|
Title:
|
PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN TO COLLECT ADMISSION FEESWHEREAS, Section 43 of the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act, 70 ILCS 810/43, authorizes the corporate authorities of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to prepare and maintain grounds for a botanic garden “to acquire, plant, maintain and display botanic material, to conduct research for improvement of plant species and for plant protection against disease and harmful insects, for the general care and growing of plant material, and to erect and maintain such structures appropriate for the purposes aforesaid; or such corporate authorities may authorize the directors or trustees of any botanic garden existing and organized under the laws of Illinois, to maintain a botanic garden as aforesaid out of funds belonging to said botanic garden; or the corporate authorities of such forest preserve districts may contract with a botanic garden or horticultural society organized and existing under the nonprofit laws of Illinois to establish and maintain a botanic garden as aforesaid,…”; andWHEREAS, the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners adopted an “Agreement Between Chicago Horticulture Society and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois” on August 4, 1975, revising an previous agreement between the Forest Preserves and the Chicago Horticultural Society entered into on January 27, 1965; and WHEREAS, the Chicago Botanic Garden (the “Garden”), operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society, is currently one of the greatest living museums and a renowned conservation science center, one on of the top attractions in Cook County and major cultural institutions in the State of Illinois; andWHEREAS, more than one million people visit the Garden's 27 gardens and four natural areasannually, which are uniquely situated on 385 acres on and around nine islands, with six miles of lakeshoreline; andNOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Chicago Botanic Garden to charge the following not to exceed fees:Admission Fee: $35 per each visitor (3-61 years of age)Parking Fees: $30 per passenger vehicle $60 per buses, limousines, RVs, and mini-busesBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Garden shall offer a reduced Admission Fee and reduced Parking Fees for residents of Cook County; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above-referenced fees shall be used solely for the purposes of the improvement, operation and maintenance of the Garden; activities related to the study, propagation and culture of plants; and educational programs conducted by the Chicago Horticulture Society in furtherance of the programs of the Garden.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written approval of the General Superintendent is required if the Garden increases any fees per this resolution within the limits set forth above. Increases that exceed the amounts set forth above require the approval of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Garden is authorized to offer discounts and/or waivers of fees for members, children, seniors, and veterans. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chicago Botanic Garden shall offer 52 free days per twelve (12) month period beginning January 1, 2022.
|
|
Action text:
|
A motion was made by Commissioner Suffredin, seconded by Commissioner Britton, to approve as amended 20-0263 per the errata. The motion carried by the following vote:
|