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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR STATE PARTICIPATION WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (“IDOT”) FOR DES PLAINES TRAIL RECONSTRCUCTION AND TO PAY THE LOCAL SHARE OF ENGINEERING COSTS
WHEREAS, on September 17, 2024, the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution (Board Item No. 24-0360) authorizing the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to apply for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (“ITEP”) grant, a federally funded grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) to support Phase II Engineering Services (“Engineering”) for 4.9 miles (now 4.8 miles) of improvements, including two new bridges and new boardwalk structure along the Des Plaines River Trail from Irving Park Road to Fullerton Road (known as Segments 5 and 6, Section No.: 19-00037-01-BT, Job No.: D-91-272-26), (hereafter the “Project”); and further committed the Forest Preserves to providing the required local match of up to 20% of total Project costs; and
WHEREAS, ITEP has awarded a grant for the Project in the amount of $2,594,547.00, representing 90% of the estimated engineering services Project costs of $2,882,830.00, reducing the local match obligation from 20% to 10%, thereby establishing a revised local contribution of $288,283.00; and
WHEREAS, through this resolution required by IDOT, the Forest Preserves seeks approval to accept the grant and to enter into a Joint Funding Agreement for State Participation, to establish the division of Engineering costs associated with the Project; and
WHEREAS, in order to meet deadlines for use of the funds provided via the ITEP Grant, IDOT recommends that a consulting engineering firm be employed to perform Engineering Services; and
WHEREAS, in May of 2026, the Forest Preserves issued a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for Engineering Services and based on qualifications subsequently selected Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., Rosemont, Illinois (“CBBEL”) to serve as Consulting Engineers for Phase II Engineering of the Project; and
WHEREAS, CBBEL’s Engineering costs will not exceed the estimated engineering services Project costs of $2,882,830.00, and ITEP funds will cover up to 90% ($2,594,547.00) of such costs, and the Forest Preserves shall be responsible for 10% of the cost of Phase II Engineering in connection with the Project ($288,283.00).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Forest Preserves, through its President, to enter into a Joint Funding Agreement for State Participation, with the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”), to pay an amount not to exceed $2,882,830.00 for Phase II Engineering Services costs associated with the Project, subject to reimbursement of up to 90% ($2,594,547.00) by IDOT.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd, of Rosemont Illinois to be employed to perform Engineering services in connection with the Project, and that the President of such Board of Commissioners is hereby directed to execute, on behalf of the Forest Preserves, an agreement by and between the Forest Preserves and CBBEL for Engineering services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby confirms that sufficient funds are, or will be available, pending annual appropriations, in the Forest Preserves’ capital funding or grant accounts to pay the total cost of Engineering services in the amount not to exceed $2,882,830.00 of which IDOT will reimburse up to 90% ($2,594,547.00) and the Forest Preserves shall be responsible for 10% of the Phase II Engineering costs or a maximum of $288,283.00.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of the Joint Funding Agreement for State Participation and a Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement, when executed in their respective final forms, shall be submitted to IDOT for approval and final processing.
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