TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement for the design, construction, land acquisition, operation, and maintenance with the Village of La Grange for a local flood control project under the Stormwater Management Phase II Program
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for the design, construction, land acquisition, operation, and maintenance with the Village of La Grange for a local flood control project under the District’s Stormwater Management Phase II Program.
On January 7, 2016, the Board of Commissioners authorized the District to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Village of La Grange in connection with Contract 14-112-5C, Preliminary Engineering for a Flood Control Project along Plainfield Road from Willow Springs Road to East Avenue. Under this study, the District evaluated potential flood mitigation measures to address flooding along the Plainfield Road corridor in the area bound by Willow Springs Road on the west, 47th Street on the north, and the Des Plaines River on the east and south, which includes portions of Countryside, La Grange, McCook, and Lyons Township.
During the course of the preliminary engineering work, the District evaluated various local and regional solutions to flooding in the study area. Based on an analysis of existing flooding problems in the Village of La Grange and possible solutions, the preferred alternative for addressing flooding in the Village of La Grange involves stormwater conveyance and storage improvements. The Village has already prepared plans for their 50th Street Storm Sewer Flood Relief Project which they plan to undertake on their own, and the District has identified downstream stormwater storage and channel improvements along the McCook Ditch.
When the previous authority to negotiate an IGA was sought from the Board of Commissioners in 2016, the District had intended to provide funding assistance with the Village’s storm sewer project. At this time, the District and the Village wish to work in parallel to utilize the joint efforts and resources of both parties to realize a more effective, economical, and comprehensive approach to addressing the flooding issues in La Grange. The Village’s proposed storm sewers, combined with the stormwater storage and conveyance improvements identified by the District, would reduce overland flooding for hundreds of residential properties in the Village of La Grange and decrease flows into the combined sewer system to help ease basement backup issues. Both parties have considered the advantages and effectiveness of combining the Village’s proposed storm sewer improvements and the stormwater storage and channel improvements identified by the District, and wish to pursue a partnership wherein the District would be responsible for design and construction of the storage and channel improvements, and the Village would be responsible for design and construction of their proposed storm sewers. The Village would assume responsibilities for ownership and long-term operation and maintenance of all the proposed storm sewer, storage and conveyance improvements.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to negotiate an IGA with the Village of La Grange to coordinate and provide assistance with the Village’s 50th Street Project, including design, construction, land acquisition, operation, and maintenance responsibilities. Once the Village and the District agree in principle to the terms of an intergovernmental 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, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for September 19, 2019