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Water Reclamation Board Names New Committee Chairs and Hires Federal Lobbyist

1/28/2019

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board of Commissioners Meeting
January 24, 2019

What did the Board Approve?

The Board approved (8 Yeas and 1 abstention) a motion designating committee chairs and vice-chairs for the 2019-20 Standing Committees. (Agenda Item #43) Comm. Davis abstained, saying he didn’t understand the scope of his authority as a committee chair and requesting a study session to describe chairs’ roles; President Kara Steele agreed to conduct such a session in February.
After a brief deferral requested by Cmm. Spyropoulos, the Board unanimously approved the contract (deferred from the previous meeting) for Perform Federal Legislative Lobbying Services. Though there was some discussion about whether these were the best possible lobbyists, the need to have someone working in Washington before the end of January to wrap up the MWRD’s contract with the Army Corps of Engineers ultimately carried the day. Comm. Spyropoulos also deferred, and then lifted the deferral, for a contract (deferred from the previous meeting) to hire a law firm to do other lobbying.
The Board unanimously approved the appointment of Comm. DuBuclet and Comm. Spyropoulos to serve as trustees of the District’s Retirement Fund.
The Board unanimously approved a tax levy rebate, reducing by $6.1 million its original budget of $238.7 million.

What else did the Board Discuss?

The President agreed to schedule a second study session in February to develop an official position on climate change and remediation.
During both of the public comment periods Mike Archy from TPM Strategies spoke, complaining that the District bragged about its accomplishments while it overpaid for services and had projects running years behind schedule.

Observer - Kelly Kleiman Meeting Length: 90 minutes

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Board Elects New President!

1/13/2019

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - January 10, 2019

Decisions Made:

Commissioner Spyropoulos opened the meeting by announcing that she is stepping down after four years as President. She then went on to nominate Comm. Kari Steele for the position. No other nominations were offered, and Ms. Steele was unanimously elected. She stated that her focus will be on bringing the MWRD to every community, increasing diversity at the District, and continuing to improve water quality. Joining the MWRD at the age of 19, Ms. Steele worked while attending college to receive her Bachelors of Science Degree. She was first elected to the Board in 2012.
Comm. Barbara McGowan was re-elected as Vice President, and Comm. Frank Avila as Chairman of the Finance.
Newly elected Comm. Marcelino Garcia had questions on more than a dozen agenda items. The majority of his questions centered on the increased use of minority firms when letting contracts including requiring “indirect participation”. Commissioner Shore asked him to provide more information as he seemed familiar with the concept, particularly how other government entities in his work history have implemented and monitored.

Requests Made by Commissioners:

Comm. Morina asked the staff to evaluate the MBE ordinance for affirmative action restrictions as is relates to type of contracts let. It was noted that only contracts that are stated as “furnish and deliver” are covered in the ordinance.
Comm. Garcia asked for a list of the law firms under contract with the District and what work each is contracted to perform.
Comm. Morina asked for the criteria for choosing lawyers because she noted some come from lists kept by the Legal Department and others via the proposal process.
Comm. Garcia asked for a thorough analysis of internal hires vs external contracts before bringing a contract proposal to the board. For example, emergency janitorial services.

Items to Watch for in the Future:

The District will appoint the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of each standing Committee at its January 24, 2019 board meeting.
The Board deferred approval of a one-year law firm contract to continue its lobbyist pursuit of Federal funding. The contract was to start on February 1, 2019. Commissioner’s Garcia and Davis asked for the deferral. (Agenda Item 19-0044)

Observer - Diane Edmundson Meeting Length: 90 min.

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Water District Board Agrees to Support Settlement Between Contractors and Attorney General

1/6/2019

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - December 20, 2018

Approved by the Board
After more than an hour in executive session to discuss the terms of a negotiated settlement between two MWRD primary contractors and the Illinois Attorney General, the board ultimately agreed to support the settlement. Its primary reason seems to be that if the settlement was not approved, the contractors would be legally able to bid on new contracts. (Agenda Item #29)

The basis of the investigation and settlement falls under the Illinois False Claims Act and specifically the claim by the principal contractors that a sub-contractor was falsely listed as a minority and small business enterprise but was materially not used.
In settling, the Attorney General required the primary contractors to “each enter into a Compliance Agreement with the District for three 3-year terms. Included is the appointment of a corporate compliance officer familiar with the District’s affirmative action requirements; the retention of an independent monitor that will submit periodic reports directly to the district for work on District contracts; conduct six training sessions, and commit to increased utilization goals on any upcoming District contracts…. Further, one of the contractors will voluntarily not participate in any District contract lettings for a period of six months”.

In providing authority to advertise for native prairie landscape maintenance at various District service areas, Commissioner Shore specifically asked that the contract stipulate the exclusion of the use of the Round-Up herbicide, and Commissioner Avila stated that he wants the contract to be a role model for the proper use of herbicides.

Deferred by the Board
Without explanation, Commissioner McGowan requested and received a deferral on another resolution asking for authority to settle potential delay claims against the District arising out of various steel procurement issues for the McCook Reservoir Des Plaines Inflow Tunnel. (Agenda Item #32)

Observer - Diane Edmundson

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Water Reclamation Board Names New Committee Chairs and Hires Federal Lobbyist

Board Elects New President!

Water District Board Agrees to Support Settlement Between Contractors and Attorney General

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