Minutes - Board of Commissioners

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of

Greater Chicago

100 East Erie Street

Chicago, IL 60611

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 4, 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

President Kari K. Steele presiding, called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.

Roll Call

8 -

Present:

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

Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller; and Kari K.

Steele

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Precious Brady-Davis, seconded by Yumeka Brown, that

the minutes from the last meeting of May 21, 2026, be approved without having to

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

No nays

Public Comments

Tessa Murray, Friends of the Chicago River, addressed the board to give thanks

regarding Chicago River Day and asked if green infrastructure is being considered for

agenda item 32

Recess and Convene as Committee of the Whole

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

Kirkwood, 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

A motion was made by Kari K. Steele, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn,

authorizing the Executive Director to Delete Agenda Item # 21. The motion

carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 8 - Precious Brady-Davis, Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa

Flynn; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller; and Kari

K. Steele

Absent: 1 - Marcelino Garcia

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

Brady-Davis, to defer Agenda Item #11 to the Regular Board Meeting. The motion

carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 8- Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa

Flynn; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller; and Kari

K. Steele

Absent: 1 - Marcelino Garcia

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

Flynn, to defer Agenda Item #16 to the Regular Board Meeting. The motion

carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 8- Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa

Flynn; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller; and Kari

K. Steele

Absent: 1 - Marcelino Garcia

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.

A motion was made to correct the items on the Committee of the Whole agenda

to bring forth to the Regular Board Meeting, Items 1 - 32 with the exception of

Item 21. Moved by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Beth McElroy Kirkwood.

The motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 8- Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa

Flynn; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller; and Kari

K. Steele

Absent: 1 - Marcelino Garcia

The Committee of the Whole meeting of June 4, 2026 was adjourned at 11:30

a.m.

Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners

At 11:40 a.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to

order

Motions, Ordinances and Resolutions

Motion

MOTION to extend the term of Patrick Blanchard as Interim Inspector General of

the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

26-0404

A motion was made by Precious Brady-Davis, 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,

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

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Resolution

RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as

Pride Month and honoring Mary DeBacker

26-0394

Adopted

RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as

a month of celebration of Puerto Rican pride

26-0395

Adopted

RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as

Caribbean American Heritage Month

26-0396

Adopted

Finance Committee

Report

Report on the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports of the

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and of the

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Retiree Health Care Trust

26-0388

Published and Filed

Report on payment of principal and interest for outstanding District bonds due

on June 1, 2026

26-0391

Attachments: DS 2026-06 att.pdf

Published and Filed

Procurement Committee

Report

Report of bid opening of Tuesday, May 19, 2026

26-0379

26-0402

Published and Filed

Final Report for the declaration of an emergency affecting public health and

safety at Main Office Building Annex, 111 E. Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611

Published and Filed

Authorization

Authorization to accept initial annual rental bid for Contract 26-361-11 Proposal

to Lease approximately 860 sq. ft. of District real estate located at 100 E. Erie

Street in Chicago, Illinois, for a 10-year term from Credit Union 1 in the amount

of $8,600.00

26-0372

Attachments:

Contract 26-361-11 Aerial View - 860 sq. ft. of District real estate,

Chicago, IL

Approved

Authorization to accept initial annual rental bid for Contract 26-362-11 Proposal

to Lease approximately 525 sq. ft. of District real estate located at 6001 W.

Pershing Road in Cicero, Illinois, for a 10-year term from Credit Union 1 in the

amount of $5,000.00

26-0373

Attachments:

Contract 26-362-11 Aerial View - 525 sq. ft. of District real estate -

SWRP

Approved

Authorization to enter into agreements for Contract 25-RFP-19, Legal Advisory

Services Related to the District Financing Program, with Katten Muchin

Rosenman LLP for Bond and Tax Counsel Services, and with Burke Burns &

Pinelli, Ltd., for Issuer’s Counsel Services, for a five-year period, in connection

with the sales of General Obligation Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds

of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Accounts

401-50000-767300 and 401-50000-767400

26-0389

Attachments: ATTACHMENT A 25-RFP-19 Counsel Eligible Firms 2026

Contract 25-RFP-19 Affirmative Action Goals Report

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

lift her earlier deferral of this Agenda Item. The motion carried by the following roll call

vote:

Aye: 8 - Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa

Flynn; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller; and Kari K.

