02/04/2019February 4, 2019
The regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Village of Deerfield was
called to order by Mayor Harriet Rosenthal in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall on
February 4, 2019, at 6:45 p.m. The clerk called the roll and announced that the following
were:
Present: Tom Jester
Mary Oppenheim
Harriet Rosenthal, Mayor
William Seiden
Barbara Struthers
Absent was: Robert Benton
Dan Shapiro
and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present was Village Manager Kent Street
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment on non-agenda items.
WOODVALE AVENUE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Director of Public Works and Engineering Bob Phillips reported that Woodvale Avenue runs
parallel to the north branch of the river. There are 20 homes in the 100 year floodplain. The
homes were built in the 1960s, before FEMA started mapping floodplain. When the creek
overflows, it stands in the roadway, sometimes more than one foot. Mr. Phillips is unsure if the
residential properties flood, but suspects some basement flooding. The road has not been
reconstructed in a long time. He noted that projects such as this one that fall within a special
flood area require additional expertise. The Village hired Christopher B. Burke Engineering two
years ago to provide construction options for the roadway and have met with them several times.
Staff is now looking for approval to hire them for Phase II Engineering services. Trustee Jester
noted the streets are designed to meet a 10-year flood event. Mr. Phillips explained one design
recommendation is realigning the road. The recommendations will be presented in a public
meeting later this month.
Stephen Sugg and Matthew Huffman, both with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, were present.
Mr. Huffman noted the entire roadway falls within the 100-year floodplain. One of the
improvements investigated included providing 100-year flood protection for Woodvale Avenue
by constructing a flood wall two-feet above the 100-year water level. The wall would be higher
than some garages and could obstruct some resident’s views. Trustee Jester questioned whether
an environmental impact study would be required. Mr. Huffman noted they would start with a
concept study, which is in process by the Army Corps of Engineers. The issue with a flood wall,
which would be 3,000 feet long, would be that water could seep around it at the ends.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
February 4, 2019
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Trustee Struthers inquired whether the berm height in the low spots could be increased.
Mr. Huffman noted that the second option investigated included increasing the berm height and a
third option is a combination of the two. Mr. Huffman noted the spoils bank elevation could not
be modified. By raising the berm, water would be pushed elsewhere on the other side of the
river. All three of these options would require a pumping station and are very expensive. The
fourth alternative they looked at included leaving the spoils bank as is and adjusting the roadway
by making profile updates to accommodate the 10-year flood. A final alternative study includes
shifting the road 12 feet toward the homes in the Village right of way to create a drainage ditch.
There would not be permanent taking of property. Mr. Phillips stated staff would stake out the 12
feet before meeting with residents to provide context.
Mr. Sugg stated the low point of the road are the existing curbs and gutters. They propose adding
a concrete ribbon curb with a rumble strip. The purpose would be to increase the height of the
roadway. Mr. Sugg noted the proposed compensatory storage drainage ditch would be good for
the water quality, as well. Mr. Huffman noted residents would see a noticeable improvement.
Trustee Seiden noted a resident could lose up to 13 feet of their front yard. Mr. Phillips believes
this is a good self-sustaining option. Mr. Street indicated this is a better option, though it is not
perfect. Mr. Phillips noted they plan on installing storm sewer backflow prevention with the
project.
The Trustees reached a general consensus that these were the two best options to bring to the
residents at the public meeting on February 20, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business or discussion, Trustee Oppenheim moved to adjourn the
meeting. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice
vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeri Cotton
Secretary