Water Reclamation District Lobbies for $34.7M Federal Grant for McCook Deep Tunnel Project

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - December 21, 2017            

Decisions Made:

• Agreed not to reconsider the 2018 budget of $1.15 billion or tax levy approved at its December 14, 2017 meeting.
• Approved a $324,000 one-year final extension contract with O’Connell & Dempsey, LLC to perform Federal legislative consulting services in Washington, DC for Phase 2 of the McCook Deep Tunnel Project.  The District is close to receiving a $34.7 million lump sum grant, and the E.D and most of the Board believe this extension is necessary to ensure the final steps of the grant process are executed.  The current lobbying contract expires 12-31-17.
• Approved a request to advertise for outside counsel legal services.  Executive Director, David St. Pierre, noted that the District needs to build its data base of qualified firms.  President Spyropoulos requested that the District set a limit on the hourly rate charged and noted that the Cook County Board has set a rate of $185 per hour for outside counsel.
• Approved a purchase order and contract amendment with e-Builder, Inc. for $937,027 to furnish and deliver a project management system and technical support to track projects for diversity and affirmative action purposes. Commission Steele asked for a summer study session to take a deeper dive into the affirmative action and diversity initiatives of the District.

Items to Watch for at Upcoming Meetings:

1. Watch for a special session to create an office of an Independent Inspector General.
2. Watch for a decision to grant the Morton Grove Niles Water Commission an 18 month temporary and a 70 year 1,848 sq. ft. non-exclusive easement to construct, install, operate, maintain, repair and remove a pump station and a 30 inch water main on part of the North Shore Channel parcels in Evanston and Skokie.  Fees will be charged.  The Mayors of both Morton Grove and Niles asked for a decision at this Board Meeting.  Executive Director, St. Pierre, removed the resolution from the agenda pending answers to questions raised.  Morton Grove and Niles are currently getting their water from Chicago.
3. Commissioner Shore called for a clear definition of sexual harassment from the H.R. and Legal Departments, asked for feedback in early 2018, and called for the development of “Best Practices” for workplace sexual harassment.

​Observer - Diane Edmundson                                          ​ Meeting Length - 90 minutes