Introducing Project Clear

“MSD has entered into a consent decree which involves a large CIRP program, CMOM activities, an I&I removal program, and green infrastructure with the goal of removing SSOs and abating CSOs.”

 If you understand that sentence with all its acronyms, then that’s great! But to many of us, that sentence reads like a foreign language. That why it’s so important for MSD to communicate in a way people can understand.

Keeping that in mind, we’re pleased to announce the launch of Project Clear. Project Clear is the engagement effort surrounding the 23 year, $4.7 billion initiative to plan, design and build system wide improvements to address water quality and alleviate many wastewater concerns in the St. Louis community.

Project Clear will ensure that:

• We will be clear in our priorities
• We will be clear in our communications
• We are working to maintain clear water for the St. Louis community

Among the first projects undertaken as part of Project Clear involves disconnecting residential downspouts from the sanitary sewer line. Much of the excess water that contributes to basement backups and sewer overflows comes during storms, heavy rain or significant snowmelt through downspouts, sump pumps and stormwater drains that are connected directly to the sanitary sewer line. In most cases, removing these connections from the sanitary sewer line is so important to dealing with these problems that MSD will remove them at no cost to property owners.

Larger projects related to Project Clear include storage tunnels. These tunnels are in the initial stages of design and planning. As these projects develop and move toward construction, we will keep you updated on their progress.

Green infrastructure solutions, such as rain gardens, pervious pavement and planter boxes, will also be used as part of the effort to create long-term and effective solutions for stormwater management.

Project Clear consultants are conducting field inspections, and initial letters have been sent to those in most project areas. If you see a Project Clear truck in your neighborhood, please don’t hesitate to ask them questions. You may also call or 24-hour customer service line at 314-768-6260.

You can find more information on the Project Clear website or by following Project Clear on Twitter (@ProjectClearSTL) or on Facebook.

Public Meeting to Discuss Disparity Study

MSD will conduct a public meeting to discuss the recently released disparity study.  The  meeting will be with Mason Tillman, the firm that conducted the study.  It is Monday, February 25, in the multi-purpose room of the student center at Florissant Valley Community College, 3400 Pershall Road, Ferguson, MO, 63135. Meeting time is 9:00 a.m. 

To view the disparity study, click here.

MSD Disparity Study Available To Public

Click here to view the disparity study.  

Key Recommendations For Minority and Women Inclusion:

• Interim/Current Goals (Contracting & Workforce):
  • Building Construction Contracts Over $50,000: 25% MBE & 5% WBE
  • Non-Building Construction Contracts Over $50,000:  15% MWBE (with 7.5% MBE minimum)
  • Professional Services Contracts Over $50,000:  30% MWBE
  • Procurement of Goods & Services:  10% MWBE
  • Workforce for Contracts Over $500,000:  25% minority & 6.9% women

• Disparity Study Recommendation (Contracting & Workforce):
  • Building Construction Contracts Over $50,000:  30% MBE
  • Non Building Construction Contracts Over $50,000:  17% MBE
  • Professional Services Contracts:  No goal/No Disparity
  • Procurement of Goods & Services:  No goal/No Disparity
  • Workforce for Contracts Over $500,000:
    • Construction:  30% minority & 7% women
    • Professional Services:  18% minority & 32% women

In April 2012, an agreement was finalized that brought to a close a federal lawsuit filed against MSD in June 2007.  This agreement requires MSD to spend a minimum of $4.7 billion over the next 23 years to implement sewer improvements throughout St. Louis City and St. Louis County.  While the vast majority of this work will be out of sight, this agreement will be felt in our region for decades to come.  From the creation of jobs, to the protection of vital waterways, to preventing basement backups, the agreement, and the associated spending, will be world-class in terms of its scope and reach.  While this program cannot  be all things, to all people, it can certainly serve as a catalyst for change in our community.

For much of 2011 and all of 2012, the Board of Trustees and MSD staff engaged in a dialogue with various stakeholders about how to improve MSD’s diversity programs.  While MSD is proud of the diversity programs we have had for many years, we by no means claim perfection and reject the premise that improvements cannot be made.  Rather the opposite is true.  As we begin a world-class construction program in terms of its scope and reach, we should strive to have a world-class program of inclusion for minorities, women, and disadvantaged businesses.  Not just in-terms of contracts alone, but in-terms of workforce diversity as well.

