Category: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Water Reclamation Board Passes Amendment to Watershed Management Ordinance

5/21/2019

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

0 Comments

Water Board approves Watershed Management Amendment Unanimously

4/7/2019

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

Water Reclamation Board Approves Intergovernmental Agreements for Green Alley Improvement Projects

3/24/2019

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

Water Reclamation Board Opposes Creation of Single Member Districts for Commissioners

3/15/2019

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

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

2/28/2019

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

Water Reclamation Board Continues to Discuss Method of Selecting an Inspector General

2/20/2019

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
MWRD Study Session on Board of Commissioner Meeting Rules and Committee Structure
February 7, 2019

What the Board Discussed:
Comm. McGowan requested a status report relative to the intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) between the MWRD and the Cook County Inspector General (“IG”).

The General Counsel reported that the Cook County IG’s final edits of the draft IGA would be arriving soon, noting later in the discussion that there had been back and forth in the interim.
Commissioner McGowan suggested an RFP (Request for Proposal).
Commissioner Shore stated the route of an IGA had been unanimously agreed to by the Board last year while preserving the right to pursue hiring its own IG in the future.
The MWRD Legislative Liaison was asked to address the Board. He stated the current route pre-dated the new Board, and if the Board now wanted its own IG, it would take time to evaluate legislative models, but recommended against taking the issue to the state legislature. The General Counsel noted that a statutory change was needed for the MWRD to hire its own IG, and that using the RFP route would not give the IG subpoena power, but that subpoena power would probably not be needed often given other information gathering methods existed.

Requests Made by Commissioners Relative to Selecting IG:

Comm.Kari K. Steele requested the timeline for an RFP for an Inspector General position
Comm. Justina Morita requested the Board receive information from the past Study Session on Inspector General.

Study Session Discussion:

There was a PowerPoint presentation on statutory responsibilities, types of MWRD board meetings, governance, and committee roles in practice.
The PowerPoint raised a consideration point relative to transmittal letters to the board for inclusion with the agendas. Commissioner Davis requested that the letters not be issued over Committee Chairs’ names since the Executive Director was, in practice, the proponent. Others proposed this procedure be limited to letters not circulated with the draft agenda since Commissioners had time to review those before publication.
There was also discussion of larger substantive issues relative to committee roles,
The MWRD Summary of Requests: (1) the Board consider removing the Chair person from letters; and (2) no new items be added to the draft agenda unless labeled an emergency.

Items to watch for in the Future:
Further discussion of:

the IGA for an IG,
RFPs relative to the IG,
transmittal letters to the Board
Board committee roles.

Observer - Marjy Gilbert Meeting Length: 1.5 hour Board Meeting; 1 hour Study Session (

0 Comments

<<Previous

Water Reclamation Board Passes Amendment to Watershed Management Ordinance

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 Continues to Discuss Method of Selecting an Inspector General

Author

Archives

Categories