[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:39] Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Metropolitan Watson Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. My name is Carrie Steele. I am President of the Board of Commissioners. It is September 3rd, 2026, and this is our regular board meeting.
[0:57] Our meeting will come to order. Madame Park, will you please call the roll. Commissioner Brady Davis.
[1:04] Commissioner Brown.
[1:05] President, Commissioner Davis,
[1:10] Vice President Flynn, Chairman Garcia, Commissioner McAvoy Kirk
[1:15] Ward, President, Commissioner Coral, Supple of the President, Commissioner Waller, and
[1:20] Madam President.
[1:22] Here, six President constituting a core Madam President.
[1:25] So ordered, if there is anyone from the public that would like to make a comment, please
[1:31] fill out the yellow card, that yellow card is being held up by Jennifer in the back of
[1:36] She will make sure I receive that card and you will have three minutes to address the board.
[1:43] At this time, we'll let everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance.
[2:07] Thank you.
[2:08] Once again, if there's anyone who would like to make a public comment, please fill out
[2:12] the yellow card.
[2:17] Motion to accept the minutes from the last regular board meeting
[2:20] in August 13th, 1226 without having to read them into record. Move by, move by,
[2:27] vice president, second by Kirkwood, all in favor say aye. All opposed. Hearing none
[2:35] So ordered.
[2:43] All right, our first speaker is Mike McGillery. If you could please step to the
[2:53] microphone, clearly state your name and spell your name, state your affiliation, and you
[2:59] have three minutes to address the board. Welcome.
[3:02] Good morning, Madam President at Lord. It's good to see everybody here today. My name is Mike
[3:06] Michael Roy, M-I-K-E, M-C-E-L-R-O-I, M-O-I, M-O-B-D Chicago Harbor Safety Committee, also here
[3:12] is a citizen of the village of work.
[3:17] And I'm missing something else, Madam President, I'm supposed to say before I go on.
[3:20] No, you got it.
[3:21] Okay, great.
[3:22] You're ready.
[3:22] Well, what are the items I'd like to bring, Commissioner, to your attention, is a specific piece
[3:27] of land that's owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
[3:30] Who's ultimate fate to the use of this property has been a question on the hearts and minds
[3:34] of the village of work for many, many years.
[3:36] I personally myself have fought to keep this land open and free.
[3:40] At one point it was in danger of becoming a landfill, or village fought that.
[3:44] Later it was in danger of becoming a confined disposal facility by the Army Corps of Engineers.
[3:49] Now eventually it's been returned to the district since the Army and the no longer needs it.
[3:53] What's developed in this property is simply amazing.
[3:55] It's a gem of the south side.
[3:57] Fish, turtles, a quacky ecosystem that rivals many wetlands that you see today.
[4:02] Currently this site is in danger of being developed and turned into a parking lot.
[4:06] which would remove that delicate ecosystem that's developed after all these years.
[4:11] I'd just like to bring to your attention that as the potential development of this property is brought to you,
[4:16] that please it, whether it's a legal department or the district, please consider that there is a potential for the site to be used for open recreation.
[4:23] We're currently working with the Cook County Forest Preserve and other legislators to see if we can get the funding that's needed to make the changes on the land
[4:30] So, the Cook County Force Reserve would agree to purchase it from the district.
[4:34] We're asking for as your patients, your time and your attention as matter. Thank you.
[4:39] Thank you, and we appreciate your participation.
[4:46] Our next speaker is Tessa Murray. Tessa, if you could please step to the microphone,
[4:51] state your name, spell your name, state your affiliation, and you have three minutes to address the
[4:57] board. Welcome. Thank you and good morning commissioners.
[5:00] My name is Tessa T. E. S. S. A. Lesson, Murray, M. U. R. R. A. Y. And I'm with Francis Chicago River. I want to first echo Mike McRoy's comments and call to attention, agenda item 30, which advances the worthwood flood control project. The project includes bioswales and a new storm sewer that will help reduce flooding for flood prone structures and surrounding roadways. Importantly, that new storm sewer will discharge into the pond at the Lucasburg nature preserve that Mike was talking about.
[5:29] I raise this because Lucasburg is roughly 70 acres of MWDO natural areas containing marshes,
[5:37] ponds and establish aquatic wetland that's been around for over 50 years now, home to turtles, fish,
[5:45] birds, and beloved by the worth and pay of sales community.
[5:49] We're aware that some people have been discussing a proposed development, which would replace
[5:54] roughly three-force of this valuable green space that currently absorbs stormwater with impervious parking lots and buildings.
[6:01] The stormwater project before you today underscores just how important Lucasburg is
[6:05] as a green stormwater infrastructure, supporting MWOD statutory mission. MWOD is currently investing
[6:12] public resources in this flood control project that will rely on this reservoir to receive additional
[6:17] stormwater from this surrounding community. That makes preserving the reservoirs long-term storm
[6:22] water capacity all the more important.
[6:25] It's such a special site I've been able to go there
[6:27] for a river day for a few years.
[6:30] Permanent protection of the site now appears closer
[6:32] than ever, as Mike said, with ongoing conversations
[6:35] with the force preserved to pursue
[6:37] a potential acquisition of the property.
[6:39] So we would really hate to see the value
[6:41] of this natural stormwater asset and habitat
[6:46] go to waste by such a short-sighted development proposal.
[6:50] So we urge MWD to recognize Lucasburg as an integral part of our watershed's natural stormwater infrastructure.
[6:59] And then on another note, I just want to turn my attention to the Chicago River Swim Resolution.
[7:03] And thank the board for recognizing the Chicago River Swim and the remarkable transformation of the Chicago Calumet River system that has made it possible.
[7:12] We especially appreciate that the resolution recognizes not only how far we've come, but where we need to go.
[7:18] toward cleaner waterways, continued water quality improvements,
[7:22] and managed opportunities for people to safely access and enjoy the river.
[7:26] The Rivers Whim is an exciting demonstration of what decades of investment,
[7:30] advocacy, and collaboration have achieved.
[7:32] We look forward to building on that progress towards
[7:35] a future where clean, healthy, and a swimable river is accessible for everyone.
[7:39] Thank you. Thank you, and we appreciate your participation.
[7:44] Our next speaker is Joseph MacGothard.
[7:48] Joseph McGother, if you could please step to the microphones,
[7:51] state your name, clearly state your name, and spell your name.
[7:55] State your affiliation, and you have three minutes to address the board.
[7:59] Good morning.
[8:00] The Honorable President Kerry K.
[8:01] Stu, I'm your little chief, Joseph McArthur, M.C.A.R.T.H.U.R.
[8:07] Direct successor entitled a final judgment case number 777L22309,
[8:13] which created the permanent flood control easement held by M.W.R.D.
[8:16] If you or any of the commissioners or staff have any questions, you're welcome to ask them to me while I'm on record.
[8:22] I'm happy to answer whatever I can.
[8:24] I'll try to save some time at the end.
[8:26] I have three requests, Madam President, to file a record.
[8:30] The final judgment against my property.
[8:32] I delivered a certified copy from the county clerk office.
[8:38] Two intervene and put the ongoing encroachments to bed.
[8:42] like Vice President Flynn put the $80,000 in a governmental agreement to bed with Cook County
[8:46] that I participated in last Saturday and gave back my expired dog medicine to Senator
[8:53] Darby Hills inside the Pell-Time Police Station and three requests assistance from the United
[8:59] States Army Corps of Engineers and get the flawed jurisdiction and determination thrown out
[9:05] are C-2-0-2-4-4-4-0-5-8-4. Also, Senator Darby Hills made it very clear to Pelotang's deputy officer
[9:14] that final judgment cannot be overwritten by city managers without due process. And for a little
[9:20] bit of background, Manager Sobel of Rally Meadows has indicated to you and me, the email that
[9:26] he can override a court order judgment without due process. I've also asked Mayor Schwanz on record.
