MWRD Board Recognizes Outgoing Commissioners and Retirement of the Inspector General

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
​November 17, 2022; 10:30 A.M.

Board Recognitions:

• The MWRD Board recognized retiring Inspector General Patrick M. Blanchard. Commissioners expressed appreciation for his integrity and wished him well in his retirement. Mr. Blanchard complimented the agency on its high standards of administration. 
• Commissioners Morita and McGowan were lauded for their service to the MWRD. Ms. Morita will be leaving to take a seat on the Cook County Board, while Ms. McGowan will retire having been the third longest serving commissioner in the history of the agency.

Much of the rest of the meeting was spent in discussion of a review of amendments to the Affirmative Action Ordinance. 

• Commissioner Corral Sepulveda was particularly concerned that the language of the ordinance be clear and concise, and that there be a common understanding of the intent of the document both among commissioners and the staff.
• There was a consensus that the MWRD would acknowledge the certification of other agencies, but would continue to be a self-certifying agency.
• Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda said that in examining the language, parts of the process could be confusing to those who were applying for certification. The process needs to be streamlined.
• Commissioner Spyropoulos  suggested it would be reasonable to accept the work that another agency had already done and to simply add whatever might be missing.
• Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda was concerned that the staff did not seem to be clear on the intent of the Board.  
• There was some discussion of the need for the verification process to be done before the bidding. Commissioner Morita asked why it could not be an ongoing process.
• President Steele expressed a hope that this be passed in December. However, there seemed to be many unanswered questions, leading Commissioner Garcia to suggest that another study session was necessary before finalization.
• The vote at this meeting would be to continue to review. (Agenda Item 22-014A, #38)

Agenda Items 22-0931, 0932, 0933 (#8, 9, 10)  Commissioners requested quarterly reports from lobbyists to monitor the progress of making companies responsible for PFAS. Commissioner Spyropoulous suggested that there be a specific schedule of dates for the reports. Commissioners Garcia, DuBuclet and Morita asked for updates from the executive director. 

Agenda Item 22-1033 (#37) This was an item to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Evanston as part of the green infrastructure program, one of  whose goals is to expand into the suburbs. The Executive Director reported they are working with consultants now to increase participation.  There has not been an overwhelming response from suburban schools. Commissioner Davis suggested it might be because there are no cohesive funders in suburban areas, like there are in the City of Chicago. Executive Director said they would work to improve outreach.

Consent agenda (#1-38) was unanimously approved on a roll call vote, except for #27 which was deferred.

New business: Will do a poll to find a date after Thanksgiving for study session on affirmative action amendments.
 
Observer: Georgia Gebhardt