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AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
WITH US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
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To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that the General Superintendent and CEO or his designee enter into a contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers. The project shall include the restoration of approximately 1 acre of stream bed, 29 acres of savannah habitat, and 14 acres of river bank in and adjacent to River Park, Legion Park and Ronan Park. Replacing the dam at River Park with a grade control structure to allow for passage of fish and paddle craft will also allow for a new recreational opportunity that will benefit the River Park boat house.
II. Award Information
Company: U.S. Army Engineer District, Chicago
231 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Company Type: Federal Agency
Majority Interest:
Contract Type: Project Completion
Contract Term: Five years
Contract Amount: Total Project Cost: $14,539,000 (All phases)
Total Park District: $2,544,325 (All phases)
Phase 1 Total Cost: $2,153,184
Phase 1 Park District: $376,807
Scope of Services: This project shall include the restoration of approximately 1 acre of stream bed by removing concrete within the channel, installing riffles and step pools, removal of the dam at the mouth of the stream, and providing cobbles, gravels, and sands; restoration of 29 acres of savannah habitat; restoration of 14 acres of river bank by grading riverbank slopes, removing invasive species, and establishing native bank vegetation; and restoration of 5 acres of aquatic beds at Legion, River, and Ronan parks.
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
Fiscal Year: 2017
Source of Funds: 077.8450.8450.627030.BD117.01.01.57818
IV. Procurement Information
V. Explanation
Ronan Park, River Park, and Legion Park run along the east and west banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River and have more than 10,000 linear feet of potential shoreline restoration. The ecological shoreline restoration of these areas would greatly improve ecological quality, stabilize the riverbanks, and provide more suitable habitat for the many migratory birds that visit this park, including green herons and belted kingfishers.
Much of the riverbanks in these parks are currently steep and inaccessible to the public. The project will also provide recreational benefits for the parks, allowing the public both visual and physical access to the river.
Additionally, damn removal will have a significant benefit on the North Branch of the Chicago River. Riffles created in the project will improve water quality, benefiting fish and other animals using the River as habitat. The removal of the dam as a barrier will also allow for increased recreational opportunities for canoeing and kayaking that will benefit users of the River Park boat house.
The project is being undertaken through the Army Corps’ Section 506 Authority, The Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Restoration Program. This program requires a local sponsor to provide 35% of the cost of the project. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is co-sponsoring the project with CPD; each local sponsor will bear 17.5 % of the project cost.
The Army Corps anticipates having funds available to complete the first phase of the project in 2017-2018, which includes modification of the dam and habitat improvements at River Park. Total cost for Phase 1 is $2,153,184. CPD’s 17.5 % share of Phase 1 is $386,807. We do not anticipate that additional federal funding will be available in the next fiscal year. Completion of the full project scope is contingent on the availability of additional federal funds within the 5 year project timeframe.
VI. 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 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.
4) Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete.