Minutes - Board of Commissioners

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of

Greater Chicago

100 East Erie Street

Chicago, IL 60611

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Thursday, August 13, 2026

10:30 AM

Board Room

Board of Commissioners

Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Commissioner Yumeka Brown, Commissioner

Cameron Davis, Vice-President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Chairman of Finance Marcelino

Garcia, Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Commissioner Eira L. Corral

Sepúlveda, Commissioner Sharon Waller, President Board of Commissioners Kari K.

Steele

THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL GOVERN THE MEETING PROCESS:

1. Board Members who vote "Nay, Present, or Abstain" or have a question on any

item may request the item be removed from the Consent Agenda.

2. Citizens in the audience who address the Board on any item may request the item

be removed from the Consent Agenda.

3. Items removed from the Consent Agenda are considered separately.

4. One roll call vote is taken to cover all Consent Agenda Items.

Call Meeting to Order

Roll Call

9 -

Present:

Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa Flynn;

Marcelino Garcia; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller;

and Kari K. Steele

Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Yumeka Brown, seconded by Beth McElroy Kirkwood, that

the minutes from the last meeting of July 16, 2026, be approved without having to

read them into the record. The motion carried by acclamation. Chorus of ayes -

No nays

Public Comments

Chalonda White, District Employee, addressed the Board regarding a disconnect

between leadership and employees

Recess and Convene as Committee of the Whole

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Yumeka Brown, to

recess and convene as a committee of the whole. The motion carried by

acclamation. Chorus of Ayes - No Nays

Committee of the Whole

Approval of the Committee of the Whole Agenda with the exception of Item: 21

Item # 21 was deferred by Kari K. Steele

President Kari K. Steele called for a motion to accept the agendas for each

Standing Committee that was convened. Moved by Patricia Theresa Flynn,

seconded by Beth McElroy Kirkwood. President Kari K. Steele called for any

objections. No objections were voiced. Motion carried.

The Committee of the Whole meeting of August 13, 2026 was adjourned at 11:25

a.m.

Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners

At 11:30 a.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to

order

Motions, Ordinances and Resolutions

Motion

MOTION to reappoint David Ormsby, Inc. as public relations consultant for the

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for an additional

one-year period in an amount not to exceed $48,000.00, Account

101-11000-612430

26-0546

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Beth McElroy

Kirkwood, that this Motion be Adopted. The motion carried by the following roll

call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

MOTION to reappoint President Kari K. Steele as a Commissioner on the Public

Building Commission of Chicago

26-0558

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Yumeka Brown, that

this Motion be Adopted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Ordinance

Adopt Ordinance O26-002 An Ordinance Authorizing and Providing For the

Issuance of Not to Exceed $185,000,000 General Obligation Limited Tax Capital

Improvement Bonds of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater

Chicago

O26-002

Attachments: BTL O26-002 $185M

MWRD 2026 - Ordinance Number O26-002 - $185M GO Limited Tax

Capital Improvement Bonds.pdf

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Yumeka Brown, that

this Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Adopt Ordinance O26-003 An Ordinance Authorizing and Providing For the

Issuance of Not to Exceed $15,000,000 General Obligation Unlimited Tax

Capital Improvement Bonds of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of

Greater Chicago

O26-003

Attachments: BTL O26-003 $15M

MWRD 2026 - Ordinance Number O26-003 - $15M GO Unlimited Tax

Capital Improvement Bonds.pdf

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Precious

Brady-Davis, that this Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the

following roll call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Adopt Ordinance O26-004 An Ordinance Authorizing and Providing For the

Issuance of Not to Exceed $200,000,000 General Obligation Unlimited Tax

Refunding Bonds of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater

Chicago

O26-004

Attachments: BTL O26-004 $200M

MWRD 2026 - Ordinance Number O26-004 - $200M GO Unlimited Tax

Refunding Bonds.pdf

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Precious

Brady-Davis, that this Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the

following roll call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Adopt Ordinance O26-005 An Ordinance Authorizing and Providing For the

Issuance of Not to Exceed $32,500,000 General Obligation Limited Tax

Refunding Bonds of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater

Chicago

O26-005

Attachments: BTL O26-005 $32.5M

MWRD 2026 - Ordinance Number O26-005 - $32.5M GO Limited Tax

Refunding Bonds.pdf

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Beth McElroy

Kirkwood, that this Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the following

roll call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Adopt Ordinance O26-006 An Ordinance Authorizing and Providing For the

