Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of  
Greater Chicago  
100 East Erie Street  
Chicago, IL 60611  
Regular Board Meeting Minutes  
Thursday, June 15, 2023  
10:30 AM  
Board Room  
Board of Commissioners  
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:  
Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa Flynn; Marcelino Garcia; Daniel  
Pogorzelski; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Mariyana T. Spyropoulos; and Kari K. Steele  
Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Patricia Theresa Flynn,  
that the minutes from the last meeting of June 1, 2023 be approved without  
having to read them into the record. The motion carried by acclamation. Chorus  
of ayes - No nays  
Public Comments  
Barbara J. McGowan, Retired MWRD Vice-President, addressed the board regarding  
agenda item #1  
Recess and Convene as Committee of the Whole  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, 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: 32 and 39  
A motion was made by Kari K. Steele, seconded by Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda to  
Amend Agenda Item #1 to include the names of family members. The motion  
carried by the following roll call vote:  
Aye: 8 - Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa Flynn; Marcelino  
Garcia; Daniel Pogorzelski; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Mariyana T. Spyropoulos;  
and Kari K. Steele  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, seconded by Patricia Theresa  
Flynn, to defer Agenda Item #32 to the Regular Board Meeting. The motion  
carried by the following roll call vote:  
Aye: 8 - Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Patricia Theresa Flynn; Marcelino  
Garcia; Daniel Pogorzelski; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Mariyana T. Spyropoulos;  
and Kari K. Steele  
Item # 39 was deferred by Cameron Davis  
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 Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda. President Kari K. Steele called for any objections.  
No objections were voiced. Motion carried.  
The Committee of the Whole meeting of June 15, 2023 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  
Memorial Resolution  
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners  
1
celebrating the life of Paulette Marshall "ADOPTED AS AMENDED REFER TO  
FILE ID# 23-0606A"  
A motion was made by Kari K. Steele, seconded by Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda,  
that this Memorial Resolution be Adopted as Amended. The motion carried by  
the following roll call vote:  
8 -  
Aye:  
Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Marcelino Garcia, Daniel  
Pogorzelski, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
MOTION to Amend File No. 23-0606 (Agenda Item No. 1) Memorial Resolution  
sponsored by the Board of Commissioners celebrating the life of Paulette  
Marshall  
A motion was made by Kari K. Steele, seconded by Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda,  
that this Motion be Adopted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:  
8 -  
Aye:  
Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Marcelino Garcia, Daniel  
Pogorzelski, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
Resolution  
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June  
19th as Juneteenth  
2
3
Adopted  
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing National  
Pollinators Week  
Adopted  
Finance Committee  
Report  
Report on the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports of the  
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and of the  
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Retiree Health Care Trust  
4
Published and Filed  
Report on Cash Disbursements for the Month of May 2023, in the amount of  
$26,465,203.11  
5
Published and Filed  
Procurement Committee  
Report  
Report of bid opening of Tuesday, June 6, 2023  
6
Published and Filed  
Authorization  
Authorization to accept initial annual rental bid for Contract 23-360-11 Proposal  
to Lease 6,123± square feet of District real estate located along the North  
Branch of the Chicago River adjacent to 4030 North Rockwell Street in Chicago,  
Illinois, known as North Shore Channel Parcel 10.05, for a ten (10) year term  
from Albany, Inc., in the amount of $11,500.00  
7
Approved  
Authorization to accept initial annual rental bid for Contract 23-362-11 Proposal  
to Lease 22.9± acres of District real estate located at 15660 Canal Bank Road  
in Lemont, Illinois, known as Main Channel Parcel 23.03, for a fourteen (14) year  
term from A. Block Marketing, Inc. in the amount of $602,000.00  
8
Approved  
Authorization to exercise an option to extend and amend agreement with  
Enerwise Global Technologies, LLC dba CPower for energy curtailment  
services under Contract 20-RFP-17 for years 2024-2027  
9
Approved  
