Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
July 15, 2024 

Procurement Issues Raised:

• Commissioners Brady, Davis and Brown were highly critical of procurement ordinance requirements for what they termed as “technical reasons” for rejection.  Items #34-35 were specifically pulled from the agenda to be discussed. Both Commissioners stated the board has every right to raise concerns on why certain bids are rejected as they are charged with being “good stewards” of taxpayer money.  Item #34 is for a Landscape Maintenance contract to be awarded to Lizzetta Medina & Company.  Brady-Davis asked for this item to be deferred and said that she feels like problems with contract rejections are more systemic than just ordinance requirements.  #34-0604
• Commissioner Brown deferred #35 for a $19.9 million dollar flood control contract.  She asked Executive Director for guidelines by the next board meeting on what constitutes “good faith” in meeting the district’s LGBTQ requirements.  After a break, Item #35 was put back on the agenda and received unanimous support.  Prior to the break, staff had noted that payment outlays from a large government grant must be started by September.  In addition, Item #52 called for the board to approve a contract with a law firm to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the District’s procurement policies and procedures.  The staff was publicly thanked for listening to the board’s concerns and getting this contract approval on the agenda.  Staff noted that the timeline for completion is the end of the year [November 1].  #35 24-0609 and  #52 24-0612

Public Speakers

• Friends of the Chicago River spoke in support of extending through 2026 the Stormwater Trading Ordinance pilot projects due to sunset in January of 2025; spoke against proposed Article #103 to increase acreage covered under the Watershed Ordinance from ½ acres to 1 acre; and strongly supports Watershed Article #106.  The ordinance update language was not included in the board agenda.  The Nature Conservancy said it supports all of the proposed updates.   
• James Black of Michael’s Construction asked why his company’s bid for Item #35, which was the lowest, was rejected.  Ans:  he did not meet all of the WMB requirements while, according to procurement staff, all other bidders did.
• Mike Archey had to leave the meeting but provided a written request asking the District, “when will the past due Energy Neutrality Study be published for public Review.”  He went on to elaborate his concerns about the District’s energy and carbon management, its project delivery process, and its procurement process.

Board Action   

• With the exception of Item #34, all agenda items were approved.  
• Comm. Spyropoulos asked why staff rejected proposals to develop a small business program. E.D. Perkovich said the project will go back out to bid with the removal of the 10-year experience requirement.  Garcia asked for a report to all commissioners on sister agency requirements.  He noted that the board wants to ensure success but also has been waiting for this program to get off the ground.  #07  24-0565
  
• Comm. Davis noted that the contract for the Stickney Plant biosolids management strategy was to manage only biosolids “output”.  He asked if “input” can also be managed.  Answer:  Can do so in-house by looking at emerging technologies which are very energy intensive.  When asked by Davis for a timeline, the answer was ASAP.  Garcia stated he hoped that this contract will revisit using output for residential use as he has received many requests.  Item 25   #24-0572
• Approved a contract for Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances in wastewater samples to Eurofins Environment Testing North Central Company for $96,250.   #33 24-0592
  

Items Deferred  

• Items #34 and #35 discussed above.  Item #35 deferral was lifted later in the meeting.  Item #34 remained deferred.

Executive Session:    YES.  called by Commissioner Spyropoulos, Chair Budget & Employment.  60 minutes

The meeting began at 10:30 and ended at 1:00 p.m.   All but Commissioner Sepulveda were present. 

Observer:  Diane Edmundson

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
​June 6, 2024

Board Action:

• #7 24-0472   Michael Malatt, CPA, gave the MWRD a clean bill after the annual audit. He stated that the audit results were free from misstatement and that the firm was able to issue a “clean opinion” which is the highest rating possible. No weaknesses and deficiencies were found. He described the report as “boring” because nothing of concern was found. 
• #1 0490   The MWRD Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Steven J. Lux as Treasurer of the MWRD of Greater Chicago. 
• #10 24-0474    Commissioner Davis questioned this item related to the rejection of bids. This particular agenda item was not the issue, but rather Davis was concerned about the ongoing history of rejecting bids because of such things as missing signatures and other minor omissions. He stated that this type of rejection discourages bidders. Bidders spend a good deal of time preparing their bids, and taxpayers lose when there are delays for months. Commissioner Davis said that this has been an ongoing issue, for which the department has not yet found a solution. 
  
• Commissioner Garcia echoed Davis’ comment. He said procurement processes still need attention. It is not happening and is taking too long.  Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda asked when the software contract expires. Perhaps a different software might help. What has the department done to respond? Commissioner Garcia asked if the MWRD was moving toward a consultant. He suggested that this would be a good move.  Commissioner Davis agreed, emphasizing that the consultant should be independent of the MWRD and its related associations.  Commissioner Flynn stated that she would expect bidders to be professional and to meet all the requirements without having missing signatures and other details.  President Steele directed ED Perkovich to provide the commissioners with necessary information and follow up on this issue.

Deferred Agenda Item:  

• #27 24-0464    Commissioner Garcia requested that this item be deferred. It is authority to award a contract to furnish and deliver electrical supplies for a one-year period.

Commissioner Request: 

• #35 24-0469   Commissioner Spryropoulos requested an update on the agenda item which requests the authority to decrease the contract to design and build a biosolids processing facility at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant. 

Executive Session: A 20-minutes session was held to discuss minutes of the Open Meetings Act.   

