TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Beth Beatty, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Payment of the 2024 Membership Dues for the Lower DesPlaines Watershed Group in the amount of $99,128.35
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BACKGROUND:
On May 16, 2017, the Mayor and City Council approved Resolution No. 7146 authorizing membership in the Lower DesPlaines Watershed Group. The Lower DesPlaines Watershed Group consists of approximately 30 entities (municipalities, sanitary districts, and industrial dischargers) who have joined together to conduct water quality sampling, negotiate permit conditions, and prepare required planning documents. Participation in the watershed group is a condition of our NPDES permits for the Eastside and Westside WWTPs and is not optional. The benefits of membership in the group are:
• Stronger position to negotiate NPDES permit conditions with Illinois EPA and Environmental Action Groups
• Cost-sharing in watershed data collection and analysis that can assist with permit requirements
• Cost-sharing on Nutrient Assessment and Reduction Plan development which will encompass both point and nonpoint contributions
• Sharing resources to develop outreach materials and trainings to meet MS4 permit requirements
• Pooling resources to obtain expertise, lower cost, and save time.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
The 2024 membership fee for the Lower DesPlaines Watershed Group is $99,128.35.
Funds will be charged to the Water and Sewer Operating Fund / Memberships and Dues (Org 50080802, Object 518001, $49,564.17 and Org 50080803, Object 518001, $49,564.18).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve payment for the 2024 membership fee, in the amount of $99,128.35, on behalf of the Lower DesPlaines Watershed Group.
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