Category: Contracts

Water Board approves Watershed Management Amendment Unanimously

4/7/2019

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
April 4, 2019

Several items were discussed during the Committee of the Whole.

(Agenda Item 19-0319) This involved a purchase order and an agreement with the Public Building Commission of Chicago to implement Energy Efficiency Projects. Commissioners Garcia and Shore questioned the amount of savings and return on investment. Shore questioned whether the contract management was worth the fees and asked if the energy audit could have been done in-house. The PBC charges a 7% fee for contract management. Staff indicated that a walkaway fee would apply and would negate any savings.
(Agenda Item 19-0329) This contract involved post award services. Part of those services is to verify results. Commissioner Davis questioned the wisdom of the contractor verifying its own results. Wouldn’t an independent provider be better suited to do this in the future?
(Agenda Item 19-0241) This contract for Hazardous Waste Disposal has been deferred the past four meetings. Commissioner Davis stated he was still uncomfortable with the contract and would vote to abstain. He said there was a need to look at best practices in contract awarding in the future. The final vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay, 1 abstention, 1 present.

At noon the Board went into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss a matter under litigation.

When Board reconvened for the regular board meeting, the following two items were announced:

Commissioner Morita received a Water Impact Award.
Status of the Inspector General was announced. All comments are due next Wednesday, April 10. The item will appear on the agenda of the April 18 board meeting or the May meeting. Commissioner McGowan informed the board of her possible recusal when the Board deals with this issue.

Observed by: Georgia Gebhardt Meeting length: 10:30-12:40 Executive session: 30 mi

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Water Reclamation Board Approves Intergovernmental Agreements for Green Alley Improvement Projects

3/24/2019

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

What did the Board decide?

The Board approved Intergovernmental Agreements with seven communities for Green Alley Improvement Projects.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

Board deferred again a contract with a company that some commissioners felt had companion corporations with numerous violations. They directed legal to contact Indiana EPA to see if they had any concerns about their track record.

Unexpected Votes, Events, Testimony or Items to Watch for in the Future

In New Business, Commissioner McGowan noted she had met with the prospective Inspector General candidate. She would be requesting a meeting with legal to discuss whether she should vote on this issue when it does come to the Board.

Any Other Comments or Observations

MWRD received the Government Finance Officers Award for a Distinguished Budget Presentation for the 2018 Budget.

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length: 47 min + 1:19 min

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Water Reclamation Board Opposes Creation of Single Member Districts for Commissioners

3/15/2019

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
March 7, 2019

What did the Board decide?

The Board passed a resolution opposing HB 2624 which would create single member districts for the MWRD Board of Commissioners. Most of the commissioners said their responsibilities cross over any borders that would be set up in single member districts. In addition, there is a diverse representation currently on the board, which would negate the need for single member districts.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

One hazardous waste disposal contract in particular was deferred because of questions on the company’s partnership with other entities that have had penalties assigned to them.

Unexpected Votes, Events, Testimony or Items to Watch for in the Future

A resolution was passed honoring Lee Botts for her tireless work with Lake Michigan restoration and protection of the Indiana Dunes upon her 91st birthday. Her son and daughter accepted the award in her place.

Any Other Comments or Observations

The Shannon Rovers are really loud in a closed space!
Chicago Junorneymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA has been sponsoring the St. Patrick’s Day Parade since 1955.

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length: 1 Hour 57 minutes

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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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Water Reclamation Board Names New Committee Chairs and Hires Federal Lobbyist

1/28/2019

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board of Commissioners Meeting
January 24, 2019

What did the Board Approve?

The Board approved (8 Yeas and 1 abstention) a motion designating committee chairs and vice-chairs for the 2019-20 Standing Committees. (Agenda Item #43) Comm. Davis abstained, saying he didn’t understand the scope of his authority as a committee chair and requesting a study session to describe chairs’ roles; President Kara Steele agreed to conduct such a session in February.
After a brief deferral requested by Cmm. Spyropoulos, the Board unanimously approved the contract (deferred from the previous meeting) for Perform Federal Legislative Lobbying Services. Though there was some discussion about whether these were the best possible lobbyists, the need to have someone working in Washington before the end of January to wrap up the MWRD’s contract with the Army Corps of Engineers ultimately carried the day. Comm. Spyropoulos also deferred, and then lifted the deferral, for a contract (deferred from the previous meeting) to hire a law firm to do other lobbying.
The Board unanimously approved the appointment of Comm. DuBuclet and Comm. Spyropoulos to serve as trustees of the District’s Retirement Fund.
The Board unanimously approved a tax levy rebate, reducing by $6.1 million its original budget of $238.7 million.

What else did the Board Discuss?

The President agreed to schedule a second study session in February to develop an official position on climate change and remediation.
During both of the public comment periods Mike Archy from TPM Strategies spoke, complaining that the District bragged about its accomplishments while it overpaid for services and had projects running years behind schedule.

Observer - Kelly Kleiman Meeting Length: 90 minutes

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Board Elects New President!

1/13/2019

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - January 10, 2019

Decisions Made:

Commissioner Spyropoulos opened the meeting by announcing that she is stepping down after four years as President. She then went on to nominate Comm. Kari Steele for the position. No other nominations were offered, and Ms. Steele was unanimously elected. She stated that her focus will be on bringing the MWRD to every community, increasing diversity at the District, and continuing to improve water quality. Joining the MWRD at the age of 19, Ms. Steele worked while attending college to receive her Bachelors of Science Degree. She was first elected to the Board in 2012.
Comm. Barbara McGowan was re-elected as Vice President, and Comm. Frank Avila as Chairman of the Finance.
Newly elected Comm. Marcelino Garcia had questions on more than a dozen agenda items. The majority of his questions centered on the increased use of minority firms when letting contracts including requiring “indirect participation”. Commissioner Shore asked him to provide more information as he seemed familiar with the concept, particularly how other government entities in his work history have implemented and monitored.

Requests Made by Commissioners:

Comm. Morina asked the staff to evaluate the MBE ordinance for affirmative action restrictions as is relates to type of contracts let. It was noted that only contracts that are stated as “furnish and deliver” are covered in the ordinance.
Comm. Garcia asked for a list of the law firms under contract with the District and what work each is contracted to perform.
Comm. Morina asked for the criteria for choosing lawyers because she noted some come from lists kept by the Legal Department and others via the proposal process.
Comm. Garcia asked for a thorough analysis of internal hires vs external contracts before bringing a contract proposal to the board. For example, emergency janitorial services.

Items to Watch for in the Future:

The District will appoint the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of each standing Committee at its January 24, 2019 board meeting.
The Board deferred approval of a one-year law firm contract to continue its lobbyist pursuit of Federal funding. The contract was to start on February 1, 2019. Commissioner’s Garcia and Davis asked for the deferral. (Agenda Item 19-0044)

Observer - Diane Edmundson Meeting Length: 90 min.

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<<Previous

Water Board approves Watershed Management Amendment Unanimously

Water Reclamation Board Approves Intergovernmental Agreements for Green Alley Improvement Projects

Water Reclamation Board Opposes Creation of Single Member Districts for Commissioners

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

Water Reclamation Board Names New Committee Chairs and Hires Federal Lobbyist

Board Elects New President!

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