[9:32] I believe was April 13, his village supports two process, public safety, court orders, and
[9:39] proactive flood resilience, but he remains silent, and his officer, Deputy Officer,
[9:45] and remains silent when I asked him if he understood that a manager, city manager, cannot
[9:49] override a final judgment without two process.
[9:52] There's four ongoing impairments, a lot of 19 drain, the Euclid Avenue Bike Path, the
[9:58] excessive sediment violations.
[10:00] Approaching on my private property that Ms. Turner, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, told Mr.
[10:06] Secretary Robertson and Justin Kirk, August 27, 2025. Any questions?
[10:12] All right. Teamwork makes a dream work. See ya.
[10:16] Thank you and we appreciate your participation. I would also like to mention that our
[10:22] live feed is down right now. So if you're getting a text from anyone who is just so upset that
[10:29] they can see our board meeting online right now.
[10:31] You can tell them that there will be a taped board meeting
[10:35] that they could view later,
[10:37] and hopefully the live stream will be up soon.
[10:41] Motion to recess and convene as a committee of the whole move by,
[10:45] moved by Vice President Flynn, second by Commissioner
[10:48] Coral Supovida, all in favor say aye.
[10:52] Aye.
[10:52] All opposed?
[10:53] Hearing none so ordered.
[10:56] The committee of the whole meeting will come to order
[10:58] we'll move into the consent agenda where I'll ask each commissioner to let me know what item
[11:03] you would like to be pulled for discussion.
[11:08] Let's start with commissioner Brown, commissioner Brown, do you have any items that you would
[11:13] like to be pulled for discussion?
[11:15] None today, Madam President, thank you commissioner Brown, commissioner Davis, do you have any
[11:21] items you would like to be pulled for discussion?
[11:24] Thank you, Madam President.
[11:25] I do have some questions about item number 27, please.
[11:29] And I would like to recognize Commissioner Davis as President, and then you have item number, what was the number commissioner Davis?
[11:38] Two-seven.
[11:39] Item number 27.
[11:40] Thank you, Commissioner Davis.
[11:43] Vice President Flynn, do you have any items you would like to be pulled for discussion?
[11:48] No, thank you, Madam President.
[11:49] Me, Madam Vice President.
[11:54] You have no items to be pulled at this time.
[11:56] Commissioner McElroy Kirkwood, do you have any items you would like to be pulled for discussion?
[12:01] Good morning, Madam President. Yes item number 10, please. I'm number 10. Thank you, Commissioner
[12:08] MacElroy Kirkwood, Commissioner Carousel Pover does you have any items you would like to be pulled for discussion?
[12:14] No, I'm Madam President. Thank you.
[12:16] Thank you, Commissioner Carousel Pover. No items at this time
[12:20] Commissioner Wollard, do you have any items you would like to be pulled for discussion?
[12:24] Yes, Madam President. Item 3 to read into the record. Item 6 for potential defer with discussion.
[12:35] And I would like to clarify the item that testimony was referring to is that item 30.
[12:47] 31. 31.
[12:50] I don't really die.
[12:52] I don't really die.
[12:52] I don't really die.
[12:53] I don't really die.
[12:55] She mentioned item number 30 and item number 3.
[13:00] All right.
[13:01] I would like to pull 30 then.
[13:05] Thank you Commissioner Waller.
[13:07] So you have item number 3, 6 and 30 correct?
[13:14] Yes.
[13:15] The river, the swim.
[13:17] The strategic plan and item 30.
[13:20] Thank you Commissioner Waller.
[13:22] And thank you for pulling item number three.
[13:27] Okay, we'll jump right into business.
[13:30] Madam Clerk, will you read item number three?
[13:39] Item number three is the Resolution Sponsified Board of Commissioners
[13:43] Recognizing the Chicago River Swim.
[13:46] And you'd like that right into the record?
[13:48] Yes, please.
[13:49] Okay, whereas the Chicago area waterways system
[13:52] The cause comprises approximately 76.1 miles of canals and modified natural rivers, which
[13:59] flow through one of the largest metropolitan regions in the United States, connecting communities
[14:03] industry, parks, and natural areas across the Chicago region.
[14:08] Where these waterways are defining features of Chicago's history and future supporting wildlife
[14:12] habitat, recreation, commerce, and public life.
[14:16] Whereas the goal of the Clean Water Act is that water quality standards should wherever
[14:21] attainable provide water quality for the protection of propagation of fish, shelffish,
[14:28] recreation, in and on the water.
[14:31] And whereas since 1889 the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has protected public health
[14:35] and the environment through wastewater treatment, storm water management and water resource
[14:40] stewardship, treating about 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater each day before it safely
[14:44] return to the area waterways.
[14:47] Whereas decades of investments in wastewater treatment, storm water management, and river
[14:51] restoration by the district, and its regional partners have significantly improved the
[14:55] water quality and ecological conditions in the cause.
[15:00] Resulting in an increase in the quantity and variety of fish living in the cause from just 10 species of fish in the early 1970s to over 75 species today.
[15:12] And whereas these improvements have also led to increased public use of river system for activities such as paddling, fishing, and natural observation, demonstrating the growing role of the waterways as a public resource for residents across the region.
[15:25] And whereas the Chicago Rivers swim began in 2025, marking a historic milestone as the first
[15:31] organized open water swim in Chicago River in 98 years.
[15:35] And whereas the Chicago Rivers swim demonstrates the progress achieved through decades
[15:39] of public investment, scientific innovation, environmental stewardship, and collaboration
[15:45] among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community advocates working to restore
[15:50] the health of the cause.
[15:51] And whereas on March 12th, 2026, President Kerry K.CO joined organisers of the Chicago River
[15:58] Swim.
[15:59] Two announced plans for a second Chicago River Swim on September 20th, 2026, celebrating
[16:05] the remarkable transformation of one of the nation's most iconic urban waterways and
[16:09] providing participation with the unique recreational experience in the heart of downtown Chicago.
[16:16] And whereas the Chicago River Swim was founded under the leadership of CEO Doug McConnell,
[16:20] an award-winning open water swimmer for more than 50 years, who has swam some of the world's
[16:26] most challenging routes, including the English Channel, Hawaii Channel, and the Manhattan Island
[16:34] Marathon swim. And whereas continued progress toward cleaner waterways should be accompanied by
[16:40] water education, awareness of environmental conditions and managed opportunities for water
[16:46] access that help residents safely enjoy the waterways.
[16:50] And where's continued investment in water quality improvement,
[16:53] screen storm, water infrastructure, and wastewater
[16:56] watershed-based planning will be essential
[16:59] to help build climate change resiliency,
[17:02] address more intense rainfall events, and support
[17:04] accessibility for the public to safely interact
[17:07] with the waterways.
[17:09] And now therefore, if it resolves
[17:11] that we the Board of Commissioners
[17:12] of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
[17:14] A firm, the importance of healthier waterways, and do here by recognized as Chicago River Swim.
[17:20] And for the result of this resolution, be spread upon the permanent record of proceedings of the board dated September 3.
[17:25] 2026.
[17:30] Thank you.
[17:31] We do have a few guests here today.
[17:35] And then we will take a break to a five minute break to take a picture with the resolution.
[17:41] But right now we'll have comments from the commissioners if you have any commissioner wala.
[17:50] Okay, pardon, are we on item six?
