Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Contract with CityEscape Garden & Design LLC for the Oak Park Public Work’s Rain Garden Project 21-5 in an Amount Not to Exceed $73,291 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
The Village received three competitive bids on February 11th for the Public Works Center Rain Garden Project 21-5. The low responsible bid was submitted by CityEscape Garden & Design in an amount of $73,290.60. The project includes installing a demonstration rain garden behind the Public Works Center on Lombard Avenue south of the building to capture and infiltrate storm water falling on a portion of the Public Work’s building’s roof and in the landscaped area at the southwest part of the site. The Village received a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) grant of $20,000 for this project.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution
Fiscal Impact
The total cost for this project is $73,291. The proposed FY2021 Budget only includes $20,000 funds for this project in the Building Improvement Fund, Department Public Works - Building Maintenance, Building Maintenance account no. 3012-43790-101-5740673. The MWRD grant will fund $20,000 of the project.
There are available funds for the additional $33,291 needed for this project in the FY2021 Budget in the Water and Sewer Fund, Public Works - Sewer, Sewer Collection, Capital Improvements, account no. 5040-43750-781-570707. Pending Village Board concurrence staff will prepare the necessary budget amendments to transfer the $33,291 from the Water & Sewer Fund to the Building Improvement Fund for this project.
Background
The Village was awarded a MWRD grant to partially fund the installation of a rain garden behind the Village’s Public Works Center. The proposed rain garden is located at the rear of the building off of Lombard Avenue which has been a challenging area to establish turf due to poor drainage. The proposed rain garden in this location will improve the aesthetics of this area, address the poor drainage, capture and infiltrate the storm water which falls on a portion of the Public Work’s Center’s roof and landscaped area, reduce the volume of storm water entering the Village’s combined sewer system, and serve as a demonstration project to help educate homeowners on opportunities to better manage storm water.
Rain gardens consist of native shrubs, perennials, and flowers that are accustomed to the fluctuating water levels. This rain garden is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rain water runoff from adjacent downspouts from the public works center. Rain gardens can remove up to 90% of chemicals and up to 80% of sediments from rainwater runoff. Compared to traditional grass, rain gardens allow for 30% more water to soak into the ground. A positive byproduct is that the plants provide food and habitat for birds, butterflies and other pollinators. Rain gardens are generally dry when it is not raining. As they drain within 24-28 hours after a rain event there is not a significant risk for breeding of mosquitoes.
The Village received three bids for the project with the low responsible bid from CityEscape Garden & Design in an amount of $73,291. The Village has previously worked with CityEscape and they have done excellent work. The contractor will be responsible for maintaining the rain garden for the first year per the requirements of the grant.
Alternatives
The alternative to this recommendation could be to delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
On February 19, 2019 the Village Board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Oak Park and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the Public Works Center Rain Garden Project.
At the July 30, 2018 regular meeting the Village Board approved a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Green Infrastructure Program Partnership Funding Opportunity Application for the Public Works Center Rain Garden Project.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
None at this time.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The rain garden project involves the Village working together with MWRD to construct green infrastructure to reduce the amount of storm water being conveyed in the sewers and treated at the sewer treatment plants which improves the environment by reducing emissions associated with electricity and improves water quality by reducing combined sewer overflows.