Title
AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH
THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY ALLIANCE
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 a grant agreement with the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (the “Alliance”). The Alliance was established to raise private funds to support the creation, restoration and conservation of Park District facilities at Garfield Park Conservatory and the expansion of associated programs. The proposed amendment will: (i) reduce the amount of the annual grant from $200,000 to $180,000 for 2021, and restore the annual grant to $200,000 per year in 2022; ii) continue the $50,000 annual exhibit construction and repair allowance; (iii) authorize the continued reimbursement of expenses for greeter and janitorial services up to $250,000 annually; and (iv) authorize the continued sharing of revenue from private rentals of the Conservatory, with the first $300,000 to be used by the Alliance for eligible expenses, and all revenue above $300,000 to be split evenly by the Park District and the Alliance.
II. Grant Information
Grantee: Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
300 N. Central Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624
Agreement Type: Grant Agreement
Agreement Period: Upon approval to December 31, 2026.
Grant Amount: $180,000 in 2021 for operations and programming
$200,000 for operations and programming annually, starting in 2022 and for the duration of the agreement, subject to annual appropriation.
Operations: The Park District is also authorized to reimburse the Alliance for janitorial and greeter expenses in an amount not to exceed $250,000 per year. Any increase shall be subject to mutual approval by the Alliance and the Park District and based on documented increase in the cost of services
The Alliance shall maintain the permanent exhibits and displays, excluding plant material, in good working order, and in some cases, provide specialized exhibit support. The Park District will reimburse the Alliance up to $50,000 per year for eligible capital expenses. The Park District will provide the Alliance with all special event rental revenue up to $300,000 per calendar year. Revenue above $300,000 will be split evenly between the Park District and the Alliance.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement, including any terms required to comply with tax-exempt bond regulations. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the amendment and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the amendment and keep original sets on file of all documents executed in connection with the amendment.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Corporate Funds
Fiscal Year: 2013-2015
Budget Codes: 01.8200.8200.623180.1.1.1.94022
01.8480.8480.623100.1.1.1.00001
062.8260.0204.627012.BD112.01.01.56944
IV. Explanation
The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance was created in 1997 to provide private support for the programs and services offered by the Chicago Park District’s Garfield Park Conservatory. In 2007 and again in 2010, the Chicago Park District entered into a three-year agreement with the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance in order to expand the Alliance’s programming, visitor management, and fundraising roles at the Conservatory. The proposed agreement will continue to assist the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance in continuing its efforts to market, promote, advertise, program, provide visitor services and community outreach at the Conservatory.
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.
V. General Conditions (Cont.)
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.