Title
AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
WITH THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FOR VARIOUS LAND MANAGEMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROJECTS
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 negotiate and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Department of Transportation for various land management and natural resources projects.
II. Agreement Information
Grantor: Chicago Department of Transportation
30 N. LaSalle, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60602
Agreement Type: Intergovernmental Agreement
Agreement Term: One (1) year, with 9 (nine) one (1) year-extensions
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 Classification: Operating and Grants
Fiscal Year: 2018
Source of Funds: 1.8450.8450.623130.1.1.1.1
IV. Explanation
Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment, run by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). Greencorps’ mission is to promote environmental stewardship and improve the quality of life in Chicago by establishing, maintaining, and restoring natural and public spaces that are safe, healthy, and sustainable through hands-on involvement with trainees. During the nine month program, 30-40 trainees receive practical experience, academic enhancement, professional development, and training in a variety of environmentally-related jobs. Trainees receive classroom training and hand-on experience in topics that include horticulture, tree care, landscaping, carpentry, ecological restoration, pesticide use and green infrastructure.
The Chicago Park District partners with CDOT to provide field training projects that further CPD’s programs and mission and that also provide good training opportunities for Greencorps. Recent examples have included building raised beds for community gardens, pruning trees and shrubs, and constructing or maintaining natural areas and nature play spaces. For the past several years, we have budgeted for $150,000 worth of training projects in the corporate budget, and we include Greencorps training projects in grant proposals as opportunities arise.
CPD has participated in the Greencorps program since 2010 under a similar IGA. The final extension year for the previous IGA was 2017. CPD’s participation in the program has been beneficial to our work and to neighborhoods throughout the City of Chicago. Therefore it is in the best interest of the CPD to continue our partnership through a new IGA.
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.