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Water District Puts Bio-gas Development on Hold Pending Review of Energy Security Goals

10/19/2018

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - October 18, 2018

What did the Board decide?
Since 2015, the MWRD has worked with potential partners to increase bio-gas production and use at Stickney and Calumet plants. Today the Board, at staff’s request, paused the development process, voting not to accept responses to the District’s 2016 and 2017 requests for proposals.

Three public speakers, including James D. Harrington, legal counsel for Green SEED Energy, addressed disappointment that the District would summarily abandon plans for these projects, which promised environmental and job benefits to the Calumet Community. He said SEED had met for years with staff and was blindsided when no proposal was accepted.
Commissioner Dunkin asked staff for clarification after removing the items (#11 and 12) from the consent agenda.
Commissioner Shore questioned why the District was reversing a project compatible with its energy-neutrality goal.
Acting Executive Director John Murray said the District did not wish to pursue individual projects without an over-arching policy in place. He said staff would work with the Board to formulate policy in the areas of resource recovery, energy security, environment, while considering the District’s own needs for the gas. He’d like the Board to formulate a vision on these topics, starting with a study session in the first quarter of 2019 “and then we can start again,” he said.

What else did the Board discuss?

There was a resolution and speaker recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness month, introduced by Commissioner McGowen.

Items to watch for in the Future:

Item #47, a request from the Cook County Department of Transportation for an easement to construct a public road across lands leased by the Wilmette Park District, and used as the 10th hole of the Evanston-Wilmette Community Golf Course (Canal Shores), was pulled from the consent agenda by Executive Director Murray. The road is meant to access a land-locked real estate parcel owned by the Keefe Family Trust. There were numerous comments urging the board to oppose the easement (a vote is expected as soon as the November 1, 2018 meeting). Representatives of Go Green Wilmette; Friends of the Chicago River; Brian Abbott, commissioner of the Wilmette Park District; Natural Habitat Evanston; and from the Golf Course all spoke against the road.

Other Comments or Observations:

MWRD investments for various district operating funds totaled $850 million on September 30. Average annual yield on these investments in September was 1.165%.

Observer: Laurie Morse Meeting Length: started at 10:30 and went into Executive Session at noon.

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Water Board Issues 2019 Meeting Schedule and Focuses on Maintenance Needs and Biosolids Contracts

10/14/2018

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - October 4, 2018

The Board Approved;

The replacement of power cables for UV Lamps at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant. Current cables overheat and have degraded. New cables will have a 10 year warranty and an enhanced inspection regime will be put in place to monitor the heat. Purchase order not to exceed $154,000.
A 10% contract reduction down to $199,451,997 million for Metropolitan Bio solids Management LLC to design, build, own, finance, operate, and maintain a 150 dry tons per day Bio solids processing facility at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant and to beneficially use the final product for a period of 20 years.
A $90 million utilization and transportation contract reduction for air-dried bio solids from $2.7 to $2.6 million.
The 2019 Board meeting schedule which will be posted on its website
A Board resolution recognizing the “Imagine a Day Without Water Campaign”.
Recognized the US Minority Contractors Association and their 27th Annual Millennium builders Award Banquet.

Observer - Nancy Mitzen Meeting Length: 10:37 am-12:15 pm

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Water District Board Hears Objections to Cook County Highway Department Request for Access Road

10/13/2018

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

Public Comments

Three speakers, Leslie Shad, Natural Habitat Evanston and Citizens for Greener Evanston; Brian Abbott, Commissioner from Wilmette Park District; John Olvany, resident and Wilmette Park District Commissioner, all urged the MWRD Board to oppose a potential request from the Cook County Highway Department for an access road, which they believe will only benefit a private developer. Shad and Abbott expressed concern about the impact of the proposed road on the Canal Shores Golf Course, which is a recreational destination beyond golfing. Additional concern was expressed about the desire to preserve the habitat.
George Blakemore expressed concern about the lack of public input into the search process for Executive Director.
Mike Archey from GTM Strategies expressed concern about the procurement process.

Board Actions

#18-0922 – A motion to adopt a policy providing parental leave to Commissioners was removed by a vote to delete from the consent agenda. This item had been deferred at the 9/6/18 Board meeting. Reports Filed
#18-0953-This item prompted discussion after Commissioner Dunkin raised questions about the number of change orders on a west side project in a brief period of time. Mr. Murray provided an explanation on the process for approving change orders. Report from Engineering Committee
#18-0946- Declaration of an emergency and ratification of execution of contracts to conduct an investigation into and repair damage caused by the 8/20/18 roof collapse at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant. In response to questions, Mr. Murray provided an overview of the scope of the necessary work, ie. removal of debris, building walls before winter to protect equipment. He also indicated that the contractors’ work on this project is being monitored by MWRD staff. Report from Maintenance and Operations Committee
#18-054 – Authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with and make payment to Leyden Township. Question was raised about an IGA with a township, which is unusual. The response was the project is in an unincorporated area, where there is no municipality. In response to Commissioner Dunkin’s question regarding, when the project will be completed, the project should be finished in 2019. Authorization approved.

Other Comments

Mr. Murray provided an update on the employees, who were injured in the Calumet explosion. All employees have been released from the hospital; however, one employee is in rehabilitation.

Items to Watch for in the Future

While not an item, the potential request by the Cook County Highway Department to construct a roadway has significant community interest especially due to its potential negative impact on recreational and environmental assets.
#18-0922 – Policy providing parental leave for Commissioners

Observer - Diane Hodges Meeting Length - 1 Hr. 20 Min.

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Water District Puts Bio-gas Development on Hold Pending Review of Energy Security Goals

Water Board Issues 2019 Meeting Schedule and Focuses on Maintenance Needs and Biosolids Contracts

Water District Board Hears Objections to Cook County Highway Department Request for Access Road

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