Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District:
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent or his designee to enter into a collaborative agreement with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a New York not for profit corporation.
II. Agreement Terms
Contract Period: One (1) year with two (2) 1-year extensions
Scope: SCA Chicago will recruit, train, and hire high school students and their adult leaders in paid employment performing hands-on conservation work within the CPD. Youth receive hands-on restoration training, marketable career skills, leadership development, and ecological restoration education while meeting the conservation needs of their local park district land.
Each team will spend the rest of the program working at individual CPD worksites, chosen by CPD. Crews will engage in projects such as invasive plant removal, seed collection, trail improvements, and other appropriate work. The work is varied to ensure crew members remain engaged and motivated while also enjoying nature and time with their peers. Great emphasis is placed on understanding the ecological concepts that guide their work.
Total cost of this program as outlined above is $346,486.00.
SCA is committing $140,825.00 with CPD providing $205,561.00.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Agreement and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Capital and operating grant
Fiscal Year: 2016
Source of Funds: 34.8450.8450. 626025.PK071.01.01.94202
151.8450.8450.626025.PG178.16.09.94202
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. Ethics: The Chicago Park District’s Ethics Code, Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District, shall be incorporated into and made part of all agreements authorized herein.
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 Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). All agreements authorized herein shall contain a clause that any expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year budget.