MWRD Commissioners ask for a Sharper Contract Bidding Process

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
October 1, 2020

In general, the commissioners are digging deeper into the way contracts are defined and bidders’ responses screened.  Comm. Davis asked the rhetorical question "can we sharpen the process to screen in/out bidders with response components that are incomplete or inaccurate”.

Approved General Agenda Items

• 20-0799  The staff received commissioner commendations for its efforts to diversify Bond underwriters and for the Districts AAA bond rating.
• 20-007  Request to amend the Resources Recovery Ordinance to reduce the tipping fee and increase breweries' willingness to sell and haul their waste to the Calumet Plant was approved without comment after being deferred at the September 17, 2020 board meeting.  One of the reasons for deferral was the commissioners repeated request that ordinance and policy changes be presented to the board 30 days prior to placing on the formal agenda for a vote.
• 20-0738  Authority to advertise for a Management Services Contract to perform real time energy reverse actions and advisory services passed after considerable comment.  Comm. Shore noted that it has been 10 years since the District adopted the reverse auction process for procurement of electricity. Comm. Shore indicated that she wants a determination made as to how this fits into the District's Climate Action Plan and that it is time for a systematic review of green energy options. It was also noted that the County and the City use a sealed bid process.
• 20-0821  Authority to advertise for Biogas Combined Heat and Power System contract at a cost of $2 million was approved after discussion.  Comm. Spyropoulos asked the Executive Director (ED) to state his level of confidence in this project and then asked for a six month progress report.  ED Perkovich stated that he feels "good" about the approach and that it is an example of/for the future.
• 20-0776 A contract to furnish and deliver salt and calcium chloride for year at various plant sites for sidewalks and driveways was approved.  Comm. Spyropoulos asked for a memo on the environmental impact.  
• 20-0787 Approved a contract for television inspection and recording of sewers and manholes at various locations to National Power Rodding Corporation for just under $2.6 million.
• 20-0790 Approved a contract to install mechanical mixers at the Stickney Water plant in an amount not to exceed $8.7 million plus a 5% allowance for change orders.

Deleted/Deferred Items

• Agenda Item # 14-20-0789 Authority to advertise a contract for Farm Management Support Services at a cost of $375,000 was deleted by the ED without comment.
• Agenda Item #21 -20-0773 Authority to cut a purchase order with Next Generation Technology for enhancements to the District's new website in the amount of $300,000 was again deferred by Comm. Garcia.  This is the contract Comm. Shore said in September that she was underwhelmed by the contractor's presentation.  Garcia asked for a second deferral because his questions to the staff were "not answered appropriately"

Future Items

• Watch for a new date and time as the afternoon Study Session on non-profit organization's concerns with the implementation of the updated Ethics Ordinance was postponed due to repeated virtual technical difficulties that could not be corrected.  
• The 2021 budget session is scheduled to start on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2:00 pm.  Topics: Budget and Employment and/or Capital Improvement Items

Observer:  Diane Edmundson                                                       Length of Meeting:  2.5 hours