Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of  
Greater Chicago  
100 East Erie Street  
Chicago, IL 60611  
Regular Board Meeting Minutes  
Thursday, January 23, 2025  
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  
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 Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Eira L. Corral  
Sepúlveda, that the minutes from the last meeting of January 23, 2025, be  
approved without having to read them into the record. The motion carried by  
acclamation. Chorus of ayes - No nays  
Public Comments  
Ryan Sinwelski, Harvey Historical Society, addressed the board regarding various  
concerns in Harvey  
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 Agenda with the exception of Items: 15  
and 24  
Item # 15 was deleted by the Executive Director  
Item # 24 was 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 Marcelino Garcia, seconded  
by Patricia Theresa Flynn. President Kari K. Steele called for any objections. No  
objections were voiced. Motion carried.  
The Committee of the Whole meeting of January 23, 2025 was adjourned at 10:55  
a.m.  
Executive Session  
None  
Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners  
At 10:55 a.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to  
order  
Motions, Ordinances and Resolutions  
Finance Committee  
Report  
Report to the Board of Commissioners on payment of restricted interest  
earnings in the amount of $806,433.81 for the 2024 calendar year, pursuant to  
the terms of a Project Partnership Agreement with the United States Army  
Corps of Engineers approved by the Board on January 24, 2019  
25-0056  
1
Published and Filed  
Report on Cash Disbursements for the Month of December 2024, in the amount  
of $51,248,502.05  
25-0066  
2
Attachments: December 2024 Cash Disbursements Summary  
Published and Filed  
Report on the investment interest income during December 2024  
25-0073  
25-0074  
25-0075  
3
4
5
Attachments: Inv Int Inc 2024-12 att.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Report on investments purchased during December 2024  
Attachments: Inv Purch 2024-12 att.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Report on investment inventory statistics at December 31, 2024  
Attachments: Inv Stat 2024 Q4 att.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Authorization  
Authority to Transfer up to $324,500,000.00 from the Corporate Working Cash  
Fund to Finance Corporate Fund Operations of the District in the Year 2025,  
Pursuant to the Provisions of 70 ILCS 2605/9b  
25-0053  
6
7
8
Approved  
Authority to Transfer up to $6,650,000.00 from the Construction Working Cash  
Fund to Finance Construction Fund Operations of the District in the Year 2025,  
Pursuant to the Provisions of 70 ILCS 2605/9c  
25-0054  
25-0055  
Approved  
Authority to Transfer up to $59,375,000.00 from the Stormwater Management  
Working Cash Fund to Finance Stormwater Management Fund Operations of  
the District in the Year 2025, Pursuant to the Provisions of 70 ILCS 2605/9e  
Approved  
Authority to Transfer $5,000,000.00 from the Corporate Fund to the Metropolitan  
Water Reclamation District Retiree Health Care Trust (101-25000-601250)  
25-0057  
25-0079  
9
Approved  
10  
Authority to approve Travel Expenses for Members of the Board of  
Commissioners and the Executive Director in the amount of $20,399.53,  
Accounts 101-11000-612010, 612030, and 101-15000-612010, 612030, 612080  
A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Marcelino Garcia,  
that this Agenda Item be Approved. 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  
Procurement Committee  
Report  
Report of bid opening of Tuesday, January 7, 2025  
25-0070  
25-0071  
25-0072  
11  
12  
13  
Published and Filed  
Report of Request for Proposal (RFP) opening of Friday, January 10, 2025  
Published and Filed  
Report on rejection of bids for Contract 24-695-21, Truck Scale Replacement at  
Various Locations, Groups A, B, and C, estimated cost $850,000.00 (Group A  
$390,000.00, Group B $180,000.00, and Group C $280,000.00)  
Published and Filed  
Report of bid opening of Tuesday, January 14, 2025  
25-0080  
25-0081  
14  
15  
Published and Filed  
Report on rejection of bids for Contract 25-100-12 (Re-Bid), Preventative  
Maintenance for Steam Sterilizers, Labor, and Parts, estimated cost $54,000.00  
Deleted by the Executive Director  
Authorization  
Authorization to donate an obsolete Jordan Spreader to the Illinois Railway  
Museum  
25-0062  
16  
Approved  
Authority to Advertise  
Authority to advertise Contract 24-279-5F, Suburban Green Schoolyard Pilot  
Project 1 in Burnham, estimated cost between $1,805,000.00 and  
$2,185,000.00, Account 501-50000-645620, Requisition 1628550 (Deferred  
from the January 9, 2025 Board Meeting)  
25-0017  
17  
Attachments: Contract 24-279-5F Project View  
Contract 24-279-5F Affirmative Action Goals Report - Revised  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 25-602-11, Furnishing and Delivering Chains and  
Appurtenances to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, estimated cost  
$212,000.00, Account 101-69000-623270, Requisition 1629466.  
