@CHIdocumenters They are currently going over the recommendations:

@CHIdocumenters Here is the overview. More information can be found here: chicityclerk.com/2024-chicago-c…

@CHIdocumenters They have over 2,300 employees, operate 2 of the world's largest purification plants, and serve over 120 suburbs. Over 12 employees are present for this meeting. Andrea Cheng, Commissioner, is speaking.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Burnett asked for the percentage of contracts that go toward minority and women owned businesses. 8.5% are going to Black owned businesses. “It’s been unacceptable for a long time... we need to have a conversation".

@CHIdocumenters He also expressed frustration that his office was not made aware of the water management positions and apprenticeship opportunities available. "You think you're communicating this with us but you're not". Cheng promised to make sure they are on the email list.

@CHIdocumenters Chairman Jason Ervin also asked about plumbing positions they have open. Cheng said 6. "How can we expect to be seeing changes in diversity with only 6 positions available?" he asked.

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Reilley said he hardly ever receives notice of water shutoffs. "My office needs to informed of every one of these that are planned. I represent the Central Business District and it will be a problem if this can't be fixed...Give me the standard protocol today."

@CHIdocumenters Cheng asked Matt Quinn to discuss current protocol. "When we do have emergency pairs we do have limited time... but that's no excuse". Reilley said, "I don't expect you to have a crystal ball... I'm talking about planned." He has personally experienced outages.

@CHIdocumenters "We are the front line... we really need you to prioritize this," Reilley reiterated. "There's your homework".

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Quinn brought up cave-in repair time length. Matthew Quinn answered that the average time to inspect a cave-in is about 3 days, and to repair it is 34 days. “That seems a little long… my constituents care about this.” They answered that they will award contracts in Q1

@CHIdocumenters They say that this will improve wait times. He also brought up that it would be good to train students for future opportunities in water management. Finally, he brought up issues with businesses not being able to open due to delays in plumbing inspections.

@CHIdocumenters He had an issue recently with a Walgreens not being able to open yet due to this: “People need that Walgreens to open... I should not be getting calls about problems with your department."

Alderman Moore said that "A lot is looking like crap, and it is my director of constituent services who is going out and chasing this stuff down." He requested the information of the resident engineer (project manager) for the area so that his office can directly coordinate.

Ald. Lopez brought up unfinished projects. "Roads were started and never capped in West Englewood and are falling apart...there are sinkholes." Cheng answered that they will be working on it.

He asked for a timeline; "that's been several years in the making so I hope it's not several years in the fixing." Sinkholes have been an ongoing issue in Englewood. cbsnews.com/chicago/news/e…

They are now taking a recess for lunch.

@CHIdocumenters Important context: the Dept. of Water Management is notorious for having a blatantly racist culture. chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2022…

@CHIdocumenters Helpful context from the Better Government Association: . @GeoffreyCubbage bettergov.org/2023/10/25/dep…