Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Center for Neighborhood Technologies for Administering the 2020 Rain Ready Grant Program in an Amount not to exceed $53,500 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
The Engineering Division requested a proposal from the Center for Neighborhood Technologies (CNT) to administer the 2020 Rain Ready Grant program. CNT previously administered the 2018 and 2019 grant programs and has overseen similar grant programs in the Chicagoland Area. Their work includes performing site assessments, working with homeowners on recommendations for improvements to address their individual storm water needs, and ensuring the improvements are completed according to the grant’s requirements.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The FY2020 Budget includes $85,000 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.
The agreement with CNT provides for work to administer 28 grant awards.
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 Village worked with the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) to develop and administer the Village’s RainReady pilot grant program started in 2016 and completed in 2017 as well as administer the 2018 and 2019 grant programs. CNT also administers a similar program in Cook County. 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.
To date the Village has received 221 applications for these grants, completed 69 assessments of the properties and homes, and completed installations of 36 rain gardens or bioswales, 4 dry wells, and 6 depaving projects. These various projects are estimated to have diverted approximately 724,000 gallons of rain water from the Village’s combined sewer system. A summary of the Rain Ready program is included.
The FY2020 budget includes $85,000 for the administration and award of grants which provides for approximately 28 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.
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 February 4, 2019 regular meeting the Village Board approved an Agreement with Center for Neighborhood Technologies for administering the 2019 grant program in an amount not to exceed $46,000.
At the February 20, 2018 regular meeting the Village Board approved a Resolution Approving the Village of Oak Park’s RainReady Grant Program in the Amount of $39,000 for fiscal Year 2018 and an Agreement with Center for Neighborhood Technologies for administering the 2018 grant program in an amount not to exceed $36,000.
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.