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Record of Proceedings

Lake County Drainage Board Meeting – March 11, 2026

County Boards & Commissions — Wednesday, March 11, 2026
BodyLake County, Indiana
SessionCounty Boards & Commissions
DateWednesday, March 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 41:56

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

She has a handle at seven dying.

0:02

She loves his sister.

0:07

Does she have some insurance died?

0:13

She works there?

0:14

Yeah.

0:14

Huh.

0:15

She's the kid.

0:17

It's like really sad.

0:25

Yeah, we wound up losing power when it just even thinks about it.

0:30

And there's only three of us on the line, so lines of the colour.

0:33

Low priority.

0:34

Yeah, they're right.

0:37

Three of you?

0:39

We'll get we'll get to you soon.

0:42

Maybe when they are grid is good, but about the case.

0:46

John when the diners the data center comes, you'll get rid of it.

0:50

Oh, yeah.

0:51

We're ready to go.

0:52

Yeah.

0:54

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:59

I pledge the meeting to the flag for the United States of America.

1:23

In case of the emergency, exit the commissioner's courtroom and proceed to the stairs and go to the second floor next to the building.

1:29

Do not answer an elevator and a receivers.

1:32

If you require assistance, an employee will spend you.

1:35

Please silence any any cellular telephones during this meeting.

1:39

If you receive a call text for this meeting, please excuse yourself with as little disruption as possible.

1:45

Okay.

1:45

Roll call.

1:48

Have you met Township Louise Nice?

1:51

Cedar Creek Township, Alice Gall.

1:53

Here.

1:54

Center Township David Huber.

1:56

Here.

1:56

Eagle Creek Township, John Jurist.

1:58

Here.

1:59

Hanover Township and Atusman.

2:02

Over Township, my Can again?

2:04

Here.

2:04

North Township David Medina.

2:07

Ross Township and Tekqua Austin.

2:10

St.

2:10

John Township, Jeffrey Hewitt.

2:12

Here.

2:13

West Creek Township, how you all?

2:14

Here.

2:15

Wayfield Township Cody Reynolds.

2:17

There are six present and five not.

2:20

There is a core.

2:21

All right.

2:23

All right.

2:24

Agenda.

2:25

Any additions and deletions?

2:27

One addition, Mr.

2:28

Item 1182.

2:36

Okay.

2:37

No deletions are correct.

2:38

Yeah.

2:41

All right.

2:42

Um the uh needed a motion for uh the minutes.

2:45

Have they been have they been read in the and uh any corrections?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████████████████████████82%
Procedural█████10%
Public Engagement████8%
Summary of Proceedings

Lake County Drainage Board Meeting – March 11, 2026

The Lake County Drainage Board held its regular meeting on March 11, 2026, at the Lake County Government Center. The Advisory Committee met first at 8:00 AM, followed by the Drainage Board at 9:00 AM. Chairman Michael C. Repay presided. The board reviewed reports, approved payments, and addressed public concerns regarding drainage issues.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The minutes from February 18, 2026, were approved by unanimous vote.
  • Approval of Public Record Items (5A–5E): The board approved all reports, correspondence, and information for the record from the Little Calumet River Watershed, Kankakee River Watershed, and current projects by unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Clint Mace (132 West Main Street, Lowell): Mr. Mace expressed concerns about drainage problems caused by the new Massaw Park (formerly Liberty Park) across from his property. He stated that the park’s raised elevation and new drain have directed water onto his yard, worsening flooding. He also noted that a culvert under the railroad tracks appears to be collapsing and that the town’s repaving eliminated curbs, allowing road runoff onto his property. He requested the board’s assistance in addressing these issues.

