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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER XI OF THE CODE OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
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To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District:
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners receive the proposed amendments to Chapter XI of the Code of the Chicago Park District, after which the Board Secretary shall initiate a notice period of at least forty-five (45) days, commencing from the date the amendments are presented to the Board. The notice period will provide public notice and allow the Chicago Park District to solicit public input.
II. Explanation
Chapter 70 ILCS 1505/7.02 enables the Board of Commissioners to “establish by ordinance all needful rules and regulations for the government and protection of parks.” Therefore, it is recommended that the Board of Commissioners consider the proposed amendments to Chapter XI to update the rules and procedures governing the Chicago Park District’s procurement of and contracts for goods, services, and construction. The proposed amendments are set forth in full in the enclosed Exhibit A. These amendments include, but are not limited to the following changes:
- Section C regarding “Power to Contract” was updated to clarify and update the authority to enter into contracts:
o The Director of Purchasing has the authority to enter into contracts where the dollar amount does not exceed $20,000 (Section C.1);
o The General Superintendent has the authority to enter into contracts where the dollar amount does not exceed $200,000 (Section C.2.a); and
o The Board of Commissioners must authorize any contract where the dollar amount exceeds $200,000 (Section C.3.a). Further, for any contract approved by the Board, the Board must separately approve the exercise of an extension option provided for in the original contract.
- Section C also sets the authority to authorize change orders as follows:
o The Director of Purchasing has the authority to approve change orders not to exceed $20,000 (C.1);
o The General Superintendent has the authority to approve change orders not to exceed $100,000 (C.2.b); and
o The Board of Commissioners has the authority to approve change orders exceeding $100,000 (C.3.b).
- The Board of Commissioners may also authorize pre-qualified contractor pools, which are subject to caps set by the Board of Commissioners, where the Board must separately approve any project awarded to or work bought from the pool in excess of the caps (Section C.3.c).
- The reports to the Board of Commissioners required under Section C were also expanded to provide specificity regarding the nature and content of the reports including the addition of a report where a single change order or the aggregate change orders for a contract exceed 20% of the original contract value (Section C.4).
- The threshold for competitive bids under Section D was also updated as follows:
o Purchases or contracts valued between $15,000 and $20,000 follow a more abbreviated competitive bid process as set forth in Section D.1.a.
o Contract values exceeding $20,000 require competitive sealed bids as set forth in Section D.1.b.
Pursuant to Chapter 1, Section B.2 of the Chicago Park District Code, the Secretary shall then initiate a notice period of at least 45-days to provide public notice and to solicit public input regarding the proposed amendments. Once the 45-day notice period has concluded, the General Superintendent or her designee may recommend that the Board approve the requested amendments.
Upon final approval of the amendments, the General Counsel shall review, prepare and publish electronic copies of the Code of the Chicago Park District that have been revised by reason of these amendments.