Lake County Drainage Board Meeting – March 11, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Lake County Drainage Board Meeting – March 11, 2026
The Lake County Drainage Board met on March 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Commissioners Courtroom, with all three members present (Chairman Michael C. Repay, Jerry Tippy, and Kyle W. Allen, Sr.). The meeting covered routine approvals, permit applications, contract awards, and a public comment regarding drainage issues in Lowell.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from February 18, 2026, were approved.
- Reports and correspondence (Items 5A–5E) were accepted as a matter of public record, including updates on the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, Niles Ditch IDNR certificate, INAFSM legislative reports, INDOT stormwater quality manager equivalency, and Main Beaver Dam Ditch revision.
- Application #500 (Bull Run Ditch, NIPSCO gas main installation) was approved with no conditions.
- Application #502 (Beaver Dam Ditch, NIPSCO gas main replacement) was approved with no conditions.
- Invoice for the Schererville Ditch maintenance project (Delta III, $263,500) was approved.
- Tully Ditch beaver removal payments ($400 and $600) were approved.
- Notice of award for the Beaver Dam Lateral 14 at Lake County Fairgrounds to Delta III, Inc. ($290,608) was ratified.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Clint Mace, property owner at 102 and 132 West Main in Lowell, reported increased stormwater runoff onto his property due to elevation changes from the new Nassau Park and drainage from two subdivisions. He requested assistance. The board acknowledged the issue and stated they would reach out to the Town of Lowell to explore possible solutions within their jurisdictional authority (75 feet from top of bank of regulated drain).
Discussion Items
- Cedar Creek Culvert Replacement (Item 5C3): Town of Cedar Lake requested participation in a culvert replacement at 145th Avenue. County Surveyor Bill Emerson recommended a 50/50 cost share, with the town’s estimated cost at $24,400 (half of $48,800 estimate). The board approved the proposal pending formal documentation.
- Schoon Ditch Maintenance Invoice (Item 5D4): Gariup Construction submitted an invoice for $257,662.50 for work on the Schoon Ditch project. Staff identified discrepancies: bid quantity was 54 cubic yards of excavation, but the invoice claimed 864 cubic yards. After discussions, staff recommended paying $196,397.18, reflecting the contracted quantity plus 3 extra cubic yards ordered by the engineer, minus 15% markup. The board approved the staff recommendation.
- Spring Run Ditch Application #501: The Brooker family requested a culvert installation instead of a previously proposed bridge. The board deferred action, stating more information is needed due to potential restrictions on the ditch.
- Turkey Creek Lateral #5 Application #493: A temporary pathway to remove debris was noted; no action required pending weather.
- MS4 Water Quality Projects:
- Juvenile Detention Center Restoration awarded to Delta III ($122,935.50) for bank stabilization; coordination underway.
- Leroy Community Center Drainage (Winfield Twp.): Preliminary report from DLZ engineer Frank Stewart presented. Discussion of a dysfunctional catch basin and plans to improve drainage down to Still Run, with assistance from the county highway department.
- Hanover Ditch Update: Staff reported standing water issues along 21st Ave/state line. Mitigation costs estimated at $3 million to reduce wetland area. Property owners expressed openness to waiving mitigation requirements pending wetland delineation in spring. Board exploring funding from Solid Waste and NRCS.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent calendar items (minutes, reports, permits) unanimously.
- Approved Cedar Creek cost share (motion carried 3-0).
- Approved Schoon Ditch partial payment of $196,397.18 (motion carried 3-0).
- Approved Schererville Ditch invoice of $263,500 (motion carried 3-0).
- Approved Tully Ditch beaver removal payments (motion carried 3-0).
- Ratified emergency repair authorization for Turkey Creek (Item 1182) and authorized surveyor to award to lowest bidder after receiving proposals (motion carried 3-0).
- Deferred action on Spring Run Ditch application.
- Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026, with Advisory Committee at 8:00 AM and Drainage Board at 9:00 AM.
Note: All votes were unanimous with three members present.
Meeting Transcript
So I got 25 out of 31. So that's for me. That was an 80%. That was nice. I'm happy. So low low man goes out. So Catholic. This is the order that we're on on the ballot. All right, so they didn't just take one, two, three. No, here's what they did. Low man goes out. So Jeffrey. I mean, he was going for a coffee. He's like, I'm over Cogram. Hurry up. I guess the answer is no, we don't need to be the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it seems one nation. Thank you. Emergency exit announcement in case of emergency exit the commissioner's courtroom and proceed to the stairs and go to the second floor and exit the building. Do not enter an elevator in an emergency. If you require assistance, an employee will escort and or assist you. Please silence any cellular telephones during this meeting. If you receive a call or text during this meeting, please excuse yourself with as little disruption as possible. Okay, we can start now because let the record show the the uh all three members are here. Um are there additions and lesions to the agenda. One addition, Mr. Chair, item uh 1182, a handout regarding trick and treat emergency repair. Yes, okay. Is there a motion to accept the agenda as so move, Mr. Chavan? Second. The record for the motion carries three. There's nothing to open, is that correct? That's correct. Okay, so then we the commit uh can we have a motion to accept the minutes from uh February 18th. Move to approve the agenda, agenda item for minutes, February 18th, 2026. Second, thank you. Oh item number five, survey or department. Item five B1, Little Cadmate River Basin Development Commission. Their meeting is uh next Wednesday. They put their agendas out on Friday, so there's a link on the uh agenda here for their agenda when it is available. Uh item five B2, Niles Ditch. This is a previously approved application for the C Day Crown Point. One of our conditions is made uh get other regulatory agencies permits. This is the Department of Natural Resources Certificate of Approval for construction in the floodway. Uh item five B3, the Indian Association of Flood Plain and Stormwater Management, uh legislative reports four and five. Again, these deal with uh drainage issues that the drainage board surveyor's office deal with. We appreciate an ask them's uh support in reviewing these and keeping us informed. Uh item five B the NDOP for quality manager approved equal certificates. Uh on those there are links that the uh US EPA and NDOC are now sharing some uh qualifications for uh certificates, and um they're available to the public item five Bain Beaver Dam ditch. Uh this is uh also previously approved application.
openpublica.com