[17:55] Item number three, the Chicago swim room.
[17:58] Thank you, no comment.
[18:00] Thank you, well, I'll make a comment.
[18:05] Commissioner Davis, yes, no, go on, Commissioner Davis.
[18:08] All right.
[18:09] Yeah, I just really want to thank the friends of the Chicago River
[18:12] for their advocacy for this.
[18:14] And Mr. McConnell, you are in your team
[18:16] for your persistence with this.
[18:18] It's really important that we keep giving people more and more chances to connect with the river system.
[18:26] When we do that, we make our entire Chicago Metro region more livable.
[18:32] We bond with our neighbors and we help protect the planet that we all care about and we all share.
[18:39] So thank you to my colleagues for their work on this resolution and thank you to friends for your persistence with it.
[18:48] Thank you Commissioner Davis leave.
[18:52] Thank you.
[18:53] I just want to say basically I think we all should be extremely excited about the Chicago
[18:58] swim that's coming up.
[19:01] Of course this is the second year that we're doing this but for this to be happening it
[19:08] just shows how good everyone at water reclamation has been at doing their job as far as us
[19:15] being able to treat wastewater managed storm water and improve the water environment.
[19:22] They would not be swimming in the river if it were not for the hard work that we do here.
[19:28] So, everyone that works at water reclamation should be beaming with pride when they swim
[19:33] in the river that we can.
[19:36] They often, one of the stats, they often make us, I don't want to say they make us say
[19:41] but it's something that just drives home what we do.
[19:45] They say in 2000, no, in 1975,
[19:50] there were only 10 recorded species of fish
[19:54] in the Chicago area waterways.
[19:57] Now there are over 77 species of fish.
[20:00] Fisch in the Chicago Area Waterways. And that's a direct result of our treatment process. Yes, so we should give all of our staff around of applause, but that just shows that what we do is working and we're helping to protect the waterways. And now I would like for everyone to hear from our guest Doug McConnell. Doug McConnell, would you like to say a few words?
[20:25] a
[20:33] little new at this anyway, I am so grateful and honored to be recognized and to have our non-profit A-Long swim recognized by the district we're just so proud.
[20:46] In reality, the Chicago River swim is really the frosting on the cake that was built by MWRD, by Friends of the Chicago River, by the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee I'm looking at Mike McAllroy.
[21:00] And really, over decades of hard work and dedication to this cause, we get to celebrate.
[21:11] And last year's celebration in O25 attracted 3.5 billion media impressions around the world.
[21:20] And really, put Chicago into a short list of progressively, environmentally progressive cities around the world.
[21:28] cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, Germany, London now is hosting swims in the
[21:37] temps.
[21:38] So it's really a movement of which we are so honored to be part and to be able to use
[21:47] it really as a springboard to raise money for ALS research over at Northwestern's Med School
[21:54] And at least two date, 4,000 children in Chicago through water safety lessons, the ability to provide swimming lessons for children who don't have the resources to be able to do that is such an important priority and one that we are also dedicated to.
[22:15] So we're thank you very much, President Steele. We are very grateful for your honor.
[22:21] Thank you.
[22:27] Commissioner Carousel Poverty. Did you have a statement? I forgot to address
[22:30] you. Oh, thank you, Madam President. I think you covered it. All right. Awesome. We'll take
[22:34] a five minute break to present the resolution to our guests and take a quick picture and we'll
[22:46] the committee of the whole meeting will come to order. Right now we're going through the
[22:51] Oman's presence agenda.
[22:55] Model Clark will move item number three,
[22:58] back to the consent agenda.
[23:01] And will you read item number six?
[23:05] Item six is authorization to adopt a strategic plan,
[23:08] 26 through 2030 of the Metsche Peloton Water
[23:11] Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
[23:14] Commissioner Wahler.
[23:16] I'd like to thank you Executive Director Murray
[23:19] for agreeing to add
[23:22] the opportunity for public and board comment to the climate plan, especially since several
[23:26] of my previous comments, we're supposed to be addressed in that climate plan update, which
[23:32] addresses important things, like energy efficiency, the directly impacts taxpayer dollars
[23:37] and carbon reduction.
[23:38] I look forward to the discussion.
[23:41] Thank you also for adding metrics from the original draft to the draft before the study
[23:47] session.
[23:47] I would like to defer this item until we can have further discussion on the following items.
[23:54] Is it possible to add a commitment to an annual review of the strategic plan?
[24:00] And my second question, can we add additional measurable metrics?
[24:06] Added beyond establishing baseline, which applies to the following goals.
[24:10] wastewater and storm water goal number four has three success metrics that are only
[24:17] established a baseline by 2027. It would be great to have some kind of additional measurable
[24:25] goal after that and then resource management to have more concrete measurable objectives to goal number four
[24:34] success in fostering and it mutually beneficial relationships with external stakeholders.
[24:43] This is a super important objective,
[24:47] but I actually will let me just stop there.
[24:50] And then I also, that's it, I guess that's it for my comments.
[24:53] Thank you.
[24:55] Thank you, Commissioner Wala.
[24:58] Are you allowing?
[25:00] Questions and comments? Of course. Commissioners, do you have any questions or comments for item number six? Yes, Vice President Flynn.
[25:12] Thank you, Madam President. As a member of the steering committee and recognizing staff over 60 staff members working on this for over six months, and we've had several opportunities to partake in discussions and comments.
[25:26] I really stand by, this is truly, I don't want to say merely the framework, but it is the framework.
[25:32] And I don't wish us to get so granular where we're charging staff with more and more and more layers of work.
[25:41] I do feel that this needs to be passed sooner or later, like today.
[25:47] We have the budget season coming up, and again, these are very important topics.
[25:51] I don't dismiss this at all and I do believe a lot of your your comments that you shared with with the board are in our world
[25:59] But I don't feel they need to be brought in such a
[26:04] For lack of a better role in a granular spelled out so precisely for this
[26:08] Thank you. Thank you. Vice President Flynn leave
[26:12] Thank you
[26:14] I was basically going to say the same thing Vice President Flynn just mentioned
[26:19] And we have two board members that worked on the committee with staff that have worked
[26:27] for months for this strategic plan.
[26:28] We had a study session for the strategic plan.
[26:32] And we do need to get the strategic plan moving to start working on our budget.
[26:41] We still can address any questions, concerns, great new ideas that you have.
[26:47] But I would like to ask you if you will remove your motion for the deferral and if we can have a roll call for the strategic plan.
[27:00] And then if you know you can still have an option to go against it if you would like to.
[27:06] But that's my request to you Commissioner Waller.
[27:09] The rest of the commissioners you all can, I'll call on you to make your, you know,
[27:13] place your statements and your comments and your questions, but and that'll give you time to think about it.
[27:20] But I would like for you to remove your motion for the thorough and can we just have a roll call vote to get this moving.
[27:29] Commissioner Davis had his hand up first and then it was Commissioner Carrouse support but Commissioner Davis.
[27:35] Thank you Madam President and thank you Commissioner Waller for the points that you made.
[27:39] again, these are the kinds of discussions that are great and healthy for the board to have.
[27:45] Your notion of an annual review, I'm kind of intrigued by that, I'm also wondering
[27:55] how we can do something like that without two Vice President Flynn's point creating more
[28:03] burden on staff. One idea that I have is, and I think we do this already, is in our annual
[28:14] budget presentation, linking the budget that proposed budget on a fiscal year by fiscal
[28:21] year basis to essentially the performance under the strategic plan. So, as you were saying what
[28:30] were saying about the annual review, that point.
