RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2020
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RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners honoring Commissioner M Frank Avila for his years of dedication and service to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
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WHEREAS, Commissioner M Frank Avila was born on the near west side of Chicago, where he attended Ebenezer Grammar School and Carter Henry Harrison Technical High School. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He later went on to earn his Master of Science in Finance from the University of Arizona in Tucson; and
WHEREAS, on July 30, 1962, Commissioner Avila was hired by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District as a Civil Engineer I in the Works and Sewer Section of the Engineering Department. On June 16, 1965, he was promoted to a Civil Engineer II. On January 21, 1966, after 4 years of proudly being employed as a District engineer, Commissioner Avila resigned from the District to create his own engineering firm, Avila & Associates, Inc; and
WHEREAS, after almost 36 years of working in the private sector, Commissioner Avila decided to sell his successful engineering firm and return to the District as a commissioner. He was elected to the Board of Commissioners on November 5, 2002. He was reelected on November 4, 2008 and again on November 4, 2014; and
WHEREAS, while serving on the Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Avila has served as Vice Chairman of the Ethics and the Industrial Waste/Water Pollution Committees. He has also served as Chairman of the Budget and Employment and Engineering Committees. On January 8, 2015, Commissioner Avila was proudly elected as Chairman of the Finance Committee. As the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Commissioner Avila has endeavored to assist the District with sustaining AAA/AA+ bond ratings; and
WHEREAS, in addition to providing sound financial leadership to the District, Commissioner Avila has been a strong proponent of the District requiring that all products used to maintain District owned property be free of toxic chemicals and elements, as well as that the District reduce its use of pesticides. Additionally, Commissioner Avila has encouraged the utilization of environmentally friendly products for use in other areas of District function; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Avila has been a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois since July 23, 1965. Additionally, he has many years of experience as a land surveyor. Commissioner Avila has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Water Environment Federation 2015 Public Officials Award, the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization 2015 Environmental Justice Champion Award, the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers 2012 Citizen Engineer of the Year Award, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers 2013 President’s Award; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Avila has always been appreciated for his comprehensive understanding and support of the complex engineering projects that are envisioned and accomplished by the District. As a result of his extensive background experience and training, he has been able to understand the technical, environmental, and financial aspects of District projects; and
WHEREAS, for many years, Commissioner Avila has hosted a television program to share his love of educating the public about the District; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Avila has served on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners for 18 years. He is one of only six other commissioners that have been selected by the people of the metropolitan Chicago area to have that distinction. Commissioner Avila has served with poise, grace, humility, and humor; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Avila’s emphasis on “pee and poop” helped to not only simplify the District’s core mission in a way that made it understandable to all, but also encouraged laughter and humor. Commissioner Avila is an avid believer in the power of laughter, which is evidenced in his humorous responses, his jovial spirit, and his kind gestures. His infectious laugh and brilliantly decorated Christmas sweaters will undoubtedly be missed; and
WHEREAS, along with being a dedicated public servant, Commissioner Avila is also a loving husband, adoring father, and beloved grandfather; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby honor and express our sincerest gratitude to Commissioner M Frank Avila for his extraordinary dedication and service to the residents of the many municipalities that are serviced by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the engineering building located at the District’s Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, be named the “M Frank Avila Engineering Building” in honor of his service as a member of the Board of Commissioners; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Commissioner M Frank Avila.
Dated: November 19, 2020