Category: Flood Control

MWRD Board Approves Watershed-specific Storm Water Studies Meant to Facilitate Pilot Storm Water Credit Trading Program

11/21/2019

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.

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Water Reclamation Board Passes Amendment to Watershed Management Ordinance

5/21/2019

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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:

Pilot study on regional storm water detention and a volume control training program.
Impact of watershed release rates on Communities
Impact on release rates under existing and future development in Collar Counties on Watershed and MWRD.
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

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MWRD Board Postpones Consideration of the Watershed Management Ordinance Amendment

5/6/2019

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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

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Water District Board Adopts Cook County Independent Inspector General Ordinance

4/22/2019

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
April 18, 2019

What did the Board decide?

Agenda Item 019-003 - Adoption of Cook County Independent Inspector General Ordinance for services to the MWRD

Discussion of the proposed Inspector General ordinance centered on who will receive summary reports from investigations, including an investigation of an individual commissioner. The Cook County ordinance sends them to the “chair and applicable personnel.”
Commissioners Shore and Davis were concerned that confidentiality be protected and that the report not be distributed to the entire board. Patrick Blanchard, head of the Cook County Office of the Independent Inspector General, gave assurances that only the Board president, applicable personnel, and the involved individual would receive the report. Indeed, the individual under scrutiny would need to submit a written request before the report could be released. Blanchard also assured the commissioners that the quarterly reports, sent to the entire board, would have no identifying information that would cause a breach in confidentiality.
Commissioner McGowan expressed concern that the term, “chair and applicable personnel,” was too general. MWRD counsel stated that there was specific language in the ordinance delineating precisely who was on the list to receive information.
Public Comment: Representatives of four organizations made statements in support of the ordinance: League of Women Voters of Cook County, the Civic Federation, the Better Government Association (BGA), and Reform Illinois.
Before the final vote, all commissioners went on record with their full support for the role of the Independent Inspector General and the importance of transparency in government. The final vote accepted the Cook County ordinance without amendments. Vote: 9 ayes 0 nays

Agenda Item 19-0319

The Energy Efficiency Project under the Agreement with the Public Building Commission of Chicago was discussed again, after having been considered at the last meeting.
Commissioner Shore reiterated support for lighting efficiency but still had questions about why this needed to be contracted out. Staff stated that it could be done in-house, but would take significant time away from other jobs.
Commissioner Shore said that it’s a fact that there will be savings from the project, so there is no need for an outside group to guarantee this. Doing it in-house would save the commission fee. Commissioner Steele said that they are now in the third phase of the project and might have to pay a “walkaway” fee of $175,000. Shore pointed out that $375,000 would be saved, even if the “walkaway” fee applied.
Final vote: 8 ayes 1 nay

Board adjourned and went into executive session to discuss open meetings and retention of legal counsel.
Regular MWRD Board meeting convened after executive session.

New business:

Commissioner Shore expressed concern about the effect of the Fox-Conn project on Des Plaines River flooding in Cook County. She requested that staff research this.
Commissioner Avila expressed interest in increasing the dollar amount that would trigger projects that must come before the Board for consideration.
Commissioner Garcia urged all commissioners to sign a letter opposing the citizenship question on the census form.

WORKSHOP ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT followed. The topic of the session was the proposed 2019 Watershed Management Ordinance.

MWRD engineering department gave a presentation. Commissioners Shore and Davis asked about water quality. It is not mentioned in the act. Staff replied that the EPA had jurisdiction, but that commissioners could request a study if they wished.
There was some discussion about the technical guidance manual. Commissioner Shore was concerned with moving items outside the ordinance. Her concern was that this might weaken those items and be open to challenge.
Shore asked what appeal process does the general public have? Answer: the WMO has a limited appeals remedy. Only the one with the permit can appeal. Commissioner Davis joined Shore in concerns about water quality and the appeals process.

Observer left the workshop at 3pm while it was still in session..

Observed by: Georgia Gebhardt Meeting Length: 90 minutes

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Water Reclamation Board Approves Negotiations to Hire Cook County's Independent Inspector General Services

5/25/2018

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - May 17, 2018

What did the Board decide?

After a year of discussions and education, the Board gave authority to its staff to enter into discussions with Cook County to explore terms related to authorizing Cook County’s Independent General to serve as MWRD’s Inspector General. Congratulations to Board Chair Spyropoulos and Board member Shore for their leadership on this issue. (Agenda Item 31 (18-0493))
The Board also approved Ordinance PWR 18-001 establishing the prevailing wage for the MWRD covered employees the same as that for Cook and Fulton County. The Illinois Department of Labor will publish the prevailing rate schedule. (Agenda Item 48)
Approved a $2 million purchase order with V3 Companies of Illinois, Ltd for engineering services for Contract #18-848-5F, Program management of Stormwater Master Planning in Separate Sewer Service Area. In recommending the purchase order, the District said “The District has completed five Stormwater Master Plan Pilot Studies. The findings of these studies indicated that to provide structural protection from a 100-year flood event would require exorbitant investments by the District and local communities if traditional gray solutions or even solutions that blend green and gray infrastructure were utilized. Coupled with the experience gained in the on-going Phase II Flood Control Project in the Village of Robbins, it is increasingly evident the District needs to broaden its traditional approach to managing stormwater by identifying collaborative opportunities….” Contract deliverables are: 1) Summary of stormwater data collected from communities and prioritization of future study areas; 2) guidance document for stormwater master planning in separate sewer areas; and 3) individual study profiles to assist in developing RFP’s for future master plans.

Just before ending the board meeting before noon, Commission McGowan asked for an Executive Session (ES) to discuss an employee discipline problem. At 1:09 p.m. the ES was still in progress with no notice as to when it would break to reconvene the Board meeting. This Observer left the meeting but checked in later that day to determine that the Board did approve its consent agenda as modified which included the above three items.

Observer - Diane Edmundson Meeting Length: 3 hours +

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Water Reclamation District Purchases Flood Prone Properties

3/22/2018

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board of Directors Meeting - March 15, 2016

What did the Board decide?

The consent agenda included the purchase of 32 flood prone properties for $4,681,280. The Intergovernmental Agreement was between Franklin Park and the Cook County Land Bank Authority.

What else did the Board discuss?

There was discussion on an hourly rate cap for outside legal services in addition to increasing legal fees for the firm Schiff Hardin LLP in connection with renewable energy projects, from $450,000 to $550,000.

Items to Watch for in the Future

The Board President directed staff to look into expanding paid maternity leave to 6 weeks for the birth parent.

Any Other Comments or Observations

After welcoming the St. Patrick’s Day parade organizers, Plumbers Local #130, and parade queen, we were all serenaded by the Shannon Rovers. Very spirited!

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length - 1 hour, 16 minutes

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MWRD Board Approves Watershed-specific Storm Water Studies Meant to Facilitate Pilot Storm Water Credit Trading Program

Water Reclamation Board Passes Amendment to Watershed Management Ordinance

MWRD Board Postpones Consideration of the Watershed Management Ordinance Amendment

Water District Board Adopts Cook County Independent Inspector General Ordinance

Water Reclamation Board Approves Negotiations to Hire Cook County's Independent Inspector General Services

Water Reclamation District Purchases Flood Prone Properties

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