[28:36] The question that arose in my head was, is that something that could be done in, you
[28:41] know, June, say when the annual budget process is kicking off, can it be done in December
[28:48] making piggybacking onto the presentations that we hear from staff, almost on a department
[28:54] by department basis. And I think where I'm landing in my head is connecting those two in
[29:01] that kind of November time to December timeframe might give at least me the chance to
[29:07] make that very clear or better make that clear connection between performance under the strategic
[29:14] plan and the budget because those two have to go hand in hand. Anyway, again for the benefit
[29:20] of my friends on the board and everybody else I'm thinking out loud that would be my idea
[29:26] for an annual review which I think is a very good idea.
[29:31] Thank you commissioner Davis. Commissioner Carouse, Apollo Vita.
[29:35] Thank you Madam President. I appreciate and it was last time you had talked about doing a quarterly
[29:41] and it's just an annual I support that. I think it doesn't have to be that we initiate
[29:49] a annual review to amend the plan or have to have a form of vote, but more than anything
[29:56] have an annual opportunity to get an update.
[30:00] A check point, if you will, and review the progress. Review some of the changes that have been made, or that need to be made, or that are being suggested.
[30:10] And I appreciate the timeline that Commissioner Davis suggests of doing it prior to the budget process starting, because that helps us get into the framework as commissioners on where the budget is going to be headed.
[30:27] I wasn't able to capture the metrics suggestions that you shared right now, but I did have a question if you could just restate it in a very succinct and summarized way, just so I can figure out what it is that you said I'm sorry.
[30:47] Thank you, Commissioner Carrasapova, Commissioner Wala.
[30:51] The second question was, can we add measurable objectives beyond establishing a baseline,
[30:59] and that applies to the wastewater and storm water pillar of our goal number one,
[31:06] which had three measurable objectives just to create a baseline,
[31:10] And resource management, goal number four, which had three measurable objectives, which were just indicating increase or increase a trend.
[31:23] Nothing measurable.
[31:28] Thank you, Commissioner Wala.
[31:29] Commissioner Carouse of Poverty.
[31:30] Yeah, just wanted to have an understanding from executive director, Murray S. too.
[31:36] what the framework was and not putting specific goals into those objectives.
[31:45] So for the one that was just discussed about the establishing baselines for the wastewater treatment process,
[31:52] what we are able to do is go through all our data from our monthly operating reports
[31:57] and get a baseline condition on energy, chemicals and different factors that we just weren't able to do
[32:06] very quickly before, but now with the advent of AI, we can go through and run all of those
[32:13] through AI, and we're going to have the first one will be done in March for the EGIM plant
[32:18] and the rest of them would be done at the end of the year, and that's going to give us a baseline
[32:21] condition, and then we would build build from there. If I could add one thing, we also don't look
[32:30] at these as all the metrics. There's going to be more metrics developed as we go along,
[32:34] So just if the plan is adopted today doesn't mean that there's not going to be additional metrics that are assigned.
[32:41] And a good time to talk about that could be during this annual discussion that's been proposed here.
[32:47] Okay, so if I'm understanding you, the reason is we didn't have the data consolidated to really be able to establish specific goals in alignment with the like what the baseline is.
[33:02] Yes.
[33:03] So you anticipate that you will be able to have that by March of next year.
[33:09] Well, we'll have that data by March of 27 for, okay, you get all the rest of the
[33:17] plants.
[33:17] It's really fundamental how fast we're going to be able to do this.
[33:20] Thank you.
[33:20] And then we'll have it by the end of the year of 27, and then we've started to set measurements
[33:26] after that.
[33:26] Got it.
[33:27] Thank you.
[33:27] And I really do appreciate, I'm sure, while there's a push for having specific goals.
[33:34] I think that's always really helpful.
[33:36] You don't know what success is until you measure it.
[33:40] And you don't know what your gaps are until you measure it.
[33:44] And we want to know both gaps and success.
[33:47] But I understand I think that's very reasonable to not be able to get there.
[33:51] just yet, as far as for the resource management increase, which was at her other point.
[34:05] So again, this is where we're looking at the baseline conditions and then trying to improve
[34:12] each year over here.
[34:14] But I think that it's the same kind of logic that we need to establish what the baseline
[34:18] condition there.
[34:19] Okay.
[34:20] Thank you.
[34:24] Thank you.
[34:24] commission across the poll, but commissioners, do you have any additional questions or comments
[34:30] for item number six? Yes, Commissioner Waller.
[34:35] I believe as a matter of parliamentary procedure, we would need a revised plan to vote on,
[34:41] and we can't necessarily revise on the fly. So in the current plan, there's no commitment
[34:46] for an annual review. I would prefer that we have that memorialized in the plan.
[34:53] But if there is further discussion on these baselines, and also...
[35:00] So the ones without a measurable metric, please, in my correct, in assuming that we cannot revise on
[35:08] the fly. We would need a revised plan in order to vote on today.
[35:13] Yes, we'll not revise on the fly. Executive Director Murray?
[35:19] No, what we're stressing is that the plan is the framework document to get us started. There
[35:26] It could be additional metrics to come new metrics that aren't talked about in here as we move along.
[35:32] And then once we get these baseline conditions and they will be establishing the metrics,
[35:37] and those are things that could be presented in the annual review or however that's decided to do.
[35:44] But the plan is not to get us started to get moving forward.
[35:50] So the commitment to an annual review is the board members are asking for it.
[35:54] It doesn't need to be in the strategic plan that we're going to do that because we're talking about it right now.
[36:01] Commissioner Waller and then Commissioner Brown.
[36:05] I really appreciate Commissioner Davis's suggestion to have a progress report on the strategic plan during the budget presentations in December.
[36:13] I think that's a great idea. One of my comments was to try to tie multiple of the plans of the district's uses like asset management and capital improvement.
[36:24] The capital of Truman is already part of the budget process, but all of this will make it clearer
[36:30] exactly what progress is being made and how that impacts the budget.
[36:35] So one of the things that I believe was to have less emergency responses, one of our goals.
[36:41] So to tie that to asset management is a clear win, and I think just having that opportunity
[36:50] to educate the board on the progress and the direct impact to the budget would be amazing.
[36:56] My request to defer stands.
[37:00] And I'll have a comment after thank you so much, Commissioner Wala.
[37:05] Commissioner Brown.
[37:06] Thank you, Madam President.
[37:07] My question was answered.
[37:08] Thank you.
[37:09] Okay.
[37:09] Leave.
[37:10] Okay.
[37:12] We have a motion on the floor for the item to be deferred.
[37:19] the discussion around the IMB and deferred involved changes being made to the item,
[37:27] which means we need to delete the item because the item would need to then come back brand new.
[37:35] So we can, the motion, the motion on the floor for the item to be deferred sticks,
[37:47] unless it is removed by the person who put the motion on the floor.
[37:51] is the first referral. She has arrived to the further item. No questions, no comments, just for it to be deferred.
[38:01] And Commissioner Woller allowed us questions and comments. So the item is deferred unless
[38:10] Commissioner Woller lifts her deferred.
[38:13] But we need to delete the item if it is any help for the combat with changes.
[38:22] With the item being deferred, it will come back the exact same next week.
[38:27] And we will go through this process again.
[38:30] Commissioner Waller, is your motion for deferral still on the floor?
[38:35] Yes, ma'am.
[38:36] And I defer to you as to how to navigate the process
[38:40] between revision.
[38:42] So is that a vote for us to do before we're
[38:46] seeking a recommendation from staff?
[38:48] Sorry, you might have to lift you out of borrow.
[38:51] And I continue to defer Madame President.
