Egan Water Reclamation Plant Biogas Project Seeks Expansion to Include More Infrastructure

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District MWRD) Board Meeting
March 17, 2022

Board Action:

• An item requested the RFP for the Biogas Combined Heat and Power system for the Egan Water Reclamation Plant (Schaumburg) be dramatically increased from $2M to $10M because it was decided the processor needs a building of its own to function properly.  The item was deferred, and Executive Director Perkovich was asked to return with “unbundled” cost estimates.  Commissioners Davis, Perry, Sepulveda, Spyropoulos, and Marita emphasized that a fourfold increase in Scope of Work needs to be broken down better for commissioners to understand.  This Egan biogas project will be the flagship installation before other plants are considered. (Item 14 22-0235)
• There was abundant discussion about a contract forfeit for a small contractor because it could not deliver the material at its quoted contract price.  Commissioners were indignant that the MWRD must forfeit contracts and have to go out for bid to spend larger amounts, with seemingly no consequence to the forfeited contractor other than they could not bid again for one year.   Com. Davis, Marita, Perry, and Sepulveda urged pursuing legal recourse rather than forfeiting the contract.  The item was deferred so that Dir. Perkovich could investigate further. (Item 15 22-0279)
• Com. Dubuclet expressed interest in the farming contract at Hanover Park and wondered if the practice could spread to other sites.  Dir. Perkovich said that so far only Hanover Park was viable. (Item 24 22-0259)
• VP McGowan wondered why the 19 year contract at McCook Reservoir Excavation with Vulcan Construction Materials was being increased and how long the contract had to run.  Dir. Perkovich replied that Vulcan had owned the land for McCook and the contract expired in 2028.  (Item 26 22-0234)
• The knowledge exchange programs with Dubai and Singapore were both deferred.  Com. Davis expressed concern about Dubai’s labor practices and political repression.  (Items 31 and 32, 22-0291 and 22-0294)

New Business:

• World Water Day is March 22.  Chicago now recognizes potable water as a basic human right.  Coms. Davis and Garcia look forward to the Disparity Study results.  They also both want MWRD to publish COVID 19 results from spot wastewater testing.
• VP McGowan wants to make sure that even small contracts are required to utilize MBE subcontractors and requested that Dir. Perkovich return with a policy.

All commissioners were in attendance in-person. 

Observer - Amy Little