Residents Getting Detailed Look at Stormwater Plans, But the Rain Keeps Coming

Written by Carol Kania Morency

As the city continues neighborhood meetings to answer questions about its plans for fixing chronic stormwater flooding issues, the rain keeps coming—frustrating Elmhurst residents who would like to use their basements.

Monday night, before the City Council heard an update on the three meetings held to explain proposed stormwater detention projects, residents of the 400 block of Howard Avenue told aldermen that the April 18 storm and last week's small monsoon were reminders that they were in need of some relief from the city.

Mike Killian said he had sustained almost $10,000 in damage from the April flood and was upset to see water starting to pond on Howard last week.

“I think you can do a better job,” he told aldermen.

Julie Ahrens said the risk of flooding is turning parts of homes into unusable space, and the April rains stalled plans for her own home.

“We can't finish our basement because of it,” she said.

Noting that Howard is on the list for repaving this year, Ahrens asked aldermen to put this project off and focus on the street's flooding issues.

Kathleen Sullivan, who has experienced flooding in her own neighborhood on Pine Street, summed up the feelings of many residents who look to darkening skies with fear.

“The level of stress in neighborhoods is still very high,” she told aldermen.

Sullivan did praise city staff for improved response efforts, saying that during the April storms she received an automated phone call from the city and saw crews on the streets.

Later in the meeting, 3rd Ward Alderman Michael Bram said that the city is looking into upgrading drainage grates to make them less “debris-friendly.”

While frequent rains continue, the city is out in the neighborhoods, explaining to residents the detailed plans to alleviate flooding by utilizing land belonging to Elmhurst Unit District 205 and Elmhurst Park District. The plans are only speculative at this point because neither the Park District or District 205 has signed off on use of their land.

City Manager Jim Grabowski reported that the first two meetings were well attended. About 100 people attended the May 29 meeting focusing on the southwest portion of the city, and 35 people at the May 30 event to discuss the areas around Pioneer Park, Wild Meadow Trace and Golden Meadows Park.

“Residents are appreciative of the detail we've been able to give them,” Grabowski said, adding that most questions center around the timeline for the work.

Aldermen also took action Monday to make more money available for residents who want to install an overhead sewer on their property, voting to shift $150,000 from the sewer lining budget to a program that reimburses 50 percent of the costs (up to $5,000) of re-plumbing basements to eject sewage outside the home's foundation.

The money came from lower-than-expected costs for the 2013 sewer lining bid, and supplements the $40,000 originally budgeted for overhead sewers, allowing about 30 more households to participate in the program.

Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner was the only “no” vote, saying that he believes the city should be looking at more alternatives to helping residents avoid flooding, including a program to encourage the installation of check valves. First Ward Alderman Diane Gutenkauf said that a policy for offering help for check valve installation is in the works and city money may one day be available for them.

The next stormwater neighborhood meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at City Hall and will focus on the area around East End Park.

City officials also will attend the June 12 Elmhurst Park Board meeting to explain the stormwater proposals. The meeting will start at 4:30 p.m. with a tour of the affected parks for anyone who is interested. The tour will begin at The Abbey, 407 W. St. Charles Road. The regular Park Board meeting will follow at 7 p.m. and also will be held at The Abbey.

Grabowski told residents whose FEMA claims for disaster assistance have been denied that they can submit an appeal. For those who wish to apply for financial assistance in person, residents can visit the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center located at the Lisle Police Department, 5040 Lincoln Ave.