MWRD Corporate Boundaries Criteria for Participation in Green Infrastructure Projects to be Reassessed

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
October 17, 2019

Items Discussed and Approved:

• The board approved Item #46, 19-1027 granting staff the authority to negotiate intergovernmental agreements to assist 20 local municipalities and other governmental organizations with Green infrastructure projects.  However, commissioners Garcia and Shore asked why some County municipalities could not participate and were told that they were outside the “corporate” boundaries.  The MWRD corporate boundary is defined by its sewage treatment service which includes 95% of Cook County. However, its Stormwater Management Authority covers 100% of Cook County.  Chicago Heights and Barrington projects were denied because they are located outside of corporate boundaries. Staff was asked to take another look at the roadblocks to participation as it seems unfair to these commissioners that these covered communities cannot participate because they are not in the defined corporate boundaries.  Commissioner Davis requested methodology for granting projects be more equitable for underserved communities.  
• # 11, 19-1007 Board approved an increase of 100% for the cost of digging the TARP gate at the O’Brien plant.  Depth is currently at the mezzanine level.  Commissioner Spyropoulos asked if there might be another increase as they go even deeper.  Answer:  another change order may be needed and costs might rise. 
• #14, 19-0980 Authority to advertise contract for enhancements to the District’s new website.  Commissioner Garcia asked that The Board be provided the list of enhancements and asked if this site will be fully functional in Spanish (not google translate). 
• #18, 19-1005 Authority to advertise for Safety Consulting Services on best practices.  The District has put in place a newly appointed safety manager for 2020, Ed Carpinski.
• #40, 19-1033  Approval to pay a Chicago Defender Invoice - Commissioner Garcia asked about using the Chicago Reader  instead of the Chicago Defender that will cover 9 newspapers in print and digitally.  Commissioner McGowan reminded the board that the Defender is used specifically to reach the African American community.  Staff to look into the Chicago Reader.
• #42, 19-1040  Report on Worker’s Compensation claim settlements.  Commissioner Spyropoulos requested a report on correlation between safety prevention and workers compensation percentages for the last 3 years. Commissioner Shore asked if there was a remediation plan for unsafe transportation issues.  Answer:  YES.
• #44, 19-1012 Report on Green Infrastructure.  Commissioner Shore inquired if the Board receives an annual report in addition to required Consent Decree quarterly reports on green infrastructure projects.  Guidance for where these projects are located was requested.  What metric is used for the success of the locations where they have been installed? Ans:  NA
• #45, 19-1026 Authority to enter into a feasibility cost sharing agreement with the Army Corps of Engineer’s for a limited reevaluation of the Upper Des Plains River and Tributaries Study in the amount of $99,998. Concern centers on the Foxcom water diversion request. 

Items Deleted from the consent agenda:

• #13, 19-0937.  Bagging services for the Stickney plant composted Biosolids.  Deleted as decision was made to have bagging done on site rather than by a contractor.  Item pulled until costs associated with decision can be brought to the board.
• #24, 19-1014.  Purchase order request for the delivery of Rock Salt.  Commissioners asked that other options be evaluated for safety and cost criteria - staff reported that there has been little success in other areas of the country with alternatives that are environmentally safer. A question was raised over whether the cost of the $500,000 legal fees associated with the use of salt was factored into the evaluation of cost and safety.  There is enough salt on hand for the early winter months. 
• ​#27, 19-1017.  This was a request to issue purchase orders to furnish and deliver odor control chemicals and a delivery system from a new vendor.  However, in public testimony, Mr. Nick Leonis of D3W Industries serving the Calumet plant since 2014 asked that this item be eliminated because the product chosen does not meet specifications.  The Executive Director had already deleted the request for further evaluation, and Commissioner Shore requested a memo from D3W explaining the irregularities they have identified in the testing methodology of the new vendor.
• #34, 19-1000.  Without comment this authority to decrease a purchase order and amend an agreement with the University of Illinois to conduct four years of research of the use of perennial riparian grass buffer strip at the Fulton County site was deleted by the Executive Director.

Item Deferred:

• #32, 19-0932 Garcia asked for a second deferment to increase a purchase order from $224,668 to $244,668 for Legal Services for Workers’ Compensation Defense.  He asked for a complete list of law firms with whom the District has contracted for services.

New Business: 

• A 2021 Strategic Business Plan Committee has been formed including Commissioners Shore and Garcia, Executive Director Brian Perkovich, and department heads, Marianne Boyle, Susan Morakalis, John Murray and Catherine O’Connor

To view meeting agenda click HERE

Observer - Patricia Lind                                                 Meeting Length:  2 hrs. 30min