Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting  
June 4, 2020 

The nine Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Board members participated in an audio/visual board meeting that included input from public speakers via phone hookup.

Agenda Items -  The Board approved all consent agenda items.  The four below are included here either because of the size of the contract, interest of the Board, or interest of the Observer. 

• Agenda Item 20-0444 Authorization to amend the agreement with The Gordian Group, Inc., for professional services for the development and implementation of the Job Order Contracting System, for a one-year period, in an amount not to exceed $78,000.00.  Commissioner McGowan inquired about the fees concerning this company, and staff answered that the $78,000 is the maximum contracted payout and included the per assignment fee. 
• Agenda Item 20-0445 Authorization to increase Contract 17-942-11, Job Order Contracting Services, with McDonagh Demolition, Inc., for an additional twelve month period (first term), in an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.00, from $8,000,000.00 to $12,000,000.  A Presumptive Ethnicity Summary Report was attached. 
• Agenda Item 20-0437 Authorization to increase Contract 13-806-2S Television Inspection and Recording of Sewers and Manholes at Various Locations to National Power Rodding in an amount of $180,000.00, from an amount of $1,944,450.00, to an amount not to exceed $2,124,450.00. 
• Agenda Item 20-0440 Authorization to extend until July 31, 2020, the terms of the collective bargaining agreements between the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the unions representing MWRD workers. 

Stormwater Management

• Agenda Item 20-0446   Authorization to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with and make payment to the Village of Forest Park for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Storm Sewers Connection to Existing Des Plaines River Outfall in Forest Park, SSA (18-IGA-21), in an amount not to exceed $1,955,206.00

Deferred or Deleted Items - None

New Business

• Commissioner Avila commented on Covid-19's impact on declining revenues, the need to reduce future expenditures while ensuring the health and safety of employees. 
• Commissioner Shore commented on MWRD's Covid-19 response in providing essential services without interruption while protecting the health and safety of its employees.  Since MWRD's Covid-19 Response Plan will guide the district through the remainder of the crisis, Commissioner Shore requested the Board hold a study session to review this plan and the District’s Return to Work Plan.
• President Steele said her office will check with the staff as to their readiness and with the board for their availability.

Commissioner Requests

• Commissioner Davis asked for a report on the District’s plans for Bond Issuance, which he said, typically occurs every 3 years.  Staff answered that it is currently evaluating two RFP’s for a bond underwriter and a financial advisor.
  
• Commissioner McGowan asked for the total amount paid to the Gordian Group for its services over the last two years. [20-0444].

Observer:  Michele Niccolai                                             Meeting length: one hour

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
May 21, 2020                      

Nine Board members participated in the virtual meeting, and 3 public speakers, 2 representing Northwestern University, 1 from Friends of the Chicago River, and 1 from GTM Strategies participated by audio hookup .

Decisions

• Agenda Item #48 20-0427    Authorized report on feasibility of partnering with suburban school districts on green infrastructure. Commissioner McGowan requested that the project be broken into three geographic areas to ensure diversification.    Approved unanimously.      Report due May 31, 2021.

The following agenda items, deferred from the May 7, 2020 Board Meeting, were approved unanimously: 

• Agenda Item # 1 20-003  Authority to amend the sunset provision of the Affirmative Action Ordinance to extend the expiration date until the end of 2021.  
• Agenda Item # 6 20-0342 Authorization to extend the agreement with Ace Coffee Bar, Inc. (Re-Bid) to provide vending machine at various locations for an additional 6 month period. 
• Agenda Item #19  20-0287 Issue purchase order and enter into agreement with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to analyze root causes of flooding in Lower Salt Creek and Addison Creek River Basins in connection with ongoing litigation entitled Hampton v. MWRD, Case No. 2011 CH 25822, and Jacklin v. MWRD, Case No. 2011 CH 25985 in an amount not to exceed $230,000.00,   
• Agenda Item #20  20-0288 Issue purchase order and enter into agreement with Marcelo H. Garcia, PhD in connection with ongoing litigation entitled Hampton v. MWRD, Case No. 2011 CH 25822, and Jacklin v. MWRD, Case No. 2011  CH 25985 in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00,
• Agenda Item #27 20-0282 Authority to award contract for manhole and infrastructure repairs to Sumit Construction Co. Commissioner Garcia expressed his approval that the MWRD is awarding this contract to a minority company and that minority participation is higher than the goal.  
• Agenda Item #29 20-0261 Authority to increase purchase order to AT&T Corporation, to furnish and deliver two new PRI Telecommunication lines in an amount of $22,089.12, from an amount of $28,972.80 to an  amount not to exceed $51,061.92.

