MWRD Board Approves Watershed-specific Storm Water Studies Meant to Facilitate Pilot Storm Water Credit Trading Program

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board - November 7, 2019

Board decisions:
(Agenda Items #19-1082 and #19-1083 - {57 and 58})

• The MWRD’s Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO), Article 208 instructs the Agency to conduct studies pertaining to storm water release rates in specific watersheds, and to recommend potential amendments to the WMO once studies are complete. 
  
• ​Similarly, the WMO authorizes the MWRD to do a pilot study for a regional storm water detention and volume control trading program.   
  
• Commissioners approved the methodology for both studies, which are to be initiated in 2019 and completed by May, 2022.  
  
• Both are expected to be landmark studies that could change storm water drainage practices and regulations within the MWRD’s service area (Cook County). 
  
• Commissioners Debra Shore and Cameron Davis pulled these items for discussion, Commissioner Shore noted that the watershed model used to determine release rates in Item #19-1802 was not based on wet years, and asked if it were too late to modify the model to reflect “worst case scenario” of the wettest years already experienced.  Dr. O’Connor, the MWRD’s engineering director, responded by saying the model could still be modified after the vote.  
  
• Commissioner Davis asked Executive Director Perkovich to communicate directly with the Storm water Management Committee about modifications to the model.  Commissioner Davis was concerned the watershed storm water release study methodology didn’t include “disproportionately affected communities”. While this subgroup of multiply-flooded areas was studied in 2010, the proposed new model excludes them.
  
• Moving on to #19-1083, Commissioner Davis, Vice Chairman of the MWRD’s Storm Water Management Committee. said “We (the storm water committee) and staff aren’t on the same page,” on the goals and objectives of the pilot study for a storm water detention and control trading program (flood credit trading).  He asked that communication between the Board committee and the Staff be “squared up” before the study goes forward.  “We have misunderstandings with staff on the May directive,” Commissioner Davis said.
  
• Both of these items were returned to the consent agenda and passed unanimously.

Board discussions: 
Agenda Item #19-1080  

• Commissioner Mariyana T. Spyropoulos pulled agenda item 47 for discussion.  The MWRD has a long-standing agreement (from 2003) with Vulcan Materials to excavate the McCook Reservoir.  The agreement has been amended repeatedly, and the cost of the contract has risen with new work added.
• Commissioners were asked to increase the amount due to Vulcan Materials by $3,504,813.00, to a total not to exceed $101,200,234.25.   Commissioner Spyropoulos asked staff to compile a history of the Vulcan contract agreements for the benefit of the newer board members.  Executive Director Perkovich agreed.
• This larger payment to Vulcan was approved as part of the consent agenda.

Deleted Item:
Agenda Item #19-1050

• Executive Director Brian Perkovich withdrew item 54 from the agenda at the start of the meeting without discussion or explanation.  A vote on this item would have authorized the MWRD to join the US Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County in preparing a Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.  
• The Corps has agreed to inventory existing conditions in Chicago area river systems; assess restoration potential; identify opportunities for connecting existing and planned riverfront developments and recreational amenities; identify flood risk management strategies, assess public health impacts, and make evaluations.
• Federal dollars will pay half the projected $300,000 cost, and the MWRD was to pay its share of the remaining $150,000 along with the other local partners.

Other Comments or Observations:
The MWRD Board of Commissioners had a full day of meetings, so the morning session was briefer than usual.   The afternoon budget session is reported separately.

Observed by:  Laurie Morse                                  Meeting Length: 1 hour.