Category: Bio Solids

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 District Board Requests More Information on "Furnish and Deliver" Contracts

2/28/2019

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
February 21, 2019

What the Board Discussed:

"Furnish and Deliver” contracts, with multiple requests for more information.
Minority/women business participation relative to some specific agenda items was brought up by Commissioner Garcia.
Plaans relative to compost bagging were discussed, with more specifics to be provided.
Commissioner Davis asked how the carbon dioxide purging services that MWRD proposed to contract out would ultimately capture CO2 emissions, with the contract deferred pending more information.
Commissioner Davis brought up the Watershed Management Ordinance (“WMO”) amendment near the end of the meeting, noting the tight timeline. The staff assured the Board that by March 14 a comments package would be delivered with information on public comments and a tracked changes copy of the proposed modifications. A study session on the WMO will be held in March. Commissioner Davis stated it was a complicated topic and asked, if needed, could the deadline of May 1, 2019 be moved back. The General Counsel stated since the deadline is written into the ordinance, action would need to be taken by April to formally extend the time.

Requests by the Commissioners:

Relative to “furnish and deliver” contracts,
1. Commissioner Morita requested more information on certain legal aspects and information on how other governmental bodies treat.
2. Commissioner McGowan requested a Study Session and a list of the bidders once available.
Relative to compost bagging:
1. Commissioner Morita requested a memorandum on the current research and understanding of PFOS in biosolids.
2. Commissioner Davis requested an analysis of what is in the biosolids and how the District scans for contaminants.
Commissioner Shore requested Board transmittal letters include explanations that constituents can understand.

Items to watch for in the Future:

Further discussions relative to selecting an Inspector General (Intergovernmental Agreement and/or RFPs);
transmittal letters to the Board relative to consent agenda items,
the role of MWRD committees
the Watershed Management Ordinance (copy on the MWRD website under the engineering tab).

Observed by: Marjy Gilbert Meeting Length: 1 hour

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MWRD Board Forwards Land Deal for Crestwood Casino Project

Water Reclamation District Board Requests More Information on "Furnish and Deliver" Contracts

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