Discussion Items

  • Correspondence & Reports:
    • Dan Gossman, Drainage Administrator, reviewed items including the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission meeting notice, Niles Ditch IDNR approval, legislative reports, and stormwater certification updates.
    • Cedar Creek culvert replacement at 145th Avenue (Town of Cedar Lake): The board discussed cost-sharing possibilities but decided to table the item pending cost estimates. A motion to table until the next meeting was approved unanimously.
    • Hart Ditch stabilization project (Munster) is underway with no action items.
    • Schererville Ditch maintenance: An invoice of $263,500 from Delta III for completed work was approved for payment.
    • Schoon Ditch maintenance: A contractor invoice was disputed due to differing sediment removal quantities. The board approved payment of $196,397.18 (including 15% retainage) based on engineer review, rather than the requested $257,600.
  • Applications:
    • Application #500 (Bull Run Ditch, NIPSCO): Approved with no conditions.
    • Application #501 (Spring Run Ditch, Brooker Family): Tabled for further review of culvert installation and erosion concerns.
    • Application #502 (Beaver Dam Ditch, NIPSCO): Approved with no conditions.
  • MS4 Water Quality:
    • Juvenile Detention Center Restoration: Notice of Award to Delta III ($122,935.50) reported; coordination with the judge’s office is ongoing.
    • Leroy Community Center Drainage: Initial report presented; project will be addressed over coming months.
  • Financial:
    • Beaver removal payments of $400 and $600 to wildlife specialist Jensen were approved.
  • Contracts & Awards:
    • Beaver Dam Lateral 14 (LC Fairgrounds): Notice of Award to Delta III ($290,608) was approved. The project is time-sensitive for fairground events.
    • Turkey Creek Emergency Bank Restoration: Emergency work approved; three contractors to provide pricing, with surveyor authorized to award.
  • Hanover Ditch Update: Administrator Gossman reported ongoing efforts to resolve standing water issues. IDEM may waive costly mitigation (estimated $1.5–$3 million) after a wetland delineation shows prior agricultural use. A delineation will be performed when vegetation is blooming.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Payment: Schererville Ditch maintenance – $263,500 to Delta III (unanimous).
  • Approved Payment (with adjustment): Schoon Ditch maintenance – $196,397.18 to Gariup Construction (unanimous).
  • Tabled: Cedar Creek culvert cost-sharing discussion until April 15, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
  • Approved Application #500: Bull Run Ditch gas main (NIPSCO) – no conditions (unanimous).
  • Approved Application #502: Beaver Dam Ditch gas main (NIPSCO) – no conditions (unanimous).
  • Approved Beaver Removal Payments: $400 and $600 to Jensen (unanimous).
  • Approved Notice of Award: Juvenile Detention Center Restoration ($122,935.50) and Beaver Dam Lateral 14 ($290,608) to Delta III.
  • Approved Emergency Action: Turkey Creek bank restoration – surveyor authorized to seek and award emergency contract.
  • Next Meeting: April 15, 2026, at 8:00 AM (Advisory) and 9:00 AM (Drainage Board).
  • Adjourned: Unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

She has a handle at seven dying. She loves his sister. Does she have some insurance died? She works there? Yeah. Huh. She's the kid. It's like really sad. Yeah, we wound up losing power when it just even thinks about it. And there's only three of us on the line, so lines of the colour. Low priority. Yeah, they're right. Three of you? We'll get we'll get to you soon. Maybe when they are grid is good, but about the case. John when the diners the data center comes, you'll get rid of it. Oh, yeah. We're ready to go. Yeah. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge the meeting to the flag for the United States of America. In case of the emergency, exit the commissioner's courtroom and proceed to the stairs and go to the second floor next to the building. Do not answer an elevator and a receivers. If you require assistance, an employee will spend you. Please silence any any cellular telephones during this meeting. If you receive a call text for this meeting, please excuse yourself with as little disruption as possible. Okay. Roll call. Have you met Township Louise Nice? Cedar Creek Township, Alice Gall. Here. Center Township David Huber. Here. Eagle Creek Township, John Jurist. Here. Hanover Township and Atusman. Over Township, my Can again? Here. North Township David Medina. Ross Township and Tekqua Austin. St. John Township, Jeffrey Hewitt. Here. West Creek Township, how you all? Here. Wayfield Township Cody Reynolds. There are six present and five not. There is a core. All right. All right.

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