One of the commitments that MSD made to help further these efforts was the commissioning of a disparity study.  A disparity study is an evaluation of an organization’s procurement and contracting practices, particularly its use of minority and women-owned business enterprises.  Such a study factually determines if there is a disparity between the current utilization and the actual number of minority and women-owned businesses within a local area that are ready, willing, and able to provide sewer construction, building construction, engineering professional services, non-engineering professional services, supplies, and contractual services for contracts.

Specific benefits MSD will derive from such a study and its implementation include:

• Factual support for diversity goals;
• Identification of best practices to improve MSD’s contracting process;
• Facilitate an increase in the number of bidders for MSD’s contracts, which in turn will lower MSD’s procurement costs.

The diversity goals recommended by the report may change how some firms do business with MSD.  Change will often times be perceived as a scary prospect and create uncertainty.  There is no doubt the business models of some contractors and firms will be directly impacted.  This does not go unnoticed by MSD and we fully recognize what this means for our consulting firms, contractors, and vendors.  However, not to implement the report’s recommendations would most likely violate the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution – the supporting case law is thoroughly listed in the disparity study.  With that in mind, MSD is committed to constant monitoring and compliance verification of minority and women participation in its spending.  (In fact, we have added two new positions within the past year in support of these efforts.  As the disparity study’s recommendations are implemented, obtaining more support for these efforts and further staff additions will be evaluated.)  If the data shows disparities resurfacing or changing, MSD is committed to evaluating the factual evidence of such and developing possible remedies.

We are sure that there are many questions and concerns our entire community has about the diversity study and its recommendations.  With that in mind, between now and March 14 (the date of the next Board of Trustees meeting), MSD will conduct  public meetings to discuss the disparity study.  The first meeting will be with Mason Tillman, the firm that conducted the study.  This meeting will be held on Monday, February 25, in the multi-purpose room of the student center at Florissant Valley Community College.  Meeting time is 9:00 a.m.  The college is located at 3400 Pershall Road, Ferguson, MO, 63135.  Additionally, the disparity study will be on the agenda for the next Board of Trustees Stakeholder Committee meeting.  The date and time for this committee meeting will be announced soon.

 It’s important for the public to know more about Mason Tillman.  Founded in 1978 by Eleanor Mason Ramsey, Ph.D., Mason Tillman is a nationally recognized authority on disparity studies.  The firm has over 20 years of experience in designing and executing these studies.  During that time, Mason Tillman has conducted 117 studies, on which the diversity policies of numerous governmental agencies across the country are based.  Additionally, the firm’s surveys and interviews of business owners have produced a wealth of empirical knowledge about contracting processes.  As evidenced by the fact that none of the disparity studies conducted by Mason Tillman has ever been legally overturned, the integrity of the firm’s research methods have withstood vigorous review. 

 MSD has a well-recognized diversity program.  This has been the case for many years.  It goes without saying that we are proud of our program and its performance.  But change is constant and a key part of the continuous improvement philosophy we employ at MSD.  As we invest $4.7 billion in our community over the next 23 years, everyone must be included.  We will not claim perfection in our processes or in executing everything we have described here; we will not claim that there won’t be hiccups; and we will not claim that we will have this figured out in a few weeks, a few months, or even a few  years.  After all, this is a journey, not a destination.  This disparity study is not an endpoint in our efforts to insure equal opportunity in MSD’s business practices and spending.  Rather, it is a milestone – a significant milestone – in our inclusion efforts, and marks our continuing commitment to be a leader in our community.

 To view the disparity study, click here.

Volunteers Needed for Confluence Trash Bash

Volunteers are needed for the Fifth Annual Confluence Trash Bash on Saturday, March 23. The bash is from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the following locations: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Creve Coeur Lake, and Ferdinand Park.

Join us as we make a difference in our communities by cleaning up our neighborhoods, rivers, and streams. Lunch is provided, and prizes are awarded for best trash finds. Volunteers will also receive a t-shirt. Volunteering is also a great opportunity for scouts to earn badges and students to earn community service hours.

Register online here.

The Fifth Annual Confluence Trash Bash is sponsored by Trailnet and Great Rivers Greenway.

February Cleaning Schedule

A few years ago, MSD started a sanitary sewer cleaning program. By proactively cleaning our sewers, instead of waiting for problems to develop, we help reduce problems like water backups and sewage overflows.

