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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
AMENDED SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT THE ARPA SOUTHEAST COOK COUNTY LAND ACQUISITION PROJECT
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States (the “President”) issued a Proclamation, declaring a National Public Health Emergency, as a result of the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic (the “Pandemic”); and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, the President signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021, Section 9901, Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; and
WHEREAS, Section 9901 of Subtitle M of the Act established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program (“SLFRF” or “Program”) aimed at providing support to State, territorial, local and Tribal governments in responding to the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain impacts on their communities, residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) to grant ARPA funds to eligible entities to address the negative health and economic impacts of the Pandemic on communities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, the County qualifies as an eligible unit of local government under the Act, and Treasury has granted $1,000,372,385 in funds to the County (“ARPA Funds”); and
WHEREAS, the County initially allocated approximately $7,000,000 (the “Program Funds”) of the ARPA Funds for the purpose of acquiring land in Southeast Cook County from willing sellers; and
WHEREAS, ARPA will further the mission of the County and serve the broader objective of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the County by promoting creation of a robust new forest preserve system in an area challenged by public health, equity and economic factors; and
WHEREAS, Treasury limits the obligation of ARPA funds to December 31, 2024, and expenditure of the Funds for eligible expenses to December 31, 2026, therefore the Parties recognize that time is of the essence; and
WHEREAS, the County achieves its mission through strategic collaborations and partnerships with states, local governments, community organizations and others; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (“FPCC”) is an established conservation and environmental management agency, which has extensive experience and expertise in providing land acquisition and environmental restoration services; and
WHEREAS, DES and FPCC wish to enter into this Amendment to provide additional funding for land acquisition.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the issuance of the following agreement amendment by DES, subject to annual appropriation by the Board:
1. Amend the Subrecipient Agreement with THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY to increase the total funding by $5,180,000.00 from the previous budgeted amount of $7,000,000.00 to a revised aggregate amount of up to $12,180,000.00 to implement the Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Project, NT893.
2. Amend the Subrecipient Agreement Scope of Work to increase the number of acres that may be acquired and reflect the updated budget table; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Director of Environment and Sustainability or designee to modify the agreements and funding allocations to FPCC based upon need and utilization; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for the DES ARPA Programs shall be subject to availability of funds from the United States Government and appropriation of funding by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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