Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
November 16, 2023 

Board Action and Discussion:

• 23-1104  Com. Spyropoulos asked why the bid for the digester and gas piping replacement at Stickney came in 26% over the original estimate.  ED Perkovich said that the contract was to be completed over six years and the increase was attributable to inflation and labor costs.
• 23-1110  Com Davis wanted to make sure that when MWRD pays its 2024 dues to the US Water Alliance, that also it forward the District’s new PFAS policy to the group so that it may be read and hopefully adopted by other UWA members.
• 23-1088  The item awards a new security services contract to a contractor at Prairie Plan site in Fulton City.  Com Garcia wanted to make sure that we are seeking damages from the previous security firm that has not fulfilled its contract.  ED Perkovich assured the board that it was seeking damages.  With regard to the previous security firm, Pres. Steele reminded commissioners that if they separately receive a letter of concern that it should be forwarded to the entire board and staff.  She said letters from vendors should go to everyone, not just commissioners.  This item was deferred, then later returned to the agenda, then approved. 
• 23-1111  This item increases the amount not to exceed for payment to MWRD’s Federal lobbyist.  Com Garcia said that the Federal lobbyists represented a very high value to MWRD versus their cost.  Com. Davis agreed that they were invaluable in getting Federal monies sent to MWRD.

New Business: 

• Pres. Steele had just returned from a trip to Denmark to attend an EU water conference.  She will give a full report at a later date, but said the MWRD is acknowledged as a leader in water treatment by participants from around the world.  
• Com. Davis suggested that questions and then answered in writing be shared with the public, and he would welcome fellow commissioners’ thoughts.

Observer:  Amy Little            One Hour Board Meeting.  No Executive Session.  Absent:  Commissioner Brown

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
Board Of Commissioners Meeting
November 2, 2023-10:30 a.m.

​Board Actions:

• #10-23-0985; Commissioner Davis announced that he would vote yes on the deferred item regarding dues for Watereuse Association, though he was not satisfied that the MWRD had received adequate representation. Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda inquired as to whether the MWRD could start an Illinois chapter of the organization. Approved unanimously by roll call vote. 
• #11-23-1011; Commissioner Davis announced that he would be voting no on the IAWA agency dues. This item had been deferred from the previous board meeting. His objection was that the MWRD Board had urged the agency to push for polluter pay a year ago. The agency did not pursue this policy. HIs question: why are we providing fees to agencies that are not actively promoting our interests? The IAWA has only proposed that a committee be formed to begin to study this issue. Commissioner Sepulveda asked what involvement the MWRD had on the committee. ED Perkovich reported that MWRD staff would be on the committee. Commissioner Davis said that nearby states are well on their way to developing “polluter pays” legislation and asked at what point does the MWRD catch up? He asserted that “we need our trade association to help.”  Roll call on this deferred item: 7ayes; 1 nay; 1 ab.
• #13-23-1068- Commissioner Davis asked why the bid from Thornton Equipment was being rescinded. ED Perkovich stated that Thornton had withdrawn the bid. Staff John Murray reported that the bid had gone out three times and that with the withdrawal, MWRD would be using internal resources to complete the work.  Commissioner Garcia stated that Thornton had sent a letter to the commissioners containing some information pertaining to their action. Perkovich and Murray, plus some of the commissioners, had no knowledge of this communication. Mr. Garcia asked for a deferral, so that the issue could be clarified. Item #13 was deferred.
• #14, #15, & #16 (23-0982, 23-0995, 23-1002) These items involved biosolids contracts, with one in particular related to hauling of fuel. There was a discussion of how the diversity department was making differentiations. Commissioner Garcia called for a second deferral, so that he could gain a better understanding of how these contracts are being awarded. Corral-Sepulveda said that there is a need to mentor smaller contractors, so that they can develop the capacity to bid for larger contracts. After discussion, the consensus was that items #14, #15, and #16 be deleted and that Mr. Murray bring back the contract in time for the next board meeting. This will allow the process to go forward and still meet the deadline of March when the season for this work typically begins. Motion to delete passed by roll call vote: Ayes 9.

New Business:

• Commissioner request:  Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda requested a memo regarding the diversity, equity, inclusion and justice department & director proposal by November 10, 2023. She asked for an outline of the cost and justification for positions proposed by the staff, the cost savings of eliminating the EJ Program Manager and any changes to the proposed DIJ Director position job specification. 

