Water Reclamation Board Votes in Opposition To Single Member Districts for their Board Members

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - February 15, 2018

What did the Board decide?

1. RESOLUTION:  all members of the board voted “yea” in opposing HB 4408, which supported the creation of single member districts for the Board of Commissioners.  MWRD elaborated on their position by stating that it had created several storm water projects and reclamation areas, and stated that a move to single districts would narrow perspectives and increase competition. 
2. ORDINANCE:  all members of the board voted “yea” to authorize amending the watershed management ordinance.  
3. ORDINANCE:  all members of the board voted “yea” to an ordinance establishing Right-of-Way for the construction, operation, and maintenance of modifications to TARP Control Structures in the Village of South Holland
4. RESOLUTION: all members voted yea in recognizing 9-year old, Rutherford Timons, from PUSH for Excellence: Inspirational Speed Oratorical Contest.  Rutherford then recited his winning speech, which was from the movie Rocky.  It was objectively well delivered and fairly adorable coming from a dynamic 4th grader. 
5. RESOLUTION:  all members voted yea in recognizing International Greek Language Day.  MWRD President Spyropolus presented awards to 4 Greek schools in Cook County.  Each school had either a student or educator speak about Greek culture and language contributions.
6. RESOLUTION:  all members voted yea in recognizing George Leland Elementary School for participation in the MWRD of Greater Chicago’s African-American History Month Seminar Series.  The school participated in Open Lands school projects to educate fellow students on water usage, watersheds.  Student group created play areas on school grounds that included nature.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee? 

• During Roll Call – one person questioned a purchase order for software and requested further review of this contract. She wanted to know if other contracts were considered.  Board commissioner stated that they are open to looking into the expenses and its need.  Subject referred to the Finance Committee. (Agenda Item 18-0162)

Public Comments were varied and noteworthy:.

• Friends of the Chicago River – Andy Donokowski spoke on minimizing flooding and reducing run-off.  He thanked the board for reinstating the tech advisory committee.  He noted some reservations about proposed changes [unsure what they are referring to], but were hopeful for collaboration
• Open Lands – Stacy Meyers introduced the organization (i.e. conservation org that connects people to nature) and also stated her gratitude for reinstating the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).  She also addressed regulatory import and noted issue of amendments being rushed through [again, unsure of which amendments she is referring to].  Finally, she noted that the MWRD is using half to the standard for offsite training that DC used.  She stated a need for the MWRD to reflect the full DC standard in this area.
• Thorn Creek Watershed Steward near Chicago Heights - Charles Daringer introduces his organization and raised an infrastructure concern related to storm water storage and said the MWRD needed to do more.  He suggested using drones to monitor rainfall and creating a citizens commission for local watersheds, like he did.
• Concerned Citizen - George Blakemore stated the need for single member districts.  He also talked about the need for fresh innovative staff, an inspector general, and more job contracts for the black community.

                                                                                                                                                            entry edited on 3/27/18
Observer - Catherine Enright                                             Meeting Length: 1 hour 15 minutes