Category: Odor Control

Grazing of Goats Discussed at MWRD Board Meeting

5/15/2021

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
May 6, 2021

Board Action:
Four items were pulled for further discussion though all were approved.

Resolution #21-0390 regarding the hiring of grazing goats was pulled by Commissioner Shore. The contract was scheduled to be awarded in January, and Commissioner Shore is concerned about its effects on ground nesting groups. She requested a list of the locations that the grazing group will be deployed, the timeline for deployment, and asked that staff work with birders to take into account ground nesting birds.
Resolution #21-0415 was pulled by Commissioner Spyropoulos to request more information as this major project has been on the books since 2019 and the District has rejected several bids for Odor Control Systems at two-Tarp Shafts and the decommissioning of the Thornton Transition Reservoir. Cost $14.5 to $17.6 million. Commissioner Davis asked the staff to examine the possibility of breaking down the contract into smaller sections.
Resolution #21-0399. Report on green infrastructure, detention, and compensatory storage volumes required by the Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO). Commissioner Shore suggested the District have a development plan to proactively reach out to developers to help them meet the WMO requirements.

Stormwater Management

Resolution #21-0385 is to honor retiring Mayor, Arlene A. Juracek of Mount Prospect, and to thank her for being a great partner on flood control issues.

New Business

Commissioner Shore requested a memo detailing the vaccination rate within the District, the approximate timeline for full vaccination, and a detailed plan for staff to return to work.

Public Comment

There was one public comment by phone stating that he hoped that Commissioner Garcia would consider resigning from one of his two public positions.

Length of Meeting: Public meeting lasted 45 min - a very short business meeting with a very long Executive Session in the middle of the meeting

Observer - .Diane Edmundson

0 Comments

Commissioners Emphasize Community Engagement

12/6/2020

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board (MWRD) Meeting - December 3, 2020

All 8 current Board members in attendance. Eira L. Corral Sepulveda will be sworn in as the 9th Commissioner at the MWRD’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 1 pm.

A common theme running through all the discussions of designated items was the importance of engaging the communities involved. In some cases, the Commissioners verified that the communities had been involved prior to approving items. In other cases, the Commissioners encouraged the staff to be sure the communities knew what was being done for them by the MWRD.

All items on the agenda were approved unanimously. Following are some of the items discussed:

Stormwater Management:

Item 33, 20-1079: Authorization to negotiate intergovernmental agreements to assist with green infrastructure projects. This is a revised version of Item 53, 20-1022, which was deleted from the Nov. 19 meeting agenda and was the focus of the Observer Report for that meeting. In contrast to the Nov. 19 meeting, there was no discussion about what communities within the MWRD’s stormwater management area were contacted and asked to submit proposals. In fact, the list of projects that were approved is identical to what was on the Nov. 19 agenda: 14 municipal projects plus 2 with the Cook County Forest Preserve District. The only difference is in the description in the cover memo of what will be included in the agreement. The agreements will require that the MWRD’s participation goals for Minority-owned Business Enterprises, Women-owned Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, and Veteran-owned Business Enterprises be met for that portion of the project funded by the MWRD and will encourage that such goals be applied to the entire project. Comm. Garcia said how pleased he was with the redrafted cover submission, but asked that these agreements also require the entities to purchase any needed bio-solids from the MWRD. Once each agreement is negotiated, it will come before the Board for approval.
Item 15, 20-1068: Purchase order for professional engineering services for final design of a Flood Control Project in Robbins involving the Midlothian Creek. This involves both grey infrastructure (that is adding pipes to carry stormwater runoff) and green infrastructure. Staff assured Comm. Du Blucet that residents had been heavily involved at meetings and helped define the parameters of the project.
Item 32, 20-1038: Intergovernmental agreement with DesPlaines for acquisition of flood-prone properties. Comm. Davis said he’d like to have staff develop a means to determine whether the MWRD’s acquisitions of land, such as this, are as effective as possible, especially taking into account disproportionately affected areas.