Authority to Advertise  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-603-11 Furnishing and Delivering Roadway  
Rock Salt to Various Service Areas, estimated cost $128,100.00, Accounts  
101-67000/68000/69000-623130, Requisitions 1598080, 1598252, and 1598172  
10  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-117-11 Identification of Benthic  
Macroinvertebrates, estimated cost $14,760.00, Account 101-16000-612490,  
Requisition 1599759  
11  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-116-11 Analysis of Sediment Toxicity,  
estimated cost $11,700.00, Account 101-16000-612490, Requisition 1599758  
12  
13  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 22-601-21 Furnish, Deliver and Install Bag Filters  
at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, estimated cost $250,000.00, Account  
201-50000-645750 Requisition 1598263  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-682-11, Chemical Grouting Services,  
estimated cost $90,000.00, Account 101-66000-612600, Requisition 1600886  
14  
15  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-883-1Z, Furnish, Deliver, and Install One  
Digital Wide Format Scanner and Printer/Copier, Main Office Building Annex,  
estimated cost $40,000.00, Accounts 101-50000-634990 and  
101-50000-612800, Requisition 1601011  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-419-11 Elevator Maintenance and Repair  
Service at The Main Office Building Complex, estimated cost $172,000.00,  
Accounts 101-15000-612370 and 612390, Requisition 1601240  
16  
17  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-RFP-15 Consulting Services to Develop an  
Executive Level Performance Evaluation Process, estimated cost $15,000.00,  
Account 101-25000-612430, Requisition 1601010  
Approved  
Authority to advertise Contract 23-023-11, Furnish and Deliver Lab Chemicals  
to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, estimated cost $108,000.00,  
Account 101-20000-623570  
18  
Approved  
Issue Purchase Order  
Issue purchase order to CDW Government LLC for Nearmap Vertical for  
Government with ArcGIS Integration, in an amount not to exceed $26,500.00,  
Account 101-27000-612820, Requisition 1598430 (As Revised)  
19  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with SEAL Analytical Inc. to  
Furnish, Deliver, and Install an Automated Discrete Analyzer, Peripheral  
Equipment, Preventive Maintenance, and Consumable Supplies in the Analytical  
Laboratory at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant in an amount not to exceed  
$59,523.00, Accounts 101-16000-612970, 634970, Requisition 1600304  
20  
Approved  
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Benefitfocus.com for  
Employee Benefits Software, in an amount not to exceed $434,000.00,  
Accounts 101-25000-612430 and 101-27000-612820, Requisition 1601239 (As  
Revised)  
21  
22  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Landoll Company, LLC, to Furnish and Deliver One  
New Narrow Aisle Warehouse Forklift to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant,  
under General Services Administration (GSA) Joint Purchasing Contract No.  
47QMCA21D000C, in an amount not to exceed $98,600.40, Account  
101-20000-634760, Requisition 1600074  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Peterson and Matz, Inc., to Furnish and Deliver One (1)  
Sulzer Turbo Blower Assembly to the Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant,  
in an amount not to exceed $228,910.00, Account 101-67000-623270,  
Requisition 1600309.  
23  
24  
Approved  
Issue purchase order to Russo Hardware, Inc d/b/a Russo Power Equipment to  
Furnish and Deliver Four (4) Kubota Mowers to the Stickney Water Reclamation  
Plant, under the Sourcewell (formerly NJPA) Purchasing Co-operative Contract  
Number 031121-KBA, in an amount not to exceed $35,096.84, Account  
101-69000-634990, Requisition 1597808  
Approved  
Award Contract  
Authority to award Contract 23-004-12 Furnish and Deliver Miscellaneous Steel  
and Stainless Steel to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, Groups A, B  
and E to RKM Metals LLC, in an amount not to exceed $86,612.18, and Groups  
C and D to Super Roco Steel and Tube LTD. II, in an amount not to exceed  
$119,429.46. Accounts 101-20000-623030, 623130 (As Revised)  
25  
Attachments:  
Approved  
Authority to award Contract 23-053-11, Furnish and Deliver Lamps &  
Emergency Lighting to Various Locations for a One (1) Year Period, Group A to  
Neher Electric Supply, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $15,600.19, and Group  
B to Helsel-Jepperson Electrical, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $15,882.90  
Account 101-20000-623070.  
26  
Approved  
Authority to award Contract 23-083-11, Furnish and Deliver Sump Pumps to  
Various Locations for a One-Year Period, to Marco Supply Company, Inc. D/B/A  
Johnson Pipe & Supply Corp., in an amount not to exceed $25,426.33,  
Accounts 101-20000-623090, 623270.  
