Stormwater Commission

STORMWATER COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, September 30, 2010 The following persons were present: Richard Wlodarski, Andrew Vitale, Steven Vinezeano, Chairman Joe Lo Verde and Mayor Callero, Mousa Nazzal and Chuck Ostman. Also in attendance were Jeff Wickenkamp of Hey and Associates, Sewer Department Supervisor Tom Polcyn and resident Fred Kudert of 7400 W. Kedzie Street. Absent was Scott Jochim. I. Introduction: Vinezeano introduced Sewer Department Supervisor Tom Polcyn who he hopes to be involved with the Commission from this point forward and resident Fred Kudert who had attended a meeting in the recent past. II. Engineering Update by Hey: Jeff Wickenkamp distributed copies of a PowerPoint and a table titled Subwatershed Minor Drainage System Flow Capacity Analysis. Several maps were also available for viewing that showed Over Land Flow Paths (OLFP). a. Overland Flow Paths. Utilizing the table handout and maps, Hey discussed a recently completed Village-wide drainage pattern analysis. This will allow Hey to gain an in-depth understanding of the drainage patterns above ground. Initial review at the meeting did show a correlation between the lack of capacity identified and areas with known stormwater problems. b. Stormwater Management Ordinance Development Case Studies. There was a handout for a PowerPoint titled “Village of Niles Stormwater Management Regulations” that was discussed by Hey. This provided a recap of the previous month discussions. Hey then utilized case studies of properties and developments provided by Community Development. Each of these case studies was reviewed as if they were to be regulated as per recently proposed/recommended Stormwater Management restrictions that are stricter than MWRD requirements. Much discussion ensued regarding increased costs for stormwater management by private developers vs. reasonable threshold levels. Hey shared a spreadsheet which would help with calculations. Chuck Ostman would like to conduct additional review of this issue and return to the next meeting with talking points. III. Staff Update by Vinezeano: a. Ordinance Amendments (handout). The amendments recommended by Hey were put in Ordinance form for discussion by the Stormwater Commission. Chuck Ostman will return to the next meeting with additional research on the first amendment discussed that defines “Impervious Area”. The other three proposed amendments will be recommended to the Board of Trustees at a future Village Board meeting. b. NFIP Audit Update (handout). Vinezeano researched all properties (twelve in total) with “buildings” within the floodplain [handout required title change “Substantial Improvement for Structures within the Floodplain” – Not Flood Way]. This was done by reviewing a floodplain map and spreadsheet provided by Andrew Vitale. 816 properties are in the floodplain, but only twelve properties have structures impacted. As per Chapter 50 of the Village Ordinance, the municipality (Engineering Department) must track substantial improvements to ensure the cumulative percentage of improvements of any structure in the floodplain does not equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure. Chuck Ostman is working with MIS to ensure future properties within the floodplain are flagged for Engineering and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Mousa Nazzal will be required to develop an “Application for Permit to Develop in a Floodplain Area” similar to the Village of Carbon Cliff provided in the meeting packet and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Information will also be required on the Village webpage regarding NFIP. Two properties (6700 W. Howard and 6676 W. Howard) require additional information. Joe LoVerde will provide the “Market Value” of the structures in question as well as a copy of the certification required for improvements over the 50% and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. All other property (structural) improvements meet the established standard. In an effort to improve and finalize the process, Vinezeano and Nazzal will meet with the CRS coordinator of the Village of Lisle and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Vinezeano joined IAFSM and the CRS Committee. Flood Calls Process (SOP). It is recommended that the Sewer Department establish an SOP for flood control response for unusually heavy or sustained rainfall events. It was recommended that it include the flood  questionnaire for residents, calls after hours, and how information is provided to GIS for future tracking purposes. Tom Polcyn and Vinezeano will discuss the development of this SOP and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. c. Plan Review Process/Billing for Engineering Department (handout). Commission Chair Joe Lo Verde discussed his concerns regarding substantial civil engineering being required for Zoning Board due to the costs to developers and potential loss of development. One method to ensure future stormwater problems are prevented is to seek consultant services for Residential and Commercial Plan Review. This cost would then be borne by the developer as is the case for the Community Development Department. The Commission agreed unanimously with moving forward. Chuck Ostman and Mousa Nazzal will work toward establishing the process and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. d. FEMA Update. FEMA remains “on the ground” until October 18th, which is the last day for homeowners to call the FEMA hotline. FEMA’s big push is for homeowners to continue with the process if they get an SBA application and to check for mold. The Village has information on the website, newsletter, and channel 6. e. IEPA Grant Opportunity (handout). Hey and Associates and Steve Vinezeano will be attending the IGIG Grant Program workshop in Aurora, Illinois on October 1st. Vinezeano will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. f. MWRD and I/I. Vinezeano attended an Inflow/Infiltration Removal Program meeting on 21 September. It was reported how MWRD is paying millions of dollars to treat “clean” water. The Commission and Village can expect tougher regulation regarding I/I in the future. IV. Storm Sewer Map Updating Process by Vitale: Andrew explained the process he was planning with the Sewer Department to ensure updating of the sewer maps occurs as efficiently as possible. Polcyn warned that they must work around many other projects, but is committed to the project. V. Open Discussion: a. Glenview. Nazzal reported that a meeting is scheduled with Glenview on October 6th. b. Maryhill. Construction is underway. The improvements include a swale along the back of the homes and piping to the area pond to the north.  c. Greenwood. Construction is still halted. It is supposed to be completed by November 1st. d. Birchwood/Nora. Polcyn to clean the parking lot basin and check on 2” restrictor to ensure it is installed. e. Forest View. The situation was described to the Commission by Mousa Nazzal. Due to the neighbor ( Ebinger) complaint about the illegal grade Mr was caught installing on both properties, he was informed (by letter) it must be removed by a set date. Mousa also provided Mr with site recommendations for stormwater relief. The Commission discussed how it seems that the natural flow of water is to his property and due to some other improvements it may have been exacerbated. It was discussed that the neighbor to the west who may have changed grade as well, may be required to also remove the berm. There was short discussion about future cost share programs that may include rear yard drainage. This would require neighbors working together to share the cost of improvements. There was discussion that maybe the Village considers assisting in this case as a pilot, but it was reminded that there are areas that are much worse off then this. f. There was a comment made about streams that MWRD should consider cleaning. Vinezeano and Jochim will be reviewing some sites to bring them to the attention of MWRD. VI. Next Scheduled Meeting: TBA