Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
October 21, 2021 

Commissioner Debra Shore said good-bye to fellow commissioners, staff and the public, thanking them for their work and support, and noting she and her colleagues strove to improve the quality of lives for all residents.  Saying that as an environmental activist, her landing on the MWRD Board was “improbable” and that it was equally improbable “to be leaving here as I am.” President Biden appointed Ms. Shore as Regional Administrator for Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she has already begun work. 
Ms. Shore quoted from President John F. Kennedy’s “Strategy of Peace” Commencement Address to American University in 1963:  “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.”

Public Comment
Diane Edmundson, League of Women Voters of Cook County Board Member,  addressed the board, requesting the Agency restructure its Board Meetings so executive sessions are held at the end of the board meeting prior to adjournment.  Ms. Edmundson said this change would allow more efficient use of staff and observer time, and generally help the Public.

• Commissioner Shore asked staff to come up with proposals to accommodate the League’s concerns, and Commissioner Morita was supportive, asking staff if there were any reasons why the change couldn’t be made. 
• Commissioner Corrall Sepulveda called on her previous role as Clerk for the Village of Hanover Park, and said having executive sessions at the end of public meetings was considered “best practice” and “seen as a way to make meetings more accessible to everyone.”
• Commission DuBuclet also asked if there was a legal reason not to make the change. President Steele asked staff to circulate a memo written two years ago on this issue. 
• Vice President McGowan asked staff and Board members if they had received comments from others about this issue. 
• It was agreed the board would return to the issue after new Commissioners read the subject memo.

Board Action 

• The Board heard Dr. Catherine O’Connor read the proposal to sell $575 million in general obligation bonds to fund District capital projects.  The Board voted in favor by acclamation, with all but Commissioner Davis present.   (Agenda Item 21-0962)
• Three items passed as part of the consent agenda with limited discussion. They grant the MWRD authority to advertise $13 million worth of janitorial; trucking; and facilities work. The three items included a $2 million contract for janitorial services at the Erie Street headquarters (deferred from the Oct. 7 meeting); $6.5 million in truck hauling of bio solids; and Drop Shaft Modifications and Collection Facilities work for $4.5 million.  (Agenda Items 21-0879 (18), #21-0937 (19), #21-0942 (20).
• The board also approved, as part of the consent agenda, a contract change order for biosolids handling. The change will pay Steward Spreading $14,137,905 for the work, instead of the previously agreed $12,937,905; an increase of $1.2 million. (Agenda Item 21-0936 (31).
• The Board continued its debate over board rule revisions that might allow Commissioners to attend Executive Sessions remotely (so long as an in-person quorum has been met) after the Covid state of emergency has passed.  Commissioner Corral Sepulveda made a series of motions and amendments, with the initial motion agreed upon unanimously, and the amendments passing without the support of President Steele or Vice President McGowan.  (Agenda Items 21-0923 (46), 21-0923A, 21-0923B)

Stormwater Management

• The Board agreed to assist the City of Northlake in the amount of $600,000, for the purpose of acquiring flood-prone properties in that community.  (Agenda Item 21-0947 (47)

Special requests

• Commissioner Shore asked Staff to provide proposals to accommodate the League’s request to move Executive Sessions from the middle to the end of the board meetings [but before the board adjourns].
• President Steele requested staff to circulate a memo on Board executive sessions.
• Commissioner Garcia asked staff if there was anything the MWRD could do to assist with the drinking water crisis in Dixmore and Harvey.

Observed by Laurie Morse

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting 
August 5, 2021

The meeting was held in person with COVID-19 precautions such as a mask requirement, socially distance and limited seating. 6 out of the nine commissioners were present. Commissioners Davis, Sepulveda and Morita were absent. There was one speaker, Kelley Gendurski, Deputy Manager City of Evanston. She spoke in favor of the lease agreement between the City of Evanston and the MWRD to allow public parking and tailgating along the North shore Channel during Northwestern University home football games. 

Agenda Items grouped for discussion and approved:
The following items were grouped into one discussion by the Board.

