Title
AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH THE METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN CALIFORNIA PARK AND CLARK (RICHARD) PARK ALONG THE CHICAGO RIVER
Body
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District adopt an ordinance authorizing the General Superintendent, or his designee, to negotiate, enter into, execute, and take all action necessary to enter into a lease between the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), the Chicago Park District and the City Department of Transportation for the establishment of a bike path between California Park and Clark (Richard) Park.
II. Agreement Information
Grantor: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
100 Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Grantees: Chicago Park District and
City Department of Transportation
30 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60602
Granting Instrument: Lease
Transfer Type: Intergovernmental Property Transfer in accordance with 50ILCS 605/2(a) of the Local Government Property Transfer Act.
Authorization: Authorize the General Superintendent to negotiate, enter into, and execute such intergovernmental agreements, amendments to intergovernmental agreements, indemnities, and instruments and perform any and all acts as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions described herein, including compliance with existing easements, if any, filing of street and alley vacation or dedication applications, plats of dedication, and other applicable requirements. Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written agreements, amendments and transfer instruments. Authorize the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreements and transfer instruments and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
III. Explanation
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District owns property along the Chicago River between California Park, 3843 N. California Ave. and Clark (Richard) Park, 3400 N. Rockwell Ave. and intends to lease it to the Park District and the City Department of Transportation for the development of a bike path.
The Addison Underbridge Connection of the North Branch Riverfront Trail completes a critical link in the off-street trail spanning from the city core on the south and the extensive set of northern trails that extend to the Botanic Gardens, Fort Sheridan and points north. By running below Addison Street and to a new bridge over the river to California Park, a nearly contiguous 2-mile long recreational trail is created between Clark Park at Belmont Avenue and Horner Park at Montrose. With a safe and secure connection between Horner, California and Clark Parks, access to these parks is substantially enhanced and will reintroduce the river to thousands of Chicago residents.
IV. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: The Agreement shall not be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
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 the agreement.
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 70 ILCS 17(i).