to the extent that these contributions benefit the Corps in completing the study. If a feasible project is identified to address the flood risks associated with the McCook Levee, the Corps will look to enter into a cost sharing agreement with the District for construction whereby the cost would be shared as follows: 65 percent Federal and 35 percent non-Federal.
The Engineering Department has reviewed the proposed FSCA and found it to be acceptable.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to enter into the FCSA with the Corps, for the feasibility study, and to authorize payment, by direct voucher, in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 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 are available in Account 401-50000-645630.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JK
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Debra Shore, 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 February 16, 2017