TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 20, 2010
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGMEENT
Mr. Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Title
Request for approval of methodology for conducting Watershed Management Ordinance Economic Impact Study
Body
Dear Sir:
The Board of Commissioners granted authority for the draft Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) to undergo an Economic Impact Study (EIS) on February 4, 2010. The following paragraphs describe the methodology recommended for conducting the EIS.
The Engineering Department proposes the EIS be comprised of two components: an engineering analysis and an economic analysis. The engineering analysis will be undertaken by a consulting engineering firm. The technical results of the engineering analysis will be used as the basis for the economic analysis, which will be performed by a real estate economist. Each component will be conducted under separate agreements to ensure objectivity. As a means of checks and balances, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Public and Private Organization Advisory Committee (PPOAC) will be reconvened to provide input at various stages of the EIS. The TAC/PPOAC will also be provided an opportunity to review and comment on the reports provided by the consultant engineering firm and the real estate economist.
The first step of the engineering analysis involves selecting five developments permitted under the currently effective Sewer Permit Ordinance (SPO) to serve as the baseline of comparison with the draft WMO. The Engineering Department has selected an array of developments to be reviewed by the consulting engineering firm and the TAC/PPOAC prior to submittal to the Board of Commissioners for approval. It is recommended a consulting engineering firm with extensive local knowledge of stormwater management issues and regulations in Cook County be retained to conduct the engineering analysis. The scope of work for the economic analysis consists of determining the economic impacts, such as opportunity cost for loss of land needed for stormwater detention, of the draft WMO. The concluding opinion regarding the economic impacts of the draft WMO will be provided by the real estate economist, who will compile the final EIS.
It is estimated the EIS will take one year to complete after an agreement with a consulting engineering firm is reached. It is anticipated the engineering analysis will take 6-8 months and the economic analysis will take an additional 3-4 months. The schedule includes adequate time for the TAC/PPOAC participation at various stages of the EIS. A request for authority to retain an engineering consultant to perform the EIS will be forthcoming. A request for proposal will be issued for a real estate economist as the engineering analysis nears completion.
It is therefore requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it approve this request outlining the methodology for conducting EIS.
Requested, Kenneth A. Kits, Director of Engineering, WSS:JPM
Recommended, Richard Lanyon, 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 May 20, 2010