Board Elects New President!

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - January 10, 2019

Decisions Made:

• Commissioner Spyropoulos opened the meeting by announcing that she is stepping down after four years as President.  She then went on to nominate Comm. Kari Steele for the position.   No other nominations were offered, and Ms. Steele was unanimously elected.    She stated that her focus will be on bringing the MWRD to every community, increasing diversity at the District, and continuing to improve water quality.  Joining the MWRD at the age of 19, Ms. Steele worked while attending college to receive her Bachelors of Science Degree.  She was first elected to the Board in 2012.  
• Comm. Barbara McGowan was re-elected as Vice President, and Comm. Frank Avila as Chairman of the Finance.
• Newly elected Comm. Marcelino Garcia had questions on more than a dozen agenda items.  The majority of his questions centered on the increased use of minority firms when letting contracts including requiring “indirect participation”. Commissioner Shore asked him to provide more information as he seemed familiar with the concept, particularly how other government entities in his work history have implemented and monitored.

Requests Made by Commissioners:

1. Comm. Morina asked the staff to evaluate the MBE ordinance for affirmative action restrictions as is relates to type of contracts let.  It was noted that only contracts that are stated as “furnish and deliver” are covered in the ordinance.
2. Comm. Garcia asked for a list of the law firms under contract with the District and what work each is contracted to perform.
3. Comm. Morina asked for the criteria for choosing lawyers because she noted some come from lists kept by the Legal Department and others via the proposal process.
4. Comm. Garcia asked for a thorough analysis of internal hires vs external contracts before bringing a contract proposal to the board.  For example, emergency janitorial services.

Items to Watch for in the Future:

• The District will appoint the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of each standing Committee at its January 24, 2019 board meeting.
• The Board deferred approval of a one-year law firm contract to continue its lobbyist pursuit of Federal funding.  The contract was to start on February 1, 2019.   Commissioner’s Garcia and Davis asked for the deferral. (Agenda Item 19-0044)

Observer - Diane Edmundson                              Meeting Length:  90 min.