Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of  
Greater Chicago  
100 East Erie Street  
Chicago, IL 60611  
Regular Board Meeting Minutes  
Thursday, October 19, 2023  
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 10:30 a.m.  
Roll Call  
8 -  
Present:  
Precious Brady-Davis; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa Flynn; Marcelino Garcia;  
Daniel Pogorzelski; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Mariyana T. Spyropoulos; and Kari K.  
Steele  
1 - Yumeka Brown  
Absent:  
Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes  
A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Marcelino Garcia,  
that the minutes from the last meeting of October 5, 2023 be approved without  
having to read them into the record. The motion carried by acclamation. Chorus  
of ayes - No nays  
Public Comments  
None  
Recess and Convene as Committee of the Whole  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, seconded by Eira L. Corral  
Sepúlveda, 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: 11, 13, 16, 17 and 20  
Item # 11 was deferred by Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Item # 13 was deferred by Cameron Davis  
Items # 16, 17, and 20 were deferred by Marcelino Garcia  
President Kari K. Steele called for a motion to accept the agendas for each  
Standing Committee that was convened. Moved by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos,  
seconded by Marcelino Garcia. President Kari K. Steele called for any  
objections. No objections were voiced. Motion carried.  
The Committee of the Whole meeting of October 19, 2023 was adjourned at 11:50  
a.m.  
Executive Session  
None  
Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners  
At 11:55 a.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to  
order  
Motions, Ordinances and Resolutions  
Resolution  
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing  
“Imagine a Day Without Water”  
23-0969  
23-1027  
1
2
Adopted  
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing former  
Illinois House Representative Gregory S. Harris (As Revised)  
Adopted  
Finance Committee  
Report  
Report on Cash Disbursements for the Month of September 2023, in the  
amount of $37,745,166.90  
23-1012  
3
Attachments: September 2023 Cash Disbursements Summary.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Report on investments purchased during July 2023  
23-1013  
23-1014  
23-1015  
23-1016  
4
5
6
7
Attachments: Inv Purch 2023-07 att.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Report on investments purchased during August 2023  
Attachments: Inv Purch 2023-08 att.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Report on the investment interest income during July 2023  
Attachments: Inv Int Inc 2023-07 att.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Report on the investment interest income during August 2023  
Attachments: Inv Int Inc 2023-08 att.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Procurement Committee  
Report  
Report of bid opening of Tuesday, October 3, 2023  
23-1008  
23-1009  
8
9
Published and Filed  
Report on rejection of bids for Contract 23-115-12 (Re-Bid), Furnish and Deliver  
Label Printers, Barcode Scanners, and Accessories, estimated cost  
$120,000.00  
Published and Filed  
Authorization  
Authorization for payment to National Association of Clean Water Agencies  
(NACWA) for 2023/2024 membership dues in the amount of $99,045.00,  
Account 101-15000-612280 (Deferred from the October 5, 2023 Board Meeting)  
23-0957  
10  
Approved  
Authorization for payment to WateReuse Association for 2024 membership  
dues, in the amount of $19,230.00, Account 101-15000-612280  
23-0985  
23-0994  
11  
12  
Deferred by Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda  
Authorization to amend Board Order of April 20, 2023, regarding Issue purchase  
order to Dell Marketing, LP for Microsoft Premier software and directory  
services support, in an amount not to exceed $353,003.00, Account  
101-27000-612820, Requisition 1598412, Agenda Item No. 14, File No. 23-0349  
Attachments:  
Transmittal Letter for Board Meeting of April 20, 2023 - Agenda Item  
No. 14, File No. 23-0349  
Approved  
Authorization for payment to Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies (IAWA)  
for 2023/2024 membership dues in the amount of $14,120.00, Account  
101-15000-612280  
23-1011  
13  
Deferred by Cameron Davis  
Authority to Advertise  
23-0892  
14  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-RFP-19, Professional Engineering Services  
