Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of  
Greater Chicago  
100 East Erie Street  
Chicago, IL 60611  
Regular Board Meeting Minutes  
Thursday, July 11, 2024  
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 Daniel Pogorzelski, Commissioner Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda,  
Commissioner Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, 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  
President Kari K. Steele presiding, called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.  
Roll Call  
8 -  
Present:  
Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa Flynn;  
Marcelino Garcia; Daniel Pogorzelski; Mariyana T. Spyropoulos; and Kari K. Steele  
1 - Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Absent:  
Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, seconded by Marcelino Garcia,  
that the minutes from the last meeting of June 20, 2024, be approved without  
having to read them into the record. The motion carried by acclamation. Chorus  
of ayes - No nays  
Public Comments  
Tessa Murray, Policy Manager at the Friends of the Chicago River, and Tarik Shahzad,  
representing The Nature Conservancy, addressed the board regarding the Watershed  
Ordinance  
James Black, Senior Manager of Estimating for Michaels Construction Inc, addressed  
the board regarding agenda item 35  
Recess and Convene as Committee of the Whole  
A motion was made by Precious Brady-Davis, seconded by Marcelino Garcia, 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 Consent Agenda with the exception of  
Items: 34 and 35  
Item # 34 was deferred by Precious Brady-Davis  
Item # 35 was deferred by Yumeka Brown  
President Kari K. Steele called for a motion to accept the agendas for each  
Standing Committee that was convened. Moved by Marcelino Garcia, seconded  
by Precious Brady-Davis. President Kari K. Steele called for any objections. No  
objections were voiced. Motion carried.  
The Committee of the Whole meeting of July 11, 2024 was adjourned at 11:45  
a.m.  
Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners  
At 11:50 a.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to  
order  
Motions, Ordinances and Resolutions  
Memorial Resolution  
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners  
1
celebrating the life of Dennis Deer  
Adopted  
Motion  
2
MOTION to Approve Funds for 2024 District-wide Picnic  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Cameron Davis, 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,  
Marcelino Garcia, Daniel Pogorzelski, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
1 - Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Absent:  
Ordinance - Right of Way  
Adopt Ordinance No. R24-001 Establishing the Right-of-Way for the  
maintenance and rehabilitation of District structures under the contract for  
Upper Des Plaines Dropshafts 1/1A, 5 Rehabilitation and Calumet Dropshaft 34  
Modification, NSA & CSA (Contract 23-378-3S) in parts of Sections 5, 6, and 7,  
Township 37 North, Range 15, East of the Third Principal Meridian in the City of  
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois  
3
Attachments:  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
that this Right of Way Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the  
following roll call vote:  
8 -  
Aye:  
Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
Marcelino Garcia, Daniel Pogorzelski, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
1 - Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Absent:  
Resolution  
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the 10th  
anniversary of the Pat Mac Ride  
4
Adopted  
Finance Committee  
Report  
Report on payment of principal and interest for outstanding District bonds due  
on July 1, 2024  
5
Published and Filed  
Authorization  
6
Authority to approve Travel Expenses for Members of the Board of  
Commissioners and the Executive Director in the amount of $5,894.21,  
Accounts 101-11000-612010, 612030, 612050 and 101-15000-612010, 612030,  
612080  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
that this Agenda Item be Approved. The motion carried by the following roll call  
vote:  
8 -  
Aye:  
Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
Marcelino Garcia, Daniel Pogorzelski, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
1 - Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Absent:  
Procurement Committee  
Report  
Report on rejection of proposals for Contract 23-RFP-07, Small Business  
7
Program, estimated cost $75,000.00  
Published and Filed  
Report of bid opening of Tuesday, June 18, 2024  
8
9
Published and Filed  
Report of bid opening of Tuesday, June 25, 2024  
Published and Filed  
Authorization  
Authorization for payment to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group for Fiscal  
Year 2024 Membership Dues, in an amount not to exceed $133,645.14,  
Account 101-15000-612280  
10  
Approved  
Authorization for payment to reimburse registration fees for Commissioners and  
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago employees to  
attend the 2024 Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibit and  
Conference, in an amount not to exceed $28,600.00, Accounts 101-11000,  
15000, 16000, 27000, 50000, 66000, 67000, 69000-601100  
11  
Approved  
