Board of Commissioners [remote or in person]

If you’d like to watch the meeting, use this link: https://mwrd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

The agenda can be accessed here: https://mwrd.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=AADA&ID=1003825&GUID=94F98415-7698-4F66-8FB4-C630918BECDB

The meeting has begun at 10:33 with very staticky microphones.

The meeting minutes from last month are approved. There is no public comment today.

The commissioners remark on the Board’s participation in the St. Patrick’s Day parade and Commissioner Spyropoulos remarks on the history of the parade, including the Shannon Rovers Irish Bagpipe Band, who started our St. Patrick’s day parade.

Commissioner Flynn recognizes the contributions of Irish Americans.

Vice President Du Buclet recognizes the contributions of women as the Board recognizes March as Women’s History Month. The theme for Women’s History Month is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

Vice President Du Buclet expresses her gratitude and pride for serving on a woman led board - and the smiles on the women board members tells me they feel similarly. Love to see it!

My feed froze! The commissioners were discussing increasing a cost estimate for a contract for Biogas
Combined Heat and Power System to $10,344,000. Let me refresh, as the commissioners seemed hesitant.

The estimate increased by $2m, but the total $10m number includes 5 years of maintenance. The commissioners, especially Chairman Garcia and Vice President Du Buclet want the resolution deferred to the next meeting.

Commissioner Spyropoulos speaks in support of the resolution to purchase rain barrels to Greenlane Environmental & Recycling Services Inc, refers to them as low-hanging fruit.

Commissioner Corral Sepúlveda similarly supports, but wants to ensure the installation instructions are thorough and suggests a video - President Steele says the Board will ensure it shares a video that they already have for rain barrel installation.

Commissioner Spyropoulos applauds the Board for “thinking outside of Cook County” with their plans to enter into a memo of understanding to engage in a knowledge exchange program with international wastewater utilities that own/operate large diameter deep tunnel systems.

The board goes on a 5 minute recess before reconvening.

The board has reconvened and all of the items for their consideration are read out if they have not already been discussed.

All items, with the exception of increasing the cost estimate for the Biogas Combined Heat and Power System, have been approved.

The district will be celebrating Women’s History Month with a few events - information will be coming out soon on their website and socials.

In person tours of the Water Reclamation District facilities have returned, with the goal of inspiring young kids to “love chemistry or engineering or something” when they leave.

Commissioner Pogorzelski remarks on today being National Reading Day, recommending people read about Pulaski, Irish workers, women, and the MWRD.

Commissioner Corral Sepúlveda asks the board to help provide resources to people of East Palestine to help, but also so “they know we are with them.”

The commissioners share upcoming events they have going on and tease each other about their participation in this weekend’s polar plunge fundraiser before adjourning.

The meeting is adjourned at 11:36 am. This concludes the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 16 at 10:30 am. For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org