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Authorizing the Use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and a Contract Between Kane County and Changing Environments, Inc. dba Soofa for the Lease of Twelve (12) Solar Powered Soofa Signs for Kane County Development and Community Services Department’s ARPA Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Promotion Project
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WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has enacted the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) to provide economic relief to State, Local, and Tribal governments responding to economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the County of Kane has received a total of $103,413,041 (One Hundred Three Million, Four Hundred Thirteen Thousand, Forty-One Dollars) from the United States Department of the Treasury, in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) pursuant to ARPA; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to ARPA and the administrative regulations adopted by the United States Department of the Treasury (“Final Rule”), the County of Kane shall use SLFRF to defray costs associated with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic within the County, to address the economic fallout from the pandemic, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-313, the Kane County Board has established the American Rescue Plan Committee (“ARPC”) as a resource for research, education, planning, and recommendations for the best allocation and uses of the County’s SLFRF; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-156, the Kane County Board approved the recommended Spending Plan as proposed by the ARPC, which designates $42,000,000 (Forty-Two Million Dollars) to be used for Kane County Department and Elected Office project requests; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 22-318, the Kane County Board authorized the use of $1,240,000 in SLFRF to fund the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Promotion and Infrastructure Project for the Kane County Development and Community Services Department; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Promotion and Infrastructure Project, RFP #24-040-KK was issued to procure the lease of solar powered informational sings with installation for the residents in Kane County, and after that, the Kane County Development and Community Services Department desires to award a contract to Changing Environments, In. DBA Soofa; and
WHEREAS, the contract between Kane County and Changing Environments, Inc. DBA Soofa will be for three (3) years ending on 12/31/2027 and costing $312,000; and
WHEREAS, the first two (2) years (2025 & 2026) of the contract with Changing Environments, Inc. DBA Soofa $276,000 of the cost of the leasing of twelve (12) solar powered informational signs with installation and maintenance will be paid from the authorized ARPA funding ($1,240,000) for the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Promotion and Infrastructure Project for the Kane County Development and Community Services Department; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in Kane County Development and Community Services Department fund 400, and will be earmarked to pay for the third year (2027) of the leased signs in the amount of $36,000; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County travel and tourism industry was devastated by Covid-19, and the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail benefits Kane County, as its section of the Fox River is in the “sweet spot” for access by regional and international tourists. The Soofa signs will be placed in multiple municipalities and Forest Preserve Districts sites along the Kane County section of the Fox River and will bolster local tourism by improving wayfinding, awareness of local restaurants, shops, events, and cultural sites, bringing tourism dollars to local businesses; and
WHEREAS, the ARPC recommends that the Kane County Board authorizes the
contract between Kane County and Changing Environments, Inc. DBA Soofa for the Kane County Development and Community Services Departments in the amount of $312,000, specifying the authorized ARPA funds for the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Promotion and Infrastructure Project ($1,240,000) will pay $276,000 for the first two (2) years (2025 & 2026) of the contract and Kane County Development and Community Services Department fund 400 will pay $36,000 for the third year of the contract (2027).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kane County Board hereby directs the Kane County Chairman to execute a contract between Kane County and Changing Environments, Inc. DBA Soofa and authorizes the use of ARPA funds authorized for the Kane County Development and Community Services Department’s Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Promotion and Infrastructure Project ($1,240,00) to pay $276,000 for the first two years (2025 & 2026) of the contract to be spent during the ARPA period of performance and in accordance with the ARPA, the Final Rule and related guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, and any other Federal, State or local laws and regulations.
Passed by the Kane County Board on November 12, 2024.
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John A. Cunningham, MBA, JD, JD Corinne M. Pierog MA, MBA
Clerk, County Board Chairman, County Board
Kane County, Illinois Kane County, Illinois
Vote: