WINNETKA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTIONS

(Some links below are very large documents and may take a long time to download.)

• December 11, 2012: The Village Council’s consultant engineers, Baxter & Woodman (B&W) gave a flood risk reduction presentation on six additional study areas. The study is another component of the ongoing Stormwater Master Plan process, by which the Village looks to create a framework for key components of an overall stormwater management program. Council and staff discussed the types of less severe flooding generally experienced in these six additional areas (referenced as Areas A, C, E, G, N and O) and reviewed improvements recommended by B&W. Going forward, Council will continue to consider the improvements and costs that would be associated with these areas and how to potentially incorporate them in long-range plans.

• November 20, 2012: The Village Council reviewed the Stormwater Monthly Report that offers current information on status, cost, and scheduled related to specific stormwater improvement projects. Since October, the report notes progress on Willow Road Tunnel evaluation as well as the Master Plan process, discusses the start of the Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study, and outlines plans for future public outreach. The Council also discussed communications and resident engagement, in addition the Village's ability to develop and implement utility fees as a potential funding mechanism.
• November 13, 2012: Village Engineer Steve Saunders and project consultant Thomas Burke of Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. (CBBEL) presented the advantages and disadvantages of the optional routes related to the stormwater Tunnel Project to the Village Council, pursuant to their direction to explore an alternate route to the proposed Willow Road Tunnel (one block north on Ash Street) at the September 11 Council meeting.  The Village Council agreed with Staff’s recommendation, that though there are some initial construction savings likely on Ash Street, the overall project estimates are slightly higher and that Ash poses significant safety, traffic, staging, and disruption concerns.  Staff was directed to draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for detailed design and engineering services for the Tunnel Project for the Council to consider in December.
• Also on November 13:  The Village Council had the first of several discussions with Municipal and Financial Services Group (MFSG), which is working on a stormwater utility feasibility study (approved by the Council in September).  The primary outcomes of the Feasibility Study are to: 1) Develop a long-term financial plan for stormwater management; 2) Plan for funding stormwater capital; 3) Meet stormwater utility implementation requirements; 4) Educate stakeholders.  MFSG will assist the Council in the policy decisions on the options for funding stormwater improvements, such as property taxes, reserves, stormwater utility fee, or a combination of those mechanisms.  Tentatively, there are additional study sessions scheduled with MFSG for January, February, and March 2013.
• October 16, 2012: The Village Council: (i) reviewed the Stormwater Monthly Report; (ii) approved additional funding for the Village’s Sanitary Sewer Anti-Backup Program; and (iii) approved a change order to allow the purchase of extra electrical cable to be used in 2013, conjunction with the proposed Northwest Winnetka stormwater improvements.
• October 2, 2012:  The Council approved an engineering fee proposal from Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) to perform professional engineering services for the Forest Glen and Greenwood Ave. Study Areas (Northwest Winnetka) Stormwater Improvements.  To see the staff reports and CBBEL’s proposal, click here.
• September 19 and 22, 2012: The Village provided a stormwater seminar where Staff covered a variety of topics intended to help residents protect their property against severe storm events. Webcasts of the seminars are available by clicking here. 
• September 18, 2012: The Village Council considered three stormwater related items. First, the Council authorized Village staff to proceed with an agreement with the Municipal Financial Services Group (MFSG) to perform a Stormwater Feasibility Study. MFSG will help the Village evaluate the mechanisms available to financing stormwater improvements. Second, Public Works Director and Village Engineer Steve Saunders presented a Monthly Summary Report that relayed information on status, cost, and schedule for each stormwater project. Lastly, the Council delayed consideration of an amended agreement with Strand Associates to proceed with additional engineering services as part of the Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey.
• September 11, 2012: At its September Study Session, the Village Council discussed the feasibility of the Willow Road Stormwater Tunnel Project. Following a presentation by Village Engineer Steve Saunders focusing on feasibility, timeline, and cost estimates, the Village Council directed staff to obtain contractual pricing from Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) and Kenny Construction (Kenny) in order to further define Tunnel project costs. The refinement will look to developing conceptual plans and cost estimates for alternate project routing on Ash Sheet (rather than Willow Road) and using direct jacking process for infrastructure construction. A copy of the tunnel feasibility presentation is available here.
  In addition, Saunders and CBBEL representative Thomas Burke made a presentation on the Northwest Winnetka Flood Reduction Improvements. The Village Council directed staff to add the Forest Glen Improvements that were discussed to the previously proposed Northwest Winnetka Improvements — proceeding with engineering in 2012, with the intent for construction to begin in 2013. A copy of CBBEL’s presentation is available here.
• September 6, 2012:  The Council voted to approve a contract with CBBEL to complete an additional drainage evaluation for the area south of Tower Road between Hibbard Road and the Winnetka Golf Course.  The Village Engineer also reviewed stormwater expenditures to-date.
• August 21, 2012:  The Village Council directed Staff to obtain pricing for the next level of sanitary sewer investigations and to bring back pricing for the purchase of three flow meters for the Village.  The Council also directed staff to continue with engineering work on the proposed new Spruce Outlet and Tower/Foxdale drainage improvements, to keep those projects moving forward.
• July 17, 2012: Village Engineer Saunders reported to the Council on stormwater mitigation progress one year after the July 2011 flood. To see the report, click here. Mr. Saunders also reviewed the progress of the sanitary sewer evaluation survey, which was undertaken to determine if inflow and infiltration of the sanitary sewer system is contributing to basement backups. The Village’s consultant, Strand Associates, recommends ranking the Village’s sanitary basins in order to prioritize further detailed testing, which is necessary to pinpoint areas of inflow and infiltration. To see the preliminary Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Report, click here. To see the PowerPoint presentation about the preliminary report, click here.
• June 12, 2012:  The Village Council approved a contract with Baxter & Woodman to provide professional engineering services for developing a Stormwater Master Plan, based on their proposal of March 30, 2012.  The timeline for the project is 14 months, which allows for completion in August, 2013.
