Edward Brown

The Board elected its fiscal year 2027 officers and appointments and approved the hiring of an assistant clerk and the appointment of legal counsel. Key business included the approval of intergovernmental agreements with the Village of South Elgin for tornado siren maintenance and with the City of Elgin for site cleanup and debris removal at the North Water Reclamation Facility. The District Engineer provided updates on capital projects, including master plans, solar and battery installations, and electrical improvements. The Executive Director reported on emergency services coordination, upcoming professional conferences, national performance awards received for permit compliance, and personnel updates.

The Board of Trustees reviewed and approved several ordinances, including the FY2027 tentative appropriation budget and an amendment to District Ordinance No. 313. Additional approvals included the disbursement of 2025 employee health out-of-pocket medical expenses, the disposal of district property, and amendments to professional services agreements for HVAC and sprinkler system design and outfall fish barriers with tank replacement. Discussions covered the Capital Improvements Program, ongoing IEPA initiatives, industrial water reuse, legislative updates, and the potential cleanup and fencing of the former 'tent city' property in coordination with the City of Elgin.

The agenda includes a public hearing regarding the FY 2027 Budget and Appropriations Ordinance 977, followed by the review of consent items such as the approval of various financial bills and IEPA permit applications. Key new business items include the approval of the FY 2027 Budget Ordinance, the procurement of two heat exchangers, and several project-related amendments for engineering construction and design services. Additionally, the Board will consider contracts for landscape maintenance and chemical procurement, as well as specific account credit and permit fee refund requests.

The Board received a presentation regarding the District's Facilities Master Plan goals and long-term capital improvement strategies. Key business actions included the approval of the FY 2027 board meeting schedule, the adoption of Resolution 552 regarding investment and banking matters, and Resolution 553 concerning the disposal of district property. The Board also approved Phase 1 bids for building additions and renovations, Change Order No. 7 for the North WRF Influent Bar Screens, and various amendments to the North WRF Bar Screen Installation and North PC 5-7 Rehabilitation projects. Additionally, engineering design services for Building 45 sludge conditioning improvements were approved, and the Executive Director provided a report on rate adjustments and potential grant funding for the ADP Solar Project.

The meeting included an executive session concerning the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific district employees. The consent agenda approved connection permits, payment of bills across multiple funds totaling over $4.7 million, and preapproval of IEPA permit applications for the Vista Gardens Townhome Project and the U-46 School District Larkin High School new stadium. New business involved the approval of a proposal for accounting services from Governmental Accounting, Inc., and approvals for several amendments and change orders related to facility projects, specifically the ADP WRF Bar Screen Installation Project, a clarifier mechanism addition, and the ADP Building 19 heat exchanger replacement project. The board also discussed and approved the annual performance evaluation and compensation review for the Executive Director. Reports were provided on ongoing projects, including updates on the facility master plan, biosolids master plan evaluation, North Electrical Improvements Project, and RAS/WAS Pump Station Project. The Executive Director reported on building expansion progress and confirmed that the West Plant solar field is fully energized and has received a certificate of completion, with subsequent steps involving rebate and tax credit submissions.