TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 2, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to purchase the real estate commonly known as 14259 Linder Avenue in Midlothian, Illinois for the construction of the Flood Control Project on Calumet-Sag Tributary C in Midlothian and Crestwood, Illinois (Contract 21-IGA-18) and authority for payment to the owner, Zachary Hettinger, in an amount of $101,000.00, plus closing costs. Account 501-50000-667330, Stormwater Management Fund
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Dear Sir:
On December 5, 2024, the Board of Commissioners (“Board”) authorized the District to negotiate and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the Village of Crestwood (“Crestwood”) and the Village of Midlothian (“Midlothian”) for the Flood Control Project on Calumet-Sag Tributary C in Midlothian and Crestwood (Contract 21-IGA-18) (“Project”). Under the IGA, the District will complete the property acquisition and contribute to a portion of the construction costs. Crestwood will assume responsibility for the construction, and both municipalities will share in the costs for design, maintenance, operation, and ownership of the Project after construction.
On February 20, 2025, the Board adopted Ordinance No. R25-001 (“Ordinance”) establishing the right-of-way for the design, construction, land acquisition, maintenance, operation, and ownership of the Project. The Project includes the creation of two detention facilities, an energy dissipation basin, the reconstruction of an existing detention facility, the reconstruction of the overflow between two existing detention facilities, and an estimated 2,550 feet of streambank stabilization improvements. The proposed improvements will protect 17 structures and reduce flooding on area roadways.
Said Ordinance authorized and directed the Executive Director to negotiate with 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 fee simple acquisition of three properties across five vacant parcels and the acquisition of permanent and temporary easements across additional parcels as to be determined by ongoing design. One of the fee simple acquisitions is on a property owned by Zachary Hettinger, located at 14259 Linder Avenue in Midlothian, Illinois (MWRD Parcel 2). This vacant, unimproved parcel is 23,780 square feet. It is the opinion of the General Counsel and Special Counsel, Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., that this amount is within the range of value for the property based on a fair market value appraisal obtained by the District. Since the property has no structures or improvements, no relocation costs are anticipated. Additionally, there are no residential relocations anticipated for the overall project.
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 $101,000.00, 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.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel and Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, STM:CAO:BJD:KHY:vp
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 April 2, 2026
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