 
Observer: Georgia Gebhardt                 Meeting Length: 1 and 1/2 hours

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
September 21, 2023
All 9 Members were present 

Board Actions:
Commissioner Spyropoulos, without comment, deferred a vote to advertise a $1.5 million contract for professional engineering services to create a biosolids management strategy for the Stickney wastewater treatment plant.  Commissioners Garcia and Sepulveda, while encouraging long-term planning for a new solids strategy, asked staff to restore a popular program that distributed biosolids to the public.  MWRD’s distribution of biosolids garden material to individuals ceased when PFAS concerns surfaced.   #10 23-0892 

One other item was deferred:
Commissioners Sepulveda and Brown sponsored a motion to recommend the inclusion of establishing a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Department  for consideration as part of the District’s forthcoming State of Illinois 2024 Legislative program. Commissioner Garcia deferred, saying more discussion was needed on how a new department would fit within the existing structure of the District. Commissioner Davis noted the initiative has been under discussion for 6 months, and deferral is a delay.  Commissioner Sepulveda said adding the item to the 2024 Legislative program would allow the Board to openly discuss the plan without fear of violating strictures of the Illinois Open Meetings act. #37 23-0927

All other of the 37 resolutions were passed including a resolution to grant Hanover Park a 60-year non-exclusive easement for a 6-inch water main. That resolution had been deferred from the September 7th meeting.  Item #27 23-0860

Item #23 23-0878 cut the contracted amount with Metropolitan Biosolids Management LLC to design, build, own and operate a biosolids processing plant at the Stickney water treatment plant (20-year agreement) from the initially agreed $191.4 million to an amount not to exceed $189.9 million, a $1.4 million contract reduction.   
Item #8 23-0886 The board agreed to advertise a contract for farming at the Hanover Park wastewater treatment plant at an estimated cost of $890,000. 
Item #11 23-0894 The Board granted authority to advertise a contract to upgrade the Wilmette lift station, with an estimated cost of between $1.5and $1.8 million.
Item #22 23-0902 National Power Rodding Corporation was awarded a $7.5 million contract to use television equipment to inspect and record conditions of sewers and manholes around the District.
Item # 31 23-0912  The Board agreed to lease 82 acres of District land on the south bank of the Cal-Sag channel for 50 years to the City of Palos Heights for public recreation. 

Stormwater Management:
The Board gave authority to enter into negotiations for stormwater facilities and improvements with the City of DesPlaines at a cost of $1 million and agreed to enter an intergovernmental agreement with Lyons township to acquire flood-prone properties and construct stormwater storage at a cost not to exceed $2.5 million.   Further, a Report on Green Infrastructure, Detention, and Compensatory Storage Volumes Required by the Watershed Management Ordinance was approved and filed.  

Observer:  Laurie Morse                                      Meeting length:  1 hour, 37 minutes                                   

 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting
September 7, 2023

Board Action:
A motion to appoint David Ormsby, Inc. as Public Relations Consultant for the MWRD for a one-year period to advise on crisis communications management was approved 7 to 2 after being deferred from the August 10, 2023 meeting and again from the morning to afternoon session of this meeting.  The issue at hand was discussed at the August Procurement Study Session where board members made known that they want more contracts to go out to bid.  Commissioners Davis and Spyropoulos were the two voting against the contract saying that it should go out to bid.  Several of the remaining seven that voted to approve the contract said that they have met with Mr. Ormsby, that he is very qualified, and that there should be no delay in getting the help needed.  Commissioner Davis said the contract language was not clear as to how this will lead to better systemic communications.    (Agenda Item #1 23-0801).

Two other agenda items were deferred:

• A resolution recognizing Reverend Leslie Sanders was deferred to the September 21 meeting by Commissioner Garcia as he would like to have Rev. Sanders present.  (Agenda Item #4 23-0876).
  
• A resolution to grant the Village of Hanover Park a 60-year non-exclusive easement to continue to operate a 6-inch water main on District land for $10 was deferred by Commissioner Sepulveda.  She wants the language changed to allow the District to use the land for new opportunities if Hanover Park doesn’t move forward with its plans.  (Agenda Item #57 23-0806).

All of the other 64 resolutions were passed including four Stormwater Management Intergovernmental agreements or authority to enter into same.  The total expected expenditures reported at almost $6 million.  One of the Stormwater agreements is being terminated and replaced in an amount not to exceed $3,483,000.  The Legal Department shared that the District cannot legally require that local governments adopt the District’s AAP goals. Commissioners Garcia and Sepulveda requested giving priority to municipalities that comply with the District’s participation goals or a higher scoring value at project selection.  This approach appears to be legal. 

