Environmental Advisory Board Meeting

Ogden Dunes Environmental Advisory Board June 18, 2024 Town Hall, 5:30 p.m. Attendees: Tom Davenport, Frank Lani, Jon Lehman, Vicky Albritton. Karl Krizmanic also attended. 1. Review and approve agenda – any additions? 2. Update: Beach Monitoring Presentation Town Council Meeting - Tom reported that Karen Berrier spoke to the Town Council about a recent water sample showing unusually high levels of E. coli. But it seems to have been a contaminated sample and is therefore not a cause for alarm. 3. Bird Town – Frank noted the poor visibility of the Bird Town sign by the tracks. We discussed other sign locations, but this is not a priority at the moment. Karl brought up Scott Kingan's idea of adding more designated parking for BT visitors by Diana and Sunset. The NPS will need to be involved since the path from the parking spaces down to Pollywog Pond would be on NPS land. The parking spaces themselves might also be on NPS land. Tom will talk to someone at NPS about this. 4. Invasive Species Eradication at Polliwog Pond - Significant progress has been made this past month as far as clearing invasive species and planting native plants at Pollywog Pond. The Community Fund Grant is being put to good use. Jan Hunter of Naturally Native Nursery, members of the OD Street Department, and many volunteers have all contributed to the effort. Ironically, last week, visitors to OD accidentally drove their SUV down the embankment and got stuck on the side of the pond, tearing up the delicate landscape and crushing some of our new native plants. It appears the driver panicked and stomped on the wrong pedal. Frank has been pushing for new tire stops above Pollywog Pond for months. We debated whether tire stops would have prevented the accident. Unresolved. Tom suggested erecting a fence (post and rail) at the parking lot to direct visitors toward the wooden steps down to the pond and discourage them from rambling down the embankment and trampling plants. Tom is waiting to hear back from the DNR about a spare bulletin board. The board would display our clearing and planting progress for the next few years. 5. Air and Noise Pollution - Karl broached the idea of adding air and noise monitoring devices in town. Tom and Jon said it would be expensive and would require professional technicians to read them. Grants might be available. Tom will look into it. 6. Septic Coordination Workgroup Report - No meetings in summer 7. Monitoring Nearby Industries https://www.in.gov/idem/resources/lake-michigan-sites-ofinterest/ a. Cleveland Cliffs - Jon said that remediation deals from the 2019 spill had finally been completely signed and sealed. b. U.S. Steel Midwest - Nothing to report c. PreCoat Metals - Nothing to report 8. Save the Dunes Pollution Prevention Roundtable - Nothing to report. 8. Recycling (Karl Public Works) - Karl has an estimate of $648 for a good, weather- proof sign that will go over the new slotted dumpster explaining how to use it properly. 9. Facebook activities – Tom has been promoting ecological awareness online with posts about National Pollinator Month and pollinator plants. He will also post information on backyard gardening and pollinator birds. He urged us to take before and after photos of restoration work, especially at Pollywog Pond. 10. Other Follow up on Town Council ideas - Frank sent us Jan Hunter's rough estimate for planting up a proposed roundabout at Diana and Sunset. Preliminary estimates for demolition and design are also needed, but that would fall to the Town Council. Jan Hunter also gave a rough estimate for restoring two areas at Old Hillcrest Road and Boat Club Road. EAB members will review her proposals as soon as possible. 11. Next Meeting(s) – July 16th Moved to adjourn--Vicky, Jon seconded. Meeting adjourned 6:40 pm. Minutes taken and submitted by Vicky Albritton