MWRD Inspector General Intergovernmental Agreement Renewed for 1 year

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
​March 3, 2022-10:30 a.m.
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Of the 42 agenda items, six were pulled for discussion or a question.  Among those was the issuance of a purchase order and an amendment to the agreement with Cook County authorizing the CC Office of the Independent Inspector General to serve as the MWRD’s IG for an additional one-year period at an amount not to exceed $600,000.  What prompted discussion was the one-year period instead of three.

• Commissioner Sepulveda stated that the one-year extension indicates it is appears more that nice to have in the future if wanted.  Commissioner Davis stated that the anticipated cost of a separate IIG for the District would double the current annual cost of $600,000. #25 22-0229
• [Reference:  At the January 6th board meeting, commissioners approved the 2022 Legislative Agenda which included MWRD lobbying the State to set up its own independent IG office. When questioned by commissioners, President Steele said that it would be “nice to have the approval in pocket”.]

Without discussion by the board, the agenda included budget reports for the 4th quarter and the 2021 fiscal year.  #36 22-0220

Stormwater Management

• A Right of Way Ordinance was approved establishing the right-of-way for construction, operation, and maintenance of a Des Plaines River Flood Control project in Maine and Northfield Townships. Agenda Item #1 R22-001
  
• Approved a Flood Control contract in Crestwood for a total of $7.968 million.  #26 22-0201
  
• Approved increasing the Rain Barrels contract expenditure.  Commissioner Spyropoulos asked if a 
• no-cost option is available.  Executive Director Perkovich said no, but that a reduced cost will stay in place.   #32 22-0196

Contracts Over $5 Million

• Approved RFP for Boiler and MCC Replacements at the Stickney Plant - estimated cost between $14.7 and $17.8 million Dollars   #16 22-0205
  
• A deleted request at the last meeting was approved.   The District will issue an RFP for professional engineering services for work at the O’Brien Plant in Skokie.  Staff met with Skokie City and Park District representatives to work out details and will include Odor Control in the RFP.  Commissioner DuBuclet asked if the District can develop a policy on plant odor control, and the response was that odor is too difficult to quantify.  Commission McGowan abstained.  #17 22-0216

​Observer:  Diane Edmundson