@CHIdocumenters I’m watching remotely. The meeting agenda and video can be found here: https://mwrd.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=1622&GUID=5E16B4CD-0692-4016-959D-3F080D6CFFB4

WTTW recently did a good summary of what MWRD does. @wttw
https://news.wttw.com/2022/11/02/what-mwrd-you-have-questions-we-have-answers

Board president Kari Steele starts the meeting and goes to public comments. Someone representing women construction owners and executives asks for changes to a proposal on selecting contractors.

A frequent commenter at these meetings wearing camouflage today talks about getting more contracts for black people.

An attorney representing a company also suggests changes to proposed amendments for selecting contractors.

The next public speaker is the Executive Director of the Federation of Women Contractors. She also speaks about the process for certifying and hiring women and minority owned contractors.

The MWRD twitter account posts cool historical photos.
https://twitter.com/MWRDGC/status/1591778223653781505

The board recognizes the retiring MWRD inspector general, Patrick Blanchard. He held similar positions at other agencies. https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/9/18/21446019/cook-county-watchdog-patrick-blanchard-retirement-inspector-general

A resolution recognizes departing board member Josina Morita, who was elected to the Cook County Board. @JosinaMorita talks about her accomplishments and thanks her staff.

This is also the final meeting for board vice-president Barbara J. McGowan. She’s the third longest-serving board member and has a long list of accomplishments and awards. She thanks many people. Other board members all heap praises on her.

After a short break to take photos, the board presents a resolution honoring Joe Podlasek and the Trickster Cultural Center. https://www.tricksterculturalcenter.org/documents/02-08-2022_BoardOfDirectors_Annoucement.pdf

Commissioner Cameron Davis asks staff about why costs went up and timing of a contract.

Commissioner Marcelino Garcia asks for more details but staff doesn’t have much to say publicly.

Commissioners discuss changes to affirmative action policy, including for contractors. Corral Sepúlveda explains they’ll accept contractor certification by other government agencies. But they’ll still be able to certify on their own.

President Steele says the vote they’re making now is to continue the discussion and study the issue. Corral Speulveda passes out a memo that will be distributed to everyone before the next meeting.
They talk about study session discussions.

Commissioners keep debating the affirmative action ordinance but it’s not clear what, if anything, they disagree on. Garcia wants to make sure this is done with new board members and not wait another 7 years to revise their procedures.

Corral Sepúlveda confirms there’s board consensus on key issues regarding certification.
Steele explains next steps for study groups. Commissioners will get another chance to review changes.

They discuss having another study session and including new commissioners before voting on changes. They move the issue back onto the consent agenda, meaning they’ll continue working on it.

The board concludes their committee of the whole. After a break, the clerk reads consent items into the agenda. Everything passes without debate.

Under new business, Spyropoulos announces a new staff member. Unrelated, Nov 19 is world toilet day. She encourages people to post about it on social media.
https://www.worldtoiletday.info/

A frequent public commenter repeats similar comments from the start of the meeting.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District adjourns. That concludes my live tweeting for #CHIdocumenters.