• May 15, 2012: Mr. Saunders reported that Village officials met with the Illinois DNR, EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review the proposed stormwater tunnel project on May 10.  Based on comment received from the agencies, Village staff and consultants believe that permitting for the project remains feasible.  At that meeting, the Village Council also approved a contract for stormwater management services with the AT Group for calendar 2012.
• April 17, 2012:  Village Engineer Steve Saunders reported that: (i) the sanitary sewer survey is underway, with the aim of recording at least three significant rain events in order to garner the necessary data; (ii) engineering proposals have been received for the development of a stormwater master plan and Village staff hopes to bring recommendations to the Council in the near future; (iii) engineering is underway for the proposed Tower Road relief sewer and the new Lloyd Place outlet sewer, and once preliminary plans are complete, information will be provided to the community for its comment; (iv) the northwest portion of the Village is being studied further in order to refine the proposals for the area formerly known as the Greenwood study area; and (v) the Village’s coastal engineer has developed four proposals that will be reviewed by staff next week.
• April 3, 2012: Mr. Saunders reported that: (i)  Winnetka, with help from the Center for Neighborhood Technology, has applied for grant funding on behalf of the Villages of Glenview, Niles and three Chicago neighborhoods to support a multi-jurisdiction planning effort.  The $750,000 grant, if awarded, will be used to reduce stormwater flooding in a variety of suburban and urban settings, using green infrastructure and best stormwater practices. (ii)  In an effort to keep Sanitary Sewer Survey costs down, the Village will meet with the MWRD this week in an effort to get some of the meters for the survey installed in their interceptors.  The sewer metering is scheduled to last four weeks; in the event that there is not enough rainfall in that time to gather the necessary data, the metering will be extended for another month. (iii)  Four proposals have been returned in response to the RFP for a Stormwater Master Plan consultant, and recommendations will be forthcoming in a few weeks.
• March 13, 2012:  At the recommendation of Mr. Saunders, the Village Council authorized Village staff to submit an application for a voluntary program under the National Flood Insurance Program that could potentially reduce flood insurance premiums for residents in the flood plain areas.
• March 8, 2012:  Mr. Saunders reported that Village Staff has developed an RFP to assist in developing a Stormwater Master Plan to guide the Village in planning, financing, constructing and maintaining improvements to its storm and sanitary sewer systems.  He said a recommendation for awarding the contract is expected to be presented at the April 17th Council meeting.  The Council also awarded a contract to Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. to provide detailed engineering plans, specifications and construction estimates for improvements at the Spruce Street and Lloyd Park Outlet areas.
• February 21, 2012:  Mr. Saunders reviewed the proposals received in response to an RFP for coastal engineering in conjunction with the Lake Michigan outfall portion of the proposed Willow Road tunnel project.  The Village Council voted to authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Baird & Associates to perform the coastal engineering work.  Also at that meeting, the Council voted to award a contract to Strand Associates, Inc. to complete flow monitoring, data analysis and provide recommendations to address inflow and infiltration in Winnetka’s sanitary sewer system.
• February 7, 2012:  Mr. Saunders reported that the Village is working in cooperation with the MWRD on a demonstration project with UIC students to identify methods to reduce stormwater runoff. He said staff would provide a review and recommendation of a consultant to conduct the sanitary sewer evaluation at the February 21st meeting.  Also to be discussed at that meeting: the Lake Michigan outlet aspect of the proposed tunnel project, which will require the input of a coastal engineering consultant. To see the staff report, click here.
• January 17, 2012: Mr. Saunders reviewed timelines detailing progress made to-date and future planned actions, and he reported that representatives from CBBEL met with the Executive Director of the MWRD to discuss permit requirements.  He said the Director has determined that once the Village received joint permit approval from the IEPA, IDNR and US Army Corps of Engineers, the MWRD permit would be approved by staff, rather than the Board.
• January 10, 2012: Mr. Saunders updated the Village Council about meetings with the MWRD and informed them that an RFP for a sanitary sewer study had been issued.  He said the upcoming capital improvement plan will contain significant stormwater improvement elements.
• December 20, 2011: Mr. Saunders reported that a recent meeting with the Illinois EPA went well, and said the permit process for the proposed tunnel project is a lengthy one – an estimated 18 months is needed for approval.  To see the staff report, click here.
• December 13, 2011: Mr. Saunders asked the Council to authorize staff to solicit proposals from qualified engineering firms for conducting a sanitary sewer evaluation survey for the Village. To see the presentation, click here.
• December 6, 2011: Public Works Director Steve Saunders reviewed progress made in preliminary meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers and revealed that the soil boring tests show only clay underneath the proposed tunnel’s path, not rock.  The Council approved additional funding for the Sanitary Sewer Anti-Backup Program, due to increased interest in the program in the wake of the July flooding. To see a schedule of activities, click here.
• November 15, 2011: Mr. Saunders distributed tunnel project summary and a timeline for the stormwater and sanitary sewer improvements; updated the Council on meetings with elected official, other government agencies and the Union Pacific Railroad about applying for the necessary permits to undertake the proposed tunnel project; and reported on preliminary meetings with public utilities along the route of the proposed project.
• November 8, 2011: The Council heard a presentation from the Village’s Finance Director and financial consultant Kevin McCanna of Speer Financial. Different scenarios for funding stormwater projects were discussed and staff was asked to further refine the project timeline and financing comparisons.
• November 1, 2011: Village Engineer Steve Saunders and Village Manager Rob Bahan reported on preliminary meetings with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, saying that no significant concerns were expressed. Other agencies that need to be brought on board include the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers. To see the staff report, click here.
• October 18, 2011: The Council reviewed the Preliminary Survey Results of the Village-wide survey of basement flooding during the July storm and discussed the Guide to Flood Protection in Northeastern Illinois prepared by The Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management. 
• October 11, 2011: The Council considered the CBBEL Flood Risk Reduction Assessment, and there was a consensus to continue to explore the Lake Michigan Outlet tunnel option. CBBEL was asked to prepare a critical path schedule and Staff was asked to begin firming up the engineering for the smaller study areas and to continue studying financing options. To see the staff report, click here. The engineering reports are below.

