TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 11, 2024
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for payment to the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group for Fiscal Year 2024 Membership Dues, in an amount not to exceed $133,645.14, 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 2024 Membership Dues, in an amount not to exceed $133,645.14.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) is in receipt of the 2024 annual membership invoice for the period March 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025.
The LDWG is a non-profit organization formed by municipal stakeholders to cost-effectively improve the health of the Lower Des Plaines River and its tributaries and to assist member agencies in meeting 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 the LDWG since its inception in 2017 and has a Member At Large on its Executive Board. Agency dues are calculated based on per plant millions of gallons per day discharge and acres drained within the watershed boundary, in addition to administration and monitoring fees.
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 is important to note that participation in the LDWG is a NPDES permit requirement for the Kirie WRP.
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 $133,645.14.
Funds are available in Account 101-15000-612280.
Requested, Shellie A. Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, SAR:RA
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 11, 2024