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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
TO AUTHORIZE THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY TO ACCEPT STATEWIDE PLANNING AND RESEARCH GRANT FUNDS FOR TRAIL CONDITION EVALUATION
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) has sought and been awarded funds from the Statewide Planning and Research Program (“SPR Grant”), a federally-funded program administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”), to develop a systematic approach for regular inspection and evaluation of trail conditions including bridges, underpasses, road crossings, and wayfinding signs (hereafter the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Project would also include the development of a system to collect routine user counts, the selecting of an infrastructure management database and the collection of baseline data with an additional season of follow-up comparison data; and
WHEREAS, the funds would allow the Forest Preserves to conduct a gap analysis in the regional and sub-regional trail network focused on connections to other transportation modes; and
WHEREAS, the Project would assist in the implementation of a performance-based trail maintenance and improvement program; and
WHEREAS, the Project would advance the development of a Trail Capital Improvement Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves submitted a grant request for $240,000.00 and will provide a match not to exceed $60,000.00 that represents a 20% match of the total estimated project cost of $300,000.00; and
WHEREAS, IDOT requires a resolution to reaffirm the Forest Preserves funding commitment for Consultant (Professional Services) associated with the Project as per the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, in order to meet deadlines for use of the funds provided via the SPR Grant, IDOT recommends that a consultant firm be employed to perform professional services; and
WHEREAS, the consultant selection process would likely begin in December 2018.
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 grant agreement for total estimated project cost of $300,000.00 and commit up to $60,000.00 from Consulting & Management Services accounts, 51009.520860, 51026.520860, 51055.520860, 51056.520860, 51057.520860, Grant Account 51010.520860, and future account 51058.520860 in local matching funds referenced above.end