Steele

Absent: 1 - Marcelino Garcia

Approved

Authority to Advertise

Authority to advertise Contract 26-RFP-10 Family Medical Leave Act and

Americans with Disabilities Act Administrative Services, for a four-year period,

effective on or about February 1, 2027, estimated cost $365,000.00, Account

101-25000-612430, Requisition 1657013 (Deferred from the May 21, 2026

Board Meeting)

26-0337

Attachments: Contract 26-RFP-10 Affirmative Action Goals Report

Approved

Authority to advertise Contract 26-624-11, Main Street Bridge Expansion Joint

Replacement, estimated cost $220,000.00, Account 101-66000-612620,

Requisition 1653931

26-0375

Attachments: Contract 26-624-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report.pdf

Approved

Authority to advertise Contract 26-RFP-08 Pre-employment Physical

Examinations, Post-offer Physical Assessments and Related Services, for a

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

cost $150,000.00, Account 101-25000-612260, Requisition 1658974

26-0381

Attachments: Contract 26-RFP-08 Affirmative Action Goals Report

Approved

Issue Purchase Order

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement for Contract 25-RFP-11

Custom Application Development Consulting & Database Support Consulting

with V3iT Consulting, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00, Account

101-27000-612340, Requisition 1635926

26-0369

Approved

Issue purchase orders and enter into agreements for Contract 25-RFP-19 Legal

Advisory Services Related to the District Financing Program with Katten Muchin

Rosenman LLP for General Legal Advisory Consulting Services, in an amount

not to exceed $250,000.00, and with Chapman and Cutler LLP for SRF/WIFIA

Loan Program Legal Advisory Services, in an amounts not to exceed

$205,650.00, Accounts 101-11000-612430, and 401-50000-612430, 767300,

Requisitions 1645302 and 1645792

26-0390

Attachments: ATTACHMENT A 25-RFP-19 Counsel Eligible Firms 2026

Contract 25-RFP-19 Affirmative Action Goals Report

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

lift her earlier deferral of this Agenda Item. The motion carried by the following roll call

vote:

Aye: 8 - Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa

Flynn; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Sharon Waller; and Kari K.

Steele

Absent: 1 - Marcelino Garcia

Approved

Issue purchase order for Contract 26-103-11, Laboratory Analysis of Per- and

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, to Pace Analytical Services, LLC, in an amount not

to exceed $58,555.00, Account 101-16000-612490, Requisition 1654793

26-0397

Approved

Issue purchase orders for Contract 26-633-11, Furnishing and Delivering

Polymer, to Polydyne, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $21,227,180.00,

Accounts 101-67000/68000/69000-623560, Requisitions 1655694, 1655290,

and 1655789

26-0399

Attachments:

Contract 26-633-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report - Revised

03-20-2026.pdf

Approved

Issue purchase order and enter into a co-funding agreement with the Water

Research Foundation for the Research Priority Program Project #5362

“Quantifying Point Source Mitigation-Ready Methane Emissions at Water

Resource Recovery Facilities” in an amount not to exceed $140,000.00,

Account 101-16000-612490, Requisition 1658600

26-0400

26-0401

Approved

Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Interior Alterations Inc.,

for HVAC work, in an amount not to exceed $523,598.00, Account

201-50000-645780, Requisition 1658409

Approved

Award Contract

Authority to award Contract 21-092-3P, Battery E Activated Sludge Facility,

O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant (OWRP), to Michels Construction, Inc., in an

amount not to exceed $389,933,408.76, plus a five (5) percent allowance for

change orders in an amount of $19,496,670.44, for a total amount not to exceed

$409,430,079.20, Account 401-50000-645650, Requisition 1639807 (Deferred

from the May 21, 2026 Board Meeting)

26-0365

Attachments:

Contract 21-092-3P - Affirmative Action Revised Appendix D and

Appendix V Report - Michels Const., Inc..pdf

A motion was made by Kari K. Steele, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn,

Authorizing the Executive Director to Delete this Agenda Item. 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:

Authority to award Contract 26-847-11, Truck Hauling of Liquid Sludge from the

Lemont Water Reclamation Plant, to Anthem Excavating & Demolition, Inc., in

an amount not to exceed $611,940.00, Account 101-68000-612520, Requisition

1650511

26-0383

Attachments:

Contract 26-847-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report and Revised

Appendix D Report

Approved

Increase Purchase Order/Change Order

Authority to decrease Contract 25-699-11, Services of Heavy Equipment with

Operators, Groups A and B, to McGill Construction, LLC, in an amount of

$261,344.50, from an amount of $3,637,006.00, to an amount not to exceed

$3,375,661.50, Accounts 101-68000/69000-612520, Purchase Orders 5002017

and 5002018

26-0370

Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Orders 5002017 and 5002018

Approved

Authority to increase Contract 17-135-3V Roof Replacement of the Lue-Hing

M&R Complex, Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, to IHC Construction

