Category: Affirmative Action Plan

MWRD Board Forwards Land Deal for Crestwood Casino Project

10/4/2019

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
October 3, 2019

What did the Board decide?

Approved 99-year lease for 44.4 acre property for Crestwood development project (AgendaI Item #16, 19-0992)

The board unanimously accepted an initial annual rental bid of $820,626 from the City of Crestwood. It is not clear if the lease is contingent on Crestwood receiving a casino license from the State of Illinois. The lease is for 99 years, a departure from the MWRD’s typical lease length of 39 years. There was no discussion of the 35% reduction in annual rent from the minimum $1,262,500 Commissioners authorized for this property at their August 8, 2019 meeting.
During public comment Chelsey Grassfield, policy specialist for Friends of the Chicago River, addressed the board, seeking vigilance in maintaining 60-100 foot required setbacks from the river and advocated use of sustainable landscape design when the MWRD reviews site plans for the 44.4 acre parcel bordering the Cal-Sag canal that the City of Crestwood will lease from the MWRD. The community is seeking a casino license to anchor development on this property. Ms. Grassfield said leaseholder’s focus should be on the health of the river and maintaining established waterway standards.
Later in the meeting Commissioner Cameron Davis inquired when the public would again be able to comment on sustainability and design of the development of the property. Staff said the MWRD would review site plans when they are available, and Commissioners could participate in the process.

2020 Regular Board Meeting Calendar approved (Agenda Item #1 - 19-0998)

Study of Affirmative Action hiring record deferred (Agenda Item #23 - 19-0993)

The MWRD is required to conduct a study of disparity in its Affirmative Action hiring practices. This item would have authorized request for proposals seeking an outside contractor to perform the analysis at an estimated cost of $200,000.
Commissioner Marcelino Garcia asked for this item to be deferred until he had time to discuss his concerns with staff. He said that he wanted this to be a meaningful accounting of the District’s minority hiring practices, and not just the minimum required by law. After supporting comments from Commissioners Frank Avila, Barbara McGowan, and Board President Kari Steele, the Board directed staff to schedule a study session for them on progress in minority hiring practices
Commissioner Garcia then asked to remove this RFP authorization item the Board’s agenda until after the study session.

Allocation for expert witness testimony deleted from agenda (Agenda Item #29 - 19-0952)

This item would have budgeted $200,000 for expert witness testimony in an ongoing lawsuit.
It was removed from the agenda without comment by Executive Director Brian Perkovich

Bio solids bagging contract deferred (Agenda Item #18- 19-0937)

The MWRD gives away biosolids (compost) to the public at its Stickney plant. People can take it away in their own containers, but the District pays to bag some of the material for distribution. This item proposed to seek and pay a contractor $45,000 over a 3-year period to pick up composted biosolids from the Harlem Ave. composting facility, transport them to an off-site location, bag it, and return the filled bags to the Stickney Plant.
In response to Commissioners’ questions, staff said the plan would produce 5,000 bags of compost per year at a cost of $15,000 per year. Commissioner Debra Shore asked for cost-comparisons between buying the bagging equipment and having MWRD employees do the bagging and outsourcing. Commissioner Barbara McGowan questioned the process of transporting the compost back and forth.
Commissioner Marcelino Garcia questioned the value of the project, saying that while it is very nice that the District gives away composted biosolids, the MWRD lacks a plan to monetize and distribute it products at scale. “We need to industrialize and sell the products we create,” he said. “We need a staff person who is dedicated to this idea, and who can move us forward.” The Commissioners agreed to defer this item until it could be more fully explored.

Other discussions of interest:

Commissioner Mariyana T. Spyropoulos questioned why certain contracts were rejected and why the District received so few responses to some requests for proposals. She asked if specifications for services were being too narrowly written. She suggested a look at procedures for contracting.
Commissioner Marcelino Garcia questioned if minority guidelines were being observed when the District added scope or funding to existing contracts. There were several items on the agenda that did add funds to existing contracts, and he highlighted them. Staff said that they would be attentive to this issue.

Observer - Laurie Morse Meeting Length - 2.5 hours

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Water Reclamation Board Delays Revising Affirmative Action Ordinance

2/12/2018

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board of Commissioners Meeting
February 1, 2018

What did the Board decide?