Authority to Advertise  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-804-11, Furnish and Deliver Three  
Non-Restrained Flexible Pipe Couplings to the Calumet Water Reclamation  
Plant, estimated cost $114,900.00, Account 101-68000-623090, Requisition  
1619807  
12  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-RFP-11 Federal Legislative Consulting  
Services, estimated cost $175,000.00, Account 101-15000-612430, Requisition  
1620302  
13  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-013-11 Furnish and Deliver Calibration Gases  
to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, estimated cost $42,000.00,  
Account 101-20000-623840  
14  
15  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-023-11, Furnish and Deliver Lab Chemicals  
to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, estimated cost $162,000.00,  
Account 101-20000-623570  
Attachments:  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-049-11, Furnish and Deliver Work Gloves to  
Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, estimated cost $42,500.00,  
Account 101-20000-623700  
16  
17  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-629-11, Rack and Pinion Manlift Inspection  
and Repair, estimated cost $641,375.00, Accounts  
101-68000/69000-612600/612680, Requisitions 1620134 and 1620135  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-648-11, Snow Plowing at the Lockport  
Powerhouse, estimated cost $90,000.00, Account 101-66000-612420,  
Requisition 1620208  
18  
19  
20  
21  
22  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-RFP-05 Perform Psychological Evaluations  
and Fitness for Duty Examinations for Selected Employees, estimated cost  
$60,000.00, Account 101-25000-612260, Requisition 1618511  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-805-11, Furnish and Deliver Portable Dry Ice  
Cleaning Equipment to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, estimated cost  
$47,400.00, Account 101-68000-634990, Requisition 1619057  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-056-11, Furnish and Deliver Hardware to  
Various Locations for a One-Year Period, estimated cost $105,000.00, Account  
101-20000-623110  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-638-21, HVAC Improvements at Various  
Locations, estimated cost $19,144,325.00, Accounts 201-50000-645780,  
Requisitions 1620791 and 1620793  
Approved  
Issue Purchase Order  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with T.Y. Lin International  
Great Lakes, Inc., for Contract 23-RFP-06 Arc Flash Training - NFPA 70E to  
provide instructor-led refresher training for employees that work with high  
voltage electricity in accordance with updated information under the National  
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E Standard for an amount not to exceed  
$35,000.00, Account 101-25000-601100, Requisition 1613193  
23  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Stevenson Crane Service, Inc., to Furnish and Deliver  
One (1) 2024 Genie Z-60 FE BI-Energy 4WD with JIB Articulating Boom Lift and  
(1) 2024 Genie Z-30/20N 2WD with JIB Articulating Boom Lift to the Calumet  
Water Reclamation Plant (CWRP), under Sourcewell (formerly NJPA)  
Purchasing Contract No. 020923-TER, in an amount not to exceed  
$238,760.00, Account 101-68000-634990, Requisition 1618221.  
24  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement for Contract 23-RFP-19  
Professional Engineering Services for the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant  
Biosolids Management Strategy, with Black & Veatch Corporation, in an amount  
not to exceed $1,500,000.00, Account 201-50000-612430, Requisition 1604172  
25  
Attachments:  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and renew the license agreement with PT Chicago, LLC  
for rooftop space at Presidential Towers located at 575 West Madison Street in  
Chicago, Illinois for TARP telemetry radio equipment for a three (3) year period  
from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed  
$213,712.00. Account 101-69000-612330, Requisition 1620790  
26  
27  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Shimadzu Scientific  
Instruments, Inc. to Furnish, Deliver, and Install a High-Temperature  
Combustion Total Organic Carbon Analyzer, with Associated Accessories, and  
Preventative Maintenance in the Analytical Laboratory at the Egan Water  
Reclamation Plant in an amount not to exceed $59,259.94, Accounts  
101-16000-612970, 634970, Requisition 1620769  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Thermo Fisher  
Scientific, Inc. to conduct an assessment of District’s current production  
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), in an amount not to exceed  
$20,000.00, Account 101-27000-612430, Requisition 1619343 (As Revised)  
28  
29  
Approved  
Issue purchase orders and enter into agreements for Contract 23-889-5F  
Wetland Specialist Services for Watershed Management Ordinance Permits  
with Engineering Resource Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed  
$97,000.00, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. in an amount not to exceed  
$97,000.00, and Hey and Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed  
$97,000.00, Account 501-50000-612430, Requisition 1620037  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Altorfer Industries Inc., to Furnish and Deliver One (1)  
