TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 2012
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into a 39-year lease agreement with the City of Chicago for the use of approximately 33 acres of unimproved District real estate located at 2025 East 134th Street in Chicago to build and operate a police training facility and an outdoor firing range. Consideration shall be $10.00, free use of the firing range by District police officers and free tuition at the Chicago Metro Police Academy for District recruits. (Deferred from the December 15, 2011, Board Meeting)
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Dear Sir:
On May 20, 2010 and on October 21, 2010, the Board of Commissioners authorized the General Counsel to commence negotiations with the City of Chicago for a 39-year lease on the subject property. The City proposes to build and operate an outdoor firing range, training facilities, offices and storage for its officers, as well as other federal, state and local officers. The City has indicated that it will allow public access to the property, which shall be based upon the approval of the Superintendent of Police. The City has requested to import fill material from offsite sources to develop the site. Any importation of fill will follow the Best Management Practices for the acceptance of soil and construction debris. The lease will require that all development, operations and use of the property shall follow Best Management Practices for Lead Recovery and Environmental Monitoring.
The City is requesting that the annual rent be a nominal $10.00 fee, plus the free use of the firing range by District police officers and free training for District police recruits at the City's police academy. Additionally, because nominal rent is being assessed, use of the firing range operations, but not specialized training, will be available for use by law enforcement officers from federal, state and local agencies at days and times authorized by the Superintendent of Police. At its October 21, 2010, meeting the Board considered different rental options under this proposed lease and recommended the above consideration arrangement.
The technical departments, including the District's Police Section, have reviewed this lease request and have no objections thereto so long as District access to nearby TARP facilities and access manholes remain unrestricted at all times.
A Phase II environmental investigation was conducted on the property which revealed the presence of soil and groundwater contamination. The contaminants consist of SVOCs and metals. The City's lease will require it to take appropriate steps to address pre-existing contamination to the extent necessary to be protective of human health and the environment. The City's groundwater ordinance prohibits the use of groundwater as a drinking water source within City limits, thereby eliminating the groundwater ingestion exposure pathway. The lease will require the City to install groundwater monitoring wells to ensure that the operation of the range does not contribute additional contamination to the site's groundwater. Additionally, Waste Management was issued a permit by the District to install several ground water monitoring wells along the southern perimeter of the District's property to assess the nature and extent of migration of contaminants from the adjacent landfill and has done so. Waste Management's permit on this property requires it to remediate any contamination on the District's property that resulted from its adjacent landfill activities.
Under 70 Illinois Compiled Statutes 2605/8c(11), said lease is terminable upon the service of a one-year notice if the property becomes essential to the District's corporate needs.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of 39-year lease to the City of Chicago for the use of approximately 33 acres of unimproved District real estate located at 2025 East 134th Street in Chicago for development and operation of a police training facility and an outdoor firing range site. Consideration shall be $10.00 plus free use of the firing range site by District police officers and free tuition at the Chicago Metro Police Academy for District recruits.
It is further requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and direct the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to execute the lease agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel: RMH:STM:rg
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully submitted, Terrence J. O'Brien, 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 for January 5, 2012
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