The following deferred agenda items, after discussion, were unanimously deleted:

• Agenda Item #21 20-0302 Issue purchase order for a Compensation and Benefits Study by MGT of America Consulting. Commissioner Garcia stated that it would be appropriate to defer the HR study until after the conclusion of the current pandemic.  
• Agenda Item #39 20-0264    Authority to issue a 5-year permit to Northwestern University to allow parking and tailgating activities during home football games on North Shore Channel  in Evanston.   In deference to the Evanston City Council, which has not yet considered the issue, the Commissioners were not willing to go ahead with the authorization.  

All other items deferred from the May 7, 2020 Board Meeting were unanimously approved.

The following Stormwater Management  proposals were approved unanimously:

• Agenda Item #45 20-0413 Authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with and make payment to the Village of Broadview for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Green Alley Improvements project in  the Village of Broadview, Illinois in an amount not to exceed $448,000.00, 
• Agenda Item #46 20-0416 Authority to negotiate Intergovernmental Agreements to assist various local municipalities and   townships with Local Stormwater Partnership Projects
• Agenda Item #47 20-0417  Authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with and make payment to the Village of  Harwood Heights for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Harwood Heights Green Alleys Project in the Village of Harwood Heights, Illinois in an amount not to exceed $353,203.00,

All other agenda items were approved.  Among the significant decisions: 

• Agenda Item #16 20-0399 Authority to advertise a contract for furnishing and delivering rock salt to various service areas. Commissioners  Garcia and Spyropoulos had questions regarding whether the salt used was as environmentally appropriate as possible and whether there was a stockpile remaining from last winter.  Executive Director Perkovich answered  affirmatively.
• Agenda Item #18 20-0424 Authority to advertise a contract for installation of mechanical mixers at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant. Commissioner Avila commended the staff for its forward thinking in putting together this proposal.
• Agenda Item #4 20-0389 Authority to add project to furnish and deliver a lathe and accessories to the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, to the Construction Fund, estimated cost of the project is $170,000.00.
• Agenda Item #8 20-0421 Authorization to execute settlement agreement for Streambank Stabilization on Oak Lawn Creek, to Judlau Contracting Inc. in an amount of $773,500.00, from an amount of $3,079,848.82, to an amount not to exceed $3,853,348.82. 
• Agenda Item #30 20-0364 Authority to increase purchase order and amend the agreement with V3 Companies of Illinois, Ltd. for professional engineering services for contract for Melvina Ditch Reservoir Improvements in Burbank, Illinois in an amount of $41,250.00 from an amount of $1,321,477.00, to an amount not to exceed $1,362,727.00 
• Agenda Item #31 20-0402 Authority to increase the contract to furnish, deliver and install boiler controls at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, to M.G. Electric Service Company, in an amount of $153,932.00, from an amount of $1,345,208.00, to an amount not to exceed $1,499,140.00, 
• Agenda Item #32 20-0418 Authority to increase purchase order and amend the agreement with ARCADIS, U.S., Inc., for professional services in connection with the Stormwater Master Plan for the Little Calumet River/Cal-Sag Channel Drainage Area in an amount of $4,690.25, from an amount of $923,479.50, to an amount not to exceed $928,169.75.

Commissioner Requests:
            1.  Commissioner Spyropoulos requested a snapshot of the Cash Disbursements for April, 2020.
      2. Commissioner Davis requested a statistical report of the recent storm event showing quantity of                 water discharged.
            3. Barbara J. McGowan requested a report on how the masks the District received were distributed.        
​
Observed by:  Ann Bolan                                      Meeting Length:  1 and 1/2 hours

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting 
​May 7, 2020        

Nine Board members participated in this virtual meeting, and three public speakers participated by audio hookup.  Two of the speakers supported the new Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) and the third speaker represented Northwestern University in Evanston concerning Agenda Item #52 (see below).

