title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN SUPPORT OF AN ILLINOIS TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ON THE CENTENNIAL TRAIL
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) desires to submit a grant application to the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (“ITEP”) to request support for Construction and Phase III Construction Engineering for the Centennial Trail - Canal Bank Road Separation Project in both Cook and DuPage counties (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the 13-mile long Centennial Trail winds through Cook, DuPage and Will counties and has long involved multiple partners and municipalities, including the DuPage County Forest Preserve District (“DuPage FPD”), in its care, maintenance, and enhancements efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Project would advance goals set forth in the Forest Preserves’ Trail Capital Plan and Next Century Conservation Plan to improve access to outdoor recreation opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Phase I Engineering for the Project is completed awaiting Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) approval, and Phase II Engineering for the Project will be procured in the near future by the Forest Preserves with partial grant funding (Board Item No. 26-0017) to expedite this work; and
WHEREAS, this ITEP Grant would fund 80% of eligible Construction and Phase III Construction Engineering costs of the Project which has an estimated total cost of $4,900,000.00, with the Forest Preserves serving as the local sponsor and lead Project manager; and
WHEREAS, should the Forest Preserves be awarded this ITEP Grant for the Project, a local match, estimated to be $980,000.00, is required to complete Construction and Phase III Engineering, to be provided by the Forest Preserves, with anticipated partial reimbursement by the DuPage FPD (approximately $225,120); and
WHEREAS, as part of the grant application for the ITEP Grant, the Forest Preserves needs prior authorization from the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners to contribute towards the local match requirement for Phase III Engineering and Construction costs of this Project, where all such ineligible costs associated with the Project and Forest Preserves’ share of local match is estimated to be $754,880.00 (excluding anticipated reimbursement by DuPage FPD); and
WHEREAS, upon the award of the ITEP Grant, the Forest Preserves would request authorization from the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners to accept the funds and execute an agreement for the ITEP grant funds.
WHEREAS, upon the award of the ITEP Grant, the Forest Preserves and DuPage FPD desire to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement providing the details of the Project and cost sharing, the terms of which will be submitted to the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners for approval in the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Forest Preserves to join with DuPage FPD to apply for the ITEP Grant described above and commit up to $980,000.00 for the Forest Preserves’ share of the local match for Construction and Phase III Construction Engineering of the Project.
end