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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/1998 COW minutes REVISED 3/17/98 MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FEBRUARY 24, t998 I. Mayor Farley called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Present at the meeting were: Trustees George Clowes, Richard Lohrstorfer, Daniel Nocchi and Irvatta Wilks. Trustee Timothy Corcoran arrived at 7:43 p.m. Trustee Paul Hoefert arrived at 8:12 p.m. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Public Works Director Glen Andler, Deputy Public Works Director Sean Dorsey, Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker, Project Engineer Chuck Lindelof and Streets and Building Superintendent Paul Bures. Approval of Minutes of February 10, 1998. Motion made by Trustee Nocchi and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer to approve the Minutes. Minutes were approved with Trustee Clowes abstaining. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. PLEASE NOTE: ITEMS WERE DISCUSSED OUT OF ORDER FROM THE AGENDA DUE TO VARIOUS TRUSTEES NOT IN ATTENDANCE AT THE TIME A SPECIFIC TOPIC WAS ~TO BE DISCUSSED. IV. WELLER CREEK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT A. CREEK CLEAN-UP PROJECT. Public Works Director Glen Andler summarized the project to date including recommendations and discussions from citizens along the Weller Creek area. He stated in 1997, the Village Board authorized $50,000 per year for three years to assist in the clean-up efforts. He presented a map showing the areas which have been cleaned up to date and the uPcoming clean-up areas scheduled for 1998. He stated the projected clean up area for 1998 will be from 208 West Hiawatha to Route 83 and from Central to Weller Drive. This Information was presen~ted to the Village Board as an informational update as to the status of the Clean-Up Project along Weller Creek. B. COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW (CSO) INTERIM REPORT. Melcy Pond, Consultant, Rust Environmental, presented a summary of the report to date. She stated that the CSOs were studied to determine their flow into Weller Creek. She also stated that the Arlington Heights system is under review to determine the amount of flow into the Creek. She stated a review of the combined flows to determine the impact if these structures were closed compared to being left open. The volume of flow was estimated to determine the amount of water which could be stored on the street compared to the volume in the Creek. She stated that the closure of these CSOs would have little impact on streets used for holding water which is to flow eventually into Weller Creek. She stated the impact of the Arlington Heights' system upon Weller Creek is yet to be determined and staff is awaiting additional information from Arlington Heights. She stated Rust als(~ reviewed the Drainage District documents for Weller Creek to determine if funds were available to assist in necessary improvements. She stated that according to District documents, it is possible for funding assistance to be obtained. Fred Thulln, Trustee of the Weller Creek Drainage District, spoke. He stated that he would assist in generating interest from the District representatives to assist in the funding if necessary. This item was presented to the Village Board for Informational purposes only. C. PHASE I, REACH "A," WELLER CREEK BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT (EMERSON TO MAIN) Public Works Director Glen Andler stated that in addition to possible District funding, the Village continues to submit applications for Grant funds and to date, the Village has received $500,000 in a Grant secured by State Representative Carolyn Krause to assist in bank stabilization efforts. · Melcy Pond, of Rust Environmental, stated that the project between Emerson and Main is the most severe erosion area of the Creek. She stated that there is a need for extensive tree removal. Trees will be replaced with trees which are compatible to the project and contribute to bank stabilization efforts. The proposal to install monoslab in the bottom of the Creek with geowebbing slabs and concrete ajax will be undertaken during this phase of the project. These devices will stabilize the Creek edges and banks. It is also anticipated that Emerson Street bridge will need to be raised. The Main Street pedestrian bridge will need to be replaced and raised above the 100 year flood level. At this point, a pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for March 21 with the bid award on approximately April 7 and the project is expected to be completed by August or September of 1998. 2 General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There was some discussion conceming the impact of raising the Emerson Street bridge upon the adjacent residents on either side of the Creek at Emerson. Public Works Director Glen Andler stated there would be minimal impact on the property owners with proper drainage and grading of the area surrounding the bridge. He stated that recent meetings with the Ad Hoc group of Weller Creek has yielded a full endorsement of the improvementscontemplated to this point. This Information Is presented to the Village Board as a status report and requires no action at this time. VIII. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Public Works Director Glen Andler provided a general overview of the Program since 1990. He stated that the original cost of $16.7 million for projects included in Phase I were intended to eliminate sewer backups for residents. As of this date, 11 of the 13 projects have been completed at a cost of approximately $13 million. IEPA loans have been instrumental in speeding the completion of these projects and has put the ultimate completion ahead of schedule. He stated that two projects have been added - Wedgewood and the Maple/Berkshire area (Phase II). He stated that some of the preliminary work has already begun and the estimated cost of Phase II for these additional projects is estimated at $4 million. He provided a summary of each project to date and stated that the staff continues to work on the Weller Creek situation as stated previously. This Information Is presented to the Village Board as a status report and requires no action at this time. V. FEMA FLOOD MAP INSURANCE RATE REVISIONS Village Manager Michael Janonls introduced the topic by stating the FEMA maps were published in 1982 to delineate areas of probable flooding in Mount Prospect during a 100 year storm event and referred to as flood plain areas. A Public Hearing was held on January 20, 1998 at which time FEMA presented new maps for public review and comment. According to FEMA, the new maps will not take effect until late 1999. The Information presented this evening Is for general Information only and additional Information will be available for a meeting with area residents on March t6 at Robert Frost School North, 1805 Aspen. 3 Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker provided a general definition of the various terms which are to be used during the discussion. Among the terms utilized during the discussion will be the 100 year flood definition which is based on a statistical analysis that a specific flood event has a 1% chance of occurring once in every 100 years. Flood plain is an area flooded during a 100 year flood. The flood way is the area of ground area around a flood plain which carries flood waters to the flood plain. He stated that the flood way has many more restrictions for building than the flood plain. He stated the proposed maps will impact approximately 100 buildings near the Des Plaines River area in Mount Prospect in addition to approximately 25 homes in the McDonald Creek area. He stated the maps are used to define probable areas which flood and the maps are utilized to restrict development and used for flood insurance purposes for various properties. New FEMA maps were created for all of Cook County and the new maps incorporated any recent studies and flood events which have occurred since the last publication date of the maps. The flood height has been established at 639 feet above sea level which is three feet higher than the current maps depict. He stated that the historical data from the 1986 flood has been included and calculated in the new flood plain area. He said the Federal government has also changed the definition of what a floodway is thereby impacting more homes than the previous restrictions may necessitate. Village staff is in the process of appealing the limits proposed in the map concerning the floodway zones. Village Engineer Wulbecker provided a general overview of the properties removed and included within the new floodplain maps. He Stated the new definition of a floodway requires compensatory storage for any changes of structures which impact capacity or flow. The floodway has not been defined as a flood storage zone in the past, so additional homes and structures are impacted by this proposal compared to previous maps. This restriction on development does impact the ability of property owners to fully utilize their property including the construction of fences, sheds, etc. He also stated that the restrictions also require that homes which have been damaged more than 50% and are in a floodway cannot be replaced. The maps, once they are finalized by FEMA in two years, will come back to the Village Board for final approval. According to regulations, the appeal process must take place within 90 days of the start date for appeals and all appeals must be forwarded through the Village's Public Works Department for submittal to the Federal government. Appeals must be based on flood height and ground elevation if submitted by property owners. David Scheln, FEMA representative, spoke. He stated the 90 day period will most likely not start before mid-summer at which time appeals will be processed. 4 Village Engineer Wulbecker stated that a preliminary review by the staff shows that the flood height and elevations are quite close to the actual flood height which occurred in 1986. He would encourage all interested property owners to attend the public information meeting scheduled for March 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Robert Frost North on Aspen. At that point, staff can provide an explanation on a lot-by-lot basis. General comments from Village Board members inclUded the following items: Numerous Trustees expressed concern over the impact of the change in definition of the floodway and its impact on residents' property. There was also discussion concerning the basis of any appeals which may be contemplated. Additional clarification was requested conceming the definition of flood storage within the floodway and what specific impact such restrictions on the floodway would have on the typical property owner. Village Manager Janonis stated that the Village staff is willing to challenge the definitional change of a floodway in an attempt to minimize the number of p. roperties which would be included in a specific floodway. He also stated that the Village staff would confirm the flood level measures which were documented dudng the 1986 flood to ensure accuracy. David $cheln stated that FEMA uses the map to minimize the impact of flooding on other property owners by way of the use of a floodway. He stated that the State of Illinois changed the floodway definition and FEMA follows State definitions. In the past, a floodway was only for the conveyance of water into a floodplain; now the definitional change includes storage capacity in addition to conveyance of water. Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker stated that other options are available to minimize the floodway impact. One option is to create a physical barrier between the River and the residential structures. David Schein stated that regulations prohibit pushing storage of flood waters to other locations which are not depicted as a floodway. Technically, he said, you cannot give someone else your water volume so that you do not flood. Jack Barrlnger, 1510 North River West Court, spoke. He stated that the proposed map change makes a significant impact on a number of homes and businesses in this area. He stated the floodway restrictions are much too stringent and felt that one flood in 20 years does not cause a redesignation of this area. He stated that he supports a flood barrier and would request the Village Board to consider filing an appeal wherever possible. Charles Block of 2007 Seneca, spoke. He is questioning the Federal government's policy to minimize flood damage and raduca repair costs by ultimately wanting to remove structures from flood areas to avoid paying repair costs. 5 This Item was presented to the Village Board for Informational purposes. Staff will proceed with necessary appeals soon affer the March 16 public meeting. After the March 16 meeting, the Village Board will be advised as to what appeals will be filed regarding the floodplain and floodway designation. VI. COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM PROGRAM UPDATE Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker stated the Communit7 Rating System allows for residents to purchase flood insurance at reduced rates through enforcement of Floodplain Management Ordinances. He stated that approximately 130 buildings have flood insurance out of a possible 300 buildings that are within the floodplain in the Village of Mount Prospect. He stated that Mount Prospect was one of 23 towns in Illinois to have a Class 8 rating and one of the first towns to obtain insurance reductions through this system. However, over the course of time the Class designation has changed to a Class 9 designation. As of this date, the Village has received tentative approval as a Class 8 designation once again with the discounts taking effect as of October 1999. This Item was provided to the Village Board members for Informational purposes only and requires no action at this time. VII. DES PLAINS RIVER FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT STATUS REPORT Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker stated the Army Corps of Engineers has studied the entire length of the Des Plaines River. The Study recommends a levy be constructed along River Road. Cook County Forest Preserve rejected the Plan due to the impact on Forest Preserve property. An alternative which is available is the construction of a levy at River Road. A levy could be constructed with River Road on top of the levy. Such an option would raise River Road by five feet. He stated that elevating the road would keep water from the residential areas which ara "designated as part of the floodplain, however, such a levy would still not remove the homes from the floodplain designation. He stated the Army Corps is very interested in proceeding with this project and has estimated that the local municipalities would have to cover approximately 35% of the $6.5 million cost to raise the road. The $6.5 million would be split between other towns which would benefit from the levy built at River Road. A follow-up meeting is scheduled in the near futura to get additional details and to determine actual costs for such a levy to Mount Prospect. This Information Is provided for Informational purposes only to the Board members. Once a follow-up meeting Is completed with the necessary parties Impacted by the proposal from the Army Corps, additional Information will be brought before the Board for further direction. 6 {~,.~, IX. MANAGER'S REPORT None. X. ANY OTHER BUSINESS ~ None. Xl. ADJOURNMENT A Motion was made by Trustee Hoefert and Seconded by Trustee Corcoran to move into Closed Session to discuss Personnel and Property Acquisition. Motion was approved. The Village Board moved into Closed Session at 10:13 p.m. The Village Board reconvened into open session at 10:38 p.m. A Motion was made by Trustee Nocchi and Seconded by Trustee Wilks to approve the Minutes of the Closed Session of February 3, 1998. Motion was approved. Minutes were approved. A Motion was made by Trustee Wilks and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer to adjourn the meeting. The Motion was approved. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager DS/roc X:\US E RS~ROB ERTACWVlN~O F FICE~COWMI N~224COW.MI N 7