TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 1, 2024
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a one (1) day permit to Friends of the Chicago River to access District real estate at 22 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and Cal-Sag Channel in Cook County, Illinois for its annual Chicago River Day cleanup event on May 11, 2024. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
Since 1998, the District has issued Friends of the Chicago River (“Friends”) permits to host an annual Chicago River Day cleanup event on various parcels of District real estate. Friends has requested another one (1) day permit for this year’s Chicago River Day cleanup event, which will take place on May 11, 2024, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and Cal-Sag Channel, in Cook County, Illinois.
Friends requests to access District real estate at the following 22 locations:
1. Canal Shores Golf Course, Evanston
2. Evanston Ecology Center, Green Bay Rd. to Emerson St., Evanston
3. Beck Park, Evanston
4. Skokie Sculpture Park, Main Street to Dempster Street, Evanston
5. Park No. 538, West Arthur Ave. to West Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood
6. Lincolnwood Centennial Park, Lincolnwood
7. Lincoln Village Shopping Center, North Lincoln Ave./West Hood Ave. to West Devon Ave., Chicago
8. Northside College Prep High School, Chicago
9. River Park, Chicago
10. Ronan Park, Chicago
11. NeighborSpace, West Berteau Ave. to West Montrose Ave., Chicago
12. Horner Park, Chicago
13. California Park, Chicago
14. Clark Park, Chicago
15. Lake Katherine Nature Preserve, Palos Heights
16. Ann Street, Blue Island
17. SEPA Station 3, Blue Island
18. Summit Boat Launch, Summit
19. Lucas Berg Site, Worth
20. Lemont’s Future Park, Lemont, Main Channel Parcel 23.06
21. Centennial Trail, Lemont, Main Channel Parcel 22.07
22. Centennial Trail, Lemont, Main Channel Parcel 23.09
On Chicago River Day, Friends’ volunteers will collect debris along the Chicago area waterways. As in prior years, Friends has requested the District to provide a boat to collect the debris and District Police to make periodic patrols during the event to monitor the activities and open and close the gates at the Lucas Berg site.
The permit will require that Friends provide the District with releases signed by each participant and the parent or guardian of a minor participant. The permit will also require that when accessing leased parcels Friends must obtain the tenant’s written consent.
The District's technical departments have reviewed the request and have no objections thereto.
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 real estate at 22 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and Cal-Sag Channel in Cook County, Illinois for its annual Chicago River Day cleanup event on May 11, 2024. 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, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:MM:vp
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 February 1, 2024
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