Development Plans for Energy Neutrality Approved at MWRD Board Meeting

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
February 17, 2022 

The Board Meeting started at 10:30 am and was routine with minimal discussion. There was no public comment at either time allotted. 

Agenda Items Discussed:

• Item # 16, a contact for professional services for developing conceptual plans for energy neutrality at MWRD in the amount of $1.1 million was discussed. It was requested that there be a reporting out to the Board on the timeline for this plan to ensure it happens in a timely manner.
• Item # 23 and #24 were discussed. Both these items related to the purchase of fleet cars that were hybrid models. Questions centered on why these purchases weren’t for electric vehicles and how this purchase would effect goals of making fleet all electric.  Supply chain issues and scarcity of EV inventory was also discussed.

Deferred or Deleted Agenda Items

• Item #14,  was deleted from the agenda by the Executive Director. It was for the authority to advertise for Professional Engineering Services to Design New Activated Sludge Battery for the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant for a five-year period, with an estimated cost $8,000,000.00. 
• Item #8, to advertise for a contract for Job Order Contracting Services, with an estimated cost $8,000,000.00, was deleted after some commissioners requested changes be made to the document involving renewal clauses and the possible parceling of the contract so more vendors can be involved. 

New Business

• Black History Panel Discussion dates were reported for February 24 and 28. Sign up for these virtual events can be done on the MWRD website.

Note: Placement of Executive Session remained unchanged between the Committee of the Whole and the business meeting. There was no executive session at the February 17 meeting.

Observer’s Name: Peggy Kell                                            Length of Meeting: 1 hour 6 minutes