Board Action and Discussion:

• Agenda Item #1, 20-0004.  Approved.  The Board unanimously approved the amended Watershed Management Ordinance [WMO] and thanked organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the Metropolitan Planning Council for their participation on the Stormwater Planning Council and the Council’s contributions to the WMO.  A regional stormwater control credit trading pilot will be introduced for the Little Calumet and Des Plains Watersheds. The goal is to use this market based tool to ensure the watersheds are safer and more resilient to heavy storms.  
• Agenda Item #12, 20-0344.  Approved.  Authority to decrease the cost estimate for a repair and rehabilitation contract for the Majewski Reservoir in Des Plaines.  Asked why more money is needed as $6 million was authorized in 2014, staff responded that the work that was done in 2014 covered a little more than half of the Reservoir.  This contract is for the rest of the Reservoir.  Staff noted that the Majewski takes on water about six times a year and is inspected regularly.  
• Agenda Item #14, 20-0229.  Approved.  Authority to advertise a pavement contract prompted a Commissioner’s query about using green infrastructure for this type of contract.  Staff answered that for new pavement contracts, green infrastructure is used.  For repairs, it is used when possible and practical.  
• ​Agenda Item #38, 20-0369.  Approved.  Authority to issue a purchase order for Telephone and Software updates prompted a discussion on use of thumb drives – Is it best practice from a safety perspective.   Staff believes that it is safe and will provide more information via a memo rather than in this public meeting.
• Agenda Item #48, 20-0330.  Approved.  Authority to decrease a purchase order with the Chicago Public Schools led to a discussion on the District’s Space to Grow Program.  With COVID-19 and school closings, a question was raised about expenditures at this time.  Staff answered that school closing makes it easier and quicker to complete the 4 projects planned for this year, which brings the total to 34 schools.  
• Agenda Item #58, 20-0332.  Approved.  Staff asked for authority to negotiate intergovernmental agreements with the City of Chicago’s Park District.  Commission DuBuclet said the goal is to improve stormwater amenities in the Park District and staff added that the agreement can provide leverage for flood reduction and possible neighborhood revitalization.  

Requests

1. Commissioner Shore asked Staff to study the Governor’s COVID-19 transition plan and provide guidance to the Commissioners.  
2. Commission Spyropoulos asked staff to look into providing either a bonus, hazard pay, or perhaps a day off for workers going into the plants.  McGowan asked that this consideration be extended to workers going to the downtown office.
3. Commission Avila stated he has concerns about 2020 finances due to COVID-19 and cautioned the board to be conservative in developing the 2021 budget.
4. Commissioner Davis strongly urged the board not to consider using TIF funds to augment COVID-19 budget deficits – but to continue to reserve TIF monies to reduce Pension debt obligations.  He asked colleagues to join him in identifying expense reductions.
5. Commissioner Davis said he is working on a Space to Grow amendment and invited the commissioners to provide input on an expansion of the program.  He will offer his amendment at the May 21 meeting.  
6. Commissioner McGowan requested a Study Session in early June to discuss the Affirmative Action Amendment and the 4 points raised by Garcia in his deferment of Agenda Item #2. (see below)

Deferred Items

• Agenda Item #2, 20-0003.  Authority to amend the Affirmative Action Ordinance expiration date to December 31. 2021.  Commission Garcia troubled by an extension to December 2021.  Wants to act sooner.  
• Agenda Item #11, 20-0342.  Authority to extend vending machine contract.  Commissioner Garcia wants to discuss the food service operations in the District.
• Agenda Items #13,15,21,24,31,43.  Each of these items are contracts where Commissioners Garcia and McGovern asked for more details on participation goals and if other agency lists of available contractors were reviewed.
• Agenda Item #32, 20-0288.  Commissioner Garcia deferred a settlement agreement with Marcelo H. Garcia, Ph.D. in connection with a litigation case.  No discussion held.
• Agenda Item #33, 20-0302.  Second deferral requested by Garcia.  Board received information one day before meeting.  Subject:  Agreement for a Compensation and Benefits Study.
• Agenda Item #47. 20-0261. Garcia troubled that a contract increase with AT&T is being requested just six months after signing the original purchase order.
• Agenda Item #52, 20-0264.  Authority to issue a 5-year permit to Northwestern University to allow parking and tailgating activities during home games on several parcels along the North Shore Channel, for a fee of $80,000.   Davis deferred and asked for estimated costs to MWRD to provide long-term maintenance.

