TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 16, 2024
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for land acquisition, concept planning, and preliminary engineering for a multi-benefit flood control project located in southeast Cook County
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) for land acquisition, concept planning, and preliminary engineering for a multi-benefit flood control project located in southeast Cook County.
On June 1, 2023, the Board of Commissioners authorized the District to negotiate an IGA with the FPDCC to create a multi-benefit flood control project in an underserved area in southeast Cook County. Under this project, stormwater storage will be created near the confluence of Deer Creek and Third Creek, to reduce flood damage and provide increased flood protection for communities along Deer Creek, Thorn Creek, and the Little Calumet River, including the Village of Ford Heights, the Village of Glenwood, the Village of Thornton, the Village of South Holland, the City of Calumet City, and the Village of Lansing. In collaboration with the FPDCC, the project intends to create floodwater storage using nature-based designs that will also provide recreational opportunities, habitat improvements, and naturalized areas established with native vegetation.
The District and the FPDCC have agreed in principle to the terms of the IGA to coordinate the preliminary stages of the project, including land acquisition, concept planning, and preliminary engineering. This IGA will enable the District and the FPDCC to evaluate subsequent agreements to further address final design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project. The District and the FPDCC share the responsibility for funding this project. At this stage, the District will fund the concept planning and preliminary engineering design while the FPDCC will fund the property acquisitions that it is currently pursuing in accordance with their Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan, with possible assistance by the District, subject to further authorization from the Board.
In preparation for the concept planning and finalization of the project, a separate transmittal letter has been submitted concurrently to the Board for the authority to increase the purchase order and amend the agreement with V3 Companies of Illinois, Ltd., for Contract 18-848-5F Stormwater Program Manager Separate Sewer Area.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board grant authority for the District to enter into an IGA with the FPDCC for the multi-benefit flood control project, and that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Executive Director and the Clerk be authorized to execute said IGA on behalf of the District, as well as any documents necessary to effectuate the transaction and conveyance of the agreement, 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, 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 May 16, 2024