HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/22/2015 COW MinutesCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
September 22, 2015
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 37 and 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
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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.
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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
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