TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2025
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for assistance with public outreach and economic co-benefits analysis for the Deer Creek-Third Creek Multi-Benefit Flood Control Project
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to provide planning assistance, public outreach guidance, and an analysis of economic co-benefits for the Deer Creek-Third Creek Multi-Benefit Flood Control Project (Project).
The District is currently working in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) on preliminary planning of a project intended to provide increased flood protection and open-space recreation opportunities for communities in southeast Cook County, including the Village of Dolton, the Village of Ford Heights, the Village of Glenwood, the Village of Thornton, the Village of South Holland, the Calumet City, and the Village of Lansing.
On May 16, 2024, the Board of Commissioners authorized the District to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the FPDCC for land acquisition, concept planning, and preliminary engineering for the Project. Subsequently, on May 15, 2025, the Board authorized an amendment to that IGA to clarify the land acquisition process between the two agencies.
As the District and the FPDCC proceed with preliminary engineering and concept planning, it is critical to engage stakeholders effectively and demonstrate the broader value of the Project beyond flood reduction. To support these efforts, the Engineering Department has requested assistance from CMAP. CMAP is a regional planning agency with specific expertise in guiding communities to implement strategies that address transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues.
Under the proposed MOU, CMAP will provide technical planning assistance to the District and FPDCC at no cost to the District. CMAP’s scope of work includes:
• Economic Benefits Analysis: CMAP will analyze the economic development co-benefits of the Project, illustrating how flood control components can make adjacent land more viable for future development and investment.
• Stakeholder Outreach: CMAP will provide guidance and assistance with outreach efforts to elected officials, community organizations, and residents within the project area to ensure community priorities are integrated into the design.
This collaboration will leverage CMAP’s expertise and their “ON TO 2050” principles of resilience and inclusive growth to support the District’s goals. The term of the MOU is expected to be three years.
There is no financial cost to the District associated with this MOU.
Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority for the District to enter into a MOU with CMAP. It is further requested that the Chairman of the Committee on Engineering, Executive Director and Clerk be authorized to execute said MOU on behalf of the District, upon approval by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, KMF:JK:RF
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 December 4, 2025