City of Elmhurst/Burke Engineering Proposed Stormwater Management Plan Presentation
Mayor Morley thanks the Board for their time, accommodating such a large group of people, and for inviting the City of Elmhurst representatives and Burke Engineering to present the Stormwater Management Plan Proposal. Mayor Morley stated that the plan has yet to be approved as the cooperation of the School and Park District is required to develop an Intergovernmental Agreement to move forward. City Manager Jim Grabowski added that the proposal plans are the most cost-effective measures identified by Burke Engineering. Christopher Burke and staff of Burke Engineering presented background on the study they completed for the City that included hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to determine flooding solutions for ten study areas, as well as calculating flood storage and stormwater runoff volumes. They then described the effects of the April 18, 2013 storm event in Elmhurst and discussed how the proposed plans for using five District parks for short-term stormwater detention cold help address the issue by creating storage to reduce the level of flooding. Board President Kubiesa stated that the Park Board is concerned about protecting District parks and questions whether the proposed plan would hamper the District’s ability to make future changes, upgrades and expansions of parks. The Board then questioned Burke Engineering regarding initial and maintenance costs, other possible options such as underground stormwater detention, purchasing homes that are flood prone and looking at other open space options in Elmhurst. Following the Board’s questions, Board President Kubiesa opened the floor for public comment.
In preparation for this meeting, Park Board members received a binder from staff containing the City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Flooding Plan Report from April 2012, the City of Elmhurst Presentation from December 2011 and copies of the proposed plans for the parks and the School District sites. On August 2, 2013, the Board received copies of some questions Commissioner Howard had asked be submitted to the City/Burke and Burke's responses. It was communicated in memo prior to the Board meeting that the School Board will also be preparing a series of questions for the City.
Due to the high volume of correspondence please click on the Complete Meeting Minutes for a complete transcript of Visitor Remarks/Correspondence.
