ComEd Power Outage discussion at City Hall

Alderman Mark Walsten passed this on to 6th Ward residents and  I wanted to share it with others.   

ComEd will be available on Thursday, October 27th at 7 pm at City Hall to discuss issues related to outages.  Please pass it along to interested residents in your wards. 
 
The City will also be publicizing this meeting as well through their Media Services Office.

Glenn

Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Program for Stormwater Management (IGIG)

Thanks to our Riverside Residents for Flood Prevention friends for sending this to me. 

 

The following is a news release from the Illinois EPA regarding a grant program available in our area for stormwater management:

Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Program for Stormwater Management (IGIG)

In the last few months, communities throughout northeastern Illinois have seen devastating rainfalls and damaging floods. Between streets, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces, a lot of that water had nowhere to go. Flooding and combined sewer overflows damage property, drain government budgets, and are environmental threats.

Fortunately, the State of Illinois can help you and your community reduce the effects of stormwater runoff. The Ill. Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is once again accepting applications for the Illinois Green Infrastructure Grants Program for Stormwater Management (IGIG). This year’s deadline is Dec. 15, 2011. Grants will be awarded for a range of project sizes and types, such as installation of permeable paving, bioinfiltration systems, and downspout disconnection programs.

The Metropolitan Planning Council is hosting two public workshops for prospective applicants and other interested parties to learn more about this exciting new program.

IEPA staff will be on hand to explain the details of the grant program, and project managers of some of last year’s successful applications will describe their proposals. Attendees also will have the opportunity to network and brainstorm about project ideas with design and engineering firms, planners, landscape architects and other experts in the field of green infrastructure.

Register now for Monday, Oct. 17, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Planning Council
140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 1400
Chicago, Ill. (See this location on Google Maps)

OR

Register now for Tuesday, Oct. 18, 10 to 11:30a.m.

The Centre in Elgin, North Banquet Facility

100 Symphony Way

Elgin, Ill.  (See this location on Google Maps)

These workshops are free. Prospective applicants include units of government, watershed planning groups, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and individuals. You are welcome to attend more than one workshop, but the content will be comparable. Seating is limited, so you must register in advance.

For more information, please contact Josh Ellis at jellis@metroplanning.org or (312) 863-6045.

Home Generator Reimbursement Plan in the Works

City Officials likely to approve rebate program for residents affected by storms, power outages

Des Plaines residents will likely be able to get a city rebate for their purchase of home generators within the next month.

Read full story by Janet Nester at the Des Plaines Patch

Let us hope this plan goes through and does not get lost as the 2010 version did.
Glenn

Des Plaines Building Permit Fees Waived for Flood Damage

Des Plaines City officials have waived building permit fees for flood-related damage caused by the June 23 storm.   Click the on the Des Plaine Patch news link below for more details.

Des Plaines Patch News Story By Janet Nester

Des Plaines Flood Damage Assessment Survey

Flood Damage Assessment Survey
for immediate release  5 PM, Tuesday, July 26, 2011, Des Plaines, Illinois

As part of the City’s ongoing effort to assess damages as a result of the July 23rd flood event, the City is conducting a self-assessment survey of damages to residences and businesses in Des Plaines.  The results of this survey will be reported to Cook County and used as the basis for determining whether state and/or federal assistance will be extended for losses experienced as a result of this flood event.  The City is asking all residents and businesses that experienced flood related losses to report this information.

To report your information as a part of this survey, visit the self-assessment survey website at http://myflood.desplaines.org and complete the online form by Friday, July 29 at 5 PM.  If you are unable to access the online form, paper copies of the form are available at the Police Department, 1420 Miner Street.

Please note that no funds are available at this time for reimbursement of flood damages.  If a state or federal determination is made that this flood event qualifies for reimbursement, the City will make reimbursement information available to the public at that time.
 

Will Soderberg
City of Des Plaines Media Services
1420 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL 60016
847.391.5327 (office)
847.954.9073 (cell)
847.391.5003 (fax)

Latest Riverside Flood Group news

Neighbors,

Last Saturday morning members of Riverside Residents for Flood Prevention gathered for an informal meeting to discuss flood related issues affecting our area and the status of current projects. For those who we unable to attend, here's a brief recap.