Another item of interest is the staff’s request to advertise for Individual Coaching and Training services for a 3-year period.  This is for managers identified as needing improvement in their managerial skills or for those managers requesting the help.  (Agenda Item #26 23-0825)

New Business

• PFAS - Commissioner Davis passed out a graph listing the current action efforts of utility and water member organizations the District financially supports to hold PFAS manufacturers financially responsible for cleanup.  He asked that, as the District approaches renewal of membership dues for the organizations it supports, it considers the legislative efforts expended.
  
• Commissioners Sepulveda and Brown gave a heads up to the Board that they will be putting a motion on the September 21, 2023 agenda to create a separate department for DEIJ [diversity, equity, inclusion, and Justice].    

Observer:  Diane Edmundson                                      
All 9 Members were present – Garcia on Video
No Public Speakers – No Executive Session
Meeting length:  70 minutes

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
August 10, 2023

Eight Harvey residents, including Harvey 2nd Ward Alder Colby Chapman, spoke during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting urging that a proposed stormwater management project be moved.  They had all just learned on July 15 about a proposed retention pond that the MWRD is proposing to build in partnership with the City of Harvey.  Ald. Chapman explained that 31 parcels of land are to be purchased to build that retention pond and a surrounding green area in order to help relieve flooding for 209 homes in the area.  However, at least some of these 31 parcels contain homes in which some of these speakers live, so if the project goes forward, these residents will have to move. The speakers complained about the failure of the City to engage with them early on.  They also said there are many blocks in Harvey with either vacant land or abandoned homes, and the speakers hoped the project could be moved to one of these areas.

This Observer checked, and the MWRD Board authorized the MWRD staff to negotiate and then execute an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Harvey for this project at this location at the February 2, 2023 Board meeting (Item 23-0133).

President Steele promised the speakers that either her office of the Executive Director’s office would arrange a meeting with the speakers, Alder Chapman, the Mayor of Harvey and the MWRD to discuss the project.  

Item Deferred:

• Comm Brown deferred the proposal to appoint David Ormsby, Inc. as a Public Relations Consultant for the MWRD for a one-year period for an amount not to exceed $48,000.  Comm. Spyropoulos said she thinks the contract should be bid out.  Comm. Davis said that while he thinks the MWRD does need public relations assistance, he is not clear as to how the operations will benefit from the contract as worded.  Commissioners Flynn and Garcia both expressed support for going forward.  (Agenda item #2, 23-0801.)

Other Items Discussed and then Approved:

• Two items dealt with the termination of a lease agreement with the U.S. Navy for 2 parcels of land by the North Shore Channel and then a sale of that land, along with 2 other parcels to the City of Chicago on the basis that the MWRD has no need for that land.  The City apparently plans to use the land for housing for asylum seekers.  The City shall pay the MWRD $1.5 M.  Comm. Davis suggested using part of the proceeds for its Pension Fund.  (Agenda items 75 & 76, 23-0798 and 23-0799)
• At the last meeting, Comm. Corral Sepulveda had deferred a proposal to advertise a contract for a consultant to design, create and implement a Small Business Enterprise (“SBE”) program.  This program is the result of the Disparity Study in 2022 which led the Board to support creation of such a program to allow smaller contracts to be available for bidding by SBEs as prime contractors. (Agenda #15, 23-0688)
• In response to a question from Comm. Corral Sepulveda, Executive Director Perkovich said that the proposal to advertise for sign language services for 3 years starting Jan. 1, 2024 for an estimated cost of $225,000 was for an employee who needed such services.  However, Mr. Perkovich said the contract would also cover sign language services in languages, other than English, in case they were needed.  (Agenda #24, 23-0736)
• Comm. Corral Sepulveda pointed out that the MWRD struck a low bid for small streams maintenance because of the failure of the bidder to submit a signed subcontractor’s letter of intent from the Women-owned Business Enterprise as required.  The difference in bids was about $600,000.  (Agenda #49, 23-0738) The entire procurement process, including situations like this, was to be discussed in the afternoon study session.
• Comm. Corral Sepulveda had deferred from the last meeting a purchase order to increase a contract for Interpersonal Frequency LLC by $100,000 (a 33% increase) to deal with change orders for the final design, review, development and launch for the District’s new web site.  The Commissioner asked for a roll call vote on this item because she was not pleased with the process here, including the fact that some of the material in response to her questions was redacted.  Comm. Davis asked for reassurance that the launch would be completed by the end of the year, and he got it from the head of Public Affairs.  This item passed on a vote of 8 to 1, with Comm. Corral Sepulveda voting no.  (Agenda #51, 23-0651) 

