Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - January 19, 2017

Highlights from the Meeting:

Most of the MWRD Board Meeting was spent discussing the report on the rejection of a bid by Industria, Inc. on an RFP to Design, Build, Operate and Maintain a Native Plant and Tree Nursery at the Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant, Fischer Farm. (Agenda Item #9) 

• This contract had been previously discussed at the board meeting of 1/5/17 and had been deleted from that agenda without any action due to concerns with the contract. 
• During Public Comment at today's meeting three speakers presented information about the proposed contract - 2 of whom were participants in the sole bid for the project. 
• The sole bid for the project was for $3.6m whereas the estimated cost of the project previously determined by MWRD had been $2.5m and thus it had been decided to reject the bid. 
• Mr. St. Pierre, MWRD Ex. Dir., stated that after further analysis it was decided the project would be divided into 2 contracts - one for construction of the nursery and the other for maintenance and operation of the nursery, and new RFPs would be prepared.
• Industria, Inc., the sole bidder on the project, was in attendance and stated that they had done 4 previous projects with MWRD and that their initial bid for this project had been $5m but after discussion with MWRD staff to more clearly define the scope of the project they had reduced their bid estimate to $3.6m.
• Comm. Spyropoulos asked if there had been any consideration given to leasing the land to a commercial nursery and having them run the nursery at their own cost.
• Comm. Shore was concerned that dividing the project into 2 contracts and rebidding would delay the project for another year.
• Comm. Walsh had concerns about the accuracy of the initial estimated cost for the project. 

Due to the continued concerns raised the Board wanted to defer this item for another 2 weeks so the staff could do further investigation. Since the item was presented on the agenda as a “report on rejection of a proposal” and by their rules a report cannot be deferred, the board approved a motion to give Mr. St. Pierre, the Ex. Dir., permission to delete the item from the agenda. Presumably it will come back to the Board at a subsequent meeting.

Other Item of Note:

During Public Comment - Mr. Smith, who has a bee keeping business, made a case for partnering with the MWRD to have bee hives on MWRD property. He has been working on projects throughout the city establishing bee hives. The Board expressed interest. 
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Observer - Cynthia Schilsky                                                             Length of Meeting - 2 hours

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - January 5, 2017

Highlights from the Meeting:

The following Board Members were nominated and elected unanimously:

• President of the Board -  Mariyana T. Spyropoluous
• Vice President - Barbara McGowan
• Chairman of the Finance Committee - Frank Avila

This whole election process was not on the agenda and the people nominated/elected were already in those offices.

A contract for a native plant and tree nursery at the Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant was not approved. Comm. Shore stated that she hoped that native plants would be central and that this project would include plans for  "work force development." Concerns with the bid also included that there was no bid deposit required and the same firm has been at least 20% over bid. The Director said that MWRD is beginning to learn what the cost of green-infrastructure is and he will have another bid process prepared. (Agenda Item 27)
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Commissioners also expressed concern with another project that had many change orders to the contract. Apparently there was additional cost due to a ruptured pipe but the subcontractor was not at fault since the pipe was not properly drained. (Agenda Item 32)

During Public Comment, Citizen Mr Blackmore gave comments saying he was here to “count the cows”and “drink the milk” – he wants good policy and services for black people of Chicago and Cook County.  He said there is a little clique that all elected themselves – he said the president of the MWRD should be elected by the people. There was objection voiced by the Board to Mr. Blakemore saying the Board is corrupt.

To view meeting agenda

Observer - Cate Whitcomb

Public Hearing on 2017 MWRD Budget - December 1, 2016

The Civic Federation was the only speaker at this Public Hearing.  However, Commissioner Avila at the end of the hearing raised concerns about the process being followed for selecting people for Deputy Director positions.

Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, a non-partisan government research organization, expressed support for the proposed $1.13 billion proposed budget, stating that:

• it reflects a sensible and pro-active approach to meeting the MWRD’s financial challenges
• it maintains substantial reserves and liquidity which bodes well if there are any emergencies or unexpected financial needs, as opposed to having to resort to short-term borrowing
• it includes additional contributions to the pension funds
• it reflects an exemplary capital planning process that the Civic Federation wishes other governments would emulate
• it is being considered under a process that allows for sufficient time for review and consideration.

