TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 13, 2023
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for payment to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group for Fiscal Year 2023 Membership Dues in an amount not to exceed $125,903.69, Account 101-15000-612280
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to make payment, by direct voucher, to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group (LDWG), for fiscal year (FY) 2023 Membership Dues, in an amount not to exceed $125,903.69.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) is in receipt of the 2023 annual membership invoice for the period March 1, 2023, through February 29, 2024.
The LDWG is a non-profit organization created by municipal stakeholders with the goal of improving the health of the Lower Des Plaines River and its tributaries in a cost-effective way. Its main purpose is to help member agencies meet their current and future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. To support its programs and services, LDWG relies on the financial contributions of its members through dues payment. The District has been a member of LDWG since it was established in 2017 and has a representative serving as a Member At Large on the organization's Executive Board. The amount of dues paid by each agency is determined by factors such as the volume of wastewater discharged from their plants, the size of the area drained within the watershed boundary, and additional fees for administration and monitoring purposes.
The benefits to the District of participating in the LDWG include watershed scale collaboration for:
1. Meeting the James C. Kirie (Kirie) Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) NPDES permit requirements for development of a Nutrient Assessment and Reduction Plan, Bioassessment Monitoring Program Plan, and Chloride Reduction Plan, in the lower Des Plaines River Watershed.
2. Point source nutrient reduction planning.
3. NPDES permit discussions with regulatory and environmental advocacy groups.
4. Additional resources and tools for addressing water quality issues at a watershed level; and
5. Leveraging funds.
It's important to note that participation in the LDWG is a requirement of the NPDES permit for the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant.
Inasmuch as LDWG membership is not available through any other source, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize payment, by direct voucher, to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group in an amount not to exceed $125,903.69.
Funds are available in Account 101-15000-612280.
Requested, Shellie Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, SAR:EWP:HZ:RA:ae
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Marcelino Garcia, Chairman Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for July 13, 2023