Except for the one deferral, all other items on the Agenda were approved, including 3 stormwater management items.  (Agenda items 77, 78, and 79, 23-0760, 23-0761, and 23-0762)

New Business:

• President Steele announced that the MWRD had received several awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and extended its streak of 100% for meeting standards for discharges.  She also noted that the MWRD had received another patent related to removing dissolved solids.
• Comm. Brown congratulated the staff for the MWRD keeping its AAA rating after review by Fisk.
• Comm. Davis noted that August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, recognizing the anniversary of the effectiveness of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote.  He also called out the League of Women Voters for their efforts in educating all voters.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting  
 July 13, 2023

Newly appointed Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis was welcomed to the Board

Public Comments

• UIC Professor Rachel Haverlock reported on a recent study conducted with MWRD staff on reusing industrial effluent.    The report proposes that whenever there is a new approval for Lake Michigan water to be sent to a new area, that infrastructure be built to pipe industrial grade water from a MWRD facility to the area for industrial use.    This would save drinking water for domestic use.   The report is available on the Great Cities Institute website, https://greatcities.uic.edu
• Gerado Nava of a political action committee representing Cicero and Berwyn discussed the impact on the towns from the recent floods and the need for  immediate aid, but also better infrastructure planning in the area.  President Steele responded that the MWRD has been meeting with officials of the towns and will be working not only on immediate help but also infrastructure that would help.
• President Steele asked Director Perkovich to  report on what the MWRD did during the recent heavy rains.    He reviewed the need for opening outlets because the McCook Quarry was 90% full.    

Board Action

• Item 10 23-0627 Authorization for payment to the Lower DesPlaines Watershed Group for Fiscal Year 2023 Membership Dues in an amount not to exceed $125,903.69, Commissioner Garcia asked that the Board be given a report of what the various groups that the MWRD belongs to, and pays dues to, are doing about flooding.
• Item 39 23-0699 Authority to award Contract 11-187-3F, Addison Creek Channel Improvements, SSA to Judlau Contracting, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $77,297,500.00,plus a five (5) percent allowance for change orders in an amount of $3,864,875.00, for a total amount not to exceed $81,162,375.00, Commissioner Davis questioned what controls the MWRD had on cost and schedule overruns on the project.  On schedule delays, how is the critical work prioritized.   Since the contract is for a large amount of money, delays could result in significant costs.  Director Perkovich and Dr. O’Connor discussed the contract change order process.   On average, the MWRD encounters less than 5% on cost overruns and less than 20% on schedule delays.  The item was initially deferred as Commissioner Davis asked for more specifics on how overruns would be monitored.   He met with Director Perkovich and Dr. O’Connor during the break and they agreed to a monthly report to the Board on all overruns.  The item was then approved.

Deferred Items

• Item 20 23-0688 Authority to advertise Contract 23-RFP-07 Small Business Program, estimated cost $75,000.00. Commissioner Corral Sepulveda asked to see the draft language for the RFP.
• 41 23-0651 Authority to increase purchase order and amend agreement with Interpersonal Frequency LLC, for Contract 21-RFP-07, Enhancements to the District’s New Website in an amount of $100,150.00, from an amount of $299,950.00 to an amount not to exceed $400,100.00. Commission Corral Sepulveda had questions about this item and needed to talk to staff.
• 42 23-0657 Authority to increase purchase order to Load Spring Solutions, Inc. for Web Hosting and Support of Oracle Primavera Software, in an amount of $8,889.00, from an amount of $78,225.00, to an amount not to exceed $87,114.00. Commission Corral Sepulveda had questions about this item and needed to talk to staff.

New Business

• Item 55  23-0687  Appointment of Sean Kelly to Director of IT.  Mr. Thaddeus J. Kosowski was appointed as the new HR Director. President Steele requested Mr. Kelly to implement a process of text messages for overflow action days.

There was an Executive Session.

​Observer:   Kathleen Graffam