TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2017
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 Chicago, to share the cost of a research pilot study in the Chatham Neighborhood of Chicago to gain insight into the effectiveness of various technologies aimed at reducing basement backups and flooding (16-IGA-20), in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00, Account 401-50000-612400, Requisition 1463732 (Deferred from the May 18, 2017 board meeting) "ADOPTED AS AMENDED REFER TO FILE ID# 17-0555A"
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with and make payment to the City of Chicago (City) to share the cost of a research pilot study in the Chatham Neighborhood of Chicago to gain insight into the effectiveness of various technologies aimed at reducing basement backups and flooding (16-IGA-20), in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00.
On August 4, 2016, the Board of Commissioners granted authority for the District to negotiate an IGA with the City to share the cost of this pilot study for an estimated amount of $400,000.00. The pilot study area will include up to 40 residential properties in the Chatham neighborhood to evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost improvements in reducing basement backups and flooding, such as downspout disconnection and extension, rain gardens, check valves and backflow preventers. The results of the pilot study will provide valuable information for consideration in future efforts to address flooding in the region.
Through negotiations between the District and the City, it has become apparent that the pilot study can be most effectively and economically carried out through the City’s existing grant agreements with the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which administers the RainReady Program to help Chicago residents manage flooding, and with Greencorps Chicago, the City’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment.
Under the pilot study, properties will be evaluated for a combination of flood control devices and passive storage systems. The eligible flood control devices will include check valves and backflow preventers, and the passive storage systems will include surface and subsurface options, such as rain gardens, drywells, and underground containers.
The City, through CNT, will conduct the property inspections, recommend appropriate flood control technologies, and implement a monitoring program that includes post-installation surveys. CNT will also procure plumbing contractors to install the selected flood protection devices with the agreement of the homeowners. Greencorps Chicago, in coordination with CNT, will install the runoff reduction systems. The IGA shall require project-related construction contracts, paid with District funds, to comply with the District’s Purchasing Act, Multi-Project Labor Agreement, and Affirmative Action Requirements.
The City has agreed to contribute a maximum of $200,000.00 toward the implementation of the pilot study. The City’s funding will cover the administrative costs incurred by CNT and Greencorps Chicago, and any remaining City funds will go toward installation costs. The District will reimburse the City for the installation costs of eligible flood control technologies, up to $400,000.
Although the original intent was to share the total costs of the pilot study equally between the District and the City, in order to reach the study goal of 40 properties and to evaluate the potential economies of scale, it is recommended the District contribute up to a maximum of $400,000.00 to cover the majority of the qualified installation costs.
It is expected that the pilot study will begin shortly after the execution of the IGA. Inspection and selection of participating properties will follow immediately. Installation of runoff reduction and flood protection systems is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, with monitoring efforts to follow.
The City and the District have agreed in principle to the terms of the IGA, which include payment by the District to the City toward the implementation of the pilot study in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00. The terms of the IGA require the City to administer payments to CNT and oversee the implementation of the pilot study through its existing grant agreement with CNT.
Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority for the District to enter into an IGA with and make payment to the City in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00 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, and that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Executive Director, and Clerk be authorized to execute said IGA on behalf of the District, as well as any documents necessary to effectuate the transaction, 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 401-50000-612400.
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 June 1, 2017