[38:54] I just don't know part of elementary procedure
[38:56] well enough to navigate your second question
[38:59] of deferral versus deletes.
[39:03] So how do we decide that second question?
[39:10] Executive Director Murray.
[39:15] So I think that I'm confused as what the changes would be.
[39:19] So I think that you're the one changes that you were like it specifically mentioned in the plan that we would do in the annual review.
[39:29] We don't need to change the plan.
[39:32] We're telling you that that's what the group wants to do so we would figure out how to do that.
[39:37] So my preference would be that the item is just deferred.
[39:43] May I ask, may I talk?
[39:47] So, Michelle Waller.
[39:48] So, then, secondly, the additional suggestions regarding the baseline measures
[39:55] and the unmeasurable items, how do we decide on that?
[40:03] I'd try to explain that we're looking to set the baseline conditions and that it'll help us further refine what the measures will be, and that would be something we'd be able to do after we have established the baseline conditions.
[40:18] So we went over these things a lot ourselves to try to throw new numbers at it, but we just don't.
[40:28] We know the things are important.
[40:29] We want to get the baseline conditions and then throw the numbers at it.
[40:33] That's what we're asking to do.
[40:37] Commissioner Waller.
[40:40] I'll leave.
[40:42] I'll leave.
[40:43] My suggestion you would like the item deferred.
[40:48] If it's deferred, it comes back the same.
[40:51] Once it comes back the same, we can then have a roll call vote on the item.
[40:57] For it to be deferred the second time, another time will take a roll call vote.
[41:01] Basically, what happens after this, the next meeting will be a roll call vote.
[41:06] And then we can just have it be the majority of the board what you all want will happen.
[41:15] Does any questions or comments?
[41:18] Yes, Commissioner Carousel-Poverty, Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Davis, and then Commissioner
[41:22] Wala.
[41:22] Commissioner Carousel-Poverty.
[41:24] Thank you, Mayor President.
[41:26] Commissioner and Wala, since if it's deferred, it comes back the same.
[41:38] I think what you're looking for is to have a commitment to know that we're going to
[41:43] have an annual reveal and metrics.
[41:45] And to know that we're going to be able to have metrics in the future.
[41:49] that I understand. So my recommendation to you would be that that we must
[41:58] there's an objection from anyone that we have a directive given to the
[42:04] board that is the will of the board given to the executive director that we
[42:08] have an annual reveal. And that we are looking to have a report drafted by March of 27 on establishing
[42:24] these baselines. Those two things can be the will of the board providing a directive. And then
[42:30] at that point in March we'll have data to be able to move forward and have some discussions on what
[42:38] Those baselines can be in what those metrics are coming back with a deferred item won't necessarily get us there and
[42:47] There's really I don't think that there's really any deletion
[42:50] That could be made as far as the metrics we could delete it and then come back and just have a say annual review will be had in the actual plan
[43:00] I would say in the future we just put it in there, but
[43:04] Executive Dr. Murray has indicated that it is sufficient to have the will of the board
[43:09] indicate that we want to have a manual review and we can ask them to provide a report
[43:17] with some data for metrics for baseline.
[43:20] So I just want to have a sense if those two things respond to your concerns.
[43:28] Because I share them.
[43:30] What's the appropriate parliamentary procedure? Should I respond or should I wait my turn in the comment line?
[43:38] Like, wait your turn.
[43:40] Commissioner Carouse, suppose but are you done? Yes, I am. Thank you, Commissioner Carouse, suppose but a commissioner brow.
[43:46] Thank you, Madam President. So my question to the executive director. The baseline measures will not be ready until March.
[43:54] So, even if we defer this until the next meeting, we still wouldn't have the data or the information that we need to implement that into the plan.
[44:04] So, I think I'm following Commissioner Sepulveda's recommendation that this board give a directive to the executive director that you will be committed to providing this information after March of 27.
[44:18] seven, and I also support an annual review of the operations plan because the strategic plan
[44:26] would have already been in effect that it would provide updates to some of the questions
[44:32] that Commissioner Waller has. Is that correct?
[44:37] So we would have some baseline established by March. There is going to be a longer process
[44:42] for some of the items, but we would definitely have some things to report in Indiana March.
[44:47] Yes.
[44:48] Okay.
[44:48] Thank you.
[44:49] Thank you, Commissioner Brown.
[44:51] Commissioner Davis.
[44:52] Thank you again, Madam President.
[44:54] I also support where you're trying to head with this Commissioner Waller and thank
[44:58] you, Commissioner Crayles Polk.
[45:01] I have a procedural question here and that is, if I understand what you're saying correctly, a sentence in the strategic plan that commits to an annual review, hopefully taking advantage of the budget process, so that we're not creating more work.
[45:18] And then a second sentence that commits to the metrics after data are in is it just a matter of adding two sentences into the strategic plan that commits to those two things that that's is that what you're after.
[45:34] I'd like to answer questions, but I'm still waiting my turn in the comment line.
[45:40] Thank you.
[45:42] I haven't gotten my procedural question. I just need to know that.
[45:45] Thank you for being concerned about the process.
[45:49] Yes, Commissioner Wallis.
[45:51] Okay, so a commitment to annual review does seem appropriate to just have a will of the board.
[45:58] To me, the bigger thing is the measurable metrics, particularly in the resource management,
[46:04] which doesn't identify any just increases in trends.
[46:08] I don't see how we get to revising those without deleting the plan and revising it.
[46:18] We would not need to revise the plan, but I want to ask Dr. O'Connor if she's getting
[46:22] anything she'd like to add on this.
[46:29] Good morning.
[46:32] This is not
[46:36] a catheter O'Connor engineering department.
[46:39] It's just a little more context and it all ties together with what President Steele said earlier.
[46:45] In the strategic plan, study session, I presented the data in the 1980s.
[46:53] We were at 18 milligrams per liter annual average of ammonia out of the kelima plant, and
[46:59] on the order of eight out of the O'Brien plant.
[47:02] And now we're near not detect most of the time annual average.
[47:05] So we so far exceed our permit limits.
[47:08] We want to set these base lines and
[47:12] I can decide kept stressing normalized data because now we'll dig into web
[47:17] weather and extreme cold events and how we manage energy then.
[47:23] So we have the baseline and we have dry weather flow.
[47:27] Even in extreme weather we generally are way below what our permits allow us to discharge,
[47:32] which is why people want to do cannibals into the waterway.
[47:35] But, so this baseline will show us where we need to go.
[47:40] The permit for the curie plan is a milligram per liter.
[47:45] What is this charge from the curie plan?
[47:48] Ponce is around 2 milligrams per liter.
[47:51] So how do you set a goal that's the point?
[47:54] We've got everything we can out of these erasure batteries.
[47:58] We far exceed our permit limits or we're way below what our permit limits are.
[48:03] And now we've got to roll up our sleeves and concentrate on what is the absolute amount of energy needed, energy efficiency.
[48:12] So we think the waterways are so healthy.
[48:15] Thanks to the work our forebearers did in the 80s.
[48:19] And that's, I mean, so I could understand that it doesn't sound like we're so serious about goals, but we need to tease out when we have
[48:31] perturbing to what's really very stable processes,
[48:38] so I just wanted to add that.
[48:44] Executive director, did you have anything else?
[48:47] Not at the moment, Madam President.
[48:50] Commissioners, do you have any additional questions, comments?
[48:55] Yes, Commissioner Wala.
[48:57] Yes, thank you.
[48:58] I greatly appreciate the input of Dr. O'Connor.
[49:01] And beyond measure, appreciate your technical leadership
[49:06] of the engineering department, I still would like to see a number.
