Title
AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AN 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, or his designee, to negotiate and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Chicago and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for the creation and support of NeighborSpace, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. The amendment will extend the IGA through December 31, 2025, with an additional 5-year extension option through 2030.
II. Agreement Information
Grantor: Chicago Park District
541 N. Fairbanks Ct.
Chicago, IL 60611
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 January 31, 2025, with one (1) five-year extension.
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 $100,000 annually
Budget Classification: Operating
Fiscal Year: 2021 - 2025
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 has been amended 3 previous times in order to continue the government partners’ support of NeighborSpace. The Chicago Park District designates one department head and one commissioner to serve on the governing board of NeighborSpace, and provides $100,000 annually to support the organization’s work.
NeighborSpace continues to play 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, and nature play.
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.