for the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant Biosolids Management Strategy,  
estimated cost $1,500,000.00, Account 201-50000-612430, Requisition  
1604172 (Deferred from the September 21, 2023 Board Meeting) (Deferred  
from the October 5, 2023 Board Meeting)  
Attachments: Contract 23-RFP-19 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-847-11, Truck Hauling of Liquid Sludge from  
the Lemont Water Reclamation Plant, estimated cost $543,440.00, Account  
101-68000-612520, Requisition 1606155  
23-0981  
15  
16  
17  
18  
Attachments: Contract 24-847-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-690-11, Beneficial Reuse of Biosolids from  
LASMA and CALSMA, estimated cost $12,380,000.00, Accounts  
101-68000/69000-612520, Requisitions 1606394 and 1606557  
23-0982  
Attachments: Contract 24-690-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report - Groups A and B  
Deferred by Marcelino Garcia  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-692-11, Utilization and Transportation of Air  
Dried Biosolids from LASMA and CALSMA, estimated cost $3,826,800.00,  
Accounts 101-68000/69000-612520, Requisitions 1600061 and 1601426  
23-0995  
Attachments: Contract 24-692-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report - Groups A and B  
Deferred by Marcelino Garcia  
23-0996  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-618-11, Furnish and Deliver HVAC and  
Refrigeration Parts and Services to Various Locations, estimated cost  
$984,155.00, Accounts 101-67000/68000/69000-612680/623270, Requisitions  
1605437, 1605438, and 1605439  
Attachments:  
Contract 24-618-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report - Groups A, B and  
C
Approved  
23-0998  
19  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-670-11, Inspection and Repair of Cranes and  
Hoists at Various Locations, estimated cost $953,900.00, Accounts  
101-67000/68000/69000-612240/612680, Requisitions 1606406, 1606408, and  
1606424  
Attachments: Contract 24-670-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-691-11, Truck Hauling of Processed Solids  
for LASMA and CALSMA, estimated cost $5,464,000.00, Accounts  
101-68000/69000-612520, Requisitions 1606396 and 1606558  
23-1002  
20  
Attachments: Contract 24-691-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report - Groups A and B  
Deferred by Marcelino Garcia  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-622-11, Furnish and Deliver Miscellaneous  
Electrical and Mechanical Equipment to Various Locations, estimated cost  
$1,553,000.00, Accounts  
23-1003  
21  
101-67000/68000/69000-623070/623090/623270/623800/634650 Requisitions  
1601847, 1602122, 1603038, 1603221, 1603222, 1603297, 1603707, 1605026,  
and 1605032  
Attachments: Contract 24-622-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-012-11 Furnish and Deliver Paint, Brushes,  
Solvents and Stains to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, estimated  
cost $45,000.00, Account 101-20000-623190  
23-1005  
22  
Attachments: Contract 24-012-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Issue Purchase Order  
Issue purchase order to Early Morning Software, Inc. for EMS PRISM  
Compliance Software License Renewal and Stage Infrastructure, in an amount  
not to exceed $57,560.00, Account 101-27000-612820, Requisition 1606164  
(Deferred from the October 5, 2023 Board Meeting)  
23-0934  
23  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Occupational Health  
Centers of Illinois, P.C. dba Concentra Medical Centers for Contract 23-RFP-10  
Pre-employment Physical Examinations, Post-offer Physical Assessments and  
Related Services, for a three-year period, effective January 1, 2024 to  
December 31, 2026, estimated cost $150,000.00, Account 101-25000-612260,  
Requisition 1598035  
23-0975  
24  
Attachments: Contract 23-RFP-10 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Issue purchase orders to Staples Contract and Commercial, LLC, to Furnish  
and Deliver Miscellaneous Office Supplies to Various Locations under the  
Sourcewell, formerly National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA), Purchasing  
Co-operative Contract Number 012320-SCC, in an amount not to exceed  
$80,050.00, Accounts 101, 501-11000, 15000, 16000, 20000, 25000, 27000,  
30000, 40000, 50000, 66000, 67000, 68000, 69000-623520, Requisitions  
1462110, 1605740, 1605801, 1605803, 1605823, 1605842, 1606021, 1606154,  
1606520, 1606521, 1606551, 1606552, and 1606555.  