Companies, L.L.C. in an amount of $2,734.69, from an amount of

$11,901,090.72, to an amount not to exceed $11,903,825.41, Account

401-50000-645780, Purchase Order 4000094

26-0374

Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 4000094

Approved

Authority to Increase Contract 26-021-11, Furnish and Deliver Unleaded

Gasoline to Various Locations, Group A to Petroleum Traders Corporation, in a

total amount not to exceed $110,000.00, from a total amount of $267,858.24, to

a total amount not to exceed $377,858.24, Account 101-20000-623820, Outline

Agreement 7002314

26-0377

26-0378

Approved

Authority to Increase Contract 26-021-11, Furnish and Deliver Unleaded

Gasoline to Various Locations, Group B to Avalon Petroleum Company, in a

total amount not to exceed $46,000.00, from a total amount of $68,530.46, to a

total amount not to exceed $114,530.46, Accounts 101-16000, 20000,

69000-623820, Purchase Orders 3138132 and 3138133, and Outline

Agreement 7002315

Approved

Authority to decrease Contract 24-670-11, Inspection and Repair of Cranes and

Hoists at Various Locations, to Sievert Electric Service & Sales Co., in an

amount of $67,250.92, from an amount of $953,900.00, to an amount not to

exceed $886,649.08, Accounts 101-67000/68000/69000-612240/612680,

Purchase Orders 5001945, 5001946, 5001947

26-0380

26-0384

Approved

Authority to increase purchase order with WM Reply, Inc., for Contract

22-RFP-13, Intranet Development and Platform Support, in an amount of

$65,000.00, from an amount of $645,000.00, to an amount not to exceed

$710,000.00, Account 101-27000-612430, Purchase Order 3125792

Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 3125792

Approved

Authority to Increase purchase order and amend agreement with attorney

Patrick Blanchard to continue his service as the Metropolitan Water

Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s Interim Inspector General, in an

amount of $150,000.00 from an amount of $279,137.50, to an amount not to

exceed $429,137.50. Account 101-11000-612430, Purchase Order 3135089

26-0405

Attachments:

PMM - Increase PO and amend Agreement with interim IG - Change

Order Log - 3135089.pdf

Approved

Judiciary Committee

Authorization

Authority to enter into a settlement agreement resolving a dispute with AGC

Liquidation Corporation f/k/a American Gases Corporation arising from Contract

22-641-11 in the amount of $301,316.58

26-0371

26-0408

Approved

Authorization to amend the Resolution (R98-017), authorizing the Director of

Engineering (formerly Chief Engineer) and the Director of Maintenance and

Operations (formerly Chief of Maintenance and Operations) to approve change

orders which cumulatively, but not Individually, increase or decrease the cost of

contracts by $25,000.00 or more

Attachments: Authorization to Amend Resolution R98-017 - 11.02.2006 Report.pdf

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

Kirkwood, 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,

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

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Real Estate Development Committee

Authorization

Authority to purchase the real estate commonly known as 14279 Linder Avenue,

26-0393

14250 Long Avenue, and 14256 Long Avenue in Midlothian, Illinois for the

construction of the Flood Control Project on Calumet-Sag Tributary C in

Midlothian and Crestwood, Illinois (Contract 21-IGA-18) and authority for

payment to the owner, Marquette Bank f/k/a Marquette National Bank, as trustee

under Trust Agreement dated October 3, 1985 and known as Trust No. 11176,

in an amount of $339,000.00, plus closing costs, Account 501-50000-667330,

Stormwater Management Fund

Attachments: RE - Purchase Parcels 3, 4 and 5 Marquette Bank Aerial.pdf

Approved

Approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items: 1, 21, and 32

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

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

1 - Marcelino Garcia

Absent:

Executive Session

A motion was made by Cameron Davis, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn, that

an executive session be held for the Committee on Judiciary to discuss minutes

of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act pursuant to Section

2.06(D) of the Open Meetings Act. 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:

Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners

At 12:05 p.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to

order

Miscellaneous and New Business

Meeting Summary

Speakers

Adam Pulley, Principal, and Ben Packett, Manager, from CliftonLarsonAllen gave a

presentation to the Board on the 2025 Audit Results of the Metropolitan Water

Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation

District Retiree Health Care Trust Fund (Re: Finance Item #5)

Summary of Requests

Procurement Item 20

1. Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda requested a report on the minority, women, and veteran owned

businesses that have been hired to do the work on the annex

Procurement Item 25

1. Kari K. Steele requested the past research comparing electric versus gas vehicles to

be shared with the board

2. Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda requested a report on the recent activity the Task Force has

conducted

3. Kari K. Steele requested Sharon Waller send an email with her suggestions

Study Session

None

Announcements

None

Board Letter Submission Dates

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for June 18, 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: June 5, 2026

Date all agenda items are due to the Executive Director: 1:00 p.m., June 10, 2026

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,

June 18, 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

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:

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 June 4, 2026, are hereby approved.

APPROVED:

/s/ Kari K. Steele

President Board of Commissioners of the

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

June 4, 2026