Prescription Drug Take-back Program:

Item 26, 20-1073: The existing agreement which provides for the Cook County Sheriff to collect excess prescription drugs which have been dropped off in MWRD-sponsored collection boxes, was extended through 2021. Comm. Shore, who was acknowledged as the key Commissioner who got this program going with the County, said she hoped this would be the last year that the MWRD would be paying for this collection (about $6,000/month). This is because the County ordinance setting up this program provides for the County to go back to the manufacturer of the drugs to obtain payment, rather than taxpayers who fund the MWRD. The Sheriff is now able to determine who the manufacturer was. Comm. Shore said the Sheriff has reported that about 20 to 25% of the drugs collected are opioids. Collection of all these drugs means that they do not enter the waste water causing harm to living things. Commissioners complained that when “googled” locations of these collection boxes, the MWRD’s do not come up. Public Affairs has been trying to rectify for well over a year. President Steele said she had a contact at Google, and Public Affairs will follow-up with her.

Installation of odor-control equipment at the Stickney Plant

Item 11, 20-1049: Purchase order for installation and maintenance. Comm. Garcia wants to make sure Staff will be informing the communities with whom they previously met that the MWRD is being responsive to their complaints. President Steele informed the Commissioners that the MWRD has just created a brochure on reporting odors, which is in both English and Spanish, which should be distributed in this area. Comm. Shore asked that the information be summarized for use in a text message Commissioners and staff could send out, and Comm. Du Blucet mentioned there are a lot of neighborhood groups that could help get the word out.

New Business:

Executive Director Perkovich gave an updated report on Covid’s impact on MWRD employees: 57 have tested positive, but 30 of these have recovered and returned to work. Commissioners expressed concern for the workers and wanted to make sure there was ongoing review of the need for PPE, including face shields, and whether more can and should work from home given the current surge of cases in the area.
MWRD Annual Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 1 pm. In addition to the President’s report, the 3 Commissioners who were elected on Nov. 3 for 6-year terms will be sworn in: present Commissioners Davis and Du Blucet, and new Commissioner Selpuveda.

Length of meeting: 2 hours, 10 minutes (including a 25-minute pause for an Executive Session)
Observer: Priscilla Mims

0 Comments

MWRD Corporate Boundaries Criteria for Participation in Green Infrastructure Projects to be Reassessed

10/28/2019

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
October 17, 2019

Items Discussed and Approved:

The board approved Item #46, 19-1027 granting staff the authority to negotiate intergovernmental agreements to assist 20 local municipalities and other governmental organizations with Green infrastructure projects. However, commissioners Garcia and Shore asked why some County municipalities could not participate and were told that they were outside the “corporate” boundaries. The MWRD corporate boundary is defined by its sewage treatment service which includes 95% of Cook County. However, its Stormwater Management Authority covers 100% of Cook County. Chicago Heights and Barrington projects were denied because they are located outside of corporate boundaries. Staff was asked to take another look at the roadblocks to participation as it seems unfair to these commissioners that these covered communities cannot participate because they are not in the defined corporate boundaries. Commissioner Davis requested methodology for granting projects be more equitable for underserved communities.
# 11, 19-1007 Board approved an increase of 100% for the cost of digging the TARP gate at the O’Brien plant. Depth is currently at the mezzanine level. Commissioner Spyropoulos asked if there might be another increase as they go even deeper. Answer: another change order may be needed and costs might rise.
#14, 19-0980 Authority to advertise contract for enhancements to the District’s new website. Commissioner Garcia asked that The Board be provided the list of enhancements and asked if this site will be fully functional in Spanish (not google translate).
#18, 19-1005 Authority to advertise for Safety Consulting Services on best practices. The District has put in place a newly appointed safety manager for 2020, Ed Carpinski.
#40, 19-1033 Approval to pay a Chicago Defender Invoice - Commissioner Garcia asked about using the Chicago Reader instead of the Chicago Defender that will cover 9 newspapers in print and digitally. Commissioner McGowan reminded the board that the Defender is used specifically to reach the African American community. Staff to look into the Chicago Reader.
#42, 19-1040 Report on Worker’s Compensation claim settlements. Commissioner Spyropoulos requested a report on correlation between safety prevention and workers compensation percentages for the last 3 years. Commissioner Shore asked if there was a remediation plan for unsafe transportation issues. Answer: YES.
#44, 19-1012 Report on Green Infrastructure. Commissioner Shore inquired if the Board receives an annual report in addition to required Consent Decree quarterly reports on green infrastructure projects. Guidance for where these projects are located was requested. What metric is used for the success of the locations where they have been installed? Ans: NA
#45, 19-1026 Authority to enter into a feasibility cost sharing agreement with the Army Corps of Engineer’s for a limited reevaluation of the Upper Des Plains River and Tributaries Study in the amount of $99,998. Concern centers on the Foxcom water diversion request.