Issuance of Not to Exceed $42,500,000 General Obligation Unlimited Tax

Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) of the Metropolitan Water

Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

O26-006

Attachments: BTL O26-006 $42.5M

MWRD 2026 - Ordinance Number O26-006 $42.5M GO Unlimited Tax

Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source).pdf

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Yumeka Brown, that

this Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Adopt Ordinance O26-007 An Ordinance providing for the issuance of not to

exceed $350,000,000 General Obligation Limited Tax Capital Improvement

Bonds (2026 IEPA Authorization) of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

of Greater Chicago for the purpose of financing capital improvements to the

District’s facilities; authorizing and providing for related Loan Agreements with

the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency providing for loans from the

Revolving Loan Fund, and such other documents as may be necessary; and

providing for the levy of taxes to pay the interest on and principal of said Bonds

O26-007

Attachments: BTL-Ordinance O26-007

Bond Ord O26-007 FINAL.pdf

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Beth McElroy

Kirkwood, that this Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the following

roll call vote:

8 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Finance Committee

Report

Report on the investment interest income during June 2026

26-0515

26-0516

26-0517

Attachments: Inv Int Inc 2026-06 att.pdf

Published and Filed

Report on investments purchased during June 2026

Attachments: Inv Purch 2026-06 att.pdf

Published and Filed

Report on investment inventory statistics at June 30, 2026

Attachments: Inv Stat 2026 Q2 att.pdf

Published and Filed

Procurement Committee

Report

Report of request for proposal (RFP) opening of Friday, July 10, 2026

26-0495

26-0511

Published and Filed

Report of bid opening of Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Published and Filed

Report of bid opening of Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Published and Filed

Report of bid opening of Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Published and Filed

Report of request for proposal (RFP) opening of Friday, July 24, 2026

Published and Filed

Report of request for proposal (RFP) opening of Friday, July 31, 2026

Published and Filed

Authority to Advertise

Authority to advertise Contract 27-348-11, Services to Remove Hazardous

Materials from Various District Locations, on an as-needed basis for a three-year

period, estimated cost $275,000.00, Account 101-25000-612780, Requisition

1659234

26-0534

Attachments: Contract 27-348-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report.pdf

Approved

Authority to advertise Contract 27-970-11, Janitorial Services at Various

Locations, estimated cost $1,294,500.00, Account 101-69000-612490,

Requisition 1661709

26-0537

Attachments:

Contract 27-970-11 Groups A, B, C, and D Affirmative Action Goals

Report - Revised

Approved

Authority to advertise Contract 26-RFP-11 Sign Language Interpreter Services

for a three-year period, effective January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2029,

estimated cost $210,000.00, Account 101-25000-612430, Requisition 1662239

26-0545

Attachments: Contract 26-RFP-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report.pdf

Deferred by Kari K. Steele

Authority to advertise Contract 26-006-11, Furnish and Deliver Janitorial

Supplies to Various Locations for a Three (3) Year Period, estimated cost

$543,000.00, Accounts 101-20000-623170, 623660

26-0557

Attachments: Contract 26-006-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report.pdf

Approved

Issue Purchase Order

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement for Contract 26-RFP-06

Employee Benefits Consulting Services with Foster & Foster Consulting

Actuaries, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $214,000.00, Account

101-25000-612430, Requisition 1649979

26-0514

Attachments:

Contract 26-RFP-06 Affirmative Action Appendix A Report - Foster &

Foster Consulting Actuaries, Inc.

Approved

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with PTS, Professional

Technical Services, Inc. d/b/a EST Analytical to furnish, deliver, and install a

Skalar SP2000-3 Robotic Analyzer for Chemical Oxygen Demand, peripheral

equipment, and warranty, in an amount not to exceed $93,384.04, Accounts

101-16000-612970, 623570, and 634970, Requisition 1660954

26-0523

26-0525

Approved

Issue purchase order to Emerson Process Management Power & Water

Solutions, Inc., to furnish and deliver electronic modules for the Distributed

Control System at the Kirie, Egan, and Hanover Park Water Reclamation

Plants, in an amount not to exceed $73,766.00, Account 101-67000-623070,

Requisition 1661967

Approved

Issue purchase order to CDW Government LLC, for KnowBe4 Security

Awareness Training Diamond and PhishER Plus subscription licenses, in an

amount not to exceed $60,850.41, Account 101-27000-612820, Requisition

1661924

26-0526

26-0527

Approved

Issue purchase orders and enter into agreements for Contract 25-RFP-23,

Technical Assistance Program, with Zann & Associates, Inc. in an amount not

to exceed $372,470.80, and with HIRE360 in an amount not to exceed

$447,500.00, Account 101-15000-612430, Requisitions 1647434 and 1647435

Attachments:

