Board of Commissioners

The meeting has begun - http://mwrd.granicus.com/player/event/0c2f3bf6-0ae8-49ad-bbd2-0386978e1e87?

From the @MWRDGC website: “To watch the live meeting proceedings, please refresh this page at the scheduled meeting time, a link labeled ‘In Progress’ will appear under the Video column” on the website: http://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

To share public comment, call (312) 751-3299, enter Bridge 90500#.

Public comment may also be made online by registering under the eComment link during the live meeting. Electronic comments will be distributed to the Board and will be posted online. http://mwrd.granicus.com/player/event/0c2f3bf6-0ae8-49ad-bbd2-0386978e1e87?

All 9 boardmembers are present.

The @MWRDGC has made its virtual meeting very accessible, compared to other meetings: the agenda is embedded; the current item being discussed is listed; there is a link for streaming support. Names are not listed on each video, however.

Having seen 8.3 inches of rain so far in May, this month is set to be the wettest May on record for Chicago, following 2 record-setting Mays in a row (8.25 inches in 2018, 8.25 inches in 2019).

https://www.chicagotribune.com/weather/ct-rescue-flooding-chicago-rain-power-out-20200518-zr7xvccykfdotkhqk7ghaizz7q-story.html

“We can never totally prevent flooding in our county. This is one reason why green infrastructure is so important, in addition to TARP.” @CommKSteele says in opening remarks.

A recent piece by @chicago_sun editorial board outlines the dire situation.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/19/21263881/flooding-chicago-mwrd-may-rainwater-record-suntimes-editorial

To mitigate flooding, @MWRDGC temporarily reversed the flow of the Chicago River downtown and in Wilmette on May 18, sending more water into Lake Michigan (which was already seeing high levels). They stopped this reversal later that same day.

https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/18/record-rainfall-prompts-reversal-chicago-river-lake-ease-flooding

Last Fri’s river reversal was estimated to have moved 50 M gallons at Wilmette station. Data for Sun’s event estimated to be out by the end of this week.

Executive director Brian Perkovich tells @debrashore that each rain event is different, depending on factors such as soil.

Public comment begins: An official says there are several callers on the line. Two athletic staffmembers at @NorthwesternU ask for approval of their 5-year permit application to allow parking and tailgating during football season (this item was deferred from last meeting.)

Another public comment: Policy analyst at @chicagoriver encourages board to defer the football season permit, as it is not urgent. She goes on to support the board considering the “report on feasibility of partnering with suburban school districts on green infrastructure.”

Board passes item 48, motion for feasibility report of partnering w/ suburban school districts on green infrastructure. Staff would look into funding, potential pilot projects and analyze costs & benefits, esp. to impacted communities. Would be similar to Space to Grow program.

Board passes 1st ordinance, move into consent agenda.

“Authority to amend the sunset provision of Ordinance O15-002 to extend the expiration date from June 4, 2020 to December 31, 2021.”

They move onto discussing several items. Details on the items are listed in the agenda.

With no discussion, these items were moved to consent agenda:

Item 2: Report on Cash Disbursements for the Month of April 2020, amount of $20,553,745.36.

Item 3: Report on 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports of @MWRDGC and of the agency’s Retiree Health Care Trust.

Item 16: authorizing contract of $114,000.00 to buy salt. W/ some discussion, moves to consent agenda.

Perkovich explains that due to last year’s mild winter, the city used less salt; normally buys 450 tons each year, plans to buy 300 tons to supplement existing stockpile.

With little discussion Item 18 goes to consent agenda: Authority to advertise Contract 19-157-3P Installation of Mechanical Mixers, Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, estimated cost between $11,780,000.00

Item 21 is deleted, with a motion from Commissioner Garcia. He says it’s not “prudent” during the pandemic.

Issue purchase order and enter into contract agreement for Compensation and Benefits Study with MGT of America Consulting, LLC in an amount not to exceed $80,224.00.

Item 27 goes to consent agenda: Authority to award Contract 20-655-11, Manhole and Infrastructure Repairs, to Sumit Construction Co., Inc., in an amount not to exceed $600,000.00, Account 101-66000-612600, Requisition 1525503 (Deferred from the May 7, 2020 Board Meeting)

.@debrashore moves to delete Item 39, the permit for @NorthwesternU parking and tailgating for football season.

@CommKSteele supports deferment, which Evanston City Council has asked for to review, but adds that the univ. has been a great tenant in supplying soil samples.

After discussion acknowledging NW’s wish to “plan one way or the other” for football season, and Evanston City Council’s wish to wait, @MWRDGC board approves deleting the item. University entered into this contract after realizing parking revenue was going to a private company.

Consent agenda items approved: 1-48 except 1, 21, 39 and 48.

New business: @CommKSteele thanks retirees, also thanks Chicago Health dept for donating 8,500 surgical masks and 2,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to aid @MWRDGC staff, thanks @chicagosmayor to make this possible.

Commissioners urges staff to wear masks and use hand sanitizers; thank staff for tackling both the pandemic and massive flooding at the same time; urge people to recognize Memorial Day.

No requests for public comment for their second public comment session.

Meeting adjourns 12:05pm, concluding my coverage of today’s Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Board of Commissioners meeting for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters.

Next meeting 6/4. Find notes & more info at http://documenters.org. Thanks for following!