League of Women Voters of Cook County
  • Home
  • About
    • LWVCC Interest Groups >
      • Cook County Budget & Structure Group
      • Criminal Justice
      • Forest Preserve Interest Group
    • LWVCC Action and Testimony
    • LWVCC Activities
  • Observer Reports
    • Cook County Board Observer Reports
    • MWRD Board Observer Reports
    • Forest Preserve Board Observer Reports
    • CCH Board Observer Reports
  • Voter Info
  • Resources
    • Cook County Board
    • Forest Preserve Board
    • Cook County Elected Officials
    • MWRD Board
    • Cook County Health Board
    • Member Resources

Brief Board Meeting Capped By Thanksgiving Wishes From The MWRD Commissioners

11/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
November 18, 2021


Board Action:
  • Consent agenda items (except #1,2, & 3) were passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
  • #8-(21-1073) There was a question on the disparity between the bid and the estimate for the item. Executive Director Perkovich explained that it was a more complicated bid because of its location at the executive airport. This resulted in fewer bids being submitted.
  • #24-(21-1065) There was a brief discussion related to the increase in funding for tree saplings. Commissioner Davis emphasized that this project was important to the work on climate change and the environment. Several commissioners asked for cost per tree. ED Perkovich reported cost was 50 cents per sapling which will fund 8,000 more trees. 
  • #31-(21-1057) asked to extend the collective bargaining agreement to December 31, 2021. Commissioner Davis stated that he supported the unions but asked how much more time would be needed for negotiating the contracts. Director Perkovich assured the board that the negotiations would be wrapped up by the end of the year and there would be no further need for extensions.
  • Ordinances 2 & 3 were passed unanimously by roll call vote. R21-003 vacates the Right of Way for the Flood Control Project in Ford Heights. UC21-001 authorizes an amendment of the User Charge Ordinance of the MWRD.

Deferred item:
 
  • #1 (021-015) -Authority to amend the sunset provision of Ordinance 020-003 to extend expiration date from Dec. 31, 2021 to June 30, 2022 for Affirmative Action Ordinance. Commissioner Garcia requested this be deferred.

Executive session was requested by Commissioner Spyropoulos to discuss minutes of the meeting that are closed to the public. Time of session: 14 minutes.

Commissioner Corral Sepulveda requested a list of MWRD janitorial positions. Commissioner Davis asked for same information. President Steele reminded Board that any information requested is always shared with the entire board.

Observer: Georgia Gebhardt
0 Comments

Criteria for Awarding Infrastructure Project Contracts Discussed by MWRD Board

11/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
November 4, 2021 


The majority of the one hour board meeting was devoted to the Commissioners asking Staff questions about what criteria is used to award inter-government agreements to assist local municipalities and other governmental organizations with green infrastructure projects.  Commissioners learned that the staff is now ranking requests based on the amount of water captured, the median income of the area covered, and the structures protected to determine the most productive contracts.    The board then gave staff the authority to negotiate these agreements. Stormwater Mgmt.  21-1034.

Board Action: 
  • Several of the 48 agenda items were pulled for discussion, but none were deferred or deleted. 
  • Final approval was given to amend the Rules of the Board of Commissioners to allow board members to attend executive sessions remotely after the Covid state of emergency has passed as long as an in-person quorum has been met.  (Agenda Item 21-0128).
  • Six bond issuances were approved totaling just over $1 billion dollars.
  • MWRD’s agreement with the CC Sheriff’s office to support its Prescription Drug Take-Back Program was extended another year.  MWRD will contribute $80,000. (Agenda Item 21.-1014).

Stormwater Management
  • Approval was given to amend a 2020 intergovernmental agreement with the City of Des Plaines for the acquisition of flood-prone properties in an amount not to exceed $10 million. Previously, an acquisition amount was not specified. (Agenda Item 21-1035)

Special requests
  • Comm. Mariyana Spyropoulos requested a discussion with the CC Sheriff’s Office to include Sundays in their Prescription Drug Take-Back Program schedule.
  • Comm. Barbara McGowan followed up on her previous request for a list of partnership contracts that includes the dollar amount the District paid, the names of the contractors, and the dollar amount each received.
Observer - Diane Edmundson
0 Comments

Commissioner Shore’s Final Meeting as a Board Member of the MWRD

11/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
October 21, 2021 


Commissioner Debra Shore said good-bye to fellow commissioners, staff and the public, thanking them for their work and support, and noting she and her colleagues strove to improve the quality of lives for all residents.  Saying that as an environmental activist, her landing on the MWRD Board was “improbable” and that it was equally improbable “to be leaving here as I am.” President Biden appointed Ms. Shore as Regional Administrator for Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she has already begun work. 
Ms. Shore quoted from President John F. Kennedy’s “Strategy of Peace” Commencement Address to American University in 1963:  “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.”

