Independent Experts Sign Off on Water District's 2017 Financial Audits

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - June 7, 2018 

​The Board accepted the report on the 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports of the MWRD of Greater Chicago and the MWRD Retiree Health Care Trust. The report was “unmodified” which means it is the best attainable measure with no material weaknesses or deficiencies.

President Spyropoulos welcomed newly appointed Commissioner Kenneth Dunkin; but because of certain allegations made while Mr. Dunkin was an Illinois House Representative, she then went on to state the MWRD’s intolerance for any type of harassment of employees, fellow commissioners, or anyone else.  While both were gracious, Mr. Dunkin did respond that the body should be careful not to give credence to what he called baseless allegations.  Mr. Dunkin is Gov. Rauner’s appointee through the November election.  

Decisions Made: 

• With the exception of four items that were removed from the consent agenda, all remaining items were routine and approved.  Item #24 which was a request to advertise for a $5 million contract for small stream maintenance was included. However, Commission Shore did request that the staff look into the destruction of beaver dams on a case-by-case basis as it works with the contractor to remove debris.  She referred the staff to the Humane Society’s publication on alternative techniques.
  
• The Board approved the May 22, 2018 appointment of Mr. John P. Murray as Acting Executive Director of the MWRD.  No further explanation was given, and Mr. St. Pierre is on leave.  Mr. Murray held the position of Director of Maintenance and Operations.
• The Acting Executive Director and appropriate staff agreed to a meeting with an Evanston community group to address the issues they raised at the meeting regarding the lease that the MWRD signed with Evanston on January 4, 2018 for land that was supposed to be designated as green space.  They claim that within four days of signing the lease, Evanston converted the use of the space to Industrial so that it can be used for a municipal pumping station.  There were a number of unhappy speakers.

What to Look for in Upcoming Meetings: 

1. Report on rejection of bids for Specialty Railroad Track Services in the Stickney Service Area.  This item was removed from today’s agenda with no reason given. 
2. Feedback on the Evanston meeting. 
3. Feedback on the status of the Executive Director’s leave.

Observer - Diane Edmundson                                              Meeting Length:    1 Hour via video