New Caterpillar Model 330-07E Super Long Reach Configuration Excavator to  
the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), under Sourcewell (formerly  
NJPA) Purchasing Contract No. 011723-CAT, in an amount not to exceed  
$336,080.00, Account 101-68000-634760, Requisition 1620558  
30  
31  
Approved  
Issue purchase orders for Contract 24-617-11, Furnish and Deliver Refurbished  
Low Voltage AC and DC Motors to Various Locations, to L&S Electric, Inc., in an  
amount not to exceed $317,460.00, Accounts 101-67000/68000/69000-612650,  
Requisitions 1611385, 1611387, and 1611388  
Approved  
Issue purchase order for Contract 24-936-11, Furnishing and Delivering Citric  
Acid to Shannon Chemical Corporation, in an amount not to exceed  
$202,531.20, Account 101-69000-623560, Requisition 1615493  
32  
33  
Approved  
Issue purchase order for Contract 24-107-11, Analysis of Per- and  
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Wastewater Samples, to Eurofins Environment  
Testing North Central, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $96,250.00, Account  
101-16000-612490, Requisition 1615585  
Approved  
Award Contract  
Authority to award Contract 24-665-11, Landscape Maintenance at Various  
Service Areas, Groups A, B, and C, to Lizzette Medina & Company, in an  
amount not to exceed $1,904,600.00, Accounts  
34  
101-67000/68000/69000-612420, Requisitions 1609292, 1580835, and 1577294  
Attachments:  
Deferred by Precious Brady-Davis  
Authority to award Contract 14-253-5FR (Re-Bid), Flood Control Project on  
Midlothian Creek in Robbins, Illinois, to V3 Construction Group, LTD. (V3), in an  
amount not to exceed $19,841,500.00, plus a five (5) percent allowance for  
change orders in an amount of $992,075.00, for a total amount not to exceed  
$20,833,575.00, Account 501-50000-645620, Requisition 1613092  
35  
Attachments:  
A motion was made by Yumeka Brown, seconded by Cameron Davis, to lift the  
deferral on item 35 and add item 35 back to the consent agenda. The motion  
carried by the following roll call vote:  
Aye: 8 - Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa  
Flynn; Marcelino Garcia; Daniel Pogorzelski; Mariyana T. Spyropoulos; and Kari  
K. Steele  
Absent: 1 - Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
A motion was made by Yumeka Brown, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn, that  
this Agenda Item be Approved. The motion carried by the following roll call  
vote:  
8 -  
Aye:  
Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
Marcelino Garcia, Daniel Pogorzelski, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
1 - Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Absent:  
Increase Purchase Order/Change Order  
Authority to decrease Contract 20-670-11, Inspection and Repair of Cranes and  
36  
Hoists at Various Locations, to Sievert Electric Service & Sales Co., in an  
amount of $49,524.83, from an amount of $482,007.85, to an amount not to  
exceed $432,483.02, Accounts  
101-67000/68000/69000-612240/612680/612760, Purchase Orders 5001765,  
5001766, and 5001767  
Attachments:  
Approved  
Authority to decrease Contract 21-697-11, Services of Tractors with Rotavators  
and Sludge Pumps with Operators, Groups A and B, to Stewart Spreading, Inc.,  
in an amount of $335,281.38, from an amount of $1,351,326.96, to an amount  
not to exceed $1,016,045.58, Accounts 101-68000/69000-612520, Purchase  
Orders 5001810 and 5001811  
37  
Approved  
Authority to increase purchase order and amend the agreement with WM Reply,  
Inc., for Contract 22-RFP-13, Intranet Development and Platform Support, in an  
amount of $90,000.00, from an amount of $380,000.00, to an amount not to  
exceed $470,000.00, Account 101-27000-612430, Purchase Order 3125792  
38  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 07-027-3SR North Side Sludge Pipeline  
Replacement - Section 1, NSA, Rebid, to Joel Kennedy Construction Corp. in  
an amount of $293,010.81, from an amount of $27,604,063.36, to an amount  
not to exceed $27,897,074.17, Account 401-50000-645750, Purchase Order  
4000091  
39  
40  
41  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 17-131-4FR McCook Reservoir Rock Wall  
Stabilization and Geotechnical Instrumentation, SSA, Re-Bid, to IHC  
Construction Companies, L.L.C. in an amount of $1,386,133.61, from an  
amount of $20,692,985.00, to an amount not to exceed $22,079,118.61,  
Account 401-50000-645630, Purchase Order 4000086  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 20-618-11, Furnish and Deliver HVAC and  
Refrigeration Parts and Services to Various Service Locations to Core  
Mechanical, Inc., in an amount of $50,000.00, from an amount of $402,556.55 to  
an amount not to exceed $452,556.55, Accounts  
101-67000/68000/69000-612680/623070/623270, Purchase Order 5001749  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 19-159-3P Chemical Addition Backup System,  
Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, to IHC Construction Companies LLC in an  
amount of $4,727.80, from an amount of $8,521,323.25, to an amount not to  
exceed $8,526,051.05, Account 401-50000-645650, Purchase Order 4000085  
42  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 14-253-AF Diversion Channel for Flood Control  
Project on Midlothian Creek in Robbins, CSA, to F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen &  
