Category: Affirmative Action Plan

Water Reclamation Board Delays Revising Affirmative Action Ordinance

2/12/2018

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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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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