1. #10 21-0686 authorization to execute a bond purchase agreement for Professional Underwriting Services for District Bond sales in a title amount not to exceed $250,000.00 in the connection with sales of up to $500,000,000 of General Obligation Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds of the MWRD.
2. #11 21-0688  authorization to enter into agreements for Financial Advisory Services related to District Financing Program, appointing Acacia Financial Group, Inc. as financial advisors, and Columbia Capital Management LLC, as co-financial advisor in total amount not to exceed $120,000.00 in connection with the sale of up to a total of $ 500,000,000 of General Obligation Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds. 
3. #12 21-0696 authorization to amend Board Order of April 15, 2021, regarding authority to issue purchase order to enter into an agreement for contract 20-RFP-29 Bond Counsel Services for General Obligation Capital Improvement  Bonds for a 5-year period in amount to not exceed $244,719.00. 

It was stated that this is a  good time to enter into these agreements due to low interest rates, funds are needed to pay off debts, but the Board needs more information as to the cost to taxpayers. Updates will be coming to the Board.

Agenda Items that were pulled for discussion and approved:

• #15 21-0647 Authority to advertise Contract 21-RPF-22 Professional services to develop Conceptual Plans for Achieving Energy Neutrality at MWRD District of Grater Chicago, estimated cost $1,100,000.00. The importance of this contract is significant; and not only should they look into Energy Neutrality, but Carbon Neutrality as well.  A portion of this Study should also go to greenhouse gas reduction of the MWRD including cost and benefits. In the past there was a study conducted to determine if the MWRD could reach Energy and Carbon Neutrality by 2023. It was suggested that they revisit this study and provide a copy of the study to possible bidders to see if it would still be useful and could be used as a starting point to develop a new plan. Copies of the study will be sent to Commissioners.
• #22 21-0666 authority to advertise Contract 19-159-3P Chemical Addition Backup system for Stickney Water Reclamation Plant estimated cost between $8.105.172.00 and $9,811,524.00. This is a large contract. Phosphorus is normally removed from biosolids by a biological process.  Chemicals are used as a supplemental backup if biological process fails, and phosphorus levels are too high.  Unfortunately, if necessary to lower phosphorus levels by using chemicals the phosphorus cannot be used again for purposes such as plant fertilizers.  It was suggested that they look into possibly finding ways to limit phosphorus at the source instead of at the plant.  
• #52 21-0707 Authority to amend a lease agreement dated October 14, 1966, as amended between the District and City of Evanston on approximately 92 acres of the district land located in Evanston to be used for parking and tailgating during the Northwestern University Home Football games. Consideration shall be 25% of the annual gross revenues generated by such use with a minimum fee of $80.000.00 per season. All Commissioners supported this project however there was discussion as to some of the Commissioners believing that there was a change in Land Use Policy.   It was thought that since this is a Public Recreational Event that payment should be 25% of the net revenue. However, they are being charged 25% of the gross revenue.  It was explained that this really is a private event and not technically open to the public.  This item was passed but thought that it was not handled well and there should be more discussion in the future about this policy.  FYI, the Deputy Manager of Evanston spoke at the beginning of the meeting and Evanston was fine with the contract. 

Stormwater Management:

• #29 21-0709 Authority to advertise Contract 21-RFP-18 Market Research and Analysis estimate cost $125,000.00. The Commissioners would like more details as to what staff believes are their strategic communication needs.  Some suggestions are 1. Communicate how responsibility of stormwater management are shared with District and municipalities. 2. Debunk the myth that there is a man with a magical valve that controls local stormwater drainage. 3. Communicate the importance of not using impermeable surfaces for driveways, paths, etc. It was suggested that a survey be created to communicate with local municipalities and organizations that work with the MWRD and whether their needs are being met. 

Deferred or Deleted Items:

• Item #43 21-0687 Authority to decrease Contract 20-632-11 Furnishing and Delivering Sodium Hypochlorite to Alexander Chemical Corporation, in the amount of $2,842,800.41 from amount of $4,093,794 to an amount not to exceed $1,250,993.74 was deleted by the Executive director, Brian Perkovich.

Resolution of Interest:
The MWRD passed a Resolution congratulating Matthew B. DeLeon on his retirement. 

Observer - Nancy Marcus              
 Meeting Length: Total of 4 hours with a 2- hour Executive Session sandwiched in the middle

Metropolitan Water reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
July 15, 2021
The meeting was held by videoconference.  The next board meeting, August 5, will be held in-person in the first floor Board Room at district headquarters.