Associates LLC in an amount of $211,212.36, from an amount of  
$11,127,429.31, to an amount not to exceed $11,338,641.67, Account  
501-50000-645620, Purchase Order 4000089  
43  
Approved  
Budget & Employment Committee  
Authorization  
Authority to transfer 2024 departmental appropriations in the amount of  
$340,000.00 in the Corporate Fund  
44  
Approved  
Judiciary Committee  
Report  
Report on the Settlement of Workers’ Compensation Claims and Miscellaneous  
Claims under $10,000.00  
45  
Published and Filed  
Authorization  
Authority to settle the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claim of Anthony Jordan  
vs. MWRDGC, Claim Number 22WC011021 in the sum of $35,141.62, Account  
901-30000-601090  
46  
Approved  
Real Estate Development Committee  
Authorization  
Authority to issue a one-year permit to American Survey and Engineering to  
47  
conduct potholing and related utility investigation work as part of the IL-43  
(Harlem Avenue) Roadway Improvement Project at 5005 S. Harlem Avenue in  
Forest View, Illinois; Main Channel Parcel 37.03. Consideration shall be a permit  
fee of $5,000.00  
Approved  
Authority to issue a six-month permit to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority  
to access Main Channel Parcel 31.01 to remove surplus material in connection  
with ISTHA’s I-294 Mile Long Bridge Project in Willow Springs, Illinois.  
Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00  
48  
Approved  
Authority to negotiate and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the  
Village of Kenilworth to relocate drop chambers and other structures that  
connect to North Shore Intercepting Sewer 7 in the Village of Kenilworth, Illinois  
49  
Approved  
Authority to enter into a 39-year lease agreement with Amtrak on 19,584± sq. ft.  
of District real estate located at 413 West Taylor Street in Chicago, Illinois,  
known as Main Channel Parcel 45.01 (portion) for storage of railway and track  
materials. Consideration shall be an initial annual rental fee of $68,500.00  
50  
Approved  
Stormwater Management Committee  
Report  
Report on Stormwater Partnership Project Submittals (As Revised)  
51  
Published and Filed  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Burke Burns & Pinelli,  
Ltd. to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the District’s  
procurement policies and procedures in an amount not to exceed $95,000.00.  
Account 101-30000-612430, Requisition 1621317  
52  
Approved  
Approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items: 2, 3, 6, 34, and 35  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn, to  
Approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:  
8 -  
Aye:  
Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
Marcelino Garcia, Daniel Pogorzelski, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
1 - Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Absent:  
Executive Session  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, seconded by Patricia Theresa  
Flynn, that an executive session be held for the Committee on Pension, Human  
Resources, and Civil Service to discuss one matter involving the appointment,  
employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific  
employees pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act. The motion  
carried by the following roll call vote: 8:0  
Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners  
At 12:50 p.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to  
order  
Miscellaneous and New Business  
Meeting Summary  
Speakers  
Connor McNamara accepted the resolution recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Pat  
Mac Ride (Re: Resolution Item 4)  
Summary of Requests  
Procurement Committee Item #7  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested a report on what similar sister agencies do and the  
requirements for their small business programs  
Procurement Committee Item #25  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested the scope of work be shared with the board  
2. Mariyana T. Spyropoulos requested an overview on what we paid and the output on the  
current pelletizer be included in the report to the board  
Procurement Committee Item #35  
1. Yumeka Brown requested detailed guidelines on what constitutes adequate  
documentation be provided to the board before the next meeting  
Study Session  
None  
Announcements  
None  
Board Letter Submission Dates  
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for August 8, 2024, 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: July 26, 2024  
Date all agenda items are due to the Executive Director: 1:00 p.m., July 31, 2024  
Adjournment  
A motion was made by Precious Brady-Davis, seconded by Patricia Theresa  
Flynn, that when the Board Adjourns, it adjourns to meet again on Thursday,  
August 8, 2024, 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, Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
Daniel Pogorzelski, Kari K. Steele  
3 - Marcelino Garcia, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos  
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 July 11, 2024, are hereby approved.  
APPROVED:  
/s/ Kari K. Steele  
President Board of Commissioners of the  
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago  
July 11, 2024