TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 6, 2021
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
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Authority to pay final just compensation in the amount of $1,886.00 to acquire the strip of vacant land located between 1531 and 1533 43rd Avenue in Stone Park, Illinois, through summary judgment in the eminent domain lawsuit entitled The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago v. Chicago Title Land Trust Company, et al., Case No. 20L050532 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Account 501-50000-667330, Stormwater Management Fund
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Dear Sir:
On August 6, 2015, the Board of Commissioners (“Board”) adopted Ordinance No. R15-006 establishing the right-of-way for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Addison Creek Channel Improvement Project located in the municipalities of Northlake, Stone Park, Melrose Park, Bellwood, Westchester, and Broadview (Contract 11-187-3F) (“Project”). Ordinance R15-006 was subsequently amended by Ordinances R15-007, R18-003, R19-002, and R20-001 to include additional right-of-way needed for the Project. Said Ordinances 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 Ordinances.
On September 6, 2018, the Board authorized the District to enter into intergovernmental agreements with the City of Northlake, Village of Stone Park, Village of Melrose Park, Village of Bellwood, Village of Westchester, and Village of Broadview for the Project. The proposed channel improvements are broken down into nine reaches along approximately 15,300 linear feet of Addison Creek beginning at Hirsch Street in the City of Northlake and continuing to Cermak Road in the Village of Broadview. The Addison Creek channel improvements, along with the proposed Addison Creek Reservoir, will provide flood reduction benefits to approximately 2,200 properties.
The Project requires the acquisition of a narrow strip of land located between 1531 and 1533 43rd Avenue in Stone Park, Illinois. The parcel consists of approximately 472 square feet and is unimproved. The title history for this parcel indicates that it is not owned by the residential property to the north nor is it owned by the commercial landscaping company to the south; the parcel is a three-foot-wide gap between the two properties that was never conveyed to the neighboring owners.
To ensure that the District obtains clear title to complete the channel improvements, on November 30, 2020 the District filed an eminent domain lawsuit entitled The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago v. Chicago Title Land Trust Company, et al., Case No. 20L050532 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. All parties with a potential interest in the property have been served and no appearances have been filed. As a result, the District must file a motion for summary judgment asking the Court to make a finding for the final just compensation due. It is the opinion of the General Counsel and Special Counsel, Neal & Leroy, LLC, that the amount of $1,886.00 is within the range of value for the subject parcel based on comparable land values. This parcel is vacant, so no relocation costs are anticipated. Upon entry of a summary judgment order, the District will deposit $1,886.00 with the Cook County Treasurer. Any party with an interest in the property can petition the Court to withdraw these funds.
Accordingly, it is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it adopt the following orders:
1. That the Board authorize payment of final just compensation in the amount of $1,886.00 to acquire the strip of vacant land located between 1531 and 1533 43rd Avenue in Stone Park, Illinois, through summary judgment in the eminent domain lawsuit entitled The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago v. Chicago Title Land Trust Company, et al., Case No. 20L050532 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
2. 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 summary judgment and to attain possession of said property.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel and Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering; STM:CAO:MTC:BJD:CN
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 May 6, 2021
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