TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2024
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
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Authority to purchase the real estate commonly known as 15317 Myrtle Avenue in Harvey, Illinois for the construction of the Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin and Separate Storm Sewer Improvements in Harvey, Illinois (Contract 18-249-AF) and authority for payment to the owner, Mattie R. Fowler, in an amount of $144,500.00, plus closing costs, and relocation costs in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00, Account 501-50000-667330, Stormwater Management Fund
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Dear Sir:
On February 2, 2023, the Board of Commissioners (“Board”) authorized the District to negotiate and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the City of Harvey (“City”) for the Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin and Separate Storm Sewer Improvements in Harvey (Contract 18-249-AF) (“Project”). Under the IGA, the District will complete the property acquisition, design, and construction, while the City will be responsible for long-term ownership and maintenance of the properties and improvements.
On April 20, 2023, the Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. R23-001 (“Ordinance”) establishing the right-of-way for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Project. The Project includes the creation of an approximately 23-acre-foot stormwater detention basin along Myrtle Avenue, between 153rd Street and 154th Street, to provide flood storage, as well as the installation of approximately 9,650 feet of storm sewer to convey stormwater to the proposed basin and allow discharge into the Wood Street storm sewer system. The proposed improvements will provide flood reduction benefits to approximately 209 structures.
Said Ordinance authorized and directed the Executive Director to negotiate with the respective owners to acquire fee simple title or such lesser interests, as appropriate, in and to the real estate described in the Ordinance.
The Project requires the acquisition of 31 parcels, which include a combination of residential and vacant properties. One of those properties is owned by Mattie R. Fowler, located at 15317 Myrtle Avenue in Harvey, Illinois (MWRD Parcel 21). The parcel includes 4,298± square feet of land and a single-family home with 1,500± square feet of gross building area. The home is owner occupied. The District and the owner have reached a negotiated settlement for the purchase of the property in the amount of $144,500.00. It is the opinion of the General Counsel and Special Counsel, Neal & Leroy, LLC, that this amount is within the range of value for the property based on a fair market value appraisal obtained by the District.
The District’s relocation consultant, Polk & Associates, LLC, determined that the owner is eligible for estimated relocation costs of approximately $15,000.00. These relocation costs are required to be paid by the District under the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (“URA”). The amount is subject to adjustment based upon the actual costs incurred.
Accordingly, it is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it adopt the following orders:
1. That the subject property be purchased by the District for the amount of $144,500.00, plus closing costs;
2. That the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the contract for said purchase, after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality;
3. That the General Counsel be authorized and directed to execute and deliver all other documents and take such other actions as may be necessary to effectuate said purchase and to attain possession of said property;
4. That the Executive Director be authorized to make intermittent payments to the owner, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00, for eligible costs in connection with relocation, as provided for in the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel and Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering; STM:CAO:BJD:MSZ:vp
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 October 3, 2024
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