25-0051  
18  
19  
Attachments: Contract 25-602-11 Affirmative Action Goals Report.pdf  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 25-672-11, Furnishing and Delivering Tires for  
Heavy Equipment to Various Locations, estimated cost $100,000.00, Accounts  
101-68000/69000-623250, Requisitions 1629100 and 1629091  
25-0052  
Attachments:  
Contract 25-672-11 (Groups A and B) Affirmative Action Goals  
Report.pdf  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 25-RFP-02 Health Plan Administrator, for a  
three-year period, effective January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, Account  
101-25000-601250  
25-0058  
20  
21  
Attachments: Contract 25-RFP-02 Affirmative Action Goals Report  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 25-RFP-10 Accessibility Audit and ADA  
Compliance Plan for Digital Platforms, estimated cost $75,000.00, Account  
25-0067  
101-15000-612430, Requisition 1632665  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 25-027-11 Furnish and Deliver Glass and Plastic  
Labware to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, estimated cost  
$288,000.00, Account 101-20000-623570  
25-0068  
25-0069  
22  
23  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 25-028-11 Furnish and Deliver Paper Filters,  
Crucibles, and Petri Dishes to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period,  
estimated cost $202,000.00, Account 101-20000-623570  
Approved  
Issue Purchase Order  
Issue purchase order to 101 Erie Hotel LLC for maintenance and operation of  
the common areas of the 101-111 East Erie Street Building for the period of  
January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, in an amount not to exceed  
$71,053.50, Account 101-15000-612390, Requisition 1632621  
25-0063  
24  
Deferred by Marcelino Garcia  
Increase Purchase Order/Change Order  
Authority to decrease Contract 24-630-11, Group A, Furnishing and Delivering  
25-0048  
25  
Chemical Coagulants, to Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., in an amount of  
$1,162,938.48, from an amount of $7,327,618.00, to an amount not to exceed  
$6,164,679.52, Accounts 101-68000/69000-623560, Purchase Orders 3127611  
and 3127612  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 22-100-11 Preventative Maintenance for Steam  
Sterilizers, Labor, and Parts to Scientific Services Plus, LLC in an amount of  
$8,800.00, from an amount of $36,178.11, to an amount not to exceed  
$44,978.11, Account 101-16000-612970, Purchase Order 3116917  
25-0050  
26  
Attachments: Change Order Log - Purchase Order 3116917  
Approved  
Authority to increase purchase order for 101 Erie Hotel LLC for maintenance  
and operation of the common areas of the 101-111 East Erie Street Building for  
the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 in an amount not to  
exceed $57,346.50, from an amount of $71,053.50, to an amount not to exceed  
$128,400.00, Account 101-15000-612390, Purchase Order 3128849  
25-0064  
27  
Approved  
Engineering Committee  
Report  
Report on change orders authorized and time extensions approved by the  
Director of Engineering during the month of December 2024  
25-0078  
28  
Attachments: Attachment 1 CO Report December 2024 5% Contingency - Final.pdf  
Attachment 2 CO Status Report December 2024 - Final.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Judiciary Committee  
Authorization  
Request for Order approving and adopting the Hearing Officer’s Report  
consisting of a Memorandum and Order in the administrative appeal of  
Nutripack, LLC v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago,  
Appeal No. 23B-008  
25-0076  
29  
Attachments: JUD - Nutripack Hearing Officer Report Approval - Memo and Order.pdf  
Approved  
Pension, Human Resources & Civil Service Committee  
Report  
2024 Annual Report of the Civil Service Board  
25-0059  
30  
Attachments: MWRD CSB Annual Report Signed 2024.pdf  
Published and Filed  
Approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items: 10, 15, 24, 31, and 32  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Precious Brady-Davis, 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  
MOTION to appoint Yumeka Brown as trustee of the Metropolitan Water  
Reclamation District’s Retirement Fund  
25-0083  
31  
A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Precious  
Brady-Davis, that this Motion be Adopted. 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  
MOTION to accept the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Assignments for the  
2025-2026 Standing Committees  
25-0084  
32  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Yumeka Brown, that this  
Motion be Adopted. 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  
Miscellaneous and New Business  
Meeting Summary  
Speakers  
None  
Summary of Requests  
Procurement Committee Item #13  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested a memo on the issues with the exempt work by certified  
scale technicians and if the Contractor discussed the problems with District staff  
Judiciary Committee Item #29  
1. Precious Brady-Davis and Kari K. Steele requested a memo on how noncompliance  
fines are decided  
Miscellaneous & New Business  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested a future resolution reaffirming the District's commitment to  
stopping the global climate crisis  
Study Session  
None  
Announcements  
None  
Board Letter Submission Dates  
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2025, 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: January 24, 2025  
Date all agenda items are due to the Executive Director: 1:00 p.m., January 29,  
2025  
Adjournment  
A motion was made by Patricia Theresa Flynn, seconded by Marcelino Garcia,  
that when the Board Adjourns, it adjourns to meet again on Thursday, February  
6, 2025, 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  
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  
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 January 23, 2025, are hereby approved.  
APPROVED:  
/s/ Kari K. Steele  
President Board of Commissioners of the  
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago  
January 23, 2025