Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer Tammie Grossman, Director of Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving the Village of Oak Park’s RainReady Grant Program in the Amount of $39,000 for Fiscal Year 2018 and Authorizing the Execution of the Applicable Grant Agreements
End
Overview
Overview
In 2017 the Village completed a pilot RainReady Grant program to provide an opportunity for homeowners to construct flood mitigation measures on their private property such as rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavements, etc., to help reduce the risk of sewer backups and mitigate water seepage and flooding issues. A summary of the pilot program which completed work at 7 properties and was administered by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is included. Staff recommends moving forward with a RainReady Grant program for 2018 to fund work at approximately 30 properties.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution
Fiscal Impact
The FY2018 Budget includes $75,000 of funds in the Water and Sewer Fund, Sewer Collection, Capital Improvements, account no. 5040-43750-781-570707 for the RainReady Grant program to fund the administration of this grant program and grant awards to the residents.
Should the Village Board award of an agreement in the amount of $36,000 with CNT to administer grant program, there will be $39,000 available for grant awards will fund up to 30 grants to property owners. Grants are proposed to fund up to 50% of eligible approved project costs with a not to exceed grant amount of $1,300 per individual property.
Background
The RainReady grant program will provide cost-share grants to homeowners to construct a variety of green infrastructure projects on their private property on the exterior of their homes to provide flood risk reduction experiencing non-sewer backup flooding. Eligible projects include rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavements, cisterns, drywells, etc. These various green infrastructure projects will reduce the residential basement flooding, reduce the amount of storm water entering the Village’s combined sewer system, and compliment the Village’s other initiatives to reduce the severity and occurrence of private property damage from large storm events.
The Department of Public Works worked with the CNT to develop and administer the Village’s RainReady pilot grant program since CNT already administered a similar program in Cook County. A separate agenda item will be presented for a professional service agreement with CNT to administer the 2018 grant program. CNT will be responsible for the outreach, applicant screening, home assessments, and developing the scope of work for the individual projects, as well as evaluating the program.
The FY2018 budget includes $75,000 for the administration and award of grants which provides for approximately 30 grant awards at the maximum reimbursement of $1,300 per property. The recommended grant program would fund up to 50% of eligible approved project costs with a not to exceed grant amount of $1,300 per individual property. Grants would be open to all single- family owner occupied households. Copies of the grant application form, agreements, and FAQs are attached.
The Neighborhood Services Division of the Development Customer Services Department will administer this grant program with assistance from the Engineering Division.
Alternatives
The alternative to this recommendation could be to delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
At the September 6, 2016 regular meeting the Village Board approved a Resolution Approving the Village of Oak Park’s RainReady Grant Program in the Amount of $13,000 for fiscal Year 2016 and Authorizing the Execution of the Applicable Grant Agreements.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
None at this time
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
None at this time
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
This work is in alignment with the Governance Priority for the Department of Public Works for Infrastructure/Capital Programs.