Items Deleted from the consent agenda:

#13, 19-0937. Bagging services for the Stickney plant composted Biosolids. Deleted as decision was made to have bagging done on site rather than by a contractor. Item pulled until costs associated with decision can be brought to the board.
#24, 19-1014. Purchase order request for the delivery of Rock Salt. Commissioners asked that other options be evaluated for safety and cost criteria - staff reported that there has been little success in other areas of the country with alternatives that are environmentally safer. A question was raised over whether the cost of the $500,000 legal fees associated with the use of salt was factored into the evaluation of cost and safety. There is enough salt on hand for the early winter months.
#27, 19-1017. This was a request to issue purchase orders to furnish and deliver odor control chemicals and a delivery system from a new vendor. However, in public testimony, Mr. Nick Leonis of D3W Industries serving the Calumet plant since 2014 asked that this item be eliminated because the product chosen does not meet specifications. The Executive Director had already deleted the request for further evaluation, and Commissioner Shore requested a memo from D3W explaining the irregularities they have identified in the testing methodology of the new vendor.
#34, 19-1000. Without comment this authority to decrease a purchase order and amend an agreement with the University of Illinois to conduct four years of research of the use of perennial riparian grass buffer strip at the Fulton County site was deleted by the Executive Director.

Item Deferred:

#32, 19-0932 Garcia asked for a second deferment to increase a purchase order from $224,668 to $244,668 for Legal Services for Workers’ Compensation Defense. He asked for a complete list of law firms with whom the District has contracted for services.

New Business:

A 2021 Strategic Business Plan Committee has been formed including Commissioners Shore and Garcia, Executive Director Brian Perkovich, and department heads, Marianne Boyle, Susan Morakalis, John Murray and Catherine O’Connor

To view meeting agenda click HERE

Observer - Patricia Lind Meeting Length: 2 hrs. 30min

0 Comments

Water Reclamation Board Passes Amendment to Watershed Management Ordinance

5/21/2019

0 Comments

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 District Board Takes Closer Look at Capital Expenditures in Study Session

9/22/2018

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - September 6, 2018

Board Votes/Decisions:

Four Resolutions [#18-0844,47,49,50] with reports on rejection of proposals dealing with bio-fuels recovery and delivery were removed from the agenda by the Executive Director pending further discussion. At the post meeting study session on capital expenditures in 2019, the Executive Director (ED) said the District is not abandoning resource recovery or biofuels, but it is at a “reset to look at it all holistically”.
An Executive Session was called during the meeting with one of the items being a discussion of the District’s information security procedures. After which, approval was given to increase a current contract for an Emergency Forensic Cyber Audit of the District’s information Technology System.
Under Stormwater Management, the board approved payment to the Chicago Park District for the construction, operation, and maintenance of green infrastructure at three parks in Chicago. The Board also awarded payment to several other communities and entities for “green infrastructure” improvements.