23-0976  
25  
Approved  
Issue purchase order for Contract 24-304-11, Annual Maintenance, Repairing,  
Recharging, and Hydrostatic Pressure Testing of Portable Fire Extinguishers for  
a Three (3) Year Period at Various Locations, to U.S. Fire and Safety Equipment  
Co., in an amount not to exceed $92,869.00, Account 101-25000-612780,  
Requisition 1601009  
23-0978  
23-0980  
26  
27  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Arcadis U.S. Inc., for  
Contract 23-RFP-15 Consulting Services to Develop an Executive Level  
Performance Evaluation Process, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00,  
Account 101-25000-612430, Requisition 1601010  
Attachments: Contract 23-RFP-15 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to National Fire Protection Association for National Fire  
Codes On-Line Subscription License Renewal, in an amount not to exceed  
$27,720.00, Account 101-27000-612820, Requisition 1606166  
23-0987  
23-0990  
28  
29  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Willis Towers Watson Midwest, Inc. to Furnish  
Property Insurance Coverage for the District in an amount not to exceed  
$3,014,218.00, Account 101-25000-612290, Requisition 1607475  
Attachments:  
Contract 22-RFP-12 Affirmative Action Goals and Appendix A Report -  
Willis Towers Watson Midwest, Inc.  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to AVI-SPL LLC and enter into an agreement with Avaya,  
Inc. for Telecommunications Equipment, Maintenance Support, and E911  
Calling, in an amount not to exceed $613,230.76, Account 101-27000-612840,  
Requisition 1607457  
23-1000  
23-1004  
30  
31  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Haworth, Inc., to furnish and deliver office furniture and  
cubicles for thirteen (13) employee spaces at the Main Office Building Annex,  
under General Services Administration Joint Purchasing Contract  
GS-03F-057DA, in an amount not to exceed $61,765.72, Account  
101-15000-634800, Requisition 1607465  
Approved  
Issue purchase order for Contract 23-904-23 (Re-Bid), Furnishing and  
Delivering Harmonic Filters to the Stickney WRP, to Active Electrical Supply  
Company, in an amount not to exceed $243,270.00, Account  
201-50000-645650, Requisition 1601266  
23-1007  
32  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Proven IT, Inc. to furnish, deliver, and install one KIP  
7980 Series Four Roll Multi-Function Printing System with one KIP 2300 CCD  
Scanner, including one year of maintenance under Sourcewell (formerly NJPA)  
Purchasing Contract No. 030321-TOS, in an amount not to exceed $50,830.00,  
Accounts 101-50000-634990 and 101-50000-612800, Requisition 1607060  
23-1017  
33  
Approved  
Award Contract  
Authority to award Contract 24-348-11, Services to Remove Hazardous  
Materials from Various District Locations, On an As-Needed Basis, For A  
Three-Year Period, to Luse Environmental Services, Inc., in an amount not to  
exceed $274,785.00, Account 101-25000-612780, Requisition 1608245 (As  
Revised)  
23-1006  
34  
Attachments:  
Contract 24-348-11 Affirmative Action Goals and Revised Appendix D  
Report - Luse Companies  
Approved  
Increase Purchase Order/Change Order  
Authority to decrease Contract 19-665-11, Landscape Maintenance at Various  
23-0913  
35  
Service Areas, Groups A, B, and D to Lizzette Medina & Company, in an  
amount of $24,586.25, from an amount of $739,250.84, to an amount not to  
exceed $714,664.59, Accounts 101-68000/69000-612420, Purchase Orders  
5001719 and 5001720 (Deferred from the October 5, 2023 Board Meeting)  
Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Orders 5001719 and 5001720  
Approved  
Authority to decrease Contract 21-690-12, Beneficial Reuse of Biosolids from  
LASMA and CALSMA (Re-Bid), Group A LASMA, to Stewart Spreading, Inc., in  
an amount of $1,312,928.09, from an amount of $12,556,834.00, to an amount  
not to exceed $11,243,905.91, Account 101-69000-612520, Purchase Order  
5001854  
23-0983  
36  
Approved  
Authority to decrease Contract 21-690-11, Beneficial Reuse of Biosolids from  
LASMA and CALSMA, Group B CALSMA, to Stewart Spreading, Inc., in an  
