Lake County Drainage Board Meeting – November 19, 2025

The Lake County Drainage Board met on November 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM Central Time in the Commissioners Courtroom, with virtual participation via WebEx. The meeting covered routine approvals, detailed discussion of a major tile reconstruction project, a revised cost agreement for a homeowners association, and approval of contracts and payments. The Advisory Committee had met earlier at 8:00 AM, and its recommendations were presented to the Board.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Amendments: The agenda was amended to correct the location of item 6A492 (Main Beaver Dam Ditch) from Highland/North Twp. to Crown Point/Ross Twp., and to add item 9A1 (plans for dire ditch maintenance from Deer Creek Drive South to near US 30). Approved unanimously (3-0).
• Minutes: Approved minutes from the October 15, 2025 meeting (3-0).
• Reports: Reports accepted from the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, clearing/snagging crew activity, and the Kankakee River watershed (including a meeting notice for December 12, 2025).
• Financial Approvals:
  • Beaver relocation payments ($200 for Turkey Creek/Oak Ridge Prairie, $800 for Main Beaver Dam Ditch/101st Ave) to Tom Larson (3-0).
  • Beaver relocation payments ($400 each for Ernie Niemeyer Creek & Levee and Fuller Ditch) to Tom Larson (3-0).
  • Delta III invoice #12953 for $25,448.87 for inspections on Hanover Tile (3-0).
• Contracts Renewed:
  • One-year emergency beaver relocation contracts with Tom Larson and Bob Jensen (3-0).
  • Ernie Niemeyer Creek & Levee annual maintenance contract with Wunderink Riverside Farms for $12,000 (3-0).
  • Legal services contract renewal for Attorney Peter Katic for the Lake County Drainage Board (3-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward to speak.

Discussion Items

• Hanover Tile Reconstruction (121st Ave & State Line Rd, Hanover Twp.): Rachel Sparks of American Structurepoint presented a reconstruction report for a tile originally installed in 1887 but now failing, causing chronic flooding. Three alternatives were described:
  • Alternative 1 (recommended): Full tile reconstruction along the original legal path (with a minor shift to avoid a building), including a control structure to manage pond water at elevation 710. Estimated cost ~$3.5 million, including $1.5 million in potential wetland mitigation (1.5:1 ratio). The tile would be solid wall through wetlands to reduce mitigation.
  • Alternative 2: Similar but connecting to an existing tile section about three-quarters of the way to the outlet; would still require mitigation.
  • Alternative 3: A surface ditch and culvert option, which would require significant mitigation and thus higher costs.
  • Multiple property owners have expressed desire to drain the area completely. However, IDEM staff indicated that completely draining the 20-acre uncontrolled flood area would require appealing to higher levels. The Board discussed the high cost relative to land values and the statutory requirement that benefits must exceed costs. After debate, the Board voted to direct staff to pursue Alternative 1 and attempt to achieve complete drainage (beyond the 710 elevation) by appealing to regulatory agencies, if necessary. Motion carried 3-0.
• 2025 Schererville Ditch Maintenance – Stonebridge Estates HOA: The HOA’s share of the ditch maintenance project was initially estimated at ~$465,000. After a meeting with the HOA, staff developed a reduced alternative (north bank only) at $253,986.31, which still includes removal of sheet pile and riprap on the south side (accepted by the Town of Schererville). The HOA can assess up to $500/lot annually and has no reserve, so a multi-year repayment plan is expected. The Board approved the reduced amount and authorized staff to negotiate financing terms (3-0).
• Current Projects:
  • Hart Ditch Stabilization (North of Fran Lin, Munster): Contractor will start after Thanksgiving; discussion about extending the project further north with the same contractor, subject to later approval.
  • 2021 Main Beaver Dam Ditch Maintenance – update provided.
  • 2024 Hart Ditch Bank Stabilization – ongoing.
  • 2024 Turkey Creek Lateral No. 6 – spoil pile regrading.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Hanover Tile Reconstruction: Directed staff to proceed with Alternative 1 (full tile reconstruction) and pursue complete drainage of the pond area, including regulatory appeals if needed (3-0).
• Vote on Schererville HOA Amount: Set the HOA’s required payment at $253,986.31 and authorized negotiation of a payment plan (3-0).
• Vote to Award Bid for Schoon Ditch Maintenance: Awarded the 2025 Schoon Ditch Maintenance Project (Calumet Ave to Hart Ditch, Munster) to Gary Up Construction for $647,500 (3-0). Staff thanked for coordination with multiple stakeholders.
• Vote on NIPSCO Application (492-11-25): Approved with no conditions for a utility pole relocation on Main Beaver Dam Ditch (3-0).
• Vote to Remove Petition 126-04-22: CP Prairie, LLC’s petition regarding 2612 E. 109th Ave was removed from the agenda at staff’s request; the petitioner may file a new petition (3-0).
• MS4 Capital Project: Approved plans for Juvenile Detention Center restoration and maintenance, with bids due at the December 17, 2025 meeting (3-0).
• MS4 Agreements: Approved $5,000 agreement with Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District for public outreach (3-0). Renewed legal services contract with Robert B. Golding for MS4 (3-0). Ordinance No. 1500A updates were noted as in progress, with amendments to ordinance requiring County Council approval.
• Plans for Advertising: Approved plans for the 2025 Dire Ditch Maintenance project for advertisement, with bids to be opened at the December 17 meeting (3-0).
• Meeting Adjourned: The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, December 17, 2025, with Advisory Committee at 8:00 AM and Drainage Board at 9:00 AM.