On average, our crews clean about 15,000-20,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers per day. The type of debris removed during sanitary sewer cleaning includes tree roots, grease, broken pipes, bricks, mud jack, and plumber’s cable.

We will be performing cleaning work in the following areas during the month of February:

•  Bridgeton
• Clayton
• Frontenac
• Normandy
• Sycamore Hills
• Bellefontaine Neighbors
• Ferguson
• Ladue
• Riverview
• Florissant
• Brentwood
• Richmond Heights
• Jennings
• Kinloch
• Wildwood
• Chesterfield
• Mehlville
• Ballwin
• Unincorporated St. Louis County

 If you have questions, please contact our 24-hour customer service line at 314-768-6260.

MSD to Co-Host Landscaping Workshop

MSD is excited to partner with the Missouri Department of Conservation, St. Louis Audubon, Shaw Nature Reserve, Wild Ones and Grow Native to provide a native landscaping workshop.

The workshop is February 23 at Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood.  At this all-day workshop you will learn about… 

• Designing a native garden
• Landscaping for birds and butterflies
• Alternatives to non-native plants and turf
• Planning a rain garden

And also have opportunities to…

• Purchase native plants
• Meet other native gardeners
• Hear about organizations and upcoming events
• Have an opportunity to win native gardening prizes

The cost is $20 and includes lunch and Native Landscaping Guide.  For more information, or to register, click here.

Tips for Disposing Engine Oil

If you’re someone who changes the oil in your vehicles, then make sure you properly dispose of the used oil. Transfer the used oil to a sealed container and consult your local garage about options for safe disposal.

If you pour used motor oil on the ground, into a storm drain or throw it in your trash can (even in a sealed container), you are improperly disposing of your used motor oil. According to the U.S. EPA, more than 40 percent of our nation’s oil pollution comes from the improper disposal of used motor oil. Used motor oil is highly toxic to the environment, and it is of the utmost importance that it is disposed of in a safe fashion.

One gallon of motor oil can:

• Create an oil slick on surface water up to eight acres in size
• Contaminate one million gallons of freshwater (one year’s supply of water for 50 people)
• Render a  four acre area of soil unusable for planting for decades

For more information on how vehicles impact water quality, stop by the MSD booth at the St. Louis Auto Show. The show is January 24-27, and our booth is located in the Eco City section.

Crews Working to Fix Sewer Collapse

MSD crews have closed two southbound lanes of Tucker Boulevard at Chouteau Avenue in order to fix a collapsed sewer.

A MSD contractor performing routine inspection work via closed circuit television discovered the collapse Wednesday afternoon. The collapse is in a 2.5 by 3.5 foot brick sewer that was built around 1900. The collapse left a hole in the sewer that is approximately 15 feet long and 10 feet deep. This sewer is part of the Mill Creek sewer system.

MSD crews plan to work extra hours until the sewer is repaired. The work is expected to be completed sometime this weekend.

Two lanes of southbound Tucker Boulevard are closed. All northbound lanes remain open. Drivers are advised to use either Broadway or 18^th Street as detours.

MSD to Participate in St Louis Auto Show

Our customers are important to us. That means we make it a priority to reach out and connect with our customers so we can keep them informed about what’s going on at MSD, various issues, and ways to protect the environment and our St. Louis community.

As part of our outreach efforts, MSD will be at the St. Louis Auto Show, which runs January 24-27 at the America’s Center/Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis.

We will have a booth in the Eco City section of the show. Stop by to find out how cars contribute to stormwater pollution, and what you can do to help reduce pollution, as well as learn about volunteer opportunities with various stream clean ups.

Hope to see you there!

Nominations Needed for Board of Trustees

MSD’s Board of Trustees is accepting nominations for two upcoming openings.

Two seats will become vacant in March 2013 when the terms of Eddie Ross, a St. Louis County trustee, and John Goffstein, a St. Louis City trustee, expire.

Those interested in serving as a member of the MSD Board of Trustees can apply to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay or St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley by February 15, 2013. Each official appoints the trustees in his jurisdiction.

Applications can be sent to Mayor Slay at 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, or to County Executive Dooley at 41 South Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105.

Board trustees serve four year terms and must be registered voters. They must also reside in their jurisdiction for three years, and they must continue to live in their jurisdiction during their term in office.

For information on MSD’s Board of Trustees, click here.