Water Reclamation Board Approves Multi-Project Labor Agreements with Divided Vote

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - August 3, 2017

Decisions Made:

• The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s [MWRD] Multi-Project Labor Agreements were approved by a six Yes, two No and one abstention vote after extensive presentations and discussion about their content, purpose and study session modifications.  Concern was voiced over including more minorities, especially African-Americans, to have access to and work in the various projects.  The prior study session had addressed this issue and there were revisions adopted in the final language.
• The Board agreed to enter into a contract with the City of Chicago to construct and maintain a secure fence at the north end of the Collateral Channel along 31st Street to restrict access to the north bank of the Channel for safety purposes.  The Board has been working with the Little Village Environmental Justice Committee for an extended time to achieve this.  (Agenda Item 17-0772)

Item Deferred:

• A request for authority to set an initial price for the sale of effluent water produced by the MWRD for $1.00 per thousand gallons was proposed.  The effluent water would be used in building roads and other work – not for human consumption.  At the request of Commissioner Shore, action on this topic was deferred until additional discussion on its marketing could be studied.  (Agenda ​Item 17-0773)

Other Comments:

• Recognition of TEAM MWRD’s outstanding performance in the Active Transportation Alliance’s 2017 Bike Commuter Challenge.    The team, composed of more than 60 staff, won first place among Government organizations (beating the EPA for the first time) and fourth overall.  The Team was in attendance to accept the recognition.

To watch for in the Future:

• The study session on creating an Inspector General position will be held on August 31. 

Observer - Syvia Tillman