Wetland Task Force

Wetland Task Force Meeting Minutes Executive Conference Room, City Hall, 3rd Floor 1528 3rd Avenue April 16, 2026 8:30 AM Task Force Members Present Nina Struss Tim Pressly Kathy Wine Task Force Members Absent Jon Duyvejonck Mayor Ashley Harris Ald. Randy Hurt Missy Gasiorowski Mike Thoms Hannah Alexander Staff Present Tom Flaherty Tanner Osing Guests Angella Moorehouse, IDNR/INPC Valerie Njapa, IDNR/INPC Call to Order and Roll Call Chair Struss called the meeting to order at 8:35 AM and took roll call. Approval of the Past Meeting Minutes Task Force members discussed the status of meeting minutes that had not yet been formally approved due to quorum requirements. Old Business/ New Business Update on Land and Water Reserve Process Osing and Reisner provided an overview of the MOA that is set to go to the City Council for approval on February 23rd. The Task Force discussed the scope of work and timeline. Update from Augustana College Osing shared updates provided by Dr. Michael Reisner regarding ongoing research activities associated with the Augustana College partnership. Updates included: • Installation of acoustic meters and wildlife cameras on the west side of the reserve; -1-  • Planned bird point counts once river levels recede; • Coordination with Bally’s Casino staff regarding site access; • GIS mapping work including inundation modeling, habitat mapping, and watershed delineation; • Ongoing stakeholder interviews and social media analysis; • Hiring of the summer student research team. Task Force members discussed the research progress and upcoming summer field work. Review of Wetland Task Force webpage Osing presented a draft Wetland Task Force webpage for the City website that will include background information, project updates, meeting materials, and related documents. Task Force members discussed adding maps, timelines, and public engagement information prior to publication. Other Business Osing announced that a public information meeting regarding the Land and Water Reserve process is planned for May 5 at 5:30 PM at Augustana College in Hanson Hall, Room 234. Osing stated that the meeting will include background information on the LWR process, details regarding the partnership with Augustana College, and community engagement activities including mapping exercises for attendees. Task Force members discussed public outreach efforts, including press releases, social media promotion, and inclusion of the event in local calendars. Task Force members discussed quorum requirements under the Open Meetings Act and the need for consistent in-person attendance in order to approve minutes and conduct official business. Members also discussed reminder emails and communication procedures between meetings. Task Force members discussed their potential role during the upcoming public information meeting and considerations related to public participation and media presence. Task Force members discussed current site conditions, seasonal flooding, and hunting activity occurring on adjacent properties and nearby public lands. Public Comment No members of the public were present to make comment. Adjournment The meeting adjourned by consensus. Minutes submitted by Tanner Osing. -2-