MWRD Board Approves 1-year Extension of the Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County’s Office of IIG

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
​April 18, 2024
8 Members present, Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda attended remotely, and Commissioner Spyropoulos was absent.  

The Board meet in regular session for 20 minutes before going into executive session. In that 20 minutes Board approved the full consent agenda without comment or questions.  Approved items include:

• Administration:  A 1-year extension of the intergovernmental agreement allowing Cook County’s Office of Independent Inspector General to serve as MWRD Inspector General. This item had been deferred by Commissioner Davis in the April 4th Board meeting. MWRD will pay $600,000 for services covered by the extension.  #15 24-0244           The Board previously approved an $10.9 million dollar contract with IHC Construction for roof replacement at the Lue-Hing Maintenance and Repair complex at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant. A series of change orders in March resulted in the Board approving an increase in the contract with IHC in an amount not to exceed $11,144,401 million. #29 24-0265
• Phosphorous removal:     The Board previously approved a $16 million contract with IHC Construction for a Phosphorus removal facility at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant.  At this meeting the Board approved an increase, to an amount not to exceed $16,334,179 million.   #28 24-0261

Stormwater Management: 

• The Board approved authority to advertise a contract to rehabilitate Salt Creek intercepting Sewer #3 at a cost estimated between $16 and $19 million dollars. The project is located in Brookfield and LaGrange Park, which have combined sewer systems. The district expects to award a construction contract in October, and estimates completion in April 2026. Item #11 24-0260
• Commissioners approved the section of the Village of Posen to receive MWRD assistance in planning stormwater projects.  Several communities had submitted proposals.  

During public comments, Tessa Murray, who spoke for the Friends of the Chicago River, praised the selection, saying the program was designed to provide assistance to flood-affected communities lacking capacity to do this on their own.  Ms. Murray encouraged the District to expand the conceptual stormwater program to more than one community in future years. She also suggested the projects include green infrastructure as part of their flood control options. #33 24-0264

Executive session: A 2-hour closed session was held after the completion of Old Business and approval of the consent agenda.  In motioning to close the meeting, two purposes were cited:

1. The first motion for executive session was to discuss collective bargaining.
2. The second motion to discuss employment matters for a specific individual, including disciplinary action and dismissal.

New Business:  There were announcements following the executive session. No significant new business. The meeting adjourned about 10 minutes after return from executive session.

Observer:  Laurie Morse