Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
January 19, 2023, 10:30 a.m. Board Action:
No New Business - No Executive Session Observer: Georgia Gebhardt
0 Comments
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
January 5, 2023 MWRD Commissioners elected
Other Board Action:
Observer: Priscilla Mims Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
December 15, 2022 Board Action
Absent: Yumeka Brown Observer: Diane Edmundson Length of Bd meeting: 75 min. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
December 1, 2022; 10:30 a.m. Board Action: Agenda Item #41-022-014B- Commissioners adopted the Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D of the MWRD of Greater Chicago on an unanimous roll call vote. Main provisions of the ordinance:
Agenda Item #2-22-1047: The MWRD Board of Commissioners honored outgoing Chakena Perry, highlighting her impressive credentials. Ms. Perry is a graduate of Connecticut College and the University of Chicago. She has been the youngest commissioner on the Board. Commissioner Perry has been an activist in Planned Parenthood, chair of the Cook County Young Democrats and worked for environmental justice. Agenda Item #5-22-1080: The MWRD Board honored Nellie L. Jones (1976-1982) who was the first black woman commissioner at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Ms. Jones was an architect of the first affirmative action program. Commissioner Perry introduced the extended family of Nellie Jones, whom she had invited to her last meeting. Several commissioners expressed interest in developing a program to further highlight and honor Ms. Jones. Stormwater Management:
New Business:
Commissioner Comment:
Observer: Georgia Gebhardt Executive Session: Yes Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
November 17, 2022; 10:30 A.M. Board Recognitions:
Much of the rest of the meeting was spent in discussion of a review of amendments to the Affirmative Action Ordinance.
Agenda Items 22-0931, 0932, 0933 (#8, 9, 10) Commissioners requested quarterly reports from lobbyists to monitor the progress of making companies responsible for PFAS. Commissioner Spyropoulous suggested that there be a specific schedule of dates for the reports. Commissioners Garcia, DuBuclet and Morita asked for updates from the executive director. Agenda Item 22-1033 (#37) This was an item to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Evanston as part of the green infrastructure program, one of whose goals is to expand into the suburbs. The Executive Director reported they are working with consultants now to increase participation. There has not been an overwhelming response from suburban schools. Commissioner Davis suggested it might be because there are no cohesive funders in suburban areas, like there are in the City of Chicago. Executive Director said they would work to improve outreach. Consent agenda (#1-38) was unanimously approved on a roll call vote, except for #27 which was deferred. New business: Will do a poll to find a date after Thanksgiving for study session on affirmative action amendments. Observer: Georgia Gebhardt Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
November 3, 2022 Three Water Associations’ membership renewals that were deferred from the October 22nd Board meeting were again deferred after extensive discussion prompted by Commissioner Davis’ statement that he would vote NO on all three. His statement represents his strong viewpoint that State and National Water trade associations should better represent water utilities by adopting the “polluter pay principle” in their legislative agendas. In particular, PFAS, which are considered a forever toxin, need to be identified and stopped at their manufacturing source. Executive Director Perkovich noted that he is in regular conversation with these trade organizations but that the issues are complicated. The very robust discussion that ensued involved all nine commissioners and led to requests for more specific information about what the Trade Associations are doing to lobby for PFAS removal and what resources would be lost if membership was dropped. They also asked the District to develop a strategy for how best to proceed. Davis wants the District to push the Trade Associations to take more responsibility for helping utilities protect water effluents in addition to limiting member’s legal liability. Several commissioners stated that they want to continue membership but work with staff and the District’s state and federal lobbyists. Items #12-14, 22-0931,32,33 The resolution requesting board and public review of the Affirmative Action Ordinance Amendment prompted a request for another Study Session as several recommendations from the Disparity Study were not included. Important missing items were the acceptance of other government procurement certification lists, moving previously exempted furnish and deliver contracts under AAP compliance, establishing a Diversity Advisory Council, and revisiting the surety bond requirement. Item #44, 022-014 Budget & Employment
Note: The AAP Study Session will be held on November 9, 2022 Observer: Diane Edmundson |
AuthorIndividual authors are credited at the end of each report. Archives
January 2023
Categories
All
|