Observer:  Georgia Gebhardt                                                 ​Meeting length:  1 hr. 20 min.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board of Directors Meeting
March 21 2024

Board Action:

• There was a single substantive item discussed at the meeting.  Utilizing a proposed contract for beneficial reuse of biosolids, Commissioner Garcia asked the Director of Maintenance and Operations John Murray where the MWRD was at with regard to resuming the distribution of biosolids for residential use.  Director Murray confirmed that the MWRD has continued to provide biosolids for use at golf courses and some other non-residential locations.  Director Murray said there are no current plans to resume making biosolids available to residents, which was paused three years ago. Commissioner Garcia said that he is often asked by residents who liked the program as to when it would resume.  Comm. Garcia asked if there was a fact sheet available to use to educate the public and whether a marketing program should be resumed.  President Steele also expressed interest.  Comm. Flynn asked about the costs to the district for this program, which Director Murray said was one of the more expensive programs, but had lots of public relations benefits. The upshot was that Director Murray will consult with Executive Director Perkovich and put together some information for the Commissioners.  However, Director Murray did say that the MWRD had stopped producing the material, so that not much would be available this year in any case.
• All 33 items on the Consent Agenda were approved by a 5-0 vote (Commissioners Brady-Davis, Brown, and Pogorzelski were absent from the meeting and Commissioner Spyropoulos was absent when the vote was taken).

Upcoming events:

• The MWRD plans to have floats in a number of upcoming parades.  Members of the public who would like to be part of this should contact [email protected].  The next parade will be the Greek Independence Day parade in Greek Town on April 7.
• Thursday, March 27, 12 to 1 at 100 E. Erie:  Lunch & Learn in honor of Women’s History Month featuring Dr. Claudia Hernandez, incoming President of the Chicago Dermatological Society, speaking on skin cancer prevention and general skin care practices.  Register by March 26 at MWRD.EventRegistration​

Observer - Priscilla Mims                                     Meeting time:  41 minutes (no executive session)

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 (MWRD) Board Meeting 
​October 20, 2022

Agenda Items
The Board in a series of resolutions recognized October 18th as the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The District is also celebrating the centennial of the Cal-Sag Channel.  Commissioner Spyropoulos remarked on the return of wildlife to the Chicago area waterways since the Clean Water Act was implemented, and noted the law continues to protect our waterways and our drinking water.

The day’s agenda included authorizations to pay for MWRD memberships in three national trade associations in the water industry.  Commissioner Davis pulled these items for discussion, and then deferred their approval until the Board knows more about the lobbying strategies of these organizations and how they are planning to hold PFAS polluters accountable for PFAS clean-up. “Our taxpayers should not be paying the cost of removing PFAS,” Davis said. “Manufacturers should be responsible.”

• 22-0931. Item 8. Authorization for pay 2023 membership dues ($16,725.00) to the Water Reuse Association. Deferred
• 22-0932. Item 9.  Authorization to pay annual membership dues ($93,880.) to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Deferred
• 22-0933. Item 10. Authorize payment of $24,426 in membership dues to the American Water Works Association. Deferred

Commissioner Davis asked to see proposed legislation by the trade associations regarding PFAS, and if it holds manufacturers responsible for removal costs. Other Commissioners agreed, adding questions for staff. Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda asked for an assessment of the issue from the MWRD’s federal lobbyist, and asked for a report on proposed PFAS legislation in Illinois. Commissioner Morita said life cycle accountability of products should require producers of PFAS to pay back taxpayer-funded clean ups. Commissioner Garcia asked for information on what entities are responsible for guiding PFAS clean up. Commissioner McGowan requested a staff note on the benefits the District receives from these Trade Associations.

22-0948. Item 15.  Funding for a technical assistance program. Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda deferred this item, saying funding proposed for the program did not seem adequate to achieve its goals. 

22-0947. Item 32. Report on change orders and time extensions approved by the Director of Engineering from June through September 2022. Commissioner Davis questioned why the district had so many change orders, and suggested implementing a process that can more precisely scope projects. Executive Director Perkovich agreed, saying he would go back to staff and take a look at their process.

Bio solids

• 22-0913. Item #27 The Board authorized an increase in its contract with Metropolitan Biosolids Management, L.L.C., to design, build, own, finance, operate and maintain a 150-dry-tons per day Biosolids processing facility at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant.  The contract also allows the vendor to “beneficially use” the biosolids product for a period of 20 years. The $1.3 million contract increase brings the new contract amount to $192 million.
• 22-0917. Item #14 Staff authorized a call for bids to re-pave and rehabilitate the Lawndale Avenue solids management area.  The MWRD estimates the paving cost will be $8.1 million.

Both of these items were approved as part of the consent agenda without Board questions or comment.

Stormwater Management

• 22-0938. Item 11.  Board members approved an increase in the estimated cost of building the main drop shaft at the Chicago River on Armitage Avenue. The drop shaft is part of a flood control project on Chicago’s north side, and part of the Agency’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP). The MWRD did not supply the original cost estimate. The revised estimated cost to construct the drop shaft is now $12 to $14.5 million. This item was approved without discussion as part of the consent agenda.

Deferred or Deleted Agenda Items

• The Exec. Director deleted item # 39 – Thank you to P. Blanchard, Retiring Inspector General
• Commissioner Davis deferred #22-0932, 0932, 0933, Items 8-10
• Commission Corral-Sepulveda #22-0948, Item 15

Observer - Laurie Morse                                      No Executive Session