TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 16, 2020
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to negotiate intergovernmental agreements with the Chicago Park District to assist with Green Infrastructure Projects
Body
Dear Sir:
The Chicago Park District (CPD) owns and operates over 600 parks and 8,800 acres of green space in the City of Chicago (City), affording opportunities to install green infrastructure projects that can capture stormwater and relieve the combined sewer system in areas of the City susceptible to basement backup flooding. CPD has an extensive capital improvements program, including numerous projects annually that have or could include green infrastructure elements. The timing of the District’s annual solicitation for green infrastructure project partnerships does not necessarily coincide with CPD’s annual capital improvement program prioritization and budgeting process, thereby limiting opportunities for the two agencies to cooperate effectively.
A longer-term agreement with a funding commitment would allow for cooperative capital planning of projects between the agencies. The District would potentially be able to assist in the planning, prioritization, design, and oversight of green infrastructure projects with CPD, while providing partial funding toward construction. The CPD, as the largest municipal park system manager in the United States, has the resources and expertise to maintain these projects and protect the investments made by both agencies.
It is hereby requested that the Board of Commissioners authorize the District to negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Chicago Park District to allow for the District to assist in the furtherance of green infrastructure projects. The terms and conditions of the IGA will be defined through negotiations between the District and the CPD. Once the parties agree in principle, authority to enter into the IGA will be sought from the District’s Board of Commissioners. In addition to the many benefits these projects will provide to the local communities, the District will apply the volume of design retention capacity achieved towards our Consent Decree requirement for green infrastructure to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JK
Recommended, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 16, 2020