TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 7, 2018
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
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Authority to assist various local municipalities and townships with Phase II Stormwater Management Projects
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Dear Sir:
In December 2017, the District invited local Cook County governmental entities to submit an application for potential funding assistance with local flooding issues through the District’s Phase II Stormwater Management Program (Phase II). The applications were sent to the chief elected official in each jurisdiction as well as agency and other government organization officials, along with being posted on the District’s website. The Engineering Department received 64 applications between December 2017 and February 2018.
Staff has reviewed all of the Phase II Project applications, which were submitted under two different categories, “Shovel Ready” and “Conceptual.” Shovel Ready projects are those that have a completed or nearly completed design, in which District funding assistance is requested to construct needed stormwater improvements to address known flooding issues. Thirty-four Shovel Ready project applications were submitted by 27 individual applicants (including municipal, township, and county governmental agencies). Fourteen out of the submitted 34 Shovel Ready projects were approved by the Board of Commissioners on May 17, 2018.
In regard to the Conceptual project applications, the applicants are seeking assistance from the District in the form of engineering analysis and design of alternatives to address flooding issues in their communities. There were 30 Conceptual applications that were submitted by 25 individual applicants. Based on a review of the number of structures affected by flooding and the communities’ household median income, the six projects listed on the attached table are hereby recommended for further engineering analysis. The District intends to retain professional engineering services to evaluate potential solutions to the flooding issues identified by these communities. An exhibit displaying the locations of these six Conceptual projects along with the previously approved Shovel Ready projects is also attached.
It is hereby requested that the Board of Commissioners authorize the District to provide assistance to the communities identified on the attached list under the District’s Phase II Stormwater Management Program. If feasible solutions to the flooding issues are identified by the District, authority to negotiate intergovernmental agreements with these communities will be sought from the District’s Board of Commissioners in the future for design, construction, operation, maintenance and other responsibilities associated with the individual projects.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JK
Recommended, John P. Murray, Acting 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 7, 2018
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