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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-204 Resolution No. 11-204 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GRANT APPLICATION FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES FOR THE CITY HALL PARKING LOT PERMEABLE PAVER PROJECT BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN,ILLINOIS,that Sean R. Stegall, City Manager, be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grant application on behalf of the City of Elgin in connection with the stormwater best management practices for the City Hall Parking Lot Permeable Paver Project. s/David J. Kaptain David J. Kaptain, Mayor Presented: December 7, 2011 Adopted: December 7, 2011 Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 Attest: s/Kimberly Dewis Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk 1f {_ ELGIN THE CITY IN THE SUBURBS' AGENDA ITEM: C MEETING DATE: December 7, 2011 ITEM: Resolution in Support of an Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Application for Stormwater Man- agement Best Practices ($86,900 in 2013 if awarded) OBJECTIVE: Fund green infrastructure best management practices to control stormwater runoff for water quality protection in Illinois. RECOMMENDATION: Approve a resolution for an Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant application for funds to construct a permeable paver parking lot for a portion of the city hall parking lot. BACKGROUND The city utilizes consultants to pursue grant opportunities where the consultant is not paid to apply for a grant, but is guaranteed the first right to a project if funding is awarded. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is funding the Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant (IGIG) program for a second year. The IGIG program is designed to "fund green infrastruc- ture best management practices to control stormwater runoff for water quality protection in Illinois." During the first round of IGIG funding in 2010 — 2011, the city was awarded $634,000 to construct three types of green infrastructure in the Southwest Area Neighborhood. This project is expected to be complete by August 2014. Staff would like to submit another IGIG application for the program's second year of funding. As applications are due to the IEPA by December 15, 2011, this item is on both the committee of the whole and regular city council agenda. OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS The IGIG program awards funds in three categories: combined sewer overflow, stormwater re- tention/infiltration and small projects. Last year the city submitted an application for all three categories and was awarded funding in the combined sewer overflow category. This year, only one application in the stormwater retention/infiltration category is being developed. The city seeks council approval to submit an application to install permeable pavers in a section of the city hall parking lot, in the two small areas north and south of Dexter Court. In addition to permeable pavers, native plantings would be installed around the perimeter of the lots, pro- moting further infiltration. Why the city hall parking lot? Last year the city applied to construct a per- Y meable paver parking lot in Lords Park. This application was not funded. A review of the IEPA's comments on this application re- vealed that more credit was given to those projects that were surrounded by p j Y surface. The city's Lords Park application was the opposite; surrounded by open space, ``` grass and trees (i.e. all pervious surface). To strengthen this year's application, staff j sought projects that are surrounded by con- crete and that could serve as a demonstra- tion project. Based on this, staff feels that pursuing permeable pavers in the city hall parking lot provides the greatest chance of funding. The city hall parking lot is surrounded by impervious surface and is very visible, providing evidence of Elgin's commitment to stormwater manage- ment. Why only this portion of the lot? Staff explored the possibility of installing permeable pavement for larger portions of the city hall lot. However, cost estimates developed by Engineering Enterprises Inc. were prohibitively expensive. Converting the entire parking lot to permeable pavers costs approximately $1,720,000, well over the maximum allowable award amount of$750,000. Converting only the south portion of the city hall lot would reduce the total cost to $986,000 with the city's share being$247,000. This was seen as too costly. Staff also considered the old library parking lot (the current home of the Harvest Market) but converting this lot would result in a city match of $167,000, which staff felt was prohibitively expensive. Converting only the two sections north and south of Dexter Court allows for a very visible permeable paver parking lot at a reasonable cost. Based on an estimate from Engineering Enterprises Inc., these two portions could be con- verted to permeable pavers for a total cost of$347,700, requiring a city match of$86,900. Is the pavement in need of replacing? Excluding the newly refinished entrance and traffic circle (which would not be converted) the asphalt contained within these two areas is at a minimum in need of resurfacing. The lot north .4111) 2 of Dexter Court was last resurfaced in 2002 and the lot south of Dexter Court was only sealed several years ago. Why Permeable Payers? Permeable pavers allow for rainwater and snow melt to be absorbed and infiltrated on site ra- ther than run off directly into storm sewers. By treating stormwater on site, harmful pollutants and other chemicals can be filtered out, resulting in water quality benefits. Reducing stormwa- ter runoff can also help reduce flooding, soil erosion and urban heat island effect. Permeable pavers have also been demonstrated to delay the formation of ice, reducing the amount of salt needed. INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED Staff solicited input from the sustainability commission. The responding commissioners asked about the remaining life of the pavement, project costs, maintenance and if the storm sewers would be replaced as part of this process. Commissioners were generally supportive of the ap- plication. Staff addressed these concerns by ensuring that the lot is in need of resurfacing. Staff has also reduced the scope of the project from the original proposal of replacing the entire parking lot. Permeable pavers do require periodic maintenance to clear the voids between pavers using a street sweeper or vacuum system. This maintenance would be incorporated into the downtown street sweeping schedule. Lastly, the storm sewers would not be replaced as part of this project. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS As estimated by Engineering Enterprises Inc., the cost of converting these two portions of the city hall lot is $347,700, with the city's share being $86,900. Funding for this project is available through the use of pavement maintenance funds from the city's Motor Fuel Tax allocation, which can be used to rehabilitate parking lots. The IGIG is a reimbursement grant, which re- quires the city to upfront the project costs as incurred, and subsequently submit for reim- bursement. If the grant is awarded, actual work on the improvements is expected to begin in 2013. There- fore,funds for this project would need to be identified and included in the city's 2013 budget. BUDGET IMPACT FUND(S) ACCOUNT(S) PROJECT#(S) AMOUNT AMOUNT BUDGETED AVAILABLE N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A J�z 3 LEGAL IMPACT 411) None. ALTERNATIVES The council may choose to not to pursue this grant opportunity. NEXT STEPS 1. Finalize application and submit to IEPA by December 15, 2011. Originators: Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst Final Review: Colleen Lavery, Chief Financial Officer William A. Cogley, Corporation Counsel/Chief Development Officer Richard G. Kozal, Assistant City Manager/Chief Operating Officer Sean R. Stegall, City Manager ATTACHMENTS A. Resolution Authorizing IGIG Grant Application 4) k� ct{ 4 Resolution No. 1 1-XXX RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GRANT APPLICATION FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES FOR THE CITY HALL PARKING LOT PERMEABLE PAVER PROJECT BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that Sean R. Stegall, City Manager, be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grant application on behalf of the City of Elgin in connection with the stormwater best management practices for the City Hall Parking Lot Permeable Paver Project. David Kaptain, Mayor Presented: December 7, 2011 Adopted: December 7, 2011 Vote: Yeas: Nays: Attest: (1.1* Kim Dewis, City Clerk