TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2020
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to collaborate on the restoration and maintenance of the McCook Levee
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is requested to enter an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) to collaborate on the restoration and maintenance of the McCook Levee.
McCook Levee was constructed by the District circa 1900 on District property, a portion of which was conveyed to the FPDCC in 1950. Severe flooding occurred in the Village of McCook as a result of a rainfall event that occurred on April 18-19, 2013. Based on hydraulic modeling and survey data collected by the District, it appears the McCook Levee may be overtopped during significant storm events.
On February 16, 2017, the Board of Commissioners granted authority to enter a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement with and make payment to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00. Following the Corps’ feasibility study which identified improvements to the levee, on October 18, 2018, the Board of Commissioners granted authority to negotiate and enter into a Project Partnership Agreement with the Corps, for the McCook Levee Flood Risk Management Project, and make payment to the Corps in an amount not to exceed $2,145,500.00, for the non-Federal cost share of the proposed levee improvements. These include raising the crest and improving the slope of the McCook Levee from 45th Street downstream to south of 47th Street on property owned by the FPDCC. The improvements to the McCook Levee will protect approximately 18 structures from flooding. Upon completion of the improvements, the McCook Levee will be certified by the Corps. The Corps will pay 80 percent of the repair costs in the event a certified Levee is damaged by a storm event.
On September 15, 2019, the Board of Commissioners granted authority to negotiate an IGA with the FPDCC to collaborate on the restoration and maintenance of the portion of the McCook Levee on FPDCC lands. The District and FPDCC have agreed in principle to the terms of an IGA. The IGA defines the collaborative responsibilities of both the FPDCC and the District on this project. The District serves as the non-federal sponsor of this project designed and constructed by the Corps and will maintain the structural components of the McCook Levee. The FPDCC will maintain the landscaping components of the McCook Levee improvements as well as any improvements and responsibilities associated with their ownership of the property. The IGA also requires the FPDCC to convey easements necessary for construction and maintenance. The Corps intends to complete the McCook Levee improvements on FPDCC property under this project upon the execution of this IGA.
Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to enter into an IGA with the FPDCC. It is further requested that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Executive Director and 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.
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 March 5, 2020