amount of $691,700.00, from an amount of $2,675,100.00, to an amount not to  
exceed $1,983,400.00, Account 101-68000-612520, Purchase Order 5001839  
23-0984  
23-0988  
37  
38  
Approved  
Authority to decrease Contract 22-691-12, Truck Hauling of Processed Solids  
for LASMA, CALSMA and the Egan Water Reclamation Plant (Re-Bid), Groups  
B and C, to Gosia Cartage, LTD, in an amount of $900,200.00, from an amount  
of $2,710,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $1,809,800.00, Accounts  
101-67000/68000-612520, Purchase Order 5001877  
Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 5001877  
Approved  
Authority to decrease Contract 21-692-11, Utilization and Transportation of Air  
Dried Biosolids from LASMA and CALSMA, Groups A and B, to Synagro  
Central, LLC, in an amount of $115,000.00, from an amount of $2,940,830.98,  
to an amount not to exceed $2,825,830.98, Accounts 101-68000/69000-612520,  
Purchase Order 5001805  
23-0989  
39  
Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 5001805  
Approved  
Authority to decrease Contract 22-691-11, Truck Hauling of Processed Solids  
for LASMA, CALSMA and the Egan Water Reclamation Plant, Group A LASMA,  
to J.E.I. Inc., in an amount of $1,081,416.21, from an amount of $3,750,000.00,  
to an amount not to exceed $2,668,583.79, Account 101-69000-612520,  
Purchase Order 5001866  
23-0991  
23-0999  
23-1001  
40  
41  
42  
Approved  
Authority to increase purchase order and amend the agreement with Schneider  
Electric Systems USA, Inc., to provide services for a Secure Upgrade to the  
DCS at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, in an amount of $42,946.90,  
from an amount of $441,546.00, to an amount not to exceed $484,492.90,  
Account 101-68000-612650, Purchase Order 3120617  
Approved  
Authority to increase purchase order and amend the agreement with Seyfarth  
Shaw LLP to represent the District in MWRDGC v. IBEW, Local 9, Case No.  
2023 CH 00322, Circuit Court of Cook County and any related actions, in an  
amount of $45,000.00, from an amount of $185,000.00, to an amount not to  
exceed $230,000.00, Account 101-30000-612430, Purchase Order 3124390  
Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 3124390  
Approved  
Budget & Employment Committee  
Authorization  
Authority to transfer 2023 departmental appropriations in the amount of  
$3,500.00 in the Corporate Fund  
23-1026  
43  
Attachments: 10.19.23 Board Transfer BF5.pdf  
Approved  
Engineering Committee  
Report  
Report on change orders authorized and time extensions approved by the  
Director of Engineering during the month of September 2023  
23-1018  
44  
45  
Attachments: Attachment 1 CO Report September 2023 5% Contingency.pdf  
Attachment 2 CO Status Report September 2023  
Published and Filed  
Report on the status of the agreement entered into between the District and  
Material Service Corporation, now known as Heidelberg Materials Midwest  
Aggregate, Inc., for the mining of the required “Rough Hole” for the Thornton  
Composite Reservoir  
23-1019  
Attachments: Attachment A 10.03.23.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Maintenance & Operations Committee  
Reports  
Report on change orders authorized and approved by the Director of  
Maintenance and Operations during the month of September 2023  
23-1025  
46  
Attachments: R-98 Report September 2023.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Stormwater Management Committee  
Authorization  
Authority to amend the intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Lyons  
for the acquisition of flood-prone properties (21-IGA-24)  
23-1020  
47  
Attachments: Exhibit A.pdf  
Exhibit B.pdf  
Approved  
Authority to negotiate and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with and  
make payment to the Village of Brookfield for the design, construction,  
operation, and maintenance of the Burlington Avenue Storm Sewer  
Improvements in Brookfield (23-IGA-31), in an amount not to exceed  
$1,075,745.00  
23-1022  
48  
Attachments: 23-IGA-31-Brookfield BL Exhibit.pdf  
Approved  
Authority to negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement for the design,  