[49:13] Like, how are we going to decide if we have success?
[49:16] I guess in those in the wastewater and storm water goal,
[49:22] we will at least know that we have success
[49:23] if we have a baseline in that first year.
[49:25] but in the 2028, there's no goal, but then additionally in the resource management,
[49:37] there's increased trends of environmental justice community participation over five years. Increased trend in number of established partnerships and collaborations over five years.
[49:49] Progressive increases each year in the number of WBE, MBE, BBE firms identified.
[49:56] So these are just increases, not like any kind of...
[50:00] How do we measure success? I think that the question at large is, do we want to revise this or do we not want to revise this?
[50:12] If I don't know if that is the question for the board or for the staff and the executive director.
[50:26] Executive director, you know, executive director, do you have a comment for that?
[50:31] I would just say that we've tried to explain why we don't have the metrics established because we want to establish the baseline conditions, so I don't know what I would change the numbers.
[50:42] So that's that's just what I mean.
[50:44] And that is actually why I wanted to defer to just have this further conversation instead of taking board time.
[50:57] Yes, Commissioner Carrasapova.
[50:58] I think executive director Murray and engineering director O'Connor have made it very clear
[51:07] that we will not have the data to be able to give a specific goal until March 27th.
[51:17] That's, that's, there's made that very clear.
[51:22] So there's, I don't know what else we would add to the conversation with more time.
[51:29] I don't think that will change in two weeks that they would have somehow an ability to put a number to it, is what I'm hearing, second director Murray.
[51:39] but we can give him the directive of giving him a timeline that we want a report by March
[51:48] of 2027, that will help us have the data to establish those baselines and then develop
[51:56] a goal from there. That directive we can give to him today. Deferring it will give it more
[52:04] time, but you're not going to—there's nothing more that they can add. They're not going
[52:08] to crunch these numbers. I'm hearing that we're kind of lucky that with AI technology, we
[52:14] can now crunch out the numbers by March of 27. So if you wanted to delete that, if you
[52:22] want changes, then you can make a motion to delete. And if you make that motion to delete,
[52:30] you will need a second. And then you'll have your answer as to whether the rest of the board
[52:36] It supports you in making that revision, but again, it's unlikely to happen that we'll have
[52:44] that data in two weeks.
[52:52] Thank you, Commissioner Corral, Sepulveda.
[52:58] We have Vice President, Commissioner Waller, and then Commissioner Davis.
[53:05] Thank you.
[53:06] Vice President.
[53:07] Thank you, Madam President.
[53:08] Again, living document, living document, if we're not going to change, I don't need to, if we're not going to persuade you to consider leaving the sign, thank you Wendy, thank you Sharon for all your work on this, thank you staff.
[53:28] We can't make orange juice without the orange. So deferring it, we'll bring it back as we said, the same way.
[53:37] If you want to defer it, if you're going to defer it, I'll defer it if that's what needs to happen.
[53:43] Thank you.
[53:44] Thank you.
[53:45] Item defer.
[53:51] Madam Clerk, will you read item number 10?
[54:01] Item 10 is authority to advertise contract 27651.
[54:06] Removing Replace Pavement, every relocation, estimated cost between 5,213,600 and 6,311,200.
[54:14] All right. Thank you. Commissioner McElroy, Kirkwood. Yes, I just have a brief conversation.
[54:22] Executive Director Murray. Item number 10. Are any of these areas suitable for permeable
[54:29] papers or green infrastructure other than the asphalt?
[54:33] So we take a look at that and we put these contracts together to see if there's opportunities to do that.
[54:39] And there are some areas that are labeled parking lots, but those aren't a full-depth replacement.
[54:47] So they're just to mill the top and put another layer on to get to extend the life of the pavement that is there.
[54:54] The other areas are where we have heavy truck traffic, so it's not stable for permeable pain.
[55:00] So we do look at this, and we do these projects.
[55:07] Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner McElroy, Kirkwood. Commissioners, do you have any additional questions, comments for item number 10?
[55:16] Okay, we're going to move item number 10 back to the consent agenda agenda. Madam Clerk, we read item number 27.
[55:23] item 27 is a 30 to decrease contract 25 630 11 furnishing and delivering fair
[55:28] chloride to Camaro water solution zinc and amount of 11 million 289,713.4
[55:35] from 21 million 598,837.4 to an amount now to exceed 10 million 309,124.
[55:46] Thank you.
[55:47] Commissioner Davis.
[55:48] Thank you.
[55:49] So I'm going to vote for this one.
[55:50] I like it.
[55:51] I do have some questions here, Executive Director Murray, I wanted to ask and feel free to defer to your staff too.
[56:01] On item 27, what kind of a significant industrial user creates a phosphorus problem at this scale?
[56:13] a large significant industrial user. In fact, I'm going to have the law department talk
[56:21] about this a little bit, but we did reach a
[56:27] settlement or so to speak. It was on a board
[56:29] agenda a couple of meetings ago. So if you want more specifics, we could get into that.
[56:33] What my particular question is, what did this SIU manufacture? It's not a legal question.
[56:42] It's what generates the phosphorus and are there any other SIUs out there at this scale.
[56:50] Okay, so this one was food products.
[56:54] So we're we do monitoring to see if there's others out there, especially in that
[56:59] Kelli Met area, but this was the biggest contributor.
[57:03] Okay.
[57:03] Thank you.
[57:04] The second question is, are there any other SIUs that discharge phosphorus?
[57:09] not exactly at this level, but, you know, significant, significant discharges, phosphorus that are currently not in compliance.
[57:20] I'm not aware of any that are not in compliance.
[57:24] And if the law department knows otherwise, then we'll connect with the law department afterwards.
[57:30] Okay.
[57:31] Thank you for obliging me with those questions, Executive Director Murray.
[57:34] This makes me wonder if there are ways to prevent phosphorus from coming in the MWRD system in the first place and if those efforts can save taxpayers money.
[57:47] So that's not a question to be answered. I'm just telegraphing to my colleagues that this is on my mind because I know we spend a lot of money on phosphorus removal.
[57:56] And if there is a way to prevent phosphorus from just getting into the system and the first place
[58:03] through our pre-treatment program, I know we're already working on it, I know we already do a good job.
[58:09] This particular instance has kind of generated a bunch of these questions.
[58:13] That's it for me, Madam President, thank you.
[58:16] Thank you, Commissioner Davis.
[58:17] Commissioners, do you have any additional questions or comments for item number 27?
[58:24] Okay, let's move item number 27 back to the consent agenda.
[58:29] Madam Clerk, will you read item number 30?
[58:32] Item 30 is a 30 to approve.
[58:34] Execute and make payments to the owners of 1-1-401.
[58:39] Southwest Highway Palo's Heights Illinois.
[58:42] For permanent and temporary easements in connection with the flood control project,
[58:45] and worth woods subdivision and worth Illinois.
[58:47] contract 14-256-5F consideration shall be a one-time fee of $28,000.
[58:54] Thank you, Commissioner Waller.
[58:57] Thank you President Steele.
[58:59] I believe this is the item that both Tessa Murray of Friends of the Chicago River
[59:03] and Mr. McElroy Harbor Safety commented on, so I think it's fair to defer this
[59:08] for further conversation.
[59:11] Are you allowing questions and comments?
[59:13] Yes, ma'am.
[59:14] Thank you, Commissioner Waller.
[59:15] commissioners, do you have any questions comments for item number 30 before it's deferred?
[59:22] All right, item number 30 is deferred.
[59:33] Madam Clerk,
[59:36] please identify the items on the agenda to bring forth to the regular board
[59:43] meeting.