Observed by:  Dianne Schmidt                      Meeting Length:  3 hours

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board - November 7, 2019

Board decisions:
(Agenda Items #19-1082 and #19-1083 - {57 and 58})

• The MWRD’s Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO), Article 208 instructs the Agency to conduct studies pertaining to storm water release rates in specific watersheds, and to recommend potential amendments to the WMO once studies are complete. 
  
• ​Similarly, the WMO authorizes the MWRD to do a pilot study for a regional storm water detention and volume control trading program.   
  
• Commissioners approved the methodology for both studies, which are to be initiated in 2019 and completed by May, 2022.  
  
• Both are expected to be landmark studies that could change storm water drainage practices and regulations within the MWRD’s service area (Cook County). 
  
• Commissioners Debra Shore and Cameron Davis pulled these items for discussion, Commissioner Shore noted that the watershed model used to determine release rates in Item #19-1802 was not based on wet years, and asked if it were too late to modify the model to reflect “worst case scenario” of the wettest years already experienced.  Dr. O’Connor, the MWRD’s engineering director, responded by saying the model could still be modified after the vote.  
  
• Commissioner Davis asked Executive Director Perkovich to communicate directly with the Storm water Management Committee about modifications to the model.  Commissioner Davis was concerned the watershed storm water release study methodology didn’t include “disproportionately affected communities”. While this subgroup of multiply-flooded areas was studied in 2010, the proposed new model excludes them.
  
• Moving on to #19-1083, Commissioner Davis, Vice Chairman of the MWRD’s Storm Water Management Committee. said “We (the storm water committee) and staff aren’t on the same page,” on the goals and objectives of the pilot study for a storm water detention and control trading program (flood credit trading).  He asked that communication between the Board committee and the Staff be “squared up” before the study goes forward.  “We have misunderstandings with staff on the May directive,” Commissioner Davis said.
  
• Both of these items were returned to the consent agenda and passed unanimously.

Board discussions: 
Agenda Item #19-1080  

• Commissioner Mariyana T. Spyropoulos pulled agenda item 47 for discussion.  The MWRD has a long-standing agreement (from 2003) with Vulcan Materials to excavate the McCook Reservoir.  The agreement has been amended repeatedly, and the cost of the contract has risen with new work added.
• Commissioners were asked to increase the amount due to Vulcan Materials by $3,504,813.00, to a total not to exceed $101,200,234.25.   Commissioner Spyropoulos asked staff to compile a history of the Vulcan contract agreements for the benefit of the newer board members.  Executive Director Perkovich agreed.
• This larger payment to Vulcan was approved as part of the consent agenda.

Deleted Item:
Agenda Item #19-1050

• Executive Director Brian Perkovich withdrew item 54 from the agenda at the start of the meeting without discussion or explanation.  A vote on this item would have authorized the MWRD to join the US Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County in preparing a Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.  
• The Corps has agreed to inventory existing conditions in Chicago area river systems; assess restoration potential; identify opportunities for connecting existing and planned riverfront developments and recreational amenities; identify flood risk management strategies, assess public health impacts, and make evaluations.
• Federal dollars will pay half the projected $300,000 cost, and the MWRD was to pay its share of the remaining $150,000 along with the other local partners.

Other Comments or Observations:
The MWRD Board of Commissioners had a full day of meetings, so the morning session was briefer than usual.   The afternoon budget session is reported separately.

