The City of Des Plaines, in an effort to further flood control measures, passed Resolution R-122-11, at the Monday, September 19, 2011, City Council Meeting.  R-122-11 authorizes Christopher B. Burke, Ltd., Rosemont, the firm that developed the City’s Storm Water Management Master Plan, to evaluate three problem areas within the City that experienced excessive overland flooding during the July 23, 2011 storm.

“We feel that this is a very positive, proactive measure to take at this time,” Des Plaines Mayor Martin J. Moylan said.  We recognize that there is a flooding problem in specific areas, we are looking for professionals to study the situation and make an evaluation, and we will determine the City’s course of action based on Burke Engineering’s findings and our staff’s recommendations,” Mayor Moylan said. 

Funding for the flood study, which will be financed by the City’s Capital Projects Fund, is not to exceed $42,700.  The three areas that will be specifically evaluated, as they were impacted on by the July 23, 2011 storm involving 6.8 inches of rainfall, are:

* Prairie Avenue and First Avenue

*Southeast Place and Grant Drive

*Earl Avenue, Forest Avenue, Cindy Lane and Fourth Avenue

These areas currently are not part of the Des Plaines Storm Water Management Master Plan (SMP), a contemporary analysis of the flooding situation in Des Plaines, specifically highlighting areas prone to flooding with suggested preventative improvements.According to Director of Public Works and Engineering Timothy Oakley, Burke staff will be conducting a hydrology and hydraulics study, analyzing the movement, distribution and pressure of water in the three affected areas.

The report will recommend various storm water improvements and should be completed in two months. As per the signed agreement with Burke Engineering, a separate drainage analysis will be performed on each of the areas, models will be used to determine the cause of flooding and “opinions of probable cause will be developed for all feasible flood mitigation alternatives.

”The City Council voted unanimously, 8-0, to accept the Burke Engineering proposal:  “This administration will continue to do everything we possibly can to understand and prevent future flooding in our community.  Our staff and consultants will continue to pursue relief from a problem that, unfortunately, is, very often, in the hands of Mother Nature,” Mayor Moylan said.