Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving 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 and Authorizing its Execution
End
Overview
Overview
The Village received a grant to fund 50% of the costs for the installation of a rain garden at the Public Works Center from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) defines the terms and conditions of the grant and construction processes. The project is scheduled to be designed and built in the late spring or early summer of this year.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The FY2019 budget includes $40,000 in the Building Improvement Fund - Public Works Center account no. 3012-43790-101-540673 for the Public Works Center Rain Garden for this project. The MWRD grant would provide 50% of the costs for this project up to $20,000. The Village would pay for the project up front and be reimbursed for MWRD’s share.
Background
The Village was awarded a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) grant to partially fund the installation of a rain garden behind the Village’s Public Works Center. The proposed rain garden would be located at the rear of the building off of Lombard Avenue which has been a challenging area to establish turf due to poor drainage. A proposed rain garden in this location will improve the aesthetics of this area, address the poor drainage, and serve as a demonstration project to help educate homeowners on opportunities to better manage storm water. The Public Works Department would inspect and maintain the rain garden for a minimm period of twenty years per the terms of the agreement.
The project is estimated to cost approximately $40,000 to install and the MWRD grant will fund 50% of this cost up to $20,000. The work is anticipated to be bid this spring for installation in late spring or early summer.
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 and since they drain within 24-28 hours after a rain event there is not a huge risk for breeding of mosquitoes.
Alternatives
The alternative to this recommendation could be to delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
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
A future Board item will be presented for construction contracts following bidding of the Public Works Center Rain Garden Project.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The MWRD Green Infrastructure Program involves MWRD working with the Village of Oak Park to provide funding for green infrastructure projects.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
This work is in alignment with the Governance Priority for the Department of Public Works for Infrastructure/Capital Programs.