Items to Watch for in the Future:

#18-0832 - Authority to advertise an $8 to $10 million dollar contract for replacement of stop logs, gates, and other equipment at the Lockport Powerhouse was deleted by the Executive Director. No reason given.
#18-0923 – Request to recognize the authority of the Governor to fill the vacancy of Commissioner Bradford by the appointment made on March 23, 2018 was removed from agenda. (Note: The Governor moved David Walsh from his appointed board seat to fill Mr. Bradford’s and then appointed Kenneth Dunkin to Walsh’s board seat.)
#18-0922 – Requesting that board members receive parental leave was deferred

Other Comments or Observations:
1. The Board took several minutes to talk about the recent Calumet explosion where one employee was trapped when part of the roof collapsed. Employees and the fire and police departments were lauded for their prompt and efficient response. An independent Review is underway.

2. Following the Board Meeting, a Study Session was held to present progress to date and 2019 projections for major capital expenditures dealing with infrastructure and equipment upgrades and stormwater management measures.

This includes odor control upgrades at the Calumet and Stickney plants.
No actual expense projections were included in the public presentation.
Commissioner Dunkin asked about minority contracts followed by response: 1.) Ex. Dir. Murray said that going forward the District will try to reduce the size of contracts to make it more feasible for minority organizations to bid. 2.) Staff will prepare a summary of minority contracts that have been awarded over the last 3-4 years.

To see video or read the minutes of this meeting click here: mwrd.legistar.com

Observer - Diane Edmundson Meeting Length: 2 1/2 hours

0 Comments

Water District Board Recognized for Excellence in Accounting and Financial Reporting

4/9/2018

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - April 5, 2018

What did the Board decide?
There were 46 items on the consent agenda. Highlights include…

Approved entering into a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program Subrecipient Agreement with Cook County for joint funding of flood-relief management projects and storm water management planning studies located in Cook County. Estimated cost to MWRD is $200 million and cost to Cook County of $10 million.
Approved Boeing’s request for reimbursement of $128,960 in property taxes pursuant to a Tax Reimbursement Agreement dated 9/6/01.
Issued purchase order to Black & Veatch for flood control project on Deer Creek not to exceed $647,745.72.
Issued purchase order to Nu-Recycling Technology for automatic misting and odor control systems at the Stickney and Calumet Water Reclamation Plants not to exceed $433,500.

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

During the public comment portion, 2 members of the West End Area Plumbing Task Force expressed concern that adequate meeting notices regarding the pumping station for the Morton Grove-Niles Water Commission at 2525 Church Street in Evanston were not provided. They wanted the work stopped. William Balling, Supt. Morton Grove-Niles Water Commission (MGNWC), responded to the citizens’ concerns, noting that the work is fully contracted and did not start until the project was fully approved. He answered numerous questions from Commissioners Shore, Steele, Avila, and Durkan. The public comment on this topic, including the Q&A session, lasted about 25-30 minutes. In the end, MGNWC was encouraged to continue the dialogue with the citizens to address their noise and other concerns. After this exchange, Mr. Blakemore spoke up and suggested the decision on where to locate the pumping station was an environmental justice issue. This article summarizes the concerns mentioned.

Other Comments or Observations

MWRD staff were recognized for accounting and financial reporting excellence by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) in the form of several awards.

Observer - Peggy Pissarreck Meeting Length 1 hr 45 minutes

0 Comments

<<Previous

Grazing of Goats Discussed at MWRD Board Meeting

Commissioners Emphasize Community Engagement

MWRD Corporate Boundaries Criteria for Participation in Green Infrastructure Projects to be Reassessed

Water Reclamation Board Passes Amendment to Watershed Management Ordinance

Water District Board Takes Closer Look at Capital Expenditures in Study Session

Water District Board Recognized for Excellence in Accounting and Financial Reporting

Author

Archives

Categories