construction, operation, and maintenance of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation  
Project in South Holland, Illinois  
23-1023  
49  
50  
Attachments: 18-252-5F_ARPA Stormwater Projects List.pdf  
Approved  
Authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with and make payment  
to the Village of Midlothian for the acquisition of a flood-prone property  
(23-IGA-28), in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00, Account  
501-50000-612400  
23-1024  
Attachments: Flood-Prone Property Acquistion - Exhibit.pdf  
Midlothian Natalie Creek Property (23-IGA-28) - Exhibit.pdf  
Approved  
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the  
120th anniversary of Local 63 Ironworkers  
23-1029  
23-1030  
51  
52  
Adopted  
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the  
Climate Action Museum  
Adopted  
Approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items: 11, 13, 16, 17, and 20  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, seconded by Cameron Davis, to  
Approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:  
8 -  
Aye:  
Precious Brady-Davis, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Marcelino Garcia,  
Daniel Pogorzelski, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K.  
Steele  
1 - Yumeka Brown  
Absent:  
Miscellaneous and New Business  
Meeting Summary  
Speakers  
Matt Mcgregor and the MWRD 2nd City Sewer Crew addressed the board regarding the  
WEFTEC competition  
Former Illinois State Representative, Gregory Harris, accepted the resolution in his honor  
(Re: Miscellaneous and New Business Item #2)  
Summary of Requests  
Procurement Committee Item # 10  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested a memo regarding the conversation with NACWA on where  
we are and where we are going  
2. Marcelino Garcia recommended a Study Session on PFAS be held next year  
3. Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda requested the follow up from last year's report be included in  
the memo  
Procurement Committee Item # 11  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested a report on WaterReuse regarding where we are, past  
issues and innovations  
Procurement Committee Item # 13  
1. Kari K. Steele requested a report on the number of District members in the  
WaterReuse Association and the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies  
Procurement Committee Items # 16, 17, and 20  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested a memo describing the differences between the contracts  
scope of work  
2. Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda also requested the memo include an analysis of the review to  
un-bundle  
Procurement Committee Item # 30  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested a memo on the number of procurements done per year  
versus how many have multi year extensions  
Procurement Committee Item # 35  
1. Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda recommended vendors be notified when their certification  
expires and for the process to be evaluated  
Study Session  
None  
Announcements  
Kari K. Steele announced the 2nd annual "Imagine a Day Without Water" MWRD video  
and essay contest for 6th through 8th graders. More details can be found on the MWRD  
website.  
Board Letter Submission Dates  
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for November 2, 2023, 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: October 20, 2023  
Date all agenda items are due to the Executive Director: 1:00 p.m., October 25,  
2023  
Adjournment  
A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Mariyana T.  
Spyropoulos, that when the Board Adjourns, it adjourns to meet again on  
Thursday, November 2, 2023 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, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Marcelino Garcia,  
Daniel Pogorzelski, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K.  
Steele  
1 - Yumeka Brown  
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 October 19, 2023, are hereby approved.  
APPROVED:  
/s/ Kari K. Steele  
President Board of Commissioners of the  
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago  
October 19, 2023