May 8, 2013 Park Board Meeting

New Business: Preliminary Discussion of City of Elmhurst Stormwater Management Potential Solution

Conceptual drawings by Burke were given to the Board as part of their Board packet prior to the meeting.  Board President Kubiesa stated that the Board will discuss and brainstorm for ideas and questions relating to the City of Elmhurst’s conceptual drawings illustrating potential stormwater management solutions that suggest utilizing Park District facilities. President Kubiesa stated that although the Board would like to be part of the stormwater management solution, its responsibilities lie in protecting and maintaining its parks.  City staff plans on attending the June 12, 2013 board meeting to further discuss the plans. The plans were presented in a slideshow by Executive Director Rogers in order to enhance visualization, further explain water flow, grading, and other potential plans submitted by the City of Elmhurst. Mr. Rogers also included photos of water retention facilities at two parks at the Downers Grove Park District, which were designed by Burke Engineering. To date, the Park District sites under consideration include Golden Meadows, East End Park, Pioneer Park, Wild Meadows Trace, and York Commons.  Commissioner Spaeth then presented a consolidated report he produced using various City of Elmhurst reports regarding stormwater management.

The Board held an in-depth discussion throughout the presentation resulting in the following questions and ideas to pose to the City of Elmhurst staff.

Questions:

·       The fire station at York Commons has an underground storage, could it be linked/added to the list of proposed areas for water retention?

·       Are retaining walls primarily for ADA?

·       Would like to look at full scope of plan

·       How vital is the Park District to the whole?

·       Are there plans to offer a cost-sharing program to residents for the cost of installing backflow, overhead, side yard, and/or draining systems? Grant program for glass blocks or raising driveway.

·       What happens if the Park District is unable to provide the required land space?  Is there eminent domain?

·       How soon does the city plan on implementing the plans?

·       What are the capacity issues?

·       Are turf fields proposed at Golden Meadows?

·       Will areas be fenced?

·       Are there any safety issues in regard to depth (2-8 ft)?

·       Will the system be pump or gravity fed at Golden Meadows?  If pump, what will happen during electrical power failure?

·       Will the proposed sewer line at East End be tied into the Caroline sewer?  What will be the impact- positive/negative?

·       What impact at East End on York’s cross country running team?

·       What flexibility will the district lose with the plans?

·       How long will it take for the water to drain?

·       What is the distance of the retaining wall from the soccer field lines at Pioneer Park?

·       What is water flow direction at Prairie Path and Wild Meadows Trace?  How many trees will be lost?

·       How many homes will benefit from proposed plans?

·       If soccer fields are flooded, will there be runover to other areas?

·       Will those who don’t have water problems have flooding problems?

·       Where are the funds for the proposed plans coming from?

·       If similar plans are being used at the Downers Grove Park District, did it prevent flooding during the April 18 storm?

·       Has City decided to change ordinance on impermeable surface restriction for the proposed plans?  Will new construction ordinances be developed?  Are we pushing problem 10 years out?

·       Terraced versus large berms?

 

Ideas:

·       Placing guardrails on Seminole at Wild Meadows Trace

·       When constructing new facilities, add underground storage.

·       Use of permeable pavement at York Commons, moved proposed plans for York Commons to the parking lot.

·       Use of Great Western Prairie areas.

·       Would like to see more green alternatives addressed

·       Using Berteau Street hospital as an alternative

·       Eldridge Park as an option