The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2. 09/22/2015 COW Minutes COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES September 22, 2015 I. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Pro Tem Richard Rogers. Trustees present included Paul Hoefert, John Matuszak, Steven Polit, Colleen Saccotelli and Michael Zadel. Staff present included Acting Village Manager David Strahl, Public Works Director Sean Dorsey, Public Works Deputy Director Jason Leib, Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker, and Administrative Analyst Alexander Bertolucci. II. APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 Motion made by Trustee Hoefert seconded by Trustee Matuszak. Minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. IV. LEVEE 37 DRAINAGE STUDY REPORT Dr. Christopher Burke from Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD provided the history of Leeve 37and explained that the pump stations were designed to evacuate stormwater from the interior drainage area. He summarized findings from the April 2013 flooding event. He stated that historic drainage patterns for overland flow have been blocked by Levee 37. He stated that computer modeling of the study area is based on the following information; historic flooding information, Village’s GIS storm sewer data, field investigations, storm sewer system survey, and aerial topographic mapping. He provided an overview of drainage issues created by a 10 year storm event. He stated 23 homes are at-risk of flooding due to below-grade garages or proximity to inundation levels. He stated the combined capacity of existing pumping stations is a maximum of 60 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the maximum permitted pumping rate without impacting flow downstream is 240 cfs. He stated rising Des Plaines River levels during rain events significantly degrade the ultimate capacity of the storm sewer system. He presented nine alternative designs to address flooding in the study area and recommended two of the nine alternatives. Recommended Alternatives: Alternative 3: Increase Pump Station #2 pumping rate from 25.5 to 130.5 cfs Provide 11.8 acre-foot stormwater storage basin Alternative 6: Upgrade Pump Station #1 pumping rate from 17 to 77 cfs Provide 7.0 acre-foot stormwater storage basin 09/22/15 Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 3 General comments from Village Board members included the following items: 1) There was discussion regarding Alternative 3 and the proposed stormwater storage basin at Robert Frost Elementary School property. 2) It was noted that in the last 70 years there has only been a couple of times when rain events reached 10 year flood levels. 3) There was general discussion regarding the permitted 240 cfs maximum pumping rate into the Des Plaines River. 4) There were questions regarding how stormwater storage basins would operate automatically based on reverse flow and drain into the stormwater system when capacity is available. 5) There was discussion regarding flooding from high intensity rain events versus historical overland flooding. In 1987 overbank flooding was the identified issue and prompted construction of Leeve 37. 6) It was noted that the Village should collaborate with the Army Corps of Engineers, Prospect Heights, and Park and School Districts to further discuss the proposed recommended alternatives. 7) There were questions regarding the 23 homes identified to experience flooding in a 10 year storm event and the feasibility of case by case solutions in relation to below-grade garages. 8) There were requests for further analysis of alternatives to identify if proposed flood solutions would shift flooding to new areas. Mayor Pro Tem Rogers provided an opportunity for the members of the audience to present their comments and concerns. Bill Fowler, 2021 E. Woodview Dr, asked if stormwater sewers in the study area have been televised for obstructions or faults that could impede flow. He discussed the possibility of diverting stormwater to McDonald Creek and using larger diameter stormwater sewers to gravity flow stormwater back into the Des Plaines River. He asked questions regarding the engineer’s computer model and utilizing April 2013 rain event data. He also discussed increasing the pump size at the pumping stations. Bob Schuh, 1816 Tano Ln, asked about the feasibility of getting the deep tunnel project involved. David Poznanski, 1803 Burning Bush Ln, said during large rain events his sewer backs up and he asked if the alternatives presented would improve the flooding he experiences. Avis Gibons, 1818 Camp McDonald Rd, stated she is concerned about elementary school properties being used for stormwater detention and commented on street flooding at the southwest corner of Wolf Rd and Euclid Ave. Public Works Director Dorsey provided the following information in regards to public comments: The deep tunnel project is only for combined sewer overflow and there is no excess capacity. When a sanitary sewer backs up during a rain event it is related to stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system through a house’s drain tiles or piping faults. 09/22/15 Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 3 There was general consensus for staff to continue the analysis of public improvements to address 10 and 25 year rain events that are viable and present a more refined plan next year. The Board also requested staff to analyze private improvements to address the low entry properties identified to experience flooding. V. MANAGER’S REPORT Acting Village Manager Strahl stated there is no Village Board meeting on September 29, 2015 as it is a fifth Tuesday. VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Polit stated that Saturday, September 26, 2015, is the last night of this year for Blues Mobile Cruise Night Car Show. Trustee Saccotelli stated the Fire Department Open House is Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Station 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. ALEXANDER BERTOLUCCI Administrative Analyst 09/22/15 Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 3