Budget Message / Highlights - Metropolitan Water Reclamation ...

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO
2009 BUDGET
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
2009 BUDGET NARRATIVE (continued)
will be sent for State of Illinois Breath Analysis operator certification. Use of Force refresher training will be conducted. This
training deals with the liability issues whenever force is used.
2. Provide a safe work environment for District employees through training, accident prevention initiatives, and work
place monitoring.
The Safety Section is responsible for the health and safety of all District employees. The major areas of concern are safe work
procedures, safe work environment, preventive health measures, life protection, accident prevention and investigations, and
record keeping. In 2009, Safety Section personnel shall administer maintenance and certification of fire systems, fire pumps,
fire extinguishers, fire protection equipment, and testing equipment. The Safety Section will continue to provide routine safety
training programs such as defibrillator training, CPR, traffic safety, confined space entry, and lead/asbestos awareness. Lead,
asbestos, mercury, and other chemical clean-ups will continue to be the responsibility of the Safety Section.
3. Provide environmental condition assessment, risk reduction, site remediation, and hazardous materials handling
and disposal services at District Facilities and on District-owned properties.
The Site Remediation Section (SRS) will continue to assess the environmental condition of various District properties as their
primary responsibility. The Site Remediation staff's first priority is to assess the condition of District properties where current
leases are expiring. In addition, the SRS, with the assistance of outside environmental consultants, performs environmental site
inspections at some District-owned leased properties regardless of lease status. It is in the District’s best interest to ascertain the
environmental condition of all of its leased properties as far in advance as possible of the expiration of the leases. The ongoing
goal of Site Remediation continues to be documenting when and where the District’s property has been environmentally
contaminated by the current tenant’s operations and then working with the Law Department to ensure that the responsible
tenant completely remediate their leased District property, in a timely manner, to the District’s standards and satisfaction. The
Site Remediation staff will continue to be available on an as-needed basis to assist the District’s other Departments in resolving
site contamination, environmental compliance, and hazardous waste handling and disposal issues that arise on various District
projects and at various District facilities and properties.
4. Operate and maintain the Main Office Buildings to provide a functional and cost-effective office environment for
assigned staff and to provide fleet services for all District vehicles in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
The Facilities Section is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the MOBC and the District fleet. Major projects
scheduled in 2009 for the MOBC include: rehabilitation of 2 chillers, upgrade and replace print shop equipment, and the
renovation of the 4 th , 5 th , and 6 th floors of the McMillan Pavilion. In 2009, the Automotive Fleet Unit will continue with the
fleet maintenance service contract. Also, fleet management will have a continued emphasis on investing in energy efficient
technology where feasible.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
The Public Affairs Section provides public and employee understanding of District functions and activities through media,
publications, responses to public inquiries, tours, events, and employee newsletters. The Public Affairs staff prepares regular
news releases to keep the public informed about the work of the District, and provides speakers to schools and community
groups. Additionally, the Public Affairs staff processes the District’s responses to more than 600 questions submitted annually
under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Public Affairs staff assists other departments with special events, such as
groundbreaking ceremonies and the multi-yearly Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days. When foreign dignitaries or
professionals come to the District, Public Affairs coordinates their visits. In 2009, the Public Affairs Section plans to have
targeted mailing of the District’s Annual Report and coordinate the activities of the Public Affairs Strategic Planning
Committee. The District’s Technical Library processes all requests for books, subscriptions, and memberships, and oversees the
District’s Records Management Program. The Library unit has implemented a plan to outsource the storage of inactive records
to provide a more efficient and safer method of records storage. In 2009, the Library Unit will supervise the phase two of a
District-wide electronic document management system in support of the Engineering and Monitoring and Research
Departments.
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET SECTION
The mission of the Management and Budget Section is to prepare an annual budget to provide fiscal means and policies that
enable the District to protect the health and safety of the public in its service area, protect the quality of the water supply source
(Lake Michigan), improve the quality of water in watercourses in its service area, protect businesses and homes from flood
damage, and manage water as a vital resource for its service area.
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