27  
28  
Approved  
Authority to award Contract 23-659-11, Agricultural Management, Agricultural  
Fieldside Mowing, and Fence Installation and Repair in Fulton County, Illinois,  
Group B, to C&J Mowing and Fencing, LLC, in an amount not to exceed  
$375,000.00, Accounts 101-69000-612420, Requisition 1576860  
Attachments:  
Approved  
Authority to award Contract 21-091-3P, Phosphorus Removal Modifications to  
Battery D at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant to IHC Construction  
Companies LLC, in an amount not to exceed $14,850,000.00, plus a five (5)  
percent allowance for change orders in an amount of $742,500.00, for a total  
amount not to exceed $15,592,500.00, Account 401-50000-645650, Requisition  
1595818  
29  
Attachments:  
Approved  
Increase Purchase Order/Change Order  
Authority to increase Contract 18-702-31, Furnish, Deliver, and Install Disc  
Filters at the Egan Water Reclamation Plant, to Independent Mechanical  
Industries, Inc., in an amount of $590,000.00 from an amount of $8,862,316.00  
to an amount not to exceed $9,452,316.00, Account 401-50000-645650,  
Purchase Order 5001863  
30  
Approved  
Authority to increase and extend the agreement for Contract 17-483-12 with  
TierPoint, LLC, Provide Co-Location Services for District Infrastructure, in an  
amount of $21,300.00, from an amount of $321,246.66, to an amount not to  
exceed $342,546.66, Account 101-27000-612330, Purchase Order 3105936  
31  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 15-830-3D Replacement of Tailrace Stop Logs,  
Headrace Gates, and Equipment at Lockport Powerhouse, Stickney Service  
Area, to IHC Construction Companies, L.L.C. in an amount of $327,758.26,  
from an amount of $13,782,011.82, to an amount not to exceed $14,109,770.08,  
Account 401-50000-645720, Purchase Order 4000070  
32  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, seconded by Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda,  
to lift her earlier deferral of this Agenda Item. The motion carried by the following roll call  
vote:  
Aye: 8 - Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Marcelino Garcia,  
Daniel Pogorzelski, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
Approved  
Authority to increase Contract 04-128-3P Westside Primary Settling Tanks 1-9  
and Aerated Grit Facility, Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, to IHC  
Construction and F.H. Paschen/S.N. Nielsen Joint Venture in an amount of  
$860,528.33, from an amount of $234,103,064.64, to an amount not to exceed  
$234,963,592.97, Accounts 401-50000-645650, 645780, 645680, Purchase  
Order 4000020 (As Revised)  
33  
Approved  
Judiciary Committee  
Authorization  
Authority to settle the Workers’ Compensation Claim of George Pacius vs.  
MWRDGC, Claim number 22WC007157, Illinois Workers’ Compensation  
Commission (IWCC), in the sum of $59,272.21, Account 901-30000-601090  
34  
Approved  
Authority to settle the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claims of Chaz Payne vs.  
MWRDGC, Claim Number 23WC012268 in the sum of $76,276.38, Account  
901-30000-601090  
35  
36  
37  
Approved  
Authority to settle the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Kevin Devereux vs.  
