Lake County Drainage Board Advisory Committee Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Lake County Drainage Board Advisory Committee convened on February 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM in the Commissioners Courtroom. The meeting focused on reviewing project updates, approving payments, and making recommendations to the Drainage Board. Eight of eleven townships were represented: Cedar Creek (Alvis Call), Senator (David Hugender), Eagle Creek (John Jurers), Over (Mike Hannagan), North (David Medina), Ross (Tekwa Austin), St. John (Jeffrey Hewitt), West Creek (High Walk), and Winfield (Cody Retals). Three townships were absent.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes from the January 21, 2026 meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Township Reports

• Eagle Creek Township reported that the Brown Levee project has removed sediment and is awaiting drying. They inquired about cleaning the Brown Ditch from its source to termination and asked about changing the designation of a portion of the ditch. The administrator noted that renaming would be confusing given historical designations.
• West Creek Township requested attention to the Marshall property north of the co-op after March 31 and asked to schedule a meeting to discuss a compiled report.
• No other townships had reports.

Administrative Reports (Daniel Gossman)

• Little Calumet River Watershed: The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission approved cost-sharing for the Dyer Ditch project. NIRPC press releases, INAFSM 2026 legislative reports, and an INDOT/IDOT notice on I-80/94 Borman Expressway improvements were noted. Hart Ditch stabilization is underway with no action items. An invoice of $82,178.64 from Delta III for the Schererville Ditch maintenance was recommended and approved. The Schoon Ditch invoice from Gariup remains under review.
• Kankakee River Watershed: The Kankakee River Basin Development Commission Technical Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for February 20, 2026, with a draft flood preparedness plan. A change order request from Delta III for $29,525.00 for additional spoil removal on the Brown Levee Ditch was recommended and approved (unanimous). Two Delta III invoices totaling $261,574.50 ($106,496.25 and $155,078.25) for the same project were also recommended and approved (unanimous).

Applications and Petitions

• 493-11-25-I-III Turkey Creek Lateral #5 (New Elliott): Applicant David Kubik proposed a temporary pathway to remove junk and debris. IDEM was notified and supports the net-positive removal. The committee recommended holding the application for one month to allow weather cooperation before moving forward.
• 498-01-26-I-III Beaver Dam Ditch (Crown Point): Applicant I-65 Beacon Hill Partners LLC (Agent: DVG Team, Inc.) requested permits for an access drive and dumpster enclosure within a drainage easement. After review, approval was recommended and granted by voice vote.
• 500-02-26-I-III Bull Run Ditch (St. John): Applicant NIPSCO proposed installing a 4-inch gas main under the regulated drain via directional bore. Review comments remain unaddressed; no action was taken, and the item will be revisited next month.

MS4 Water Quality

• Capital Projects: The Juvenile Detention Center Restoration project will have bids opened at the Drainage Board meeting at 9:00 AM. The final invoice from Delta III ($10,935.00) for the Beaver Dam Lateral 14 structure location and rehabilitation project was recommended and approved (unanimous).
• Funding Invoices: Two Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District invoices were recommended and approved: $5,000 for public education/outreach (MCM 1) and $20,000 for the 2025 Agricultural Cover Crop Cost Share Program.

Financial

• Kankakee River Watershed: Payments of $200 each (total $400) to wildlife specialist Tom Larson for beaver relocation and dam removal at the Ernie Niemeyer Ditch & Levee (Hayden Property and Hunting Area) were recommended and approved (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Larue, St. John Township Trustee, thanked the committee and specifically acknowledged Jeff Hewitt for his service. No other public comments were received.

Key Outcomes

• Advisory Committee recommended approval of all presented invoices and change orders, including:
  • Delta III payment for Schererville Ditch ($82,178.64)
  • Brown Levee Ditch change order ($29,525.00)
  • Two Delta III invoices for Brown Levee Ditch ($106,496.25 and $155,078.25)
  • Beaver Dam Lateral 14 final invoice ($10,935.00)
  • Two Soil and Water Conservation District invoices ($5,000 and $20,000)
  • Beaver relocation payments ($400 total)
• Application 498 was approved; Application 493 was held over; Application 500 was deferred.
• Bids for the Beaver Dam Lateral 14 reconstruction at the Lake County Fairgrounds will be opened at the Drainage Board meeting later in the day.
• The next meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2026 (one week earlier than usual, due to a conference).