However, Mr. Msall also expressed the concern over the size of the unfunded liabilities under the pension fund, despite the strides that the MWRD has taken and is taking.  The Civic Federation’s report on the budget can be found HERE. 

While not pertinent to the budget, Commissioner Avila expressed concern that only one person (presumably the Executive Director) was making decisions about who would be hired for Deputy Director positions.  Executive Director St. Pierre stated that Deputy Directors are only hired when an existing Director states an intention to retire.  When that happens and the Board approves a deputy position, there is a 3-person team who interviews candidates and makes a recommendation as to whom should be hired.  President Spyropoulos suggested that the process be circulated for review by the Commissioners.  Commissioner Shore pointed out that if any employee feels the process has been unfair, there are procedures in place to deal with any complaints.

Observer - Priscilla Mims

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - October 6, 2016

President Spyropoulos called the 10:30 meeting to order at 10:50 am, and ended proceedings at noon.  Public Speaker, Mr. George Blakemore, passionately questioned how a one-term MWRD Commissioner (no longer in office) could receive free lifetime health insurance from the district.  No one at the meeting responded to this comment.

​Significant Decisions Made:

• Lobbying Contract: The extension of an existing contract with the lobbying firm of O’Connell & Dempsey LLC for Federal Legislative Consulting Services, was pulled from the Consent Agenda by Commissioner David Walsh to be voted on separately. (Agenda Item 32) This firm specializes in lobbying for municipal water resources agencies in Washington. Commissioner Walsh was joined by Commissioners Debra Shore and Kari Steele in voting against the extension of this contract, while the remaining commissioners, in a voice vote, voted in favor, and the contract was extended. No Commissioner made a comment about the firm or their vote on this issue. The extension increases the current contract amount by $360,000 to a total of $742,800, and extends the contract that is due to end in December through 2017.
• A great many audience members attended this meeting to witness the MWRD’s acceptance of “Great Rivers Chicago, Our Great Rivers” report, which details a vision for the Chicago, Calumet and Des Plaines Rivers.    Agenda Item number 45 commends the visioning report done under the leadership of Josh Eillis of the Metropolitan Planning Council, and commits the MWRD to be an active implementation partner in the visioning. It was approved  by the MWRD Board of Commissioners. 
• The MWRD’s free rain barrel program ends December 31, 2016, and has been more popular than expected.  This legislation increases payment to the rain barrel provider, Greenland Environmental & Recycling Services by $768,450, to an amount not to exceed $2,305,350.  The contract extension will allow the vendor to deliver the free rain barrels in 2017. This contract increase passed as part of the consent agenda vote.
• DuPage River Salt Creek Workshop project: The District’s Egan and Hanover Park water reclamation plants discharge into Salt Creek and the West Branch of the DuPage River, respectively.  As a special condition of its NPDES discharge permits, the MWRD has agreed to voluntarily support restoration projects on these targeted water bodies.  In this consent agenda item the Commissioners were asked for authority to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the DRSW for collaboration on stream restoration projects consistent with previous conversations, including the target of $2 million in funding.  This measure was approved. (Agenda Item #33)
• Personnel:  In the Consent Agenda, the Board of Commissioners approved the permanent appointment of Beverly K. Sanders as Director of Human Resources for the MWRD.  Ms. Sanders had been acting as Director since July, had been Assistant Director since March of 2015, and began her administrative career at the agency in 1998.
• The Board also approved the appointment of John P. Murray as Director of Maintenance and Operations for the MWRD. Mr. Murray until last May had been the MWRD’s senior engineer in charge of stormwater management for the Agency, and in that position had interacted with many Cook County communities and community organizations on issues of flooding and storm water quality.  He has served in his new position as Acting Director for 5 months.  The Board approved this appointment in a roll call vote.

Observer: Laurie Morse

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting -  September 1, 2016

​Significant Decisions Made:

Resource Recovery Ordinance Approved (Agenda Item 16-010B): 

• To provide for the recovery and beneficial reuse of resources admitted to the Water Reclamation plants.
  
