Is a Study Session on an Independent Inspector General for the Water Reclamation District on the Horizon?

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - July 6, 2017

Significant Decisions Made:

• At the April 20, 2017 MWRD board meeting, President Spyropoulos asked for a memo from the Legal Department regarding her request for the creation of an Independent Inspector General for the MWRD, a new position for the MWRD. Commissioner Shore noted that the memo has now been received and the board should move forward – perhaps as early as the August Board meeting - to study the memo and the request.
• The Board approved a resolution affirming the District’s support of the Paris Climate Agreement.  In the resolution it noted that its goal is to achieve energy neutrality by 2023 and pledged to reduce greenhouse gasses by at least 28% below the District’s 2005 level in or before 2025.
• An RFP advertisement was approved to conduct phosphorus removal feasibility studies for the Stickney, Calumet, and Terrence J. O-Brien Water Reclamation Plants, estimated cost $772,725.
• An RFP advertisement was approved to hire a consultant to help the District recruit and implement a program to help small businesses become prime contractors.

Referred to Committee:

• Continued deferral of the Buffalo Creek Reservoir Expansion to accommodate a request from Commissioner McGowan to hold a study session on the proposed agreement to enter into a new multi-project labor agreement which would affect the expansion as well as other projects.  This observer asked Commission Shore to notify the League when the study session is to be held.  President Spyropoulos is strongly in favor of the agreement.  McGowan wants language change and to hear from contractors.

Observation:
The Secretary is now required to read into the record all resolutions coming before the Board at each meeting.  When questioned on this apparent waste of time, it was noted by Executive Director St. Pierre that the Illinois Supreme Court now requires this step.

Observer: Diane Edmundson                                                               Meeting Length:  90 minutes