TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 7, 2015
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND WATER POLLUTION
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in connection with the District's participation in the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is hereby requested to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement ("IGA") with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ("IDNR") to continue the District's participation in the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund ("Fund"). Through this IGA with IDNR, the District will also continue its partnership with the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation ("NFWF"), ArcelorMittal, Crown Family Philanthropies, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, Wrigley Company Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, Joyce Foundation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service to fund projects that will increase stormwater storage capacity through green infrastructure within the District's service area. The District and IDNR will provide technical expertise as needed and will be involved in the selection process for applicants.
On August 29, 2013, the District's Board of Commissioners ("Board") provided authority for the District to enter into an IGA with IDNR to participate in the Fund, with a contribution to the IDNR in the amount of $500,000.00 This initial contribution was used to fund fish and wildlife habitat improvements within the Chicago Area Waterway System.
The District anticipates contributing an additional $500,000.00 toward the Fund, bringing the District's total contribution to the Fund to $1,000,000.00, with the aforementioned private and public entities providing additional contributions of up to $900,000.00. The District's contribution will be used for green infrastructure throughout the District service area, and the District intends to seek credit for this green infrastructure under the Consent Decree. The private contributions are contingent on the District's $500,000.00 allocation. NFWF will be responsible for the administration of the funds and for overseeing the RFP process that will be utilized to award the funds. For its services, NFWF will charge an administrative fee somewhere in the range of 10% to 15% of the District's $500,000.00 allocation.
It is therefore recommended that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to negotiate terms of an intergovernmental agreement with IDNR to continue the District's participation in the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund. A subsequent request outlining terms of the agreement and authority from the Board to enter into the IGA and expend the funds will be provided upon conclusion of negotiations.
Requested, Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel, RMH:LLD:BO'C:nm
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully submitted, Patrick D. Thompson, Chairman Committee on Industrial Waste and Water Pollution
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for May 7, 2015