Contract 25-RFP-23 (Group A) Affirmative Action Appendix A and

Appendix V Report - Zann & Associates, Inc..pdf

Contract 25-RFP-23 (Group B) Affirmative Action Appendix A and

Appendix V Report - HIRE360.pdf

Approved

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Christopher B. Burke

Engineering, Ltd. for Contract 24-CON-03 Professional Engineering Services

for Flood Control Projects for Combined Sewer Areas in the Little Calumet River

Watershed (Project 25-283-5F), in an amount not to exceed $3,228,300.85,

Accounts 501-50000-612440 and 612450, Requisition 1661628

26-0528

Attachments:

Contract 24-CON-03 (Project 25-283-5F) Affirmative Action Goals

Report - Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd..pdf

Approved

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Berkeley Research

Group, LLC for Contract 25-CON-04 Professional Services for Schedule Delay

Analysis (Project 24-894-3C), in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00,

Account 401-50000-612450, Requisition 1662775 (As Revised)

26-0529

Attachments:

Contract 25-CON-04 (Project 24-894-3C) Affirmative Action Goals

Report - Berkeley Research Group, LLC.pdf

Approved

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with HP Inc. for the purchase

of new and replacement computer hardware and software, in an amount not to

exceed $2,018,100.00, Account 101-27000-623810, Requisition 1660617

26-0533

26-0535

Approved

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Benefitfocus.com, Inc.

to provide employee benefits software and services, in an amount not to exceed

$780,000.00, Account 101-27000-612820 and 101-25000-612430, Requisition

1662237

Approved

Issue a purchase order to CIT Trucks, LLC, to furnish and deliver one (1)

medium-duty box truck to the Stickney Water Reclamation District, under

Sourcewell (formerly NJPA) Purchasing Contract No. 032824-KTC, in an

amount not to exceed $132,059.20, Account 101-69000-634860, Requisition

1661633

26-0541

Approved

Award Contract

Authority to award Contract 26-419-11, Elevator Maintenance and Repair

Service at The Main Office Building Complex, to Parkway Elevators, Inc., in an

amount not to exceed $209,494.42, Accounts 101-15000-612370/612390

Requisition 1655414

26-0522

Attachments:

Contract 26-419-11 Affirmative Action Goals and Revised Appendix D

Report - Parkway Elevators, Inc..pdf

Approved

Authority to award Contract 26-915-11, Furnish, Deliver, and Change Out Media

in the Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Vessels at the Stickney Water Reclamation

Plant, to BCE-USA, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $1,692,453.00, Account

101-69000-612650, Requisition 1654025

26-0540

Attachments: Contract 26-915-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report.pdf

Approved

Increase Purchase Order/Change Order

Authority to decrease Contract 23-169-1S McCook Reservoir Stage 1 Sediment

Removal, to K.L.F. Enterprises, Inc. in an amount of $3,327.54, from an amount

of $9,039,237.03, to an amount not to exceed $9,035,909.49. Account

101-50000-612620, Purchase Order 4000123

26-0530

Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 4000123.pdf

Approved

Authority to increase Contract 22-875-1S Television Inspection and Recording

of Sewers and Manholes at Various Locations to National Power Rodding in an

amount of $326,300.00, from an amount of $7,525,000.00, to an amount not to

exceed $7,851,300.00, Account 101-50000-612240, Purchase Order 5001929

26-0531

Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 5001929.pdf

Approved

Budget & Employment Committee

Report

Report on Budgetary Revenues and Expenditures for the second quarter of

2026, ended June 30, 2026

26-0555

Attachments: 2026 Q2 Budget Summary Report.pdf

Published and Filed

Engineering Committee

Report

Report on change orders authorized and time extensions from April through

June 2026 for Contract 11-187-3F, Addison Creek Channel Improvements, SSA

26-0532

Attachments: Attachment 1 COR Report for 11-187-3F April to June 2026.pdf

Attachment 2 COR Status Report for 11-187-3F April to June 2026.pdf

Published and Filed

Report on change orders authorized and time extensions approved by the

Director of Engineering during the month of July 2026

26-0547

Attachments: Attachment 1 CO Report July 2026 Contingency (revised).pdf

Attachment 2 CO Status Report July 2026 (revised).pdf

Attachment 3 TER Report for July 2026.pdf

Published and Filed

Judiciary Committee

Authorization

Authority to settle the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Joseph Barrett vs.

