Procurement Issues Dominate MWRD Board Discussion

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
July 15, 2024 

Procurement Issues Raised:

• Commissioners Brady, Davis and Brown were highly critical of procurement ordinance requirements for what they termed as “technical reasons” for rejection.  Items #34-35 were specifically pulled from the agenda to be discussed. Both Commissioners stated the board has every right to raise concerns on why certain bids are rejected as they are charged with being “good stewards” of taxpayer money.  Item #34 is for a Landscape Maintenance contract to be awarded to Lizzetta Medina & Company.  Brady-Davis asked for this item to be deferred and said that she feels like problems with contract rejections are more systemic than just ordinance requirements.  #34-0604
• Commissioner Brown deferred #35 for a $19.9 million dollar flood control contract.  She asked Executive Director for guidelines by the next board meeting on what constitutes “good faith” in meeting the district’s LGBTQ requirements.  After a break, Item #35 was put back on the agenda and received unanimous support.  Prior to the break, staff had noted that payment outlays from a large government grant must be started by September.  In addition, Item #52 called for the board to approve a contract with a law firm to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the District’s procurement policies and procedures.  The staff was publicly thanked for listening to the board’s concerns and getting this contract approval on the agenda.  Staff noted that the timeline for completion is the end of the year [November 1].  #35 24-0609 and  #52 24-0612

Public Speakers

• Friends of the Chicago River spoke in support of extending through 2026 the Stormwater Trading Ordinance pilot projects due to sunset in January of 2025; spoke against proposed Article #103 to increase acreage covered under the Watershed Ordinance from ½ acres to 1 acre; and strongly supports Watershed Article #106.  The ordinance update language was not included in the board agenda.  The Nature Conservancy said it supports all of the proposed updates.   
• James Black of Michael’s Construction asked why his company’s bid for Item #35, which was the lowest, was rejected.  Ans:  he did not meet all of the WMB requirements while, according to procurement staff, all other bidders did.
• Mike Archey had to leave the meeting but provided a written request asking the District, “when will the past due Energy Neutrality Study be published for public Review.”  He went on to elaborate his concerns about the District’s energy and carbon management, its project delivery process, and its procurement process.

Board Action   

• With the exception of Item #34, all agenda items were approved.  
• Comm. Spyropoulos asked why staff rejected proposals to develop a small business program. E.D. Perkovich said the project will go back out to bid with the removal of the 10-year experience requirement.  Garcia asked for a report to all commissioners on sister agency requirements.  He noted that the board wants to ensure success but also has been waiting for this program to get off the ground.  #07  24-0565
  
• Comm. Davis noted that the contract for the Stickney Plant biosolids management strategy was to manage only biosolids “output”.  He asked if “input” can also be managed.  Answer:  Can do so in-house by looking at emerging technologies which are very energy intensive.  When asked by Davis for a timeline, the answer was ASAP.  Garcia stated he hoped that this contract will revisit using output for residential use as he has received many requests.  Item 25   #24-0572
• Approved a contract for Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances in wastewater samples to Eurofins Environment Testing North Central Company for $96,250.   #33 24-0592
  

Items Deferred  

• Items #34 and #35 discussed above.  Item #35 deferral was lifted later in the meeting.  Item #34 remained deferred.

Executive Session:    YES.  called by Commissioner Spyropoulos, Chair Budget & Employment.  60 minutes

The meeting began at 10:30 and ended at 1:00 p.m.   All but Commissioner Sepulveda were present. 

Observer:  Diane Edmundson