Category: Bio Solids

MWRD Board Establishes Office of Independent Inspector General

4/9/2025

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
Board Meeting,
April 3, 2025

After unsuccessful negotiations with the Cook County Office of the Independent Inspector General to renew its Intergovernmental Agreement for investigative services, the MWRD moved ahead to establish its own office and prepare to begin a search for an experienced person to lead the department. The board also approved the appointment of retired Cook County Inspector General, Patrick Blanchard, to work for the MWRD as the Interim Inspector General. Mr. Blanchard was in charge of the MWRD’s IIG responsibilities under the intergovernmental agreement until his retirement in late 2023. Items #2&3 25-0277, 025-010

Other Items of Interest

The board approved advertising for very high-skilled laboratories to respond to the MWRD’s request for analysis of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances and absorbable organic fluorine in wastewater samples. Will also test biosolids. Commissioner Steele said that only the best of the best labs can do this right now; which, down the road, might be worth bringing in-house. Commissioner Waller made several requests of a technical nature, and President Steele asked that Waller send her an email containing both her requests and her comments. #12 25-2406
At the March 20, 2025, Commissioner Garcia deferred two furnish and deliver contracts asking that Procurement look to see if the contracts can be “unbundled” to allow for small minority and women owned businesses to compete. At this meeting, he voted to approved the contracts after hearing that neither unbundling or changing from one to a two-year contract to meet the dollar threshold for furnish and deliver contracts to come under the diversity requirements of the District were not practical in this instance. President Steele said that this long-time vendor for the glass and plastic labware was very good. Garcia asked for an analysis over a 10-year period on whether prices change that much from year to year. #22&23 25-0226, 25-0236
Several 2024 excellence awards were received in financial reporting, budgeting, retirement fund and its health care fund.

New Business

President Steele announced that 2025 is the 5th year of MWRD’s current Strategic Plan and that Interim Executive Director, John Murray, will roll out a plan in May to start the process of developing the next five-year plan.

Deleted or Deferred Agenda Items

Interim Executive Director Murray deleted Item #34-0273 which is the authority to negotiate an intergovernmental Agreement with the Chicago Transit Authority for the Red Line Extension Project.

NO Executive Session

Observed by: Diane Edmundson Meeting Length: 63 minutes

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MWRD Board Seeks Information on PFAS-Related Operations

3/17/2025

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting –
March 6, 2025

PFAS Toxins (Bio-solids disposal)
Commissioner Dr. Sharon Waller pulled three items from the consent agenda for public discussion and asked they be considered together. All are linked to the District’s regular disposal of sewage by-products (biosolids) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are commonly known as “forever chemicals.” The three items were:

Item #17. 25-0118 (deferred from February 20th meeting).
Staff sought authority to pay Synagro Central, LLC (an Agricultural resource company) $3.8 million to remove, transport, distribute and use air dried solid by-products from the Stickney and Calumet wastewater treatment plants.
Item #19. 25-0168. In a similar request staff asked for approval to pay Stewart Spreading, Inc. $29.1 million to remove air dried solid by-products from the Stickney and Calumet wastewater treatment plants.
Item #18. 25-0166. This item awards $3.8 million to McGill Construction for heavy equipment and operators. The contract includes the use of minority subcontractors. It appears the men and equipment will load the PFAS-affected biosolids into trucks for transport.

During discussion:

Commissioner Waller noted the District produces 150,000 dry tons of biosolids each year and she would like to see the MWRD end current practice of land application of sludge products on farm fields. Her constituents are concerned about this issue. She’d like the agency to adopt a policy to reuse water and solids after treatment. Current practice of selling biosolids for application on farmland meets “evolving” EPA regulations, but change is needed. She requested roll call vote on items 17 and 19.
Commissioner Davis agreed the District needs a solution to the biosolids disposal issue and asked when a Black & Veech engineering report commissioned in July 2024 would be available to the Board. Executive Director Perkovich replied the consulting contract goes through 2026, and that preliminary results might not be available until late 2025. Operations Director John Murray said the Biosolids removal “season” begins in late March and early April, and encouraged the Board to approve the items and allow staff to answer questions later.
Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda said the Board has been waiting for Federal direction on how to proceed with this issue—an EPA mandate. It doesn’t appear that’s coming. The District needs a contingency plan, which is the point of the engineering study. Without information from the study, the Board doesn’t have new options.
President Steele Directed Mr. Perkovich to transmit to the Board a report on the information the District currently has on the solids disposal issue.
After a roll call vote, Items 17 and 19 were passed 8 to 1; Commissioner Waller voted no on each item. Item 18 passed with all commissioners voting yes.

