Peep the agenda here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21174250-board-of-commissioners-2022-01-06-agenda

President Kari Steele announces that if members of the public would like to comment, they can call 312-751-3299 or go to their website and make an electronic comment.

This is the only Chicago agency I know of that doesn’t make people fill out a form a day in advance.

The commissioners listed out the items they want to discuss, and have requested to talk about item numbers 17 and 21.

Item 17 is: Authority to increase purchase order to Austin Voice Newspaper, in an amount of $5,578.00, from an amount of $9,900.00, to an amount not to exceed $15,478.00.

The MWRD is going to place job ads and news in the Austin Voice, with the goal of reaching Black populations in Chicago and expand their reach.

The initial lower amount was a mistake on the part of the financial team. “Mistakes happen because of retirements or illnesses and we’re training people to make sure this won’t happen again in the future.”

Training will include checks and balances, and they will no longer approve an ad until they see the price. There’s a threshold of $9,900 for expenses. if a proposal exceeds that amount, it’ll go before the board.

Next is item 18: Authority to increase purchase order to 1st Metropolitan Translation Services Inc., to provide translation and interpretation services in an amount of $7,800.00, from an amount of $9,900.00, to an amount not to exceed $17,700.00.

The service will work on translating the MWRD’s website, meeting agendas, reports, etc into Spanish, Polish, and Chinese.

Commissioner Garcia says that if he could he would translate everything into even more languages and next year hopes to increase that budget and make their educational materials more inclusive for public schools students and their families.

Next is item 21: Recommendation for the State of Illinois 2022 Legislative Program.

Commissioner Cameron Davis is concerned that the MWRD Board is not given enough time to discuss and consider a state legislative items. His proposed solution is to have a 2nd round of consent items to set priorities on how to proceed.

He also says he intends to introduce a policy that will require two months bertween getting a state legislative suggestion memo and making the vote so that they have adequate time to consider it.

He doesnt want to defer the item today but does welcome discussion.

The commissioners are talking about how to improve communication with Springfield. They get weekly tailored emails on legislative updates and news. When bills are filed in Springfield that go against the district’s best interests, they need to open communication channels better.

Next item is 22: Authority to negotiate and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Glenview for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of the Flood Control Project on the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River not to exceed $1 mil.

Comm’r Barbara McGowan is bringing up her concerns around how this contract will be monitored. She asks about the scheduling of the $1 mil payment.

Someone from the engineering dept says that they approve payments on a quarterly basis. They pay in increments while a project is being built in order to be able to monitor that contractors are meeting the district’s goals.

after a brief recess, the commissioners are reading all 22 agenda items and taking a roll call vote. it’s incredibly tedious but that’s representative democracy, baby.

They’ve moved on to new business. President Steele mentioned Frank Zuccarelli, Thorton township supervisor and friend of the MWRD, passed away earlier this week. She offers her thoughts and prayers to his family. https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-frank-zuccarelli-thornton-township-democrats-cook-county-20220103-pw7rn74uebdyrklwjb6u72c6tq-story.html

Comm’r Davis acknowledges today’s date, and expresses his disgust with the fascist coup attempt.

Lots of comm’rs are congratulating Gov Pritzker’s appointment of Chakena Perry to the board.

Comm’r Sepúlveda says, “In the great words of Selena, ‘estoy excited!’“
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Pritzker-appoints-Chakena-Perry-to-Shores-MWRD-seat-91UPDATE93-/72063.html

Sepulveda mentions that there is going to be a Latino caucus environmental townhall happening virtually this Monday, Jan 10 at 6pm. People interested can register on the MWRD website.

Both Sepulveda and Comm’r Spyropoulos also mention how the Jan 6 Capitol riot was an assault on our democracy.

The commissioners are done with new business, and Press Steele asks if there are any callers on the line for their second (2nd!!) public comment period. There are none.

With that the meeting is adjourned. Thanks for following along, and don’t forget to follow @CHIdocumenters and @city_bureau if you like actually wanna know what’s going down in our city, suburbs, and neighborhoods.