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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Mark Phipps, Engineering Coordinator
DATE: November 4, 2020
SUBJECT:
Resolution to award a contract to HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $39,750.00 to revise the regulatory floodplain map for the area surrounding Mastodon Lake. (Ward 3)
PURPOSE:
To remove the mandatory flood insurance requirement for approximately 100 residences and businesses that were inaccurately mapped by FEMA within the Mastodon Lake floodplain.
BACKGROUND:
HR Green, Inc. completed a Stormwater Master Plan for Mastodon Lake in early 2020. The scope of work for that project involved developing a hydraulic model of the Lake, which indicates the floodplain boundary for Mastodon Lake shown on FEMA’s regulatory flood maps is larger than it should be. Exhibit A illustrates the limits of the current regulatory floodplain (blue boundary) and the area that should actually be within the mapped floodplain (shaded area).
Buildings within the mapped floodplain that were purchased with a FDIC-backed mortgage are required to be covered by a flood insurance policy throughout the term of the mortgage. By revising the regulatory floodplain map for the area surrounding Mastodon Lake, the mandatory flood insurance requirement could be removed for approximately 100 residences and businesses. For building owners that choose to maintain their flood insurance policy, the premium will be drastically reduced.
Before selecting HR Green to work on the Stormwater Master Plan for Mastodon Lake, the City issued a Request for Qualifications to over 200 vendors in our Professional Services category. Statements of Qualifications were received from eleven (11) firms. A three (3) person panel from the Engineering Division rated HR Green as the most qualified firm for the Stormwater Master Plan project.
DISCUSSION:
Having recently completed the Stormwater Master Plan for Mastodon Lake, including the hydraulic model that will be the basis for the floodplain map revision, HR Green is uniquely qualified for this project. HR Green’s proposal is included as Exhibit B. Project B049 account 280-1852-512.81-90 in the Stormwater Management Fee Fund has a remaining balance of $3,500,000.
A separate project involving final engineering for dredging Mastodon Lake is also proposed at this time. Both projects were recommended in the Stormwater Master Plan for Mastodon Lake and they could be completed independent from one another; however, there are decided advantages to the City working on these projects simultaneously. The modeling involved in the LOMR project may prove that lowering the Lake’s normal water level slightly would remove more residences and businesses from the floodplain. The Lake’s outlet could be modified to lower the normal water level as part of the dredging project.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The scope of services for this project includes utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to create a detailed topographic map of the area. Property owners within the project area will be notified of the project and that the flight path for the UAV may include some overlap onto adjoining owner’s property. HR Green’s FAA certified Remote Pilot will monitor the flight path and adhere to FAA rules and regulations relating to UAV flights.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to award a contract to HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $39,750.00 to revise the regulatory floodplain map for the area surrounding Mastodon Lake.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the regulatory floodplain boundary for Mastodon Lake has been mapped inappropriately; and
WHEREAS, revising the floodplain boundary for Mastodon Lake will remove the mandatory flood insurance requirement for certain properties and reduce the cost of flood insurance for others; and
WHEREAS, HR Green, Inc. of 2363 Sequoia Drive, Suite 101, Aurora, IL 60506 is uniquely qualified for this project based on recently completing the Stormwater Master Plan for Mastodon Lake; and
WHEREAS, project Project B049 account 280-1852-512.81-90 has sufficient funds for this project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the award of a contract to HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $39,750.00 for preparation of the Mastodon Lake Letter of Map Revision is hereby approved, and the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to enter into such a contract on behalf of the City.