MWRD Commissioners Ask that Contracts and RFPs Be Brought to Them Earlier

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Annual Meeting, Board Meeting, and Public Hearing on the Proposed 2020 Budget
December 5, 2019

Board Meeting

• Several Commissioners expressed frustration that several new contracts or requests for proposals (RFPs) for services under existing contracts set to expire by the end of the year were only coming to the Board now.  They asked that such items be brought at least two months ahead of time in the future to allow the Commissioners sufficient time to review the contracts or RFPs and get answers to questions to ensure that there would be no lapse of services.  The Executive Director at the end of the meeting said that he understood what was wanted and he and the staff would take steps so this will happen in the future.  Among those items,
  • RFP for state consultants/lobbyists for the MWRD for 2020.  However, don’t expect to award contract until Feb. 20, 2020, almost a month after the State Legislative Session begins.  Commissioner Garcia also asked whether further thought had been given to placing all lobbyists under oversight by a single department.  This item was passed. (Item 10, File 19-1192)
  • Extension of contract which would otherwise expire on Dec. 31 through 2020 for federal consultants/lobbyists.  Comm. Spyropoulos asked to defer, but expects will be on Dec. 19 agenda, so no interruption of service.  (Item 29, File 19-1186)
  • Authority to grant a 25-year easement to Enbridge Energy to continue to operate and maintain a petroleum pipeline.  Existing easement expires Dec. 18.  Concerns were expressed by Comm. Shore and Davis over the past fines the company has had for spillages and the age of the pipeline (50 years).  The MWRD General Counsel said the delay in coming before the Board was due to some extra safeguards that the staff had negotiated in conjunction with this extension, including a $4.5 million letter of credit to cover any problems, as well as inspections of the pipeline.  However, none of this information was included in the transmittal letter for this item.  Comm. Davis asked to defer this item.  (Item 36, File 19-1210)
• Other items discussed and approved:
  • Authority to issue RFP for rain barrels.  Originally MWRD gave away rain barrels pursuant to a consent decree that has expired.  Now sell the barrels.  Comm. Garcia asked whether MWRD has any info on whether these barrels are actually used (answer was “no”), and suggested that some follow-up be done going forward to ensure this is worthwhile.  (Item 16, File 19-1201)
• Other items discussed & deferred:
  • Payment for 1 employee to attend 10-day residential development program by the Water Wastewater Leadership Center.  Several Commissioners wanted to know who else has gone in the past and what is the criteria for selecting the employee.  Comm. Garcia requested deferral.  (Item 8, File 19-1195)
  • Proposed contract with Sun-Times to publish legal notices for 2020.  Comm. McGowan asked to defer. (Item 23, File 19-1219)
  • Settlement of property loss claim in connection with a sewer backup adjacent to a District manhole that was undergoing emergency repairs.  Comm. Shore asked what, if anything, has District learned from this.  Comm. Garcia asked to defer.  General Counsel advised that settlement must be completed by Dec. 31, or the settlement agreement expired.  (Item 35. File 19-1202)

Annual Meeting
Immediately prior to the Board meeting, the Annual Meeting was called to order at which the Board received and filed the Annual Report presented by President Steele.  This Report is available at https://mwrd.legistar.com under “Meeting Details” for the Dec. 3, 2019 Annual Meeting.  (This meeting had been suspended on Dec. 3 for lack of a quorum and resumed on Dec. 5.)

Public Hearing on the Proposed 2020 Budget
There were no public speakers.  Finance Chair Avila, who was presiding, explained that the Civic Federation had written a letter to the Board stating that it would not be reviewing or commenting on the budget as it has in the past.

Observer - Priscilla Mims