MWRD to Study Bid Deposit Process

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting  
June 6, 2019

Highlights of the Board Meeting:

• Pris Mims accepted a resolution on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Cook County, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Illinois being the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment (Women's Right to Vote) to the United States Constitution.
• Three other resolutions were presented: Celebration of the 100th Season of the Chicago Bears; Recognition of World Environment Day; Recognition of June as Puerto Rican Pride Month
• Joe Evans of RSM – US (CPA firm) presented a report of their audit of MWRD, which resulted in an unmodified opinion (a clean opinion) which found that all appropriate standards are being met.  Commissioner Debra Shore asked a series of detailed questions; a number of which it was suggested would be better answered by MWRD staff.

Consent Agenda Items Discussed:

• Item #9 - Report on rejection of bids for contract - Commissioner Garcia asked if the MWRD requirement of bid deposits might be negatively impacting the number of bids being submitted.  Staff responded that they are studying the bid deposit process, comparing it to the process utilized by other government agencies, but do see the bid deposit as a vehicle to reduce the number of frivolous bids. (Item was moved back to the consent agenda.)
  
• Item #15 - Authority to advertise Contract for Repair and Rehabilitation of Gloria Alitto Majewski Reservoir - Commissioner Shore raised questions regarding the reason for slope failure at this site and wondered, if wet weather was impacting slopes at various reservoirs.  Staff responded with explanation of engineering at the reservoirs that mitigate against impact of weather.  (Item was moved back to consent agenda.)
• Item #20 - Awarding of contracts to several companies for janitorial services and supplies Commissioner Garcia asked about the number of women and minority vendors for these contracts.  Mr. Murray responded that staff will provide that information. (Item was moved back to consent agenda.)
• Item #25 - Authority to increase purchase order with the legal firm of Neal & Leroy LLC to represent MWRD in acquiring property rights in connection with the Addison Creek Channel Improvements Project - In response to questions from Commissioner Spyropoulos, staff indicated that acquisition of 75 different parcels in six municipalities was involved.  Staff also reported that as much legal work as possible was handled in-house to reduce costs. (Item was moved back to consent agenda.)
• There was no new business.

Public Comment

• Larry O’Toole of BIOS Farm requested that MWRD table an amendment to a lease of one acre of MWRD land, because the proposed lease change would prevent his group from continuing to grow organic produce at this site.  BIOS Farm produce is sold at below market rate to underserved communities.

Observed by:  Diane Hodges                                                   Meeting Length:  100 minutes