At the motion of Commissioner McGowan, the Board removed from the Consent Calendar proposed amendments to the Affirmative Action Ordinance and sent the Ordinance back to the Affirmative Action committee for further study.
The Board also removed from the Consent Calendar a proposed ordinance instructing the County Clerk to reduce the levy of taxes on the District’s General Obligation Bonds because the District has enough money to redeem all the bonds in full. The Board took no further action on the proposed ordinance which had been submitted by the Finance Committee.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

The Board went into Executive Session to discuss “probable” and “imminent” litigation.

Unexpected Votes, Events, Testimony or Items to Watch for in the Future

Perennial speaker George Blakemore urged the Board to create an Inspector General for the District.

Other Comments or Observations

Commissioner Timothy Bradford has died; it will require 8075 votes for a write-in candidate in the March primary to move that candidate’s name to the November ballot. Meanwhile, the Governor holds power of appointment for the seat.

Observer - Kelly Kleiman Meeting Length - 90 minutes

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Water Reclamation District Lobbies for $34.7M Federal Grant for McCook Deep Tunnel Project

12/30/2017

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - December 21, 2017

Decisions Made:

Agreed not to reconsider the 2018 budget of $1.15 billion or tax levy approved at its December 14, 2017 meeting.
Approved a $324,000 one-year final extension contract with O’Connell & Dempsey, LLC to perform Federal legislative consulting services in Washington, DC for Phase 2 of the McCook Deep Tunnel Project. The District is close to receiving a $34.7 million lump sum grant, and the E.D and most of the Board believe this extension is necessary to ensure the final steps of the grant process are executed. The current lobbying contract expires 12-31-17.
Approved a request to advertise for outside counsel legal services. Executive Director, David St. Pierre, noted that the District needs to build its data base of qualified firms. President Spyropoulos requested that the District set a limit on the hourly rate charged and noted that the Cook County Board has set a rate of $185 per hour for outside counsel.
Approved a purchase order and contract amendment with e-Builder, Inc. for $937,027 to furnish and deliver a project management system and technical support to track projects for diversity and affirmative action purposes. Commission Steele asked for a summer study session to take a deeper dive into the affirmative action and diversity initiatives of the District.

Items to Watch for at Upcoming Meetings:

Watch for a special session to create an office of an Independent Inspector General.
Watch for a decision to grant the Morton Grove Niles Water Commission an 18 month temporary and a 70 year 1,848 sq. ft. non-exclusive easement to construct, install, operate, maintain, repair and remove a pump station and a 30 inch water main on part of the North Shore Channel parcels in Evanston and Skokie. Fees will be charged. The Mayors of both Morton Grove and Niles asked for a decision at this Board Meeting. Executive Director, St. Pierre, removed the resolution from the agenda pending answers to questions raised. Morton Grove and Niles are currently getting their water from Chicago.
Commissioner Shore called for a clear definition of sexual harassment from the H.R. and Legal Departments, asked for feedback in early 2018, and called for the development of “Best Practices” for workplace sexual harassment.

Observer - Diane Edmundson Meeting Length - 90 minutes

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Speaker Seeks Minority Status for LGBT Community in MWRD Affirmative Action Plan

5/30/2016

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - May 19, 2016

While the Board meeting was fairly routine the post study session to hear feedback from the author of the District’s Affirmative Action “disparity study” was not! The report itself was complimentary of the District’s goals and achievements but said it is time to use electronic tools for monitoring. Testimony from several speakers highlighted the complexity for the District:

One speaker said it is time to include the LGBT community in the goal setting process – others said no they are already included if they are a female or a minority.
A regular public speaker wants set asides specifically for the black community stating that was the original intent of affirmative action initiatives.
A third commended the MWRD saying that blacks are more likely to be hired and helped through its apprentice program.

Action of Note:
The Board expanded its prescription drug disposal hours at all of its locations to 7 days a week from 8 am to 6 pm and at its Downtown offices to 5 days a week with the same hours.

Diane Edmundson - Observer

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MWRD Board Forwards Land Deal for Crestwood Casino Project

Water Reclamation Board Delays Revising Affirmative Action Ordinance

Water Reclamation District Lobbies for $34.7M Federal Grant for McCook Deep Tunnel Project

Speaker Seeks Minority Status for LGBT Community in MWRD Affirmative Action Plan

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