[59:44] Yes, Madam President.
[59:45] The following items have been recommended to bring forth to the regular board meeting.
[59:49] Agenda items 1 through 34 with the exception of items 6 and 30 that concludes the
[59:56] You're under for each standing committee, Madam President.
[59:59] Thank you, Mool.
[1:00:00] By Vice President Flynn, second, by Commissioner Macklewood, Kirkwood, all in favor say aye. All opposed? Hearing none so ordered. Are there any items to be discussed in executive session?
[1:00:15] All right. Seeing that there are no items to be discussed in executive session. The committee of the whole meeting is adjourned. We will take a quick five minute break and reconvene in the regular board of a request. Item number five.
[1:00:30] Yes, Madam President, item number five is authority to approve travel expenses for members
[1:00:38] of the Board of Commissioners and the Executive Director in the amount of 3,148.09.
[1:00:45] Thank you.
[1:00:46] Move by Vice President Flynn, second by Commissioner Brown, roll call.
[1:00:52] Commissioner Brady Davis, Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Davis, Vice President Flynn, Chairman
[1:01:00] Garsia, Commissioner McElroy Kirkwood.
[1:01:03] Commissioner Coral-Supovida.
[1:01:05] I, Commissioner Waller and Madam President.
[1:01:08] Yes.
[1:01:08] Seven years.
[1:01:09] No need.
[1:01:10] Madam President.
[1:01:11] So ordered.
[1:01:12] Madam Clerk, please recite the items for consideration.
[1:01:15] Yes.
[1:01:16] Madam President.
[1:01:17] Item.
[1:01:19] One is resolution sponsored by the Board of Commissioners, recognizing September 16th, as
[1:01:24] Mexican independence day.
[1:01:25] Item 3, Resurred.
[1:01:27] Item 4.
[1:01:28] Report on Cash this Firstman for the month of July, 2026 and the amount of 46 million,
[1:01:32] 528, 728, 728, 716.
[1:01:36] Item 5 was red, item 6 was deferred.
[1:01:40] Item 7, report of Vittal Benings of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 8,
[1:01:46] report of Vittal Benings of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 9,
[1:01:49] or 30, advertised contract 26RFP 11.
[1:01:52] Sign Language Interpretive Services for the three-year period,
[1:01:54] effective, January 1, 2077, to December 31, 2029, estimated cost 210,000.
[1:02:01] Item 10 was read, item 11, authority to advertise contract 2760131, rehabilitation of
[1:02:08] hydroelectric turbine generators, unit at luck poured powerhouse, estimated cost between
[1:02:12] 18,525,000, and 22,425,000, 12, authority to advertise contract 23801S, rehabilitation
[1:02:21] of local sewer system in a cost of $2,706,674.41.
[1:02:27] Item 13 is issue purchase order to
[1:02:32] altifer industry's aim to furnish and deliver new caterpillar work tools and excavator accessories to the Calumet plant.
[1:02:39] Under the source we'll purchase in contract number 011723CAT and amount now to exceed $195,487.76.
[1:02:48] Item 14.
[1:02:49] Issue purchase order to Willis Towers Watson Midwest Inc. to furnish cyber insurance coverage for the district and amount that's exceed
[1:02:56] 114,989 item 15
[1:02:59] Issue purchase order and intern agreement with West publishing corporation for online legal research and subscriptions to various legal publications in amount
[1:03:07] now to exceed 292,720.92, item 16.
[1:03:13] Issue purchase order and an turn agreement for contract 26RF P05
[1:03:16] SAP consulting services with V3IT consulting ink
[1:03:20] and amount now to exceed 450,717.
[1:03:23] Issue purchase order and an turn agreement with fresh
[1:03:25] coals capital LLC doing businesses, green print partners
[1:03:28] for contract 25CO and 03.
[1:03:31] Green infrastructure consulting services project 268025F
[1:03:34] amount now to exceed 1,600,000, 18.
[1:03:38] Issue purchase order and an intern agreement with WSPUSA Inc.
[1:03:41] For contract 25,000, 030, Green Infrastructure Planning and Support Services Project 268045F.
[1:03:48] An amount now to exceed 1,750,000, 19.
[1:03:51] Issue purchase order and intern agreement, joint funding agreement with the United States Department
[1:03:56] of Interior, U.S. Geological Service for the maintenance and operations of
[1:03:59] extreme flow gauging stations, and two rain gauging gauging gauges within
[1:04:04] Cook County, Illinois, and amount now to exceed 132,700.
[1:04:09] Item 20, authority toward contract 18, 249 BF, demolition of central parts
[1:04:14] stormwater detention basin and separate stormwater storm sewer improvements in
[1:04:18] harbing to KLF enterprises in amount now to exceed 1,6,900,500 plus a 5% allowance
[1:04:26] for change orders and amount of 53,045.25 for a total amount now to exceed, 1,113,950.25,
[1:04:36] item 21.
[1:04:37] Authority toward contract 22,6021 underground storage tank improvements at various locations to
[1:04:43] crown industries, LTD and amount now to exceed 1,488.
[1:04:48] Plus a 5% allowance for change orders and amount of 50,240.40 for a total amount now to exceed
[1:04:53] 1,055,048.40, 22, a 30-to-word contract, 26-6-4-10-11, elevated.
[1:05:00] Major maintenance, various locations, group A, B, and C, and Mid-America Elevator Company, Inc., and
[1:05:04] amount, and that's exceeded, 964,420. 23, authority toward contract 26,411, elevator maintenance,
[1:05:13] various locations, group D&E, to Mid-America Elevator Company, Inc., and amount, and that's exceeded,
[1:05:17] 1,394,662, plus a 5% allowance for change orders, and amount of 69,703.10.
[1:05:24] For a total amount now to exceed 1,463,765.10, 24.
[1:05:31] A 30 to decrease contract 98 RFP 10 design build
[1:05:34] own finance operate maintain a 50 dry ton per day by
[1:05:38] Osal's processing facility at this technique plant
[1:05:40] to and then officially use the final product for a
[1:05:44] period of 20 years to a metropolitan by Osal's management
[1:05:47] and it will see an amount of 2,973,597.50
[1:05:52] from $180,496,291.94 to an amount now to exceed $170,522,694.44.
[1:06:03] Item 25, or 32 increased contract, the 1870231.
[1:06:09] Furnitions deliver and install disfilters at the EGN plant to independent mechanical ink
[1:06:14] amount of 156,954.22. From 9,143,393,
[1:06:21] to 9,393,393,397.22.26,
[1:06:27] a 30 to increase purchase order and exercise the
[1:06:29] option to extend the agreement for an additional
[1:06:31] one-year period for contract 22RFP-08.
[1:06:33] I incite healthcare services with
[1:06:35] concedent, concedent, health services ink.
[1:06:38] In amount of 400,000, from 1,000, from 1,514,
[1:06:43] 1,144.31, and about not to exceed 1,914,144.44.31.
[1:06:51] Item 27 was read, 20, a 32 increase in a governmental agreement with the Illinois State
[1:06:57] Tool Highway Authority, and the City of Chicago, 24 IgA-01 for the String Bank Civilization
[1:07:02] Project along Higgins Creek and to we have a new reservoir northside and amount of 36,633.78.
[1:07:09] From $691,348.96 to an amount of not to exceed 727,952.74.29.
[1:07:19] A 30-to-increase contract 06,360, 3SR.
[1:07:23] Upper displanes intercepting sewer 14b rehabilitation in a state of Michael's trenchless ink in amount of 106,744.14.
[1:07:31] From 37,568,724.28 to an amount not to exceed 37,675,000.
