Board of Commissioners [in person or remote]

@CHIdocumenters I’m watching remotely. You can find the meeting agenda and video link here: https://mwrd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

If you’re interested in the work of @MWRDGC, they’re doing a virtual tour of their facilities.
https://twitter.com/MWRDGC/status/1597269899759321089?s=20&t=zPif6Cd2TrBhbAk_aqJZAw

There’s a public speaker representing Women Construction Owners and Executives.
She praises the ordinance they’re working on but suggests some changes, such as counting subcontractors below the “first tier” that are women or minority owned.

A lively public speaker who comments on a variety of issues at almost every meeting says contract preferences should be given specifically to black people, not just white women or other races.

The board starts meeting as a “committee of the whole” to discuss agenda items. This satisfies legal requirements that items be considered in committee first but allows it all to be done in one big meeting with all board members present.

There’s a resolution recognizing Chakena Perry for service on the board. She was initially appointed by Governor Pritzker but lost in the recent election.
She’s thankful for the experience and hopes everyone will remember “my kindness, my empathetic leadership.”

President Steele and all the commissioners heap warm praise on Perry. Several mention her work as former president of Young Democrats.

Perry presents a resolution honoring the Homewood Science Center.
https://www.homewoodsciencecenter.org/

Another resolution recognizes Mother McAuley girls volleyball winning a championship, introduced by former student and current Commissioner Spyropoulos.

A resolution honoring former Commissioner Nellie L. Jones, who passed away. She was the first black woman MWRD commissioner. Perry introduced it to honor a trailblazer. Her family are present.

After a recess to take photos, the Water Reclamation District Board comes back to discuss proposals. Spyropoulos asks about a proposal to rent out space to a bank. Could we sell it?
Staff respond it’s part of operating plant property so it makes sense to keep and lease.

Spyropoulos asks about a contract for chemicals to control odor at Thornton Composite Reservoir. It has been an issue in the past.
Staff say this new approach is a pilot project that could be later used at McCook reservoir.

Commissioner Corral Sepúlveda is concerned about the effectiveness of the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program. Collection sites are far away for many.
Suggests partnerships with other local govs: “They’re already doing it. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel.”

Board President Steele makes a statement about the proposed affirmative action ordinance and changes made with input from the board.

They’ll accept determinations by other agencies for contracts but can collect their own information.

They’ll establish a diversity small business program in 2023. Other changes are pretty technical.
They’ll discuss an environmental justice department.
Steele calls it a living document they’re still working on. She’s excited about the ordinance and hopes others are as well.

Commissioner Corral Sepúlveda jokingly apologizes to all the trees killed by printouts while working on the ordinance. Thanks everyone, including contractors, for informing her and working on it.

Commissioner Spyropoulos requests an executive session to discuss “minutes of meetings legally closed under the open meetings act.” Steele says it should be quick.

They came out of executive session and voted on something. They went very fast so I missed what it was.
Then they voted on the affirmative action proposal.

The clerk reads items into the agenda.

New business: President Steele says the main MWRD building will be named the Barbara J. McGowan building. She recently retired and had her last meeting as a MWRD commissioner and vice-president.

Commissioner Davis reminds everyone that Dec 5 is World Soil Day. Suggests giving loved ones a bag of healthy soil for the holidays.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-soil-day

It occurs to me that could technically mean a bag of manure.

For more public comments, a district employee says there’s a rumor of district police slamming a black employee by their head but no one is getting answers.
He speaks about racism and colonialism broadly and at the district.

President Steele says she’ll follow up with the executive director. Another commissioner also wants more info. Steele is concerned about discussing public matters that may be legally confidential. They’ll follow up with the executive director and update everyone.

A public commenter from earlier speaks again about police violence but I’m honestly having trouble following his point.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners adjourns. This concludes my live tweeting for #CHIDocumenters.