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PROPOSED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to amend its Partnership Agreement with Openlands, Chicago, Illinois.
Reason: The Forest Preserves wishes to extend its partnership agreement with Openlands in order to accept additional grant funding of up to $74,000.00 and expand restoration activities undertaken in association with the installation of a community gathering space at Beaubien Woods.
Original Contract Period: 1/11/2022 - 9/30/2023; Board Approved Extension 10/1/2023 - 12/31/2024
Proposed Partnership Agreement Extension: 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2026
Fiscal Impact: N/A. The project will continue to be implemented at no direct cost to the Forest Preserves, which may provide in-kind staff support for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the projects.
Account(s): Grant and Mitigation 51010.521314 and 51010.521444
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s): 4, 5
Summary: Due to successful fundraising efforts, Openlands has received and would like to contribute an additional $24,000.00 towards the completion of a grant-funded project supporting approximately twenty-one (21) acres of ecological restoration at Beaubien Woods. The additional funds will be utilized to purchase native seed and expand contractual invasive weed control efforts. As such, the Forest Preserves is seeking to extend its partnership agreement with Openlands for an additional two (2) years in order to continue restoration activities at the project site. The Forest Preserves is also preemptively seeking authority to receive up to $50,000.00 in additional grant funding from Openlands to be put towards the project, should future fundraising efforts continue to be fruitful.
The project is being conducted at no direct cost to the Forest Preserves, and builds on plans developed by the Forest Preserves, local communities, and several other governmental organizations and nonprofits to create inviting and culturally relevant access to nature and the Little Calumet River in a way that fosters a healthy community. The project was originally approved by the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners on 10/5/2021 (Board Item No. 21-0453) and subsequently amended on 6/27/2023 (Board Item No. 23-0387) to extend the term due to initial project delays. The original agreement also referred to the creation of a community gathering space, which has been addressed via a separate partnership agreement with The Field Museum of Natural History and Artist Christine Perri (see Board Item No. 22-0521). Through the generous contributions of the Walder Foundation and the Central Indiana Foundation, project grant funds received to-date total $424,000.00.