@CHIdocumenters The board starts on time and has a public speaker, Tessa Murray from Friends of the Chicago River. The Friends oppose some proposed changes to flood protections and watershed management.

@CHIdocumenters Chair Steele says meeting video isn't working but I'm not having any trouble viewing. They begin meeting as a committee of the whole. mwrd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

@CHIdocumenters Commissioner Spyropoulos, who recently won the Democratic Primary for Clerk of the Circuit Court, asks how many participants were invited to an auction to provide natural gas. Staff was unsure and will have to provide the answer later.

@CHIdocumenters Spyropoulos asks for details on three more agenda items, including what equipment is being purchased for a project. Ex Dir Perkovich will follow up with details after the meeting.

Commissioner Garcia brings up a contract proposed on agenda item 41 and asks if the company is best to meet diversity goals. He says the follow up conversation with the Executive Director is better done in private.

Commissioner Davis has concerns about the process for procurement and a contract with Lizzette Medina & Company.

Staff explain the significance and process of a Letter of Intent. Commissioner Sepúlveda wants the process to ensure that contractors seek out subcontractors who meet diversity goals. Chair Steele asks for a memo from staff on proposed changes.

Commissioner Spyropoulos asks why a project is 244 calendars behind schedule. Staff say the procurement of electric equipment is difficult. It's a common problem in the industry since COVID.

The executive director of the MWRD retirement fund gives his report. In response to a question from Davis, he says a lot of boring financial stuff that's probably important. The fund's actuarial value of assets is good.

There's a network error message and the video stopped. Chairwoman Steele announced earlier that video was working for the public but not internally for staff. Now it's not working for the public.

Video is back! The retirement fund report continues.

After an extended discussion of revenues, expenses and the number of tier 1 and tier 2 employees, the retirement fund report concludes. The committee of the whole adjourns and the board takes a 5 minute recess.

The Water Reclamation District returns from recess. I spent the break grabbing a snack and realizing that I haven't watched the Blues Brothers movie in a couple years. I wonder if I know anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

They take roll call votes on items discussed in the committee of the whole. They pass. Consent agenda items are read by the clerk.

Consent agenda items are passed. Time for new business. There's a resolution recognizing the Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program. Chairwoman Steele recognizes a program participate in the audience. A group toured the MWRD facilities. polishedpebbles.com

Steele invites everyone to an event for the re-opening of Centennial Fountain. mwrd.org/events/centenn…

Commissioner Pogorzelski references a New York Times opinion piece suggesting the Great Lakes should be used to provide water for western states, like Arizona. He passionately says ABSOLUTELY NOT!.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District adjourns at 12:29. This concludes my live tweeting for #ChicagoDocumenters. Due to a new job, this will probably be my last time live tweeting/Xing for @CHIdocumenters. It's a great program and I've loved doing it!