Commissioners developing ‘road map’ for shared NSSRA facility | The Northbrook Tower
By Todd Marver – May 28, 2018
The Northbrook Tower
After approving a preliminary intergovernmental agreement with the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association for building an activity center at Techny Prairie Park and Fields at its March meeting, the Northbrook Park District Board is moving forward with the task of establishing a final intergovernmental agreement.
“We are in the process of developing the intergovernmental agreement that will serve as our road map with NSSRA as we do the design and construction of the building and then the operations of the building,” Executive Director Molly Hamer said at the board’s May 23 meeting.
As part of that process, the Park District will determine its hosting credit as a result of the activity center being constructed on Park District property. The park board will be having a special meeting on June 6 to examine its hosting credit figure.
“We will be having a hosting credit because the building is being built on our property,” Hamer said. “I would like for this board to see that number (on June 6) that is going to be a part of that first draft of that IGA before it gets delivered to NSSRA.”
Hamer explained the necessity of the special board meeting because the hosting credit number due date is five days after the special meeting, at which point it will be passed on to NSSRA.
“That number is due from the attorney back to us on June 11 and then we’re going to give it to NSSRA,” she said.
The Park District is receiving a property appraisal this week that will help it determine what the hosting credit will be.
“We have an appraiser who is going to appraise the property and get a report to us and Robbins- Schwartz,” Hamer said. “The appraiser has a due date of May 25 to us. That gives us a week to meet with our attorneys and discuss how that number is incorporated into what we’re calling a hosting credit.”
The board will examine the intergovernmental agreement at a meeting in August. After that the 12 other member Park Districts of NSSRA will review it. The final intergovernmental agreement will be developed upon completion of the design development phase of the project.
“They have to go to all of the other 12 districts the months of September and October,” Hamer said. “So we need you to see the IGA at the August committee meeting.”
In response to priorities for investment identified through the Comprehensive Master Plan, the Northbrook Park District plans to construct the activity center to provide programming in the areas of fitness and wellness, active adult and senior activities, youth and general programs with the inclusion of a gymnasium and walking track. NSSRA requires expanded facility space to meet administrative and operational needs and to include a gymnasium. A key criteria of their board approved Facility Acquisition Plan is to partner with a member agency for a facility to meet their needs.
Current Board President Penny Randel and Vice President Mary Ann Chambers will officially be continuing in those roles. The board voted unanimously to keep them in those positions at its May 23 meeting.
“I would like to announce that the nominating committee comprised of me and Commissioner (Lisa) Chalem are proposing the incumbent Penny Randel and Mary Ann Chambers to remain in their positions as president and vice president respectively for fiscal years 2018 and 2019,” Commissioner Michael Schyman said.