TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to amend the Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County and the City of Prospect Heights for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a flood control project at Willow Road on McDonald Creek Tributary A in Prospect Heights, Illinois (20-IGA-23) and increase the District’s maximum reimbursement in an amount of $230,000.00, from an amount of $1,800,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $2,030,000.00, Account 501-50000-612400
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to amend the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Cook County (County) and the City of Prospect Heights (City) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a flood control project at Willow Road on McDonald Creek Tributary A in Prospect Heights, Illinois (20-IGA-23) and increase the District’s maximum reimbursement in an amount of $230,000.00, from an amount of $1,800,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $2,030,000.00.
On November 16, 2023, the Board of Commissioners authorized the District to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County and the City of Prospect Heights, and make payment to the City of Prospect Heights, for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a Flood Control Project on Willow Road at McDonald Creek Tributary A in Prospect Heights, Illinois, in an amount not to exceed $1,800,000.00.
The scope of this project includes (1) raising Willow Road over McDonald Creek Tributary A along with new culverts under Willow Road; (2) raising Owen Court with additional culverts under Owen Court; and (3) providing compensatory floodplain storage. The project will provide ingress and egress to 44 homes which are otherwise inaccessible during precipitation events.
The City was able to advance and complete the Owen Court and compensatory storage portions of the project in advance of the remaining improvements and has prepared the final design and associated cost estimate to complete the Willow Road portion of the project. As a result of extensive geotechnical analysis, the design for Willow Road requires a deep foundation to address poor soil conditions identified at the project site.
In order to complete the project, the City has requested additional funding from the County and the District for the costs associated with the redesigned Willow Road improvements. The City and County have funded all engineering and construction costs for the project to date and will also contribute additional funding towards the remaining engineering and construction costs. In order to complete the project, the City has requested the District increase its maximum contribution for the project from an amount of $1,800,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $2,030,000.00.
Based on the foregoing, it is recommended that the District be authorized to increase the purchase order for the Project and amend the IGA with the Village. It is requested that the Board of Commissioners authorize and direct the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Clerk to execute the amendment to the IGA after it is approved by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Funds in the amount of $2,030,000.00 are anticipated to be spent over an 18-month period, in accordance with the amendment after it is executed. Funds from Account 501-50000-612400 requested in future years are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering
Recommended, John P. Murray, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for September 17, 2026