Agenda Items
The following two agenda items, deferred from the 6/17/21 board meeting were approved:

• #9  21-0508  Authorization to amend the scope of work per Diversity Administration review and re-advertise the contract 15-266-4H5 Decommissioning of the Thornton Transitional reservoir. The Thornton Quarry contains this temporary reservoir. 
• #12  21-0515  Authority to advertise Contract 21-416-11 regarding services to the main office building complex  after review by Diversity Administration.

Several items were pulled from the Agenda for discussion and approved.

• #11  21-21-0635  Authorization  to pay annual membership dues to the U.S. Water Alliance, a nonprofit  organization that advances policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all by bringing together diverse stakeholders to find common ground solutions to the nation's most pressing water challenges. 
• #42  21-0569  Decrease Contract 98-RFP-10 in the amount of $2,291,737.50.  The original contract was for production of 50,000 dry tons/day of biosolids (nutrient rich organic materials resulting from treatment of domestic sewage sold as natural fertilizer) at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant.  Over the past years the pelletizer units' average production using indirect drying technology has been in the range of 40,000 dry tons/day of pellets.   It was suggested to schedule a study session once the "Master Plan for Biosolids" is complete.
• #51  21-0612  Authority to commence statutory procedures to lease 9.3+ acres of District real estate located south of the Main Channel and west of Central Ave in Forest View, IL.  Lakeshore Recycling Systems has expressed interest in leasing this land, although there will be a public open competitive bidding process.  Throughout the process there will be public engagement in hearings.  In the public comment, the Forest View Village Administrator supported Lakeshore Recycling Systems interest.

Stormwater agenda items approved:

• #53  21-0575  Intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Oak Park for the Lemoyne Parkway Relief Sewer
• #54 21-0623 Negotiate IGAs for acquisition of flood-prone properties in Lyons, Northlake, Willow Springs, and Winnetka.
• #55  21-0627  Negotiate with the Village of Flossmoor for Berry Lane Stormwater Improvements.
• #56 21-0628  Authority to assist various municipalities with Local Stormwater Partnership Projects. At this time the topic of Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs) came up on how MWRD could  generate greater interest in DIAs partnering with MWRD for stormwater projects.  MWRD's goal is making Cook County flood resilient but realizes some areas of Chicago and South Suburbs have flooding issues needing stormwater projects.  Suggestions were to better understand barriers that DIAs have in applying to MWRD for partnerships and providing assistance to them such as cost sharing, technical assistance, attention to equity for those most in need and engagement of commissioners for community outreach.  MWRD does have ongoing public outreach programs through Stormwater Management- this past year they have been virtual.

Deleted Items

•  Agenda Item #13  21-0560,  the purpose of which is to qualify electricity suppliers so that they could participate in a reverse auction (after a request to buy electricity, suppliers place bids for the price they are willing to sell their electricity, the lowest price gets the contract:  i.e. reverse).  This item was deleted to remove the contract extension wording before consideration.

New business:

• MWRD has received certification  for its first Monarch butterfly waystation at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant and are looking at adding more waystations.  MWRD is partnered with the IL Monarch Project. Native plants such as Milkweed have extensive root systems that can help reduce flooding as well as providing food and habitat for Monarch butterflies.  Almost 3,000 people have taken the Save the Monarch pledge on MWRD's website and MWRD has distributed over 6,000 complimentary milkweed seed packets.

Observed by Michele Niccolai                                                                              Meeting length:  2.5 hours

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
December 17, 2020 
​All Board members in attendance at various times

After amending the budget passed on December 10 to include a small salary increase for non-union employees, the Board approved a $1.2 billion budget for 2021 - an increase of $52,812 million over 2020.  FTE’s are budgeted at 1,941 which is a decrease of 12 employees.

All agenda items were passed. 

Items of Interest:

• Agenda Item #23 20-1141  Granted authority to advertise for bids for the McCook and Thornton Reservoirs Rock Wall Stabilization and Geotechnical instrumentation.  Estimated cost between $8.4 and $10,250 million.  No discussion.
• #43 20-1143  Agreed to a sublease between Skokie Motor Sales and Amazon.com Services for an initial consideration of $5,000 per year.  No discussion of how Amazon will use.  Parcel could have been considered for green space which is of interest to the Skokie Park District.  
• #45 20-1158  Granted authority to amend a long-term lease dating back to 1996 with the Village of Worth to allow for video gaming on the golf course which occupies the leased land.  Apparently, the golf course has never turned a profit and is hoping the video games will help. In addition, the rent was reduced from $25,000 to $5,000 per year.  In return, the District wants 25% of any gaming gross revenues.  It was mentioned that the new Strategic Plan for the District should look at large parcels of land such as this property for its highest and best purpose. 
• #49 20-1144 Granted an Intergovernmental Agreement with and payment to the CC Forest Preserve in the amount of $257,124 for a Flood Control Project from Roosevelt to Cermac Roads.

Green Alley Projects - Intergovernmental Agreements:

• #47 20-1142 Granted authority for an Intergovernmental Agreement [IGA] with and payment to the City of Chicago, via its Department of Transportation, for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the South Laflin Green Alley Project in the amount of $101.5 million. 
• ​#48 20-111143 Granted authority for another Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Chicago via its Department of Transportation for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Addison Green Alley Project in the amount of $150 million.
• Discussion covering both agreements centered on cost sharing and confirmation that the City is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of the two green alley projects.  In addition the District annually inspects to ensure compliance.  When asked about these locations versus others with large condo buildings that incur alley flooding, the Director of Engineering said that the District prioritizes home flooding over highrises.   Commissioner Spyropoulos requested a copy of the “standards of review” that were and are used for these projects and how they are prioritized.  [Several Commissioners have stated that they want to go beyond “shovel ready” projects and look at the disparity that exists for communities that do not have the resources to participate]   Davis requested social media be used to promote the projects, and he asked the Public Affairs Department to provide the board with a consistent message to use on social media. 

Intergovernmental Agreement with Chicago

• #50 20-1172 Granted an extension to an Intergovernmental Agreement with Chicago to share in the cost of a research pilot study in the Chatham Neighborhood to gain insights into the effectiveness of various technologies aimed at reducing basement backups and flooding – In other words “what would it take to arm a house against flooding”.
• This Agreement was to run from June 2017 to June 2019 but will now be extended to the end of 2022.  Sixty properties are to be identified in a desktop evaluation to then be reduced to forty at which point the Center for Neighborhood Technologies [CNT] will attempt to visit the homes to identify specific problems and possible solutions.  The District is not allowed to work on private properties which is why the CNT was hired.  The District’s share of the cost is $400,000 – the City’s is $210,000.
• Commissioner made the following requests:

1. Spyropoulos requested a chronology of the project progress, and Davis asked staff to include the reason for the delay. 
2. Morita and Spyropoulos asked that the IGA be extended to include full access to the data in the agreement.
3. Steele requested the updated criteria list that was used to select the homes and also a list of 311 calls.
4. Garcia requested the amount the Center for Neighborhood Technology is charging.
5. Spyropoulos requested the board receive the green handbook that has been developed out of the experience with recent Stormwater IGA’s.
6. Sepulveda requested information on CNT’s role in providing opportunities within the agreement to hire locally.

New Business

• Executive Director Perkovich announced that the MWRD is one of the water treatment utilities that was selected for a study sponsored by the U.S. Health and Human Services to determine if wastewater can detect COVID-19 prior to a mass outbreak.  Five of the seven plants were selected to participate in the study.  Lamont and Hanover Park are excluded.  Perkovich said that the details of the study are still fluid.

Biosolids Request

• After hearing that MWRD biosolids were used by the Worth golf course during its construction, Commissioner Garcia asked for a report on the volume used and an historical list and analysis of projects that have used the District’s biosolids.

Observer:   Diane Edmundson                                           Length of Meeting 3 hrs.      

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
September 17, 2020 
​
Approved General Agenda Items

• 20-0708 A purchase order with Colette Holt & Associations to conduct the District’s Affirmative Action Ordinance Disparity Study that had previously been deferred was approved for an amount not to exceed $341,765.  Comm. Garcia said that he was pleased the study will have an expanded scope.
• 20-0742 Request to decrease the 20-year contract amount with Metropolitan Biosolids Management to design, build, own, finance, operate and maintain a 150 dry tons per day biosolids processing facility at the Stickney plant and to beneficially use the final product for a period of twenty years.  The District isn’t producing the volume expected.  The contract calls for $10 million per year for 20 years starting from 2010 to Metropolitan  Biosolids to produce the final product.