CBBEL Power Point Presentation: Part 1 & Part 2.
CBBEL Flood Risk Reduction Assessment: 25-,50-, and 100-year Protection: Final Report -
North of Willow: Ex. 1A - Ex. 1B - Ex. 1C.
South of Willow: Ex. 2A - Ex. 2B - Ex. 2C.
UnderPass: Ex. 3A - Ex. 3B - Ex. 3C - Ex. 4A - Ex. 4B - Ex. 4C - Ex. 5A - Ex. 5B - Ex. 5C.
Cherry Street Outlet: Ex. 6A - Ex. 6B - Ex. 6C.
Spruce Street Outlet: Ex. 7A - Ex. 7B - Ex. 7C.
Greenwood Avenue: Ex. 8A - Ex. 8B - Ex. 8C - Ex. 9A - Ex. 9B - Ex. 9C.
Lake Michigan Outlet: Ex. 10.
Ravine: Ex. 11A - Ex. 11B.
Overall Study Area Map
Appendix 1 - Concept Cost Estimate

• October 4, 2011: The Council considered potential service enhancements, such as assisting with residential flood-proofing assessments to help evaluate drainage problems and potential solutions for property owners. To see the staff report, click here.
• September 20, 2011: Village Engineer Steve Saunders updated the Council on the status of conversations with the Park District and reported about the responses to the sanitary sewer survey. The Council adopted an ordinance increasing the amount of the assistance available to owners of homes built prior to 1970 who wish to install a backflow preventer or overhead sewer. 
• September 13, 2011: Village Trustees reiterated their intent to keep stormwater and sanitary sewer flooding issues their first priority. President Tucker emphasized that as soon as items relating to these matters are ready for the Council's consideration, they will be placed on the agenda and noted that there are other items of business to be dealt with in the meantime. Manager Bahan referred Winnetkans to the aggressive timetable put forth at the August 16th meeting. 
• September 6, 2011: President Tucker and Manager Bahan reported on conversations with the Winnetka Park District and New Trier Township regarding possible opportunities to pursue open space for future detention.
• August 2, 2011: The Council passed a Resolution waiving permit and inspection fees associated with storm related repairs, to assist residents in recovering from the extensive damage caused by the storm and flood of July 22-23. To see the August 2nd Staff report, click here. To see the PowerPoint presentation, click here. For the Stormwater Financing Staff report, click here. To see the Staff's Stormwater Improvement PowerPoint, click here. For a Stormwater Projected Timetable, click here. To read about previous drainage improvements, click here.

Since the July 2011 flood event, the Village has made significant progress towards meaningful flood risk reduction for residents.  To see a report on stormwater management from a recent issue of the Winnetka Report, click here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For a list of frequently asked questions, click here