Armitage, Fairbanks and Hofmann Dam projects-

· Armitage and Fairbanks Dams: Arlan Juhl, Manager Division of Planning of the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources (IDNR) confirmed with us that the contracts for removal have been awarded, both to the same company.

· Fairbanks Dam: Juhl said the Fairbanks plan had originally been submitted for removal "in the dry", using a coffer dam; due to concerns about the coffer dam causing potential flood issues above the dam, IDNR required the company to re-submit a new plan for removal "in the wet." The revised plan has been submitted but is not yet approved.

· Armitage Dam: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project supervisor Jeff Zuercher confirmed that the contracted company is still working on its project submittals, specifically on its accident prevention plan, so no approvals to start work had been granted as of June 30. Zuercher says they anticipate granting Armitage Dam approvals within the next week or two, which means that we should see work begin on this dam within the next few weeks.

· Hofmann Dam notching/Swan Pond work:  Still in panning stages, Olmsted Society of Riverside has been expressing certain concerns during the planning stages; mainly advocating the prevention of any unnecessary tree removal, evaluating drainage plans and ensuring thorough post-project restoration.

Burlington Northern Sana Fe (BNSF) railroad bridge-

· BNSF: We have been in contact with BNSF Director of Public Affairs Amy McBeth. In a reply to us and to a plea from the Village of Riverside to consider discussing the problem, the railroad has stated that they do not believe that the piers, which are at a 34 degree angle to the flow of water and block 17 percent of the river flow, have any impact on flooding. They believe there are other remedies that would better mitigate flooding, such as the Hofmann Dam notching and the building of levees. We disagree.

· Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD): They studied the bridge and found it to be a concern though MWRD Sr. Civil Engineer Joseph Kratzer told us "we looked at the affect of the skewed BNSF RR bridge piers in our Lower Des Plaines River Detailed Watershed Plan (DWP), and essentially came to the same conclusion as the USACE/IDNR did.  We evaluated the benefits of the pier extensions along with other structural measures to address flooding along the Des Plaines River in the Riverside area, which are summarized in our DWP report." "Upon completion of our study in February 2011, the recommended projects (including the BNSF RR pier extensions, “DPR-11C”) were presented to our Board of Commissioners for prioritization.  Since the pier extension project’s benefit to cost ratio was not as high as others identified in the plan, it was not selected for project implementation by our Board at this time.  However, this will not affect the analysis by the USACE/IDNR as they work to complete their study."

· IDNR: Is still working to complete their own study and is considering addressing the project and has been contacted for info, no further info as of this date. We will be researching state and federal guidelines and dictates that may support the fact that these piers are no longer lined up correctly with the flow of water as they once were 100 years ago when they were installed. 

Lower Des Plaines River Detailed Watershed Plan (DWP)-

· MWRD has completed the DWP and design of projects is under way. The board has approved the plan and it is funded directly by the MWRD. There is no firm schedule yet. The plans were passed on 3/17/11 with about 28 projects to be undertaken all along the river from the northern county line to the south. For the entire report click here. One of the projects DPR-13 is part of the plan and will definitely help mitigate flooding for residents of the Riverside Lawn area. Since the projects are system-wide, Cook County residents all along the river should see benefits. 

Riverside Dept of Public Works-

· DPW Director Ed Bailey has been in communication with our group regarding some storm sewer problems he uncovered in a survey of the system upon his taking the office. After a study of options and approval from the MWRD, the Village has decided to install gate valves in each of the storm sewer outflows into the Des Plaines River. One valve in the outflow adjacent to the Forest and Groveland intersection and one in the outflow off West Avenue. They are currently obtaining competitive quotes for the valves for the 2012 budget. These valves will help prevent swelling river levels from flowing back into the Village storm sewer system and stressing its capacity.

· Mr. Bailey also brought to our attention a new sandbag design that the Village is currently evaluating by a company called FloodBloc http://www.fbsap.com/. There was a sample at the meeting for residents to examine. Basically it is a flattened 1lb burlap sack that upon contact with water for 3 minutes, swells to a typical sandbag size and increases its weight to 40 lbs. After a flood event, the bags are left to dry to their original flat 1lb state for proper disposal. They are EPA approved and non-toxic. There are many benefits to the bags including ease of dispatch, lower labor cost and time and the elimination of the coordination of dump truck loads of sand during a flood event.

Thanks to all who contributed and to Mary and Tom for hosting. More to come on all these and other topics as we learn more facts.

Riverside Residents for Flood Prevention

http://www.riversidefloodprevention.org

mail@riversidefloodprevention.org

President Declares A Major Disaster For Illinois

President Declares A Major Disaster For Illinois Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:25:36 -0500
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to Illinois to supplement the state and local recovery efforts in the area by severe storms occurring on April 19, 2011, and April 22 to May 2, 2011, and flooding resulting from those storms beginning on April 19, 2011, and continuing.

Tax Appeals Meeting

FLOOD GROUP:

Most of the folks who appealed their assessments have hearing dates of April 20th, so we will need to have a session on how to present their appeal.  The appeals are informal, but we need to be organized.
     We will be having this session this Saturday, April 16th at Arndt Park at 3:00 P.M.  Everyone will receive:
             (1)  Comparable properties(called "comps") for use in reducing your assessment
             (2)  A letter for those affected by the flood in terms of value and comparables. (there aren't any)
             (3)  Your copy of the submitted appeals
      I'm sorry to be so quick about this, but the appeal dates came significantly sooner than expected.
                                                Sincerely,
                                         Mike Elliott

Riverside roundtable discussion Hofmann Dam and Swan Pond projects

Neighbors,

The Olmsted Society of Riverside has extended an invitation to our group, and any interested residents, to attend a round table discussion about the upcoming Hofmann Dam and Swan Pond projects. This discussion will examine the proposed plans and their impact on Riverside; specifically with regard to restoration, functionality and aesthetics. This will not be a debate about potential flood mitigation, nor whether or not the projects should be undertaken.

The Olmsted Society is taking a proactive approach during the planning stages to help advocate well designed and executed projects.

The event will be held on Thursday, May 12th from 9:30am-12:30pm in the Auditorium of the Riverside Village Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside. Representatives from the Olmsted Society, the Village of Riverside, and other governmental agencies will be present and will participate in the discussion.

Hope to see you there.

Riverside Residents for Flood Prevention

http://www.riversidefloodprevention.org

mail@riversidefloodprevention.org

Meet your Elected Officials at Des Plaines Public Library

Rivers Casino

Rivers Casino

That’s the name of the new Des Plaines casino and entertainment complex that will open this summer near the corner of River Road and Devon Avenue.  Since last spring, readers of the Journal & Topics Newspapers have been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the new name. The newspaper chain asked readers to submit suggested names and they responded with hundreds of entries. Over the next few days the Journal & Topics will comb through those name suggestions and identify those who submitted the name “Rivers Casino.” They will be sent restaurant gift certificates from the Journal & Topics.

Rivers Casino will become the first casino complex built in the Chicago area in more than a decade, announced Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, LLC.

As reported exclusively in the Wednesday, Mar. 23 Journal & Topics, Midwest’s first job information fair for Rivers Casino will be held on Friday,   Apr. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont. 

Rivers Casino will create approximately 1,000 permanent jobs—from management positions to dealers, restaurant personnel and more. The job fair will provide a chance to learn more about the casino complex and to meet the Rivers Casino management team.  However, no paper applications or resumes will be accepted at the job fair. Job seekers are asked to apply online at http://www.riverscasino.net/.

The name for Rivers Casino represents the location of the complex near the Des Plaines River and its “green” elements incorporated throughout the attraction.  The $445 million Rivers Casino is expected to generate millions in annual gambling tax revenue that will benefit the State of Illinois, the City of Des Plaines and the Chicagoland area. The structure will house 1,200 gambling positions, and several restaurants and bars including Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House prime steaks and chops, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list.   Moreover, the Rivers Casino is on track to be the first casino in the nation to be LEED certified (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) for its green design, materials and practices.

