TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 17, 2018
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to Amend the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Cook County Land Bank Authority for the continued acquisition of flood-prone properties in unincorporated Riverside Lawn
Body
Dear Sir:
On January 21, 2016, the Board of Commissioners (Board) authorized the District to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Cook County Land Bank Authority (Land Bank) for the acquisition, conversion to and maintenance of open space of 39 flood-prone properties in the unincorporated area of Cook County known as Riverside Lawn. The Board authorized the District to make a payment in an amount not to exceed $8,000,000.00 toward the total estimated acquisition cost of $12,000,000.00, with the remainder of the funding beyond the District’s contribution to be provided by Cook County.
As the District’s flood-prone property acquisition program is voluntary, the IGA provided that the Land Bank would seek to acquire as many of the 39 eligible properties as possible by March 1, 2018. The District reimburses the Land Bank as acquisitions are completed.
To date, the Land Bank has acquired 21 of the 39 flood-prone properties under the IGA and believes that it can reengage the remaining homeowners to complete additional voluntary acquisitions. Accordingly, the Land Bank has requested an amendment to the IGA to allow additional time to acquire the remaining flood-prone properties. The District and the Land Bank agree that it is in the best interest of both parties and the public to extend the acquisition timeline until June 30, 2019.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize the amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Cook County Land Bank Authority for the continued acquisition of flood-prone properties in unincorporated Riverside Lawn.
It is further requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, the Executive Director, and the Clerk to execute said amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement, as well as any documents necessary to effectuate the transaction, upon approval by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:mmv
Recommended, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering
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 May 17, 2018
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