TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 18, 2024
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Report on Conceptual Stormwater Project Submittals
Body
Dear Sir:
Between October 2, 2023, and January 14, 2024, the District solicited conceptual stormwater project proposals from municipalities, townships, and other governmental agencies for assistance through the District’s Stormwater Management program.
The Conceptual Project application is intended for communities that have stormwater problems affecting homes and businesses but lack the resources to investigate potential solutions. These projects could be submitted to the District for technical assistance in the form of preliminary engineering. For selected projects, the District would investigate the flooding issue, identify potential alternatives, and work with the community to develop a solution.
As is standard for stormwater partnership opportunities, the District solicited pre-applications for Conceptual Projects. The pre-application consisted of questions about the applicant’s flooding problem and time slots that they would be available for a meeting. As a result of the pre-application meetings, the District provided feedback for consideration when submitting final applications, an overview of the District’s Local Stormwater Partnership program and requirements, and gave applicants the opportunity to fully describe the flooding issue and express the assistance to be requested from the District.
The full application process provided applicants the opportunity to confirm and expand upon their pre-application responses in narrative format, present any technical analysis, and attach supporting documentation. The pre-application responses accompanied the full application to make a complete submission.
Notifications were sent to chief elected officials in each jurisdiction as well as other agencies and government organization officials. The applications were posted on the District’s website with a video of step-by-step instructions for filling out a pre-application form. Additional outreach was made by the Engineering Department and General Administration’s Environmental Justice Section, prioritizing municipalities with a majority of their community located in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA). An informational webinar was hosted by the District to explain the Conceptual Project program and application process. As a result of this solicitation, the District received four (4) pre-applications and associated full applications for Conceptual Projects. One (1) full application was from a majority DIA community.
The Engineering Department reviewed each Conceptual Project application and prioritized the eligible projects based on factors including the frequency and extent of flooding, number of impacted structures, scope of assistance needed, community capacity, partnership history, potential for stormwater detention to be provided as part of a developed solution, whether it’s in a separate or combined sewer area, and the median income of the community. Of the four (4) Conceptual Project applications received, the Engineering Department identified one (1) project for advancement through a partnership with the District. The project identified for advancing at this time, identified in the attached exhibit, is titled “Stormwater Improvements in Posen”, and is intended to address a flooding issue that impacts approximately 545 structures. Posen is a majority DIA community with 73 percent of the municipal area classified as DIA. This project will be complementary to an ongoing effort by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to model flooding issues in Posen through its Floodplain Management Services Program.
The District will contact each of the applicants to notify them of the outcome of our selection. Applicants whose projects were not identified for partnership will be provided feedback on their unsuccessful application and encouraged to submit proposals for consideration in future partnership opportunities.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, KMF: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 April 18, 2024
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