In addition to job hunters, interested vendors should visit http://www.riverscasino.net ,  to learn about business opportunities.  Midwest Gaming is a partnership between affiliates of Neil Bluhm and Clairvest Group Inc.   Once construction is completed, the property will feature a 43,000 sq. ft. casino floor with 1,200 gambling positions and 30,000 sq. ft. of food and beverage venues.

Southbound I-294 Ramp (Touhy Ave. East Ramp)/S. of Touhy/River Intersection Closed 3/21-4/21

For more information call 847-391-5312/March 18, 2011

Southbound I-294 Ramp (Touhy Ave.  East Ramp)/S. of Touhy/River Intersection Closed 3/21-4/21
            
for immediate release

The Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department has announced that the southbound I-294 ramp (the Touhy Avenue East Ramp), south of the Touhy Avenue/River Road Intersection, will be closed from  4 AM, Monday, March 21, 2011- Thursday, April 21, 2011, as part of the River Road Reconstruction project.

A detour will be posted and motorists are reminded that the Tollway ramp, north of Touhy Avenue, on River Road northbound, will still be open for traffic to access I-294 southbound. Signage will be posted and motorists are encouraged to proceed through the construction area with caution.

President Declares Major Disaster For Illinois

 
Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:37:51 -0500

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of Illinois to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of January 31 to February 3, 2011.

Property Tax Apply Underway Wed Mar 16th

A group of over 50 residents joined 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten and our own Mike Elliot at ARNDT Park to fill out Tax Assessment appeal forms for 2010.  

Des Plaines Flood Action group Dec 16th meeting minutes

---

1) At the meeting I reported on the The River road progress.  I have included that info here, as well the latest update information and attached the supporting documents covering the phase 2 plan. My thanks to Ald. Walsten for passing it on from Tim. Showing us he is watching out for the residents by keeping up on things.

 

The River road work is progressing ahead of schedule. This permits AT&T, ComEd and Nicor to complete their utility relocation work for the southbound lanes during the coming months.  Midwest Gaming has approved an accelerated construction roadwork schedule at their cost moving the completion dates to July 1, 2011. 
  
Phase II of Des Plaines River Road Reconstruction (Rand to Touhy) project, we recently completed review of the 65% complete plans submitted by IDOT.  In summary, most of our comments concern grading (elevations and slopes) for the new pavement to assure that our local drainage is accommodated.  In addition, we want IDOT to minimize the amount of right-of-way that they acquire from adjacent property owners.  This right-of-way is primarily at the signalized intersections where the pavement will be widened to add lanes or improve the turning radii at the intersection corners. Most likely, construction would start in 2012.  The schedule is dependent on completion of the plans, securing the right-of-way, and getting utility conflicts

resolved by the utility companies.

 

UPDATE INFORMATION - Jan 6th, 2011.
information on the Fargo Area Storm Sewer is attached.  With reference to the Exhibit, the proposed 60” diameter storm sewer along Des Plaines River Road will be constructed in connection with IDOT’s Des Plaines River Road Reconstruction, Phase II improvement.  Projected construction date is late 2011 or early 2012.  Extension of the storm sewer along Fargo Avenue (48” diameter) and Jarvis (extended, 36” diameter) would occur at the end of the Storm Water Master Plan program in 2013 (unless additional funds can be secured earlier).

A copy of the IDOT plans in this area is also attached and shows the proposed 60” diameter storm sewer.  In addition to the drainage improvements, the elevation of the new road will be approximately 3’ higher in elevation to serve as a flood barrier from the river.

Please contact Timothy Oakley   if you have any questions on this information.

2) Again it was brought up that just Who is the watch dog for Des Plianes and it's resident when dealing with with local, state, and federal agencies?  Our past mayor was ready to start a lawsuit against Levee 37 and it always changing specs like lack of water retention storage, flood gaps, etc.. To answer these and many other questions Mike will try to get get both Tim Oakley the city engineer and Marty Molan our mayor to attend the next  meeting.  We suggest that if you have questions please submit them to Mike  mike@bestclients.com  or myself  gwiorek@aol.com  so we can ask  them at the meeting.  This way we can focus on each question, manage the meeting time better and perhaps cover more ground.  In fact if we give Marty and Tim the questions ahead of time they can be better prepared to answer them.  It also keep down the  "I have to check into it" responses.