• Will allow MWRD to accept certain deliveries by truck or rail of high strength liquid waste, vegetative material, and other recovered resources to maximize the beneficial reuse of recovered resources for the production of renewable energy. 
  
• Will allow for the recovery and resale of valuable resources, to reduce greenhouse gases, to promote a more sustainable society, and to assist or enhance treatment operation. 
  
• Ordinance approved as amended. Action had been deferred from the August 4 board meeting.

Health Plan Authorized (Agenda Item 16-0888):

• Voted to authorize an agreement for a contract with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
• To provide a fully-insured group Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) Plan
• For Medicare-eligible retirees
• A three year contract - Effective January 1, 2017-December 31, 2019. 

Major items discussed:

Leasing of space in 101-111 East Erie Street Building (Agenda Item 16-0906):

• Will begin to advertise for a contract for public bids for a 39- year lease
  
• Leased space will be on portions of the ground floor and outdoor plaza consisting of approximately 10,751 sq. ft..
  
• The initial bid will be for $45,000.
• Action deferred as Commissioner Bradford wanted more information regarding the terms of the lease. 

Cal-Sag Channel Swimming Policies - Now that swimming is allowed in the Cal-Sag Channel, Commissioners thought that new policies should be created to allow for the safety of swimmers in an area that also has barges.

Other item of note:
Public speakers were given time to speak at the beginning of the meeting and when the board reconvened after a 5 minute break.

Observer: Nancy Marcus                                                Meeting Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting - May 5, 2016

Major Items Discussed:
Restore the Canopy; Plant a Tree Program.  Executive Director David St. Pierre asked the Board to help publicize that the MWRD is giving away 100,000 18 inch oak saplings to municipalities, community groups, and schools to distribute and plant throughout Cook County.  Individuals can also pick up the free trees every Wednesday from 9 am to 12 noon at the Calumet, Egan, Hanover Park, Kirie, O’Brien, and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants, and during the public tours and open houses at these plants on Saturday, May 21.  To find out more, contact the MWRD Office of Public Affairs at [email protected] or at 312-751-6633.  Trees provide rain absorption (helping to reduce flooding) and a canopy that reduces city heat island effects.  They can also absorb carbon gasses and produce oxygen.

​Free Rain Barrel Program.  The Board approved an increase in the contract for the furnishing and administration of the rain barrel program by $1.3 million from $2.5 million to $3.8 million.  Agenda item 31, #16-0453.  This will only carry the program to September, and Executive Director St. Pierre said that he will be coming back to the Board for additional money to continue the program to the end of 2016.  Based on the discussion, this observer understands that there had been a consent decree under which the Board had agreed to distribute 15,000 rain barrels at no charge, but had also separately authorized the program through 2017.  To date, approximately 45,000 rain barrels have been distributed.  Several Commissioners asked for a study session to discuss whether to continue the program beyond 2016 and whether there would be a better use for the money currently being spent on the program.  It was noted by Commissioners that if the decision is to end the program, then there needs to be lots of communication with the public about this.  Executive Director St. Pierre said that the MWRD would probably continue to make rain barrels available at a charge in that case.

Other items of note:
New Rules on Public Comments in Effect.  As discussed in prior Eyewitness Reports, this was the first meeting that the new rules limiting public comments to the beginning of the meeting went into effect.  The presiding officer does have the discretion to allow comments at other times.  At this meeting, citizen George Blakemore spoke at the beginning, prior to the convening of the Committee of the Whole (and he complained about the reduction this new rule has on public participation as compared to the old rules), and then again after the Board reconvened prior to the meeting ending (when he stated the Board members should be doing more to get the public to attend the meetings).  This observer is seeking clarification on the rules from MWRD Staff.  

Partnership Agreement with DuPage County Stormwater Management, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and the DuPage River Salt Creek Work Group  to facilitate the sharing of resources and responsibilities to better protect the West Branch of the DuPage River and the Salt Creek watershed in a responsible manner.  There was no discussion of this agreement, but it was approved, and appears to this observer as a positive step to utilize the collective expertise to promote cost efficient resource allocations among the parties, which is the mission of the partnership.

Priscilla Mims - Observer