Commissioner Shore’s Final Meeting as a Board Member of the MWRD

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
October 21, 2021 

Commissioner Debra Shore said good-bye to fellow commissioners, staff and the public, thanking them for their work and support, and noting she and her colleagues strove to improve the quality of lives for all residents.  Saying that as an environmental activist, her landing on the MWRD Board was “improbable” and that it was equally improbable “to be leaving here as I am.” President Biden appointed Ms. Shore as Regional Administrator for Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she has already begun work. 
Ms. Shore quoted from President John F. Kennedy’s “Strategy of Peace” Commencement Address to American University in 1963:  “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.”

Public Comment
Diane Edmundson, League of Women Voters of Cook County Board Member,  addressed the board, requesting the Agency restructure its Board Meetings so executive sessions are held at the end of the board meeting prior to adjournment.  Ms. Edmundson said this change would allow more efficient use of staff and observer time, and generally help the Public.

• Commissioner Shore asked staff to come up with proposals to accommodate the League’s concerns, and Commissioner Morita was supportive, asking staff if there were any reasons why the change couldn’t be made. 
• Commissioner Corrall Sepulveda called on her previous role as Clerk for the Village of Hanover Park, and said having executive sessions at the end of public meetings was considered “best practice” and “seen as a way to make meetings more accessible to everyone.”
• Commission DuBuclet also asked if there was a legal reason not to make the change. President Steele asked staff to circulate a memo written two years ago on this issue. 
• Vice President McGowan asked staff and Board members if they had received comments from others about this issue. 
• It was agreed the board would return to the issue after new Commissioners read the subject memo.

Board Action 

• The Board heard Dr. Catherine O’Connor read the proposal to sell $575 million in general obligation bonds to fund District capital projects.  The Board voted in favor by acclamation, with all but Commissioner Davis present.   (Agenda Item 21-0962)
• Three items passed as part of the consent agenda with limited discussion. They grant the MWRD authority to advertise $13 million worth of janitorial; trucking; and facilities work. The three items included a $2 million contract for janitorial services at the Erie Street headquarters (deferred from the Oct. 7 meeting); $6.5 million in truck hauling of bio solids; and Drop Shaft Modifications and Collection Facilities work for $4.5 million.  (Agenda Items 21-0879 (18), #21-0937 (19), #21-0942 (20).
• The board also approved, as part of the consent agenda, a contract change order for biosolids handling. The change will pay Steward Spreading $14,137,905 for the work, instead of the previously agreed $12,937,905; an increase of $1.2 million. (Agenda Item 21-0936 (31).
• The Board continued its debate over board rule revisions that might allow Commissioners to attend Executive Sessions remotely (so long as an in-person quorum has been met) after the Covid state of emergency has passed.  Commissioner Corral Sepulveda made a series of motions and amendments, with the initial motion agreed upon unanimously, and the amendments passing without the support of President Steele or Vice President McGowan.  (Agenda Items 21-0923 (46), 21-0923A, 21-0923B)

Stormwater Management

• The Board agreed to assist the City of Northlake in the amount of $600,000, for the purpose of acquiring flood-prone properties in that community.  (Agenda Item 21-0947 (47)

Special requests

• Commissioner Shore asked Staff to provide proposals to accommodate the League’s request to move Executive Sessions from the middle to the end of the board meetings [but before the board adjourns].
• President Steele requested staff to circulate a memo on Board executive sessions.
• Commissioner Garcia asked staff if there was anything the MWRD could do to assist with the drinking water crisis in Dixmore and Harvey.

Observed by Laurie Morse