Thread by @willinois

Hello! I'm live tweeting today's Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board of commissioners meeting for @CHIdocumenters.
#CHIdocumenters

@CHIdocumenters I'm watching remotely. There's currently a bagpipe band in the meeting room, but the video sound is off, thankfully.

President Kari Steele brings the meeting to order and they convene as a committee of the whole to discuss agenda items.

They recognize the bagpipe band, the Shannon Rovers, with a ceremonial resolution.

Another resolution recognizes the Irish-American immigrant tradition, including labor leaders John J. Fitzpatrick and Mother Jones.
shannonrovers.com

Mother Jones lived part of her life in Chicago and is buried at the Union Miner's cemetery in Virden, Illinois.
motherjonesmuseum.org/motherjonesmon…

Another resolution recognizes Kevin Byrne the Consul General of Ireland in Chicago.

ireland.ie/en/usa/chicago…

Kevin Byrne is invited to speak to the board and thanks them for the resolutions, including for labor leaders. He has celebrated St. Patrick's Day in 40 places. "Nowhere celebrates St. Patrick's Day like Chicago."

Personal note. I've had visitors from Ireland tell me no place else celebrates St Patrick's Day like Chicago, but it wasn't a compliment.

Notoriously Polish commissioner Daniel Pogorzelski speaks about the tradition of Irish-American labor leaders, particularly John Fitzpatrick and Mother Jones.
chicagolabor.org/about/history/

Two more commissioners join in recognizing the Irish immigrant tradition in Chicago. There's a short recess for photos.

MWRD is recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association with an Excellence in Financial Reporting award. They play a congratulatory video from the association president.

A resolution authorizes partnership with Chicago schools for the Space to Grow program that creates green infrastructure projects. Commissioner Brady-Davis praises the program's benefits to Chicago students.
spacetogrowchicago.org

MWRD board of commissioners concludes their meeting of the whole, and comes back for the regular board meeting after a short recess.

The clerk reads items into the agenda and the consent agenda is passed.
Under new business, Commissioner Flynn talks about participating in the St Patrick's Day parades.

Commissioner Corral Sepúlveda plugs upcoming events, including a water quality roundtable. Sound is poor and I have trouble getting the details.
Commissioner Davis is doing a panel discussion on PFAS.

There are no public comments.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board of commissioners adjourns.

This concludes my live tweeting for #ChiDocumenters.