TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 3, 2020
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with and make payment to the City of Des Plaines for the acquisition of flood-prone properties (20-IGA-24), in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00, Account 401-50000-612400, Requisition 1553087
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is requested to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with and make payment to the City of Des Plaines (City) for the acquisition of flood prone properties (20-IGA-24), in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00.
Per the policy on the selection and prioritization of projects for acquiring flood-prone property adopted by the Board of Commissioners on August 7, 2014, the Engineering Department recently invited each municipality and township within Cook County to submit applications for potential flood-prone property acquisition projects. From this solicitation, the City’s application was one of five projects identified that met the requirements of the District’s policy. In 2020, the City was invited to submit a final application that included a benefit-cost analysis and a certification that it is willing to fulfill the duties of a local sponsor included in the District’s policy.
The flood-prone properties identified by the City in its application were recommended by the Engineering Department for acquisition, and on May 7, 2020, the Board of Commissioners granted authority to negotiate an IGA with the City of Des Plaines. The City will also receive a contribution from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources through the use of the Des Plaines City Flood Hazard Mitigation Project funds totaling $1,500,000.00.
The City and the District have agreed in principle to the terms of the IGA, which include payment by the District towards the acquisition of 37 flood-prone properties in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00. The terms of the IGA also require the City to obtain appraisals, prepare offers, perform closings, deconstruct all purchased structures and restore property to open space, and ensure long term maintenance of the property. The City anticipates acquiring the properties in 2021 and 2022, and estimated that $5,000,000.00 in reimbursements from the District will be requested in each of those years.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to enter into an IGA with the City and make payment in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00. It is further requested that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Executive Director, and Clerk be authorized to execute said IGA on behalf of the District, as well as any documents necessary to effectuate the transaction and conveyance, upon approval by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Funds in the amount of $10,000,000.00, are available in Account 401-50000-612400, and are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for 2021.
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 December 3, 2020