MWRD Board Holds First In Person Meeting In 17 Months

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting 
August 5, 2021

The meeting was held in person with COVID-19 precautions such as a mask requirement, socially distance and limited seating. 6 out of the nine commissioners were present. Commissioners Davis, Sepulveda and Morita were absent. There was one speaker, Kelley Gendurski, Deputy Manager City of Evanston. She spoke in favor of the lease agreement between the City of Evanston and the MWRD to allow public parking and tailgating along the North shore Channel during Northwestern University home football games. 

Agenda Items grouped for discussion and approved:
The following items were grouped into one discussion by the Board.

1. #10 21-0686 authorization to execute a bond purchase agreement for Professional Underwriting Services for District Bond sales in a title amount not to exceed $250,000.00 in the connection with sales of up to $500,000,000 of General Obligation Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds of the MWRD.
2. #11 21-0688  authorization to enter into agreements for Financial Advisory Services related to District Financing Program, appointing Acacia Financial Group, Inc. as financial advisors, and Columbia Capital Management LLC, as co-financial advisor in total amount not to exceed $120,000.00 in connection with the sale of up to a total of $ 500,000,000 of General Obligation Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds. 
3. #12 21-0696 authorization to amend Board Order of April 15, 2021, regarding authority to issue purchase order to enter into an agreement for contract 20-RFP-29 Bond Counsel Services for General Obligation Capital Improvement  Bonds for a 5-year period in amount to not exceed $244,719.00. 

It was stated that this is a  good time to enter into these agreements due to low interest rates, funds are needed to pay off debts, but the Board needs more information as to the cost to taxpayers. Updates will be coming to the Board.

Agenda Items that were pulled for discussion and approved:

• #15 21-0647 Authority to advertise Contract 21-RPF-22 Professional services to develop Conceptual Plans for Achieving Energy Neutrality at MWRD District of Grater Chicago, estimated cost $1,100,000.00. The importance of this contract is significant; and not only should they look into Energy Neutrality, but Carbon Neutrality as well.  A portion of this Study should also go to greenhouse gas reduction of the MWRD including cost and benefits. In the past there was a study conducted to determine if the MWRD could reach Energy and Carbon Neutrality by 2023. It was suggested that they revisit this study and provide a copy of the study to possible bidders to see if it would still be useful and could be used as a starting point to develop a new plan. Copies of the study will be sent to Commissioners.
• #22 21-0666 authority to advertise Contract 19-159-3P Chemical Addition Backup system for Stickney Water Reclamation Plant estimated cost between $8.105.172.00 and $9,811,524.00. This is a large contract. Phosphorus is normally removed from biosolids by a biological process.  Chemicals are used as a supplemental backup if biological process fails, and phosphorus levels are too high.  Unfortunately, if necessary to lower phosphorus levels by using chemicals the phosphorus cannot be used again for purposes such as plant fertilizers.  It was suggested that they look into possibly finding ways to limit phosphorus at the source instead of at the plant.  
• #52 21-0707 Authority to amend a lease agreement dated October 14, 1966, as amended between the District and City of Evanston on approximately 92 acres of the district land located in Evanston to be used for parking and tailgating during the Northwestern University Home Football games. Consideration shall be 25% of the annual gross revenues generated by such use with a minimum fee of $80.000.00 per season. All Commissioners supported this project however there was discussion as to some of the Commissioners believing that there was a change in Land Use Policy.   It was thought that since this is a Public Recreational Event that payment should be 25% of the net revenue. However, they are being charged 25% of the gross revenue.  It was explained that this really is a private event and not technically open to the public.  This item was passed but thought that it was not handled well and there should be more discussion in the future about this policy.  FYI, the Deputy Manager of Evanston spoke at the beginning of the meeting and Evanston was fine with the contract. 

Stormwater Management:

• #29 21-0709 Authority to advertise Contract 21-RFP-18 Market Research and Analysis estimate cost $125,000.00. The Commissioners would like more details as to what staff believes are their strategic communication needs.  Some suggestions are 1. Communicate how responsibility of stormwater management are shared with District and municipalities. 2. Debunk the myth that there is a man with a magical valve that controls local stormwater drainage. 3. Communicate the importance of not using impermeable surfaces for driveways, paths, etc. It was suggested that a survey be created to communicate with local municipalities and organizations that work with the MWRD and whether their needs are being met. 

Deferred or Deleted Items:

• Item #43 21-0687 Authority to decrease Contract 20-632-11 Furnishing and Delivering Sodium Hypochlorite to Alexander Chemical Corporation, in the amount of $2,842,800.41 from amount of $4,093,794 to an amount not to exceed $1,250,993.74 was deleted by the Executive director, Brian Perkovich.

Resolution of Interest:
The MWRD passed a Resolution congratulating Matthew B. DeLeon on his retirement. 

Observer - Nancy Marcus              
 Meeting Length: Total of 4 hours with a 2- hour Executive Session sandwiched in the middle