Industrial pollution settlement deferred

Item #25. 25-0154 The MWRD legal department presented the Board with an Amended Agreed Order of Settlement in a case of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago v. Electronic Plating Co.
Commissioner Davis deferred the item, saying the settlement raises concerns voiced at earlier meetings by several commissioners about the District’s penalty process. He noted that Electronic Plating was a chronic offender – 27 violations over a decade. Given the District’s cap on penalties, he suggested circuit court as an effective deterrent.

Executive Director Perkovich to retire April 1

Item #32. 25-0196. The Board approved without discussion a motion to appoint John Murray as Acting Executive Director. There was not a formal announcement, but Commissioners mentioned during the meeting that Mr. Perkovich would retire April 1.

St. Patrick’s Day resolutions and labor recognition:

The morning’s meeting opened with a 16-minute celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and recognition of the Irish heritage of the many labor unions that helped build and maintain the MWRD’s infrastructure.
Vice President Flynn introduced James Coyne, business manager of Plumber’s local 130 and Chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Mr. Coyne entertained the Board with the Parade’s history and introduced the 2025 Parade Queen and her court. The celebrants were piped in and out of the meeting by the Shannon Rovers Pipe Band in full regalia. The Board passed 2 Resolutions related to St. Patrick’s Day, and President Steele introduced more than a dozen leaders of various local unions who were in attendance.

Observer: Laurie Morse Meeting length: 2 hours and 23 minutes including executive session.

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MWRD Board President Defers Public Discussion of PFAS-tainted Bio-solids

3/7/2025

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting –
February 20, 2025

PFAS Toxins in sewage byproducts (Bio-solids)

Staff asked the Board for authority to pay Synagro Central, LLC $3.8 million to remove, transport, and use air dried solid by-products of the Stickney and Calumet wastewater treatment plants. Commissioner Dr. Sharon Waller pulled the item from the consent agenda for public discussion. #22 25-0118
Board President Kari Steele followed and stated that she was removing Item #22 from the agenda without discussion. President Steele then deferred the item to the March 6 Board meeting.
The Board of Commissioners unanimously sponsored and approved a resolution supporting legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that addresses per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Neither the Board nor the agenda identified the bill the resolution addressed. #6 25-0147

Stormwater Management/Flood Control

The Board approved rights of way required to allow long-planned flood control projects to proceed near the Midlothian Country Club, improving drainage of Cal-Sag Channel area C; and on Prairie Creek in Maine Township at and near Lutheran General Hospital. That right-of-way will facilitate installation of new storm sewers and excavation of a stormwater storage pond. #3 and #4, Ordinances #R25-001 and #R25-002
The Board raised the amount it would pay the Law firm Neal & Leroy by $48,500 to a total of $2.3 million for legal services required to acquire flood-prone properties in six communities within the Addison Creek Channel Improvements project area. #25. 25-0135
The MWRD continues the buy back of flood-prone properties, with the board approving $115,000 to purchase and remove a flood-prone residence in Flossmoor. #35 25-0150

Recreation:

As part of the consent agenda, the Board granted the City of Palos Hills a 16-year easement to construct and operate a bicycle path on District real estate along the north side of the Cal-Sag Channel between Roberts Road and Southwest Highway in Palos Hills, Illinois. #34 25-0135

Other:

Executive Session: Yes. Personnel issues
Commissioners absent: Marcelino Garcia
Meeting length: 2 hours and 40 minutes including executive session

Observer: Laurie Morse

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Procurement Issues Dominate MWRD Board Discussion

7/17/2024

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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

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Annual Financial Reports of the MWRD & MWRD Retiree Health Care Trust Receive Excellent Report

6/12/2024

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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.

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Interest Expressed in Resuming Distribution of Biosolids to Residents

3/22/2024

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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)

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MWRD Board Establishes Office of Independent Inspector General

MWRD Board Seeks Information on PFAS-Related Operations

MWRD Board President Defers Public Discussion of PFAS-tainted Bio-solids

Procurement Issues Dominate MWRD Board Discussion

Annual Financial Reports of the MWRD & MWRD Retiree Health Care Trust Receive Excellent Report

Interest Expressed in Resuming Distribution of Biosolids to Residents

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