Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Sub-Application for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for the Lombard Avenue Relief Sewer Project
End
Overview
Overview
In April the Village submitted an Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) pre-application for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the Lombard Avenue Relief Sewer project. IEMA reviewed the pre-application materials and based on the grant application and the merits of the project, IEMA is recommending the Village apply to FEMA for funding for this project. The Village has plans to replace and upsize the existing sewer on Lombard Avenue from Erie Street to Greenfield Street to improve capacity and reduce the likelihood of sewer backups in basements. The sewer project is identified in the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan for construction in 2025 and 2026. If selected for funding, the grant would cover up to 75% of the costs for design and construction of the future project.
End
Recommendation
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The proposed relief sewer project is currently estimated at $16.7 million for design and construction. Should the Village receive the FEMA grant for the project, the grant would cover 75% of the costs, roughly $12.5 million and the Village would be responsible for the remaining 25% of the costs estimated at $4.2 million. Design of the project is currently anticipated to start in 2024.
Background
In April the Village submitted a pre-application to IEMA for the Lombard Avenue Relief Sewer Project. IEMA reviewed the project and grant application and is recommending the Village submit the full grant application to FEMA for a Hazard Mitigation Grant for the project. The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant is due June 15th.
The Village’s Combined Sewer System Master Plan Report identifies a number of larger relief sewer projects to improve the performance of the Village’s combined sewer system which will reduce the frequency and severity of sewer backups into basements. Relief sewer projects identified in the plan were scored using a benefit-to-cost ratio in order to help prioritize these large projects. The project on Lombard Avenue is a high priority project which will improve capacity for the northeast part of the Village which is one of the areas which gets the most frequent occurrences of sewer backups.
If selected for funding, the FEMA rant would fund up to 75% of the costs for design and management of the project. In order to receive funding the Village may be required to enroll in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which the Village is currently not part of since the Village is outside of any mapped floodplain.
Alternatives
The alternative to this recommendation could be to delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
On April 4, 2022 the Village Board approved a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Pre-Application Form for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for the Lombard Avenue Relief Sewer Project.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Should the Village of Oak Park receive the FEMA funds for this project, future year’s budgets will include funds for the design and construction of this project.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
Projects funded with IEMA funds involve the Village working with IEMA and FEMA to fund similar projects meant to address repetitive loss from natural disasters.