Commissioners Honor Former Commissioner Debra Shore and Chief of Staff Alfred Saucedo

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
November 6, 2025

Agenda Items:

• Request Authority to Review Proposed Amendment User Charge Ordinance of the MWRD. Commissioner Waller requested that a definition of reuse be added to the ordinance. Executive Director (ED) Murray asked that additions be emailed to him for inclusion. Passed unanimously with no further discussion.  UC25-001- #1
• The board approved without discussion the 2026 $20,384 annual membership fee for the Water Reuse Association.  Water reuse legislation is becoming a bigger priority for the MWRD, and Commissioner Waller noted the work of the association and its members.  25-0807-#12
  
• Authority to advertise Rebuild of Dewatering Facility. Commissioner Waller asked ED Murray why there was a rebuild on the same location rather than a new building, perhaps at a different location. Murray responded that decision was impacted by the planned extension of the CTA Red Line. Pumping of biosolids was a consideration. The current building is basically in good shape, so rebuild makes better sense than beginning anew. Also, location serves the drying beds function well. 28-0826-#16    

Resolutions:

• Board of Commissioner honored Green Corps for three decades of leadership in job training. 750 trainees have come through the program learning skills in horticulture, landscaping, and community gardening. Trainees receive nine months of training; 76% of participants have a criminal background. 65% have gone to full employment after training.  Commissioner Precious-Brady-Davis said, “This is what equity looks like.”     25-0802-#2    
• The Board also honored Debra Shore and her chief of staff, Alfred Saucedo for their commitment to public service. Commissioners praised Shore for her work at the MWRD and as President Biden’s appointee as regional EPA administrator (2021-Jan. 2025). Among her accomplishments: creation of the pharmaceutical take back program, support of the Inspector General position at the MWRD, board member of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, and creator of Chicago Wilderness magazine. Commissioner Shore was known for her close questioning of MWRD business. Commissioner Davis stated that Shore and Saucedo were embodiments of public service at its best and that both remain actively engaged on environmental issues.    25-0843-#40  

Executive Session:    Session was held from 11:50 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.

Chairman Steele announced a 1:15 p.m. meeting for budget presentations.

In summary, most of the meeting was spent on public comments and the resolutions. There was no substantive discussion of any agenda item. No information on what was discussed in the executive session 

Observer: Georgia Gebhardt