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AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER PERSONAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO A LONG TERM LOAN AGREEMENT TO FRIENDS OF THE VIKING SHIP, AN ILLINOIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT
BODY
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District:
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter X, Section F.3 of the Code of the Chicago Park District, the Director of Planning and Development and the Director of Purchasing recommend that the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District (the “Board”) authorize the Director of Purchasing or their designee to transfer the personal property consisting of a sculpture of the bust of Capt. Magnus Andersen to Friends of the Viking Ship, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation (the “Lessee”) for a term of twenty years pursuant to a loan agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Chicago Park District and Lessee. The Department of Purchasing further recommends that the Board authorize the General Superintendent or their designee (“General Superintendent”) to negotiate, enter into, and execute such transfer instruments, agreements, amendments, indemnities, and other documents and perform any and all acts as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the transaction described herein.
II. Award Information
Lessee: Friends of the Viking Ship
PO Box 83
Geneva, IL 60134
Company Type: Not-For-Profit Corporation
Transfer Type: Loan of Personal Property
Agreement Type: Loan Agreement
Agreement Period: 20-year initial term with one (1) additional five (5) year extension option.
Beneficial Interest: As noted in Section IV(4) below, the Lessee has submitted an Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”). As required by Chapter I, Section D.1(a)(1) of the Code, Section II(B)(2) of the Awardee’s EDS discloses the following persons or legal entities having a direct or indirect, current or prospective beneficial interest (including ownership) in excess of 7.5% of the Lessee:
Friends of the Viking Ship - 100% interest
Authorization: Authorize the Director of Purchasing or their designee to negotiate, enter into, and execute such transfer instruments, agreements, amendments to agreements, indemnities, and other documents, subject to the review and approval of the General Counsel, and perform any and all acts as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions described herein. Authorize the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the agreements and transfer instruments and to keep an original copy of the agreements and transfer instruments on file.
III. Explanation
The Chicago Park District proposes to transfer personal property consisting of a sculpture of the bust of Capt. Magnus Andersen for a term of 20 years plus one option to extend for an additional five (5) year period to Lessee for exhibition alongside the Viking Ship display in Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Dr., Geneva, Illinois and eventual transfer for display at the permanent Friends of the Viking Ship museum in Geneva, Illinois. The bust of Capt. Magnus Andersen was presented to the city of Chicago and Chicago Park District by a group of Norwegian government representatives and societies in 1936. Capt. Andersen was captain of the Viking, a replica longship based on the Gokstad ship which sailed from Norway to Chicago for the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition as a demonstration that Leif Ericson could have made the voyage described in the Icelandic Sagas. The bust was paired with the ship itself, then on display in Lincoln Park.
In 1994 in order to facilitate its long-term care and exhibition the Viking Ship was transferred to the organization that is today the Friends of the Viking Ship, which cares for an exhibits the ship and associated artifacts in Geneva, IL. The bust, the work of Carl Paulsen, has been in storage since that time and was overlooked in the transfer. Entering into a long-term loan will serve the public by returning a noted work of art to public display and honor the original intent of the gift by continuing to exhibit it alongside the Viking as was originally intended.
IV. General Conditions
1. Conflicts: No agreement authorized herein shall be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, 50 ILCS 105/0.01 et seq.
2. Code of the Chicago Park District: The Agreement shall be subject to the Code of the Chicago Park District, including but not limited to Chapter III (“Governmental Ethics”).
3. Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Chicago Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/0.01 et seq.
4. Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Lessee has submitted a full and complete EDS prior to submission to the Board.