Public Comment
Diane Edmundson, League of Women Voters of Cook County Board Member,  addressed the board, requesting the Agency restructure its Board Meetings so executive sessions are held at the end of the board meeting prior to adjournment.  Ms. Edmundson said this change would allow more efficient use of staff and observer time, and generally help the Public.
  • Commissioner Shore asked staff to come up with proposals to accommodate the League’s concerns, and Commissioner Morita was supportive, asking staff if there were any reasons why the change couldn’t be made. 
  • Commissioner Corrall Sepulveda called on her previous role as Clerk for the Village of Hanover Park, and said having executive sessions at the end of public meetings was considered “best practice” and “seen as a way to make meetings more accessible to everyone.”
  • Commission DuBuclet also asked if there was a legal reason not to make the change. President Steele asked staff to circulate a memo written two years ago on this issue. 
  • Vice President McGowan asked staff and Board members if they had received comments from others about this issue. 
  • It was agreed the board would return to the issue after new Commissioners read the subject memo.

Board Action 
  • The Board heard Dr. Catherine O’Connor read the proposal to sell $575 million in general obligation bonds to fund District capital projects.  The Board voted in favor by acclamation, with all but Commissioner Davis present.   (Agenda Item 21-0962)
  • Three items passed as part of the consent agenda with limited discussion. They grant the MWRD authority to advertise $13 million worth of janitorial; trucking; and facilities work. The three items included a $2 million contract for janitorial services at the Erie Street headquarters (deferred from the Oct. 7 meeting); $6.5 million in truck hauling of bio solids; and Drop Shaft Modifications and Collection Facilities work for $4.5 million.  (Agenda Items 21-0879 (18), #21-0937 (19), #21-0942 (20).
  • The board also approved, as part of the consent agenda, a contract change order for biosolids handling. The change will pay Steward Spreading $14,137,905 for the work, instead of the previously agreed $12,937,905; an increase of $1.2 million. (Agenda Item 21-0936 (31).
  • The Board continued its debate over board rule revisions that might allow Commissioners to attend Executive Sessions remotely (so long as an in-person quorum has been met) after the Covid state of emergency has passed.  Commissioner Corral Sepulveda made a series of motions and amendments, with the initial motion agreed upon unanimously, and the amendments passing without the support of President Steele or Vice President McGowan.  (Agenda Items 21-0923 (46), 21-0923A, 21-0923B)

Stormwater Management
  • The Board agreed to assist the City of Northlake in the amount of $600,000, for the purpose of acquiring flood-prone properties in that community.  (Agenda Item 21-0947 (47)

Special requests
  • Commissioner Shore asked Staff to provide proposals to accommodate the League’s request to move Executive Sessions from the middle to the end of the board meetings [but before the board adjourns].
  • President Steele requested staff to circulate a memo on Board executive sessions.
  • Commissioner Garcia asked staff if there was anything the MWRD could do to assist with the drinking water crisis in Dixmore and Harvey.

Observed by Laurie Morse
0 Comments

    Author

    Individual authors are credited at the end of each report.

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    Affirmative Action Plan
    Bio Gas Production
    Bio-gas Production
    Bio Solids
    Bio-solids
    Bonds
    Budget
    Climate Action Plan
    Contracts
    Environmental Cleanup
    Ethics
    Flood Control
    Independent Inspector General MWRD
    Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
    MWRD
    Nutrient Trading
    Odor Control
    Pensions
    Prescription Drug Disposal
    Public Comments
    Rain Barrels
    Real Estate Issues
    Storm Water Management
    Taxes
    Tree Planting
    Water Quality
    Watershed Management

    RSS Feed

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF COOK COUNTY
332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 634
Chicago, IL 60604

312/939-5935 
[email protected]
Terms and Conditions of Use
© Copyright League of Women Voters of Cook County, Illinois. All rights reserved.
Membership Information
CONTACT US
  • Home
  • About
    • LWVCC Interest Groups >
      • Cook County Budget & Structure Group
      • Criminal Justice
      • Forest Preserve Interest Group
    • LWVCC Action and Testimony
    • LWVCC Activities
  • Observer Reports
    • Cook County Board Observer Reports
    • MWRD Board Observer Reports
    • Forest Preserve Board Observer Reports
    • CCH Board Observer Reports
  • Voter Info
  • Resources
    • Cook County Board
    • Forest Preserve Board
    • Cook County Elected Officials
    • MWRD Board
    • Cook County Health Board
    • Member Resources