MWRDGC, Claim number 25WC002859, Illinois Workers’ Compensation

Commission (IWCC), in the sum of $72,067.93 Account 901-30000-601090

26-0512

26-0513

26-0536

Approved

Authority to settle the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Todd Worth vs.

MWRDGC, Claim number 24WC27961 Illinois Workers’ Compensation

Commission (IWCC), in the sum of $26,148.00, Account 901-30000-601090

Approved

Authority to settle the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Robert Chorzepa vs.

MWRDGC, Claim number 22WC018377, Illinois Workers’ Compensation

Commission (IWCC), in the sum of $20,000.00, Account 901-30000-601090

Approved

Maintenance & Operations Committee

Report

Report on change orders authorized and approved by the Director of

Maintenance and Operations during the month of July 2026

26-0542

Attachments: R-98 Report July 2026.pdf

Published and Filed

Authorization

Declaration of an emergency affecting public health and safety and ratification of

Emergency Contract 26-600-01, Thorn Creek Diversion Structure Restoration

to Airy’s Inc., in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00, Account

101-66000-612600, Requisition 1662100

26-0559

Approved

Pension, Human Resources & Civil Service Committee

Authorization

Requesting the advice and consent of the Board of Commissioners to the

26-0519

appointment of James E. Fisher as the Director of Human Resources for the

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Attachments: Resume - J. Fisher (2026).pdf

Approved

Real Estate Development Committee

Authorization

Authority to grant the Village of Alsip a 75-year, 0.321± acre non-exclusive

easement to construct, operate, maintain, repair, and replace a 48-inch storm

sewer along Homan Avenue in Alsip, Illinois; Cal-Sag Channel Parcels 13.01

and 13.04. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00

26-0556

Attachments: RE - Alsip 75-Year Easement Aerial.pdf

Approved

Stormwater Management Committee

Authorization

Authority to negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement with Village of Melrose

26-0548

Park for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Thomas

Street Underground Stormwater Storage Project in Melrose Park (26-IGA-09)

Attachments:

26.08.13 Melrose Park Thomas UG Stormwater Storage Prelim Plan

Exhibit.pdf

Approved

Authority to negotiate Intergovernmental Agreements with the Northfield

Township Road District, for the design, construction, operation, and

maintenance of Citation Lake Stormwater Improvements, Phase II in Northfield

Township (26-IGA-10)

26-0553

Attachments: 26.08.13 Northfield Township Citation Lake Phasing Exhibit.pdf

Approved

Authority to negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of

Richton Park, for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of

Butterfield Creek Tributary Improvement Project in Richton Park (26-IGA-11)

26-0554

Attachments: 26.08.13 Richton Park Proposed Concept Map Exhibit.pdf

Approved

RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners affirming that the

District has no existing or planned agreements relating to data center

development on District-owned property

26-0562

Adopted

Approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 21

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Marcelino Garcia, to

Approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:

9 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Marcelino Garcia, Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller,

Kari K. Steele

Executive Session

A motion was made by Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, seconded by Patricia Theresa

Flynn, that an executive session be held for the Committee on Information

Technology to discuss one matter relating to security procedures pursuant to

section 2(C)(8) of the Open Meetings Act. Motion carried by the following roll call

vote:

9 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Marcelino Garcia, Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller,

Kari K. Steele

Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners

At 1:10 p.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to

order

Miscellaneous and New Business

Meeting Summary

Speakers

None

Summary of Requests

Motion Item 1

1. Yumeka Brown requested a possible Study Session and a timeline be provided at the

next meeting

2. Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda requested crisis communication be provided in Spanish and

the invoice for the last year

Study Session

A Study Session will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Board

Room, 100 East Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois. The purpose of the Study Session is to

discuss the Strategic Plan.

Announcements

None

Board Letter Submission Dates

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for September 3, 2026, please

prepare and submit Board items before the following absolute cutoff dates.

Date agenda items are due to the Director of Procurement and Materials

Management for signature and preparation: August 21, 2026

Date all agenda items are due to the Executive Director: 1:00 p.m., August 26,

2026

Adjournment

A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Precious

Brady-Davis, that when the Board Adjourns, it adjourns to meet again on

Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. and also move that today's meeting

be Adjourned. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: /s/ Jacqueline

Torres, Clerk

6 -

Aye:

Precious Brady-Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L.

Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller, Kari K. Steele

3 - Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

APPROVAL:

In accordance with the provisions of 70ILCS 2605/4, each of the foregoing agenda items duly

adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of

Greater Chicago this August 13, 2026, are hereby approved.

APPROVED:

/s/ Kari K. Steele

President Board of Commissioners of the

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

August 13, 2026