TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 6, 2012
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Glenwood to collaborate on the Arquilla Park levee component of Little Calumet River Detailed Watershed Plan flood control project THCR-G1
Body
Dear Sir:
The Little Calumet River Detailed Watershed Plan (DWP) identified flood control alternative THCR-G1 to address overbank flooding along Thorn Creek in South Chicago Heights, Chicago Heights, and Glenwood. THCR-G1 consisted of a dam modification at Sauk Lake, a levee at Arquilla Park, modification of Chicago Heights Glenwood Road, conveyance improvements, and a diversion conduit.
In recent months, the Village of Glenwood (Village) has advocated for the District to pursue the Arquilla Park levee component independently of the other components of alternative THCR-G1. After further investigation, the Engineering Department estimates that the levee component of THCR-G1 would protect 31 structures and provide benefits of approximately $3,870,000.00. Please see the attached exhibit delineating the location of the levee. Similarly, the District estimated the conceptual cost of the levee component of THCR-G1 to be $5,770,000.00. Based on the revised benefits and costs, the Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR) is 0.67 for the Arquilla Park levee component of THCR-G1.
While the revised BCR is not ideal as the costs still exceed the benefits, the Village has indicated in the attached letter dated September 26, 2012, it is willing to provide the levee material, compensatory storage, engineering design, property acquisition, and logistical and administrative support for the project.
On April 5, 2012, the Board of Commissioners approved negotiating an IGA for a similar arrangement with the Village of Elmwood Park to fund another flood control project up to the benefits identified in the corresponding DWP. Similarly for this project, the District could fund the Arquilla Park levee component of flood control project THCR-G1 up to its benefits, effectively making the BCR equal to 1.0 from the District's perspective. We are amenable to this approach provided the District is given sufficient opportunity to review and comment on the plans and specifications at various design milestones.
It is recommended authority be granted by the Board of Commissioner to commence negotiations with the Village for an intergovernmental agreement to include provisions allowing for the District to fund the project up to its benefits ($3,870,000.00) and requiring the Village to award the construction contract in conformance with the District's Purchasing Act, the Village to assume perpetual M&O responsibilities, and the Village to design and provide construction oversight of the project. Once the parties agree in principle, authority will be sought from the Board of Commissioners to enter into an IGA with the Village.
Requested, Catherine A. O'Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JPM
Recommended, David St. Pierre, 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 December 6, 2012
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