TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 20, 2017
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into a Project Partnership Agreement (16-IGA-22) with the Department of the Army, represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Chicago Park District for design and construction of the River Riparian Connectivity and Habitat Ecosystem Restoration Project, and to make payment to the United States Army Corps of Engineers in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000.00, Account 401-50000-645630
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is requested to enter into a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) (16-IGA-22) with the Department of the Army, represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and the Chicago Park District (CPD) for design and construction of the River Riparian Connectivity and Habitat Ecosystem Restoration Project (Project), and to make payment to the Corps in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000.00. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $14,539,000.00. The District and the Chicago Park District (CPD) would both be the Non-Federal Sponsors. CPD will be contributing the same amount as the District. The Corps will provide the remaining amount. In addition, the District is negotiating an Intergovernmental Agreement with CPD to further delineate Non-Federal Sponsor requirements.
On September 1, 2016, the Board of Commissioners granted authority to negotiate the PPA, and the Corps, CPD, and District have agreed in principle on the PPA. The Project will improve CPD leaseholds along the North Branch Chicago River and the North Shore Channel. The Project consists of restoration of approximately one acre of stream bed by removing concrete within the channel, installing riffles and step pools; removal of the North Branch Dam, and providing cobbles, gravels and sands; restoration of CPD-leased and owned land into savannah habitat; restoration of CPD-leased river bank by gentling riverbank slopes, removing invasive species, and establishing native bank vegetation; and restoration of aquatic beds.
The Corps intends to advertise the project in October, 2017, with construction to begin in early 2018. The North Branch Dam removal is expected to occur in Spring or Summer 2018. The duration of the project is approximately five years to allow the riverbed to be transformed and the vegetation to be planted and fully established before being turned over to the Non-Federal Sponsors.
Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to enter into a PPA with the Corps and CPD, for design and construction, and to authorize payment in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000.00 to the Corps for the District’s local cost-share participation. Final amount of payment will be determined considering any credit for real estate and in-kind services provided by the District. It is further requested that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Executive Director and Clerk be authorized to execute said agreement on behalf of the District, as well as any document necessary to effectuate the transaction and conveyance, upon approval by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Funds are available in Account 401-50000-645630.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:KMF
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Committee on Engineering
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 20, 2017