Title
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY FOR SUPPORT OF NEIGHBORSPACE
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 and CEO or her designee to amend the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Chicago and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for support of NeighborSpace, an Illinois not-for-profit organization. The amendment will increase the annual funding provided to NeighborSpace and extend the IGA through December 31, 2033, with one 5-year extension available.
II. Agreement Information
Grantor: Chicago Park District
4830 S. Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60609
City of Chicago
121 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60605
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
536 North Harlem
River Forest, IL 60305
Agreement Type: Intergovernmental Agreement
Agreement Term: Upon approval by all parties through December 31, 2033, with one 5-year extension available to December 31, 2038
Authorization: Authorize the General Superintendent to negotiate, enter into, and execute such agreements and instruments and perform any and all acts as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions described herein, including compliance with conservation easements, permits, applicable funding source requirements and regulatory requirements. Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written agreements and permit instruments. Authorize the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the agreements and other documents and keep an original of such documents on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Amount $180,000 annually
Budget Classification: Operating
Fiscal Year: 2024-2033
Source of Funds: 001.8200.8200.623175.00001.01.01.00001
IV. Explanation
In 1997, the Chicago Park District entered into an IGA with the City of Chicago and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to create NeighborSpace, a not-for-profit corporation that owns, leases and insures small community-managed parks, gardens, natural areas, river edges and scenic landscapes in the City of Chicago. The IGA requires that each agency provide annual funding to support the organization’s work and also designate one department head and one commissioner or alderman to serve on the governing board of NeighborSpace. Since its founding, NeighborSpace has played an important role in providing and managing open space in Chicago. Chicago Park District staff work closely with NeighborSpace staff to provide support and technical expertise to a city-wide network of community-managed spaces, including ornamental gardens, gardens for food production, urban farms, and nature play. .
Since 1997, the CPD and the City of Chicago have invested $100,000 annually in NeighborSpace’s mission to acquire and preserve community managed open space, and the Forest Preserve District has invested $50,000. What began as a few sites in the 1990s has grown to 140 protected open spaces across the city, and now includes community-managed nature play spaces, stormwater landscapes, and urban farms along with traditional community gardens. In its early days, NeighborSpace was almost entirely funded by government allocation. Today, they have successfully leveraged the annual allocations from government partners with many other funding sources. Approximately one eighth of their annual budget is supported by allocations, with the remainder supported by private funding, aldermanic menu money, and Open Space Impact Fees.
The increase in the annual allocation from the CPD reflects the growth and success of NeighborSpace since its founding and its continued importance as a partner in managing open space in Chicago. The City of Chicago and Forest Preserve District are also increasing their annual allocations to $185,000 and $100,000 respectively.
V. 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.