Fox Metro Water Reclamation District

The Board approved the financial reports and a contract bid for the sanitary sewer project. Discussions focused on the 2025 Annual Safety Report, including industry standards, safety audits, and joint training exercises. The Board also reviewed renewable energy updates, including a solar inverter recall and proposed electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Additionally, the meeting addressed the acquisition of a solar array, the authorization of construction project payments, and the approval of a leave of absence for an employee.

The meeting addressed financial matters, including the approval of bills paid during January 2025 and the approval of the Financial Report for January 2025. The Controller reported on budget progress and provided an investment update showing earned interest income for January. The Committee of Local Improvements presented the 2024 Annual Safety Report, detailing accident statistics and safety accomplishments such as inspecting confined space equipment, replacing AEDs, and addressing pipe corrosion. The committee also received an update on the District's Cyber Security status, including common threats like Phishing and Ransomware, and future protective plans. In construction updates, progress reports were given on several projects, including the 111th St. Pump Station, North Waste Water Treatment Plant Bar Screen Replacement, Solar Farm #2, Building K Plug Valve Replacement, and the Battery Install Project, with associated payment approvals requested and granted. The Board also briefly discussed the Responsible Bidder Ordinance (RBO) and PFAS legislation, with plans made for further discussion on the RBO and PFAS in subsequent meetings.

The meeting included financial discussions, such as the approval of bills paid in June 2024 and the approval of the June 2024 Financial Report, which included a flowchart detailing the Purchase Order and Accounts Payable approval process. Public comments featured a discussion with a Transportation Decarbonization Specialist interested in the Methane Gas Recapture Program. Employee recognition was given to a Fox Pride recipient and the District Manager for five years of service. A presentation reviewed the District's successes and challenges over the past five years, emphasizing investments in staff training, improvements in hiring practices, modernization of IT systems, enhanced security measures, and successful in-house project execution, leading to significant cost savings. Discussions also covered the exploration of adopting a Responsible Bidder Ordinance to codify criteria for awarding projects. Furthermore, the Board reviewed Farm License Leases concerning the application of biosolids, focusing on maximizing asset life and considering future land needs. The construction report detailed the status of multiple ongoing capital projects, including pump station upgrades and solar farm installations. Finally, tentative approval was given for the Hudson Pointe Phase 2 Annexation Agreement, with a Public Hearing scheduled for August 21, 2024. An easement for the 111th Street Pump Station Electrical Conduit was approved.

The meeting covered several financial and operational items. Key discussions included the approval of bills paid for September 2025 and the approval of the Financial Report and Controller's Report for September 2025, which confirmed an unmodified audit opinion. The Board also approved corrections to the September 24, 2025 meeting minutes. During a separate session for the Committee of Local Improvements, an update was provided on Factor, Inc.'s compliance status under an Administrative Order of Consent, noting significant progress in mitigating wastewater issues, including compliance with daily water usage thresholds and the implementation of best management practices. Upon reconvening the regular meeting, bids were reviewed and accepted for Project 2025-05 -- West Galena Blvd Manhole Liner Installation. Actions were taken to approve an ordinance for the annexation of the Sugar Grove Lift Station Property and a resolution to vacate a public utility easement on the Brighton Ridge Property. Furthermore, a revised repayment agreement with Oswego School District #308 for underbilled water consumption was approved, which included a provision for prevailing attorney's fees in case of enforcement. Operational matters included discussion on the IAWA Annual Conference, the successful Solar Field #2 ribbon-cutting event, and the recommendation to hire a full-time Public Outreach Coordinator. Finally, several construction project payments were approved, including payments for the North Waste Water Treatment Plant Bar Screen Replacement Project, the Building K Plug Valve Replacement Project, the Battery Install Project, and the North Waste Water Treatment Plant Renewable Natural Gas Utilization Project, as well as the Sewer Maintenance Contract Project.

The agenda for the regular monthly meeting included paying all bills for January 2026, reviewing the Board Financial Report and Controller's Report for January 2026, and conducting a bid opening for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer Televising, Lining, and Repair Project. Key discussion and action items involved approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of North Aurora for sewer investigation and repair, approving an ordinance for the annexation of parcels by Intrepid Oswego, LLC, and discussing a scheduled user rate increase for May 31, 2026. Updates were also scheduled regarding the renewable energy project, including the IEPA battery grant application and solar field inverter replacement. The construction project report detailed the status and payment requests for several ongoing projects, including the North WWTP Bar Screen Replacement, Building K Plug Valve Replacement, and the North WWTP Renewable Natural Gas Utilization Project. A request for Executive Session was listed to discuss pending and probable litigation.