MWRDGC, Claim number 20 WC 28936, Illinois Workers’ Compensation  
Commission (IWCC), in the sum of $45,000.00, Account 901-30000-601090  
Approved  
Request for Order approving and adopting the Hearing Officer’s Report  
consisting of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Orders to the Board of  
Commissioners in the administrative appeal of City Colleges of Chicago  
Community College District No. 508 v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District  
of Greater Chicago, Appeal No. 22B-004  
Approved  
Maintenance & Operations Committee  
Authorization  
Declaration of an operational emergency and ratification of Emergency Contract  
38  
23-700-01, Repair of West Side Sludge Line on Devon Avenue in Chicago,  
Illinois, with Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp., Account 901-67000-667220,  
Requisition 1601433  
Approved  
Pension, Human Resources & Civil Service Committee  
Authorization  
Requesting the advice and consent of the Board of Commissioners to the  
39  
appointment of Thaddeus J. Kosowski as the Director of Human Resources for  
the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago  
Deferred by Cameron Davis  
Real Estate Development Committee  
Authorization  
Authority to approve and execute a 3,125± sq. ft. permanent, non-exclusive  
access easement from NeighborSpace for the East Garfield Park Eco Orchard  
Project (18-IGA-05) near Sacramento Boulevard and 5th Avenue in Chicago,  
Illinois  
41  
Approved  
Authority to issue a 3-month soil boring permit to the Chicago Transit Authority  
on portions of the District’s Calumet Water Reclamation Plant in Chicago,  
Illinois. Consideration shall be a permit fee of $5,000.00  
42  
Approved  
Stormwater Management Committee  
Authorization  
Authorization for payment to the City of Oak Forest, Illinois, for the disposal of  
43  
sediment from the La Crosse Avenue and Laporte Avenue culverts on Natalie  
Creek in connection with Contract 14-252-5F, Flood Control Project on Natalie  
Creek in Oak Forest and Midlothian, CSA, in an amount not to exceed  
$10,000.00, Account 501-50000-612400  
Approved  
Authority to negotiate and enter into an American Rescue Plan Act Subrecipient  
Agreement with Cook County for joint funding of stormwater management  
projects located in Cook County  
44  
45  
Approved  
Authorization to amend the Board Order of December 15, 2022, regarding  
Authority to negotiate and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with and  
make payment to the Village of River Forest for the design, construction,  
operation and maintenance of Green Alley Improvements in River Forest, SSA  
(23-IGA-08) in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00, Account  
501-50000-612400, Requisition 1591897, Agenda Item No. 54, File No. 22-1140  
Approved  
Authority to award Contract 06-360-3SR, Upper Des Plaines Intercepting Sewer  
14B Rehabilitation, NSA (Re-Bid), to Michels Trenchless, Inc., in an amount not  
to exceed $36,082,848.50, plus a five (5) percent allowance for change orders  
in an amount of $1,804,142.42, for a total amount not to exceed $37,886,990.92,  
Account 401-50000-645700, Requisition 1554039  
46  
Approved  
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners  
celebrating the life of Maggie Singleton  
47  
Adopted  
Approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items: 1, 39 and 48  
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:  
Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Marcelino Garcia, Daniel  
Pogorzelski, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
MOTION to nominate Patricia Theresa Flynn as Vice President of the Board of  
Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater  
Chicago  
48  
A motion was made by Marcelino Garcia, seconded by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos,  
that this Motion be Adopted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:  
6 -  
Aye:  
Nay:  
Patricia Theresa Flynn, Marcelino Garcia, Daniel Pogorzelski, Eira L. Corral  
Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Kari K. Steele  
2 - Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis  
Executive Session  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropolous, seconded by Cameron Davis,  
that an executive session be held for the Committee on Pension, Human  
Resources, and Civil Service to discuss the employment, compensation, and  
performance of specific employees. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  
8:0  
Recess and Reconvene as Board of Commissioners  
At 1:15 p.m. President Kari K. Steele reconvened the regular board meeting to  
order  
Miscellaneous and New Business  
Meeting Summary  
Speakers  
Jodi Dobson, Partner at Baker Tilly, and Brian Nichols, Principal at Baker Tilly, gave a  
presentation to the board on the 2022 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 #4)  
Summary of Requests  
Procurement Committee Item #10  
1. Mariyana T. Spyropolous requested a report on friendly alternatives to rock salt  
2. Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda requested an annual snow removal plan  
Procurement Committee Item #25  
1. Marcelino Garcia requested how the District can improve systems to prevent zero  
dollar bids  
Study Session  
None  
Announcements  
Kari K. Steele announced the Juneteenth celebration will be held on June 15, 2023 at  
4:45 p.m. in the Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie St, Chicago.  
Board Letter Submission Dates  
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for July 13, 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: June 30, 2023  
Date all agenda items are due to the Executive Director: 1:00 p.m., July 5, 2023  
Adjournment  
A motion was made by Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, seconded by Cameron Davis,  
that when the Board Adjourns, it adjourns to meet again on Thursday, July 13,  
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  
7 -  
Aye:  
Yumeka Brown, Cameron Davis, Patricia Theresa Flynn, Daniel Pogorzelski, Eira L.  
Corral Sepúlveda, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, 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 15, 2023, are hereby approved.  
APPROVED:  
/s/ Kari K. Steele  
President Board of Commissioners of the  
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago  
June 15, 2023