Blog Archives

Public Speaker Rules Changed for MWRD Board Meetings

4/26/2016

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting-April 21, 2016

Major Items Discussed:

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board proposed a change to the Rules of the Board. Section 5.25-Limit on Public Speakers. Previously, the public was able to speak throughout the board meeting. Now, Public comment will only be accepted during the beginning of the Board’s agenda, unless otherwise authorized by the presiding officer. Comments will remain at 3 minutes and speakers will still have to fill out a Speaker’s form. Commissioner Shore requested the following sentence be removed from beginning of section 5.25: “Speakers Request forms will be accepted until the beginning of the time of the meeting.” Shore asked to allow Public Comment at the beginning of Recess, and Convene as Committee of the Whole. She felt that this would give latecomers to the meeting a chance to fill out a Speaker’s Request form. This rule change was unanimously approved by roll call. This change will go into effect on May 5, 2016. (Agenda item 16-0396)
Board members approved a contract with the Stream Bank Stabilization Project for the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River, to Pan Oceanic Engineering Company in the amount not to exceed $433,650.00. This project will stabilize the eastern stream bank along the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River through construction of a 155-foot gravity retaining wall. The project will address public safety and protect two structures and utilities in imminent danger due to active stream bank erosion. Board agreed that these projects needed to be done. (Agenda item16-0438)

The board went into Executive Session but reconvened the meeting at 11:40 am where they approved all agenda items.

Observer Nancy Marcus

0 Comments

MWRD to Buy 100,000 Tree Saplings

4/13/2016

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - April 7, 2016

Major Items Discussed:

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board (MWRD) approved the purchase of 100,000 tree saplings for $40,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resouces. The saplings will not be bought all at once. Commissioner Shore praised the board for thinking green and cited the many benefits of trees for our environment. Ideas about who should plant the saplings and where they should be planted were discussed. These included setting up competitions among high schools and/or park districts with awards being given to the group with the greatest number of plantings. Asking lease holders of MWRD land to participate by planting saplings along bike paths was also mentioned. Commissioner Shore stressed the fact that these plantings should be monitored regularly. (Agenda Item #16-0321)
Various bond issues were discussed, each with a monetary ceiling. Some of these included general obligations, others had more specific purposes such as conservation or capital improvement.
The leasing of an historic building near Wilmette Harbor was discussed. The building is not currently permanently occupied and is in danger of being razed. Tenants such as the Harbor Association and the Yacht Club may be interested.
Environmental clean-ups of 2 sections of the district”s channels was discussed. Clean-up is an ongoing process by People’s Gas and ComEd. The Main Channel on the city's NW side near Pulaski and an area near the Cal-Sag Channel in Blue Island are the areas of concern. Contaminants such as pet coke have been found in the water (more in the Blue Island site) and disagreements over the standards of the Illinois EPA and the US EPA have ensued. Legal representation has been retained over the issue. (Agenda Item #16-0323)
Leasing of MWRD land near the intersection of Devon and McCormick in Lincolnwood was discussed. The town of Lincolnwood may want to lease it. Keeping this high profile area as open space with parkland, bike paths and sound infrastructure is a top priority.

Update on rules for Public Speakers at MWRD Meetings:
Commissioner Bradford’s change to the placement of public speakers at board meetings was deferred for a later date. Right now, public speakers can speak after each agenda item. The change would put all public speakers at the beginning of each board meeting. Late arriving speakers would have a second chance to speak at the end. Commissioner Bradford said that this would make meetings more orderly. Commissioner Avila disagreed and said that the meetings were orderly already. He also stated that he liked hearing from the public after each agenda item.

The Board went into Executive Session at 11:40am and was expected to pass all agenda items on their return.

Observer - Jan Goldberg Meeting Length - 1 hour 40 minutes

0 Comments

Money Decisions and Deferrals Produce Good Board Discussion

4/8/2016

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - March 17, 2016

Significant Topics Discussed:
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will provide an $180,000 grant to a new non-profit being “birthed” in Chicago called “Current”. World Business Chicago is launching this water technology research center that will focus on local water issues. The MWRD staff and Debra Shore among other commissioners believes this technology center has the potential to be a great resource and will monitor Current’s value over the next two years.

Board Members asked the staff to provide new real estate appraisal guidelines and to get an updated appraisal for a vacant property that is currently being rented at an annual rate of 10% of its 2012 appraised value. The importance of this request reflects the board’s interest in its fiduciary responsibilities to MWRD and the citizens that underwrite the work of its operations.

A citizen during the public comment period called for an Independent Inspector General for the MWRD. The League of Women Voters of Cook County strongly supports the creation of this office.

Significant Topic Removed from Agenda:
Deleted from the agenda was a request by Executive Director, David St. Pierre to start the statutory procedures to sell the MWRD’s lobby and plaza areas of its 101-11 East Erie Street building. The board was very reluctant to give approval without investigating long-term rental or other options. A hotel is being built adjacent to the MWRD building and its owners want to buy the current lobby in order to facilitate getting a liquor license to serve alcohol on the lower level of its hotel.

Observer - Diane Edmundson

0 Comments

Public Speaker Rules Changed for MWRD Board Meetings

MWRD to Buy 100,000 Tree Saplings

Money Decisions and Deferrals Produce Good Board Discussion

Author

Archives

Categories