Approved Stormwater Management Items

• 20-0762 The board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Lyons in the amount not to exceed $500,000 for a Green Alleys permeable paver project.  Comm. Garcia asked if the Districts biosolids were used in this type of project.  Answer:  No for alleys and Yes for landscape.  It was noted that Chicago has refused to use biosolids but with a new city person, the District is trying to educate him/her on its value. 
• 20-0763 The District is entering into agreements with municipalities for the use of the District’s GPS units to complete sewer system mapping to help find blockages.
• 20-0749 The District is entering into an agreement for a Stormwater Master Plan for Avalon Park, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, and South Shore communities.

Deleted Agenda Items

• 20-0622 The Executive Director requested that this item be deleted without discussion.  It had already been deferred at the September 3rd and August 6th board meetings.  The item asked for authorization to advertise a professional services contract to market EQ Biosolids from the District’s Harlem and Calumet plants.  The September 3rd observer reported that it has been difficult to find sub-contractors that are qualified to sell the biosolids.  
• 20-0659 Authority to rescind a contract for native landscape areas maintenance was deleted at the September 3rd meeting and was not on the September 17 agenda

Deferred Agenda Items

• 020-007 Request to Amend the Resources Recover Ordinance to reduce the tipping fee and increase Breweries’ willingness to sell and haul their waste to the Calumet Plant. Previously the waste was taken to Stickney, but Calumet is in need of the Carbon and Stickney isn’t.  Comm. Morita deferred.  Comm. Davis said he is in favor but would vote “no” because he had previously asked for a 30 day notice for ordinance changes.
• 20-0731 Comm. McGowan asked for deferral to advertise for bids for contracts, legal notices for original entrance and promotional civil service examinations, and other legal notices for a one-year period.  No reason was given.
• 20-0738 Request to advertise for a Management Services Contract to perform real time energy reverse auctions and advisory services.  Comm. Shore deferred as she wants to know how this fits in with the Districts “climate action plan”.
• 20-0744 Request to enter into agreement with AECOM Technical Services for civil consulting support services in an amount not to exceed $1.5 million.  Deferred by Comm. McGowan without discussion.
• 20-0773 Purchase order with Next Generation Technology, Inc. for enhancements to the District’s new website in the amount of $300,000 was deferred by Comm. Garcia.  Comm. Shore said that she found their initial presentation to be “underwhelming”.  This contract with a different vendor was previously deleted by the Executive Director.

Future Items:

• There will be a Study Session scheduled for October 1 at 1:00 to discuss concerns expressed by non-profits regarding how implementation of the District’s new Ethics Ordinance is impacting the non-profit community.  Three speakers using audio technology addressed the virtual board meeting.  Friends of the Chicago River represented two of the three speakers and asked for a moratorium on implementation of the Ordinance until concerns are heard and hopefully resolved.  The Inspector General will attend the study session.  
• Comm. McGowan asked for a report covering Intergovernmental Agreements over the last three years. Report would contain the following information:  1) Total amount paid by MWRD and total amount of the Project; 2) Names of the partners in the agreements; and 3) List participation goals both for the MWRD and the IG partners.  No time frame was given.

Diane Edmundson, Observer                          Meeting Length - 2 hours

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board  Meeting
September 3, 2020

Agenda Items

• All agenda items approved except for three items that are listed below. Resolution honored Robert Johnson for his work with STEM and Future Cities engineering programs. You can see him on YouTube.
• Resolution honored the 19th Amendment Passage, 100 years ago.
• Resolution honoring Sister Jean on her 101st birthday. Older than the amendment!
• Item #23 -It was emphasized that the seal coating for roads and patching, contains no coal tar.
• Item #49 - 87% of the levy has been collected. The Assessor will put in a Covid equalizer for the 2021 budget process.
• Item #53 - The Skokie Sports Park will be able to sell and consume alcohol on the premises. MWRD gets 25% of sales.

Stormwater Management

• Items #56 and #57 extended the Green Alley Program in River Grove and Skokie. It was emphasized that the Villages maintain the local projects but if maintenance is found to be lacking, MWRD will step in to fix it. The Village would then have to reimburse MWRD for the cost of this maintenance.

Deferred or Deleted Agenda Items

• Item #15 (rescinding of contract for native landscape areas maintenance) was deleted before the meeting. 
• Items #18 (affirmative action questions on contract advertising for marketing of biosolids) was deferred. It has been difficult to find subs that are qualified to sell the biosolids.
• Item #32 (more discussion needed on purchase order with firm that was to do the Affirmative Action Ordinance Disparity Study) was deferred. 

Observer - Peggy Kell                    Meeting Length: 2 hours 15 minutes