TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 15, 2018
COMMITTEE ON MONITORING AND RESEARCH
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for payment to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group for Fiscal Year 2018 Membership Dues in an amount not to exceed $127,846.17, Account 101-15000-612280
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to make payment, by direct voucher, to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group (LDWG), for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Membership Dues, in an amount not to exceed $127,846.17.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) is in receipt of the 2018 annual membership invoice for the period March 1, 2018, through February 28, 2019.
The LDWG is a non-profit organization formed by municipal stakeholders to cost-effectively improve the health of the Lower Des Plaines River and its tributaries and to assist member agencies in meeting current and future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. LDWG programs and services are prioritized and supported by dues-paying members. The District participated in the planning year for the LDWG following its inception in FY 2017, and has a Member At Large on the Board. Agency dues are calculated based on per plant millions of gallons per day (MGD) discharge and acres drained within the watershed boundary, in addition to administration and monitoring fees.
The benefits to the District of participating in the LDWG include watershed scale collaboration for:
1. Meeting NPDES permit requirements for development of a Nutrient Assessment and Reduction Plan in the Lower Des Plaines River Watershed, including the James C. Kirie (Kirie)
and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs);
2. Point source nutrient planning;
3. NPDES Permit discussions with regulatory and environmental advocacy groups;
4. Intensive in-stream monitoring;
5. Additional resources and tools for addressing water quality issues at a watershed level; and
6. Leveraging funds.
It is also anticipated that renewed NPDES permits for the Kirie and Lemont WRPs will require participation in an applicable watershed group.
Inasmuch as LDWG membership is not available through any other source, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize payment, by direct voucher, to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group in an amount not to exceed $127,846.17. Funds are available in Account 101-15000-612280.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:HZ:AC:JW:kq
Recommended, Eileen M. McElligott, Administrative Services Officer
Respectfully Submitted, Kari K. Steele, Chairman Committee on Monitoring and Research
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for February 15, 2018