[1:07:39] of $470.42.
[1:07:41] Item 30 was deferred.
[1:07:43] Item 31, authority to approve,
[1:07:45] execute, and make payment to the owner of
[1:07:47] 7500 West 111 state worth Illinois.
[1:07:50] For permanent and temporary easements in
[1:07:52] connection with the flood control project,
[1:07:53] on worth with subdivision and worth Illinois,
[1:07:56] contract 1425655F.
[1:07:58] Consideration shall be a one-time fee of $32,900.
[1:08:02] $32.
[1:08:02] Authority to issue a five-year permanent extension
[1:08:04] to waste management of Illinois ink to continue
[1:08:07] to install maintain operating and remove monitoring wells and perform the necessary environmental
[1:08:11] remediation on district real estate located at 2025 East 134th Street Chicago Illinois
[1:08:16] consideration shall be an annual fee of 5,033. Authority to grant was shore pipeline company
[1:08:22] of 25 year approximately 77,70 square foot non-exclusive easement, a continued access
[1:08:28] operating maintain repair construct, reconstruct, and remove a 16 inch petroleum products
[1:08:33] Pipeline located on district real estate near the confluence of Chicago sanitary and ship canal and Cal
[1:08:39] sectional on portions of the main channel parcels 26.02 26.03 and 26.07 and Cook County into
[1:08:47] page County Illinois.
[1:08:49] Consideration shall be initial and you'll fee a $15,70 and item 34. Authority to amend the
[1:08:55] Eastman Agreement dated July 12, 2018. Between the district and village of Crestwood and approximately
[1:09:01] of the 17,594-square-foot of District Relic state located west of Cisra Avenue in South of the Cal
[1:09:07] Sectional and Cresswood, Illinois, Cal Sectional, Parcel 11.04.
[1:09:12] Madam President, that concludes the recital of items for consideration.
[1:09:16] Thank you.
[1:09:18] Are there any items on the agenda that the Board would like to discuss further?
[1:09:24] Madam Clerk, please identify the items on the consent agenda.
[1:09:27] Yes, Madam President, the following consent agenda items have been submitted for Board approval.
[1:09:32] item's number one through 34 with the exception of items five, six and 30. That concludes the
[1:09:38] consent to gender matter president. Thank you, move by. Move by Vice President Flint,
[1:09:44] second by Commissioner Carrouse, Apollo de Roca. Commissioner Brady Davis, Commissioner Brown,
[1:09:50] Commissioner Davis. Yes. Vice President Flint, Chairman Garcia, Commissioner McAuret Kirkwood. Yes.
[1:09:57] Thank you very much.
[1:10:00] Commissioner Waller and Madam President. Yes, 7 years, no need, Madam President.
[1:10:06] So ordered, we'll jump right into new business, leave. Thank you. I'm happy to announce that on August 21st, Governor
[1:10:16] Pritzker, Sign, House Bill 2955 into law. This bill addresses how the State of Illinois can address
[1:10:24] PFAS and waste water and the costs associated with it.
[1:10:29] I'd like to thank the Illinois Association of
[1:10:31] waste water agencies for the initiative and the bills,
[1:10:35] sponsors, representative Rashid and Senator Villavallum
[1:10:38] for their efforts in getting the bill passed.
[1:10:43] Also, I have an announcement about our procurement process.
[1:10:48] As you all know in the past, we've had study sessions
[1:10:52] to work on improving our processes has been a big topic of conversation for some, and I want
[1:10:59] to give kudos and announce that due to the improvements made in the process, including
[1:11:04] reminder to email, automatic signature reminders, and revamping the format of the pre-vide
[1:11:12] conference to reinforce the signature requirements in 2025 over 98 percent of the bidders
[1:11:22] submitted bits with all required signatures.
[1:11:27] So we're glad that we got that high percentage.
[1:11:30] Our bidders are very responsible now,
[1:11:33] because they have those reminders.
[1:11:35] And it was just something that some of the board members felt
[1:11:38] was really important for our bidders to get those reminders
[1:11:42] and those emails and those alerts.
[1:11:44] So that's in process.
[1:11:45] And we have a great success, right?
[1:11:47] So let's give our procurement.
[1:11:50] the Department of Rounds of applause.
[1:11:56] Also, as we had ahead into Labor Day weekend, I wanted to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable
[1:12:02] holiday and also extend appreciation to the workers here at the MWRD staff.
[1:12:09] We appreciate your hard work and dedication.
[1:12:11] Everyone have a safe holiday weekend.
[1:12:15] Commissioner Davis, do you have any new business?
[1:12:18] Yes, Madam President.
[1:12:20] Several weeks ago, we heard from some folks that it would be helpful to have opportunities
[1:12:27] for board members and staff to be able to communicate with each other a little bit more.
[1:12:35] And having done some listening and done some thinking about this, one of the thoughts that's
[1:12:42] popped up is the notion of a virtual, you know, kind of an online town hall of sorts so
[1:12:50] that we can stay connected. Because staying connected is really important and I just wanted
[1:12:56] to use this open forum as an opportunity to ask my colleagues if they've thought about this,
[1:13:03] if they think it's a good idea because it's on my mind.
[1:13:12] Thank you Commissioner Davis. Sure,
[1:13:13] in the details and I can agree to it then with a little more details, but it sounds great.
[1:13:23] Okay, thank you.
[1:13:24] Thank you, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Mackleroy Kirkwood, Madam President, I do not
[1:13:29] have any items today.
[1:13:30] Thank you, Commissioner Waller.
[1:13:32] No, no.
[1:13:33] Please, thank you.
[1:13:34] Thank you.
[1:13:35] Commissioner Coralsapovita.
[1:13:36] Thank you, Madam President.
[1:13:37] Just want to invite you all to put on your calendars, our Southwest Monarch Fest and North
[1:13:43] ever side for October 4th. It's Saturday.
[1:13:47] Senanial event and it's a lot of fun.
[1:13:49] I hope to see you guys there.
[1:13:51] Thank you.
[1:13:51] Thank you, Commissioner Crossell, Paul.
[1:13:53] But a Commissioner Brown.
[1:13:54] No comments today, Madam President.
[1:13:56] Thank you.
[1:13:57] Vice President Flynn.
[1:13:58] Thank you, Madam President. Again,
[1:14:00] Happy Labor Day to our friends and labor.
[1:14:02] You know who you are.
[1:14:04] And also, I probably should have done a
[1:14:06] Resolution regarding September 11th,
[1:14:09] but mentioning it as worthwhile as just as worthwhile
[1:14:12] honoring the people that have lost their lives in September, 11th and 12th anniversary.
[1:14:17] So, God bless America.
[1:14:19] Thanks.
[1:14:20] Wow, yes.
[1:14:21] Thank you.
[1:14:21] Thank you for remembering that.
[1:14:24] Madam Clark, will you read the motion to adjourn?
[1:14:27] Yes, Madam President.
[1:14:29] I move that when the Board adjourns at adjourn to meet again on Thursday, September 17th,
[1:14:33] 2026 at 1030M, and also move today's meeting be adjourned.
[1:14:37] move by vice president Flynn second back commissioner macaroid Kirkwood roll call commissioner Brady Davis commissioner Brown
[1:14:45] Commissioner Davis. Yes, vice president Flynn chairman Garcia
[1:14:50] Commissioner macaroid Kirkwood. Yes, commissioner. What else above it? I commission a waller and madam president. Yes
[1:14:57] 7 years no names madam president
[1:15:00] So ordered, the regular board meeting is adjourned. Everyone have a great productive day. Thank you.