Observed by:  Laurie Morse                                  Meeting Length: 1 hour.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
May 16, 2019


What did the Board Decide?
​
The commissioners passed the Authority to Amend the Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) that was previously pulled from the May 2, 2019 MWRD Agenda. This Amendment to WMO contains a number of changes, the most significant of which provides for the study of current provisions and potential future amendments to the WMO.   This study is scheduled to begin at the end of 2019 with a target end date of May 2022. The study provides for the following:

1. Pilot study on regional storm water detention and a volume control training program.
2. Impact of watershed release rates on Communities
3. Impact on release rates under existing and future development in Collar Counties on Watershed and MWRD.
4. Impact on volume control and watershed release rates on streams erosions and related water quality.

Other Business:

• The commissioners authorized an increase to the cost estimate for an Order Control System at Two TARP shafts and the decommissioning of the Thorton Transitional Reservoir, Calumet Service Area. This is due to complaints of odor. MWRD will continue to monitor the air quality.

New Business:

• Commissioner Davis requested a status update on the website from the Technology Department. Davis stated that during the recent heavy rain events the website did not adequately communicate to the public about river and other flooding.  It was reported that the public had difficulty finding flooding information on the website.  Davis asked the Technology department to give a status report on the Website improvements as soon as possible.
• Commissioner Shore requested MWRD look into the possibility of setting up cameras at reservoirs which can be monitored during heavy rain events. She requested information concerning the costs and feasibility of completing this project. 

 After adjournment the Commissioners celebrated the 130th anniversary of the MWRD.

Observer - Nancy Marcus                                                          Meeting Length: 2 hours

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
May 2, 2019

​Items of Interest that were discussed:

• Executive Director Brian Perkovich pulled from the agenda at the start of the meeting, Item 9 (File #O19-004), the proposed Amendment to the Watershed Management Ordinance (“WMO”).  This Amendment contains a number of changes to the WMO (1) to effectuate Watershed Specific Release Rates by June 6, 2019, as required by Article 5 of the WMO, (2) to incorporate updated rainfall data for the State of Illinois, and (3) to provide clarity on the regulatory requirements and moving guidance and explanatory information from the WMO to the Technical Guidance Material.  Based on comments from Commissioner Davis, it appeared that the Amendment was pulled to allow more time to respond to questions from individual Commissioners.  The Executive Director told this Observer that he expects the Amendment to be on the agenda for the May 16 meeting.
• During the “New Business” section of the meeting, Executive Director Perkovich gave an update on the status of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (“TARP”) in light of the heavy rains the past week.  The McCook system, which serves central Chicago and 36 suburban communities, was at full capacity, storing approximately 5.1 billion gallons. The Kirie TARP system in the center of northern Cook County was storing nearly 300 million gallons. The Calumet system serves the far South Side of Chicago and 13 south suburban municipalities and was storing 3.5 billion gallons. All of this water will be pumped back to MWRD water reclamation plants for treatment when conditions permit.  The Executive Director did not expect to have to release any water into Lake Michigan.  The Commissioners praised the MWRD staff for all that they had been doing.
• The Commissioners were also given an update on the status of the Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County for the County’s Independent Inspector General (“IG”) to provide similar services to the MWRD.  It is expected that the Agreement will be fully executed in the next week or so.  The IG (Patrick Blanchard) is planning a series of meetings with employees at the plants and main office to explain the role of the IG and how to contact him.  A brochure about the IG is being prepared that will be sent to all employees.  The IG says he expects to have the two employees called for in the Agreement to be at the MWRD very soon.  
• The MWRD is celebrating its 130th anniversary by hosting open houses on May 18 at its Calumet, O’Brien, and Stickney plants, which include tours, free compost, free oak saplings, and kid-friendly activities.  People are also encouraged to bring unused medications for proper disposal.
• Commissioner McGowan said she had given a package of information to each Commissioner concerning the time capsule that was installed with the Nicholas G. Melas Centennial Fountain (located on the north bank of the main branch of the Chicago River to the east of the Sheraton Hotel) in 1989, the centennial of the creation of the Chicago Sanitary District, now known as the MWRD.  This time capsule is to be opened in 2089, and Commissioner McGowan wants to make sure that, in case she isn’t around, the other Commissioners will continue to pass on the information so that the time capsule is not forgotten.  

​Observed by:  Priscilla Mims                                                       Meeting Length:  1 hour 45 minutes