3) It was decided not take any action concerning The Methodist Camp's flood program. It would be a strain on our resources to fight it as the Campground has for years now been fighting for their historical designation and spent a year working towards getting the basic grant.  Also their building elevation grant is on hold pending replacement of the campground water system (at their cost) to assure proper fire flows. while plans from the association's engineer on the water project are nearly completed it still could be months before they actually get the grant money. I will do my best to keep tabs on the project and also will try to learn from them how they got the grant from IEMA to we can use that knowledge to apply for grants ourselves.

 

4) Heritage Park - Levee 37 water storage area.  There is a huge difference between the prior proposed 2.6 million AC-FT of storage to cover levee 37 and the concept plan's 151 AC-FT of storage.  Nor does the concept plan cover how they plan to get the water from the levee 37 gaps to there.  Kind of looks like again they stuck it to us and did nothing but set up to cover overflow from Buffalo Creek. This is the biggest issue we face as a group.

 

5) We will not be doing any group property tax appeal because of the amount of work involved for the few interested parties. Still it is urged that you appeal yourself.  We have members who had property tax increase on homes they still can not live in.

Oct 2010 Meeting notes

1) Levy 37 -   Heritage Park  4.2 million gallons water over flow storage was needed.  Stated would allocate acreage for at least 2.5 million but only 1.5 million allocated.  No plans on how River water gets to Heritage.  We feel that all it protects is their area.   Mike is trying to keep an eye and pressure on this one.

2)  No one is provide us with up to date information or  worse miss leading  or wrong info.  Who are the flood project watch dogs  for Des Plaines?  

3)  Jeff Tondola was the guest speaker . He and the nurse he brought with discusses -  flood construction DR program, Mold and water health dangers.  Covered different ways water can get in - heavy clay content of soil causes foundation and sewers movement leading to cracks,  hydrostatic pressure during flooding also produces  movement and cracks,  flow over top of foundation,  water wants to fill a void and seeks it's own leave 2-4 inch pitched away -  side yard swales  to give low points between houses.    Sewage and mold are bad.   If you can see the mold it's already  a lot.   Bleach is only a disinfectant not a cleaner. 

4)  Methodist camp ground - I will tour the grounds and do even more research - what about city code?  Where money to inspect come from,  separation of church and private business,  summer homes,   what shape?   Water fire/system.   IEMA
Rebuild Des Plaines movement backing,  Landmark status. Do they pay property taxes or flood insurance?

What do we need to do?  What can we do?   Can we if nothing else force matching funds for flood relief of our full residency  homes.  Glenn research

5) Property tax reform?  Do we want to get involved again Took a lot of work last year.  Mike

6)  Cook county Disaster Grant - fiasco  Person in charge indicted.   Contractors not begin paid so so stalled.  A number of residents displaced.     Jeff who worked as an estimator for cook count was forced to do 150 inspection in 3 weeks.   Need to find out all the contractors and through them the customers.   Class action suite?  At least make number of folks number displaced know to Des Plaines and Cook County officals.     Mike and everyone who can help.

7) Next meeting Dec city hall chambers - data to announced when Mike can get the room.

8)  Latest River road construction update  Posted prior to this entry.

Oct Des Plaines River Road Update

Phase I (Touhy to Devon) of the Des Plaines River Road reconstruction project is on schedule with a completion date of July 2011.

On Phase II (Rand to Devon), preliminary plans have been prepared by IDOT and are under review.  The 60" inch diameter storm sewer is part of the Phase II project since the outlet for the system is north of Welwyn Avenue, which is well beyond the project limits of Phase I.  As you may know, the elevation of the new pavement will be raised, where possible, to provide flood protection from Des Plaines River flooding.  Projected construction date is late 2011 or early 2012, and is dependent on when IDOT secures the right-of-way / easements necessary to construct the project.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Timothy P. Oakley, P.E., CFM
Director of Public Works and Engineering
City of Des Plaines
847.391.5390