TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2017
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a one (1) day permit to Friends of the Chicago River to access District land at 14 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and the Cal-Sag Channel, in Cook County, Illinois, for its Annual Chicago River Day Clean-Up Event on May 13, 2017. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
The Friends of the Chicago River has requested a 1-day permit to access District land at 14 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and the Cal-Sag Channel, in Cook County, Illinois, for its Annual Chicago River Day Clean-Up Event on May 13, 2017. Prior approvals of the Annual Chicago River Day Clean-Up Event have been granted by the District since 1998.
The Friends of the Chicago River is requesting permission for its volunteers to access District land at 14 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and the Cal-Sag Channel generally identified as follows:
The 14 locations that will be accessed by Friends and its volunteers are as follows:
1. Skokie Sculpture Park, Main St. to Dempster, Evanston
2. Park No. 538, West Arthur Ave. to West Touhy Ave. Lincolnwood
3. Lincoln Village Shopping Center, North Lincoln Ave./West Hood Ave. to West Devon Ave., Chicago
4. North Side College Prep High School, Chicago
5. River Park, Chicago
6. Ronan Park, Chicago
7. NeighborSpace, West Berteau Ave. to West Montrose Ave., Chicago
8. Horner Park, Chicago
9. Clark Park, Chicago
10. Lake Katherine Nature Preserve, Palos Heights
11. Ann Street, Blue Island
12. Evanston Ecology Center, Green Bay Rd. to Emerson St., Evanston
13. California Park, Chicago
14. De Paul College Prep High School, Chicago
Maps depicting the locations are attached hereto. There are no objections to Friends’ request from the technical departments.
As in the past, Friends of the Chicago River has requested that the District provide a boat to collect the debris again this year and the Maintenance and Operations Department (“M & O”) has no objections to this request. Friends of the Chicago River shall notify the District Police when the boat is needed to coordinate with M & O for the pick-up of the debris.
The clean-up events will be conducted by supervised high school students. The permit will require that Friends provide the District with signed releases from each participant including signed releases from a parent and/or guardian of a minor participant. The permit will also require that Friends obtain the written consent of the private lessees of any leased parcel.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a one (1) day permit to Friends of the Chicago River to access District land at 14 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and the Cal-Sag Channel, in Cook County, Illinois, for its Annual Chicago River Day Clean-Up Event on May 13, 2017. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said permit agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel, RMH:STM:npe
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, David J. Walsh, Chairman Committee on Real Estate Development
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners March 16, 2017
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