Lake County Drainage Board Meeting – September 16, 2026

The Lake County Drainage Board convened on September 16, 2026, at 9:00 AM following the Advisory Committee meeting at 8:00 AM. The board addressed several agenda items including township reports, updates on drainage projects, approval of emergency obstruction removal invoices, and a crop damage reimbursement related to the Hanover Ditch investigation. No public comments were made.

Reports – Correspondence – Information for the Record

• Advisory Committee members provided township updates: Cody Reynolds (St. John Township) reported ongoing drainage issues at the Marshall property and along 145th Avenue; John (Eagle Creek Township) noted drainage concerns from a property owner on West Creek and followed up on John Kramer's West Creek maintenance. The board acknowledged that a contractor has been occupied with disaster recovery since August 11 and will address West Creek debris once available.
• County Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr. reported that the clearing and snagging crew has been active post-storm, and he obtained his drone pilot license to assist with emergency assessments. He also noted the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission meeting and the DNR certificate of approval for West Creek Lateral #4.
• The board approved the reports (motion carried unanimously).

Applications/Petitions

• Application 493-11-25 (Turkey Creek Lateral #5): A long-standing violation; the property owner is working at his own expense to improve conditions. The board will continue to monitor and allow latitude. No action needed.
• Application 501-03-26 (Spring Run Ditch): Waiting for resubmittal from the applicant (Brooker Family). No action.
• Application 519-06-26 (West Creek & West Creek Lat #1): Still awaiting resubmittal from Schilling Development. No action.

MS4 Water Quality

• Leroy Community Center Drainage (Winfield Twp.): The ecological restoration with trees has been completed; the project continues to move forward. The board noted potential partnership funding through the township roads and infrastructure fund.
• Fill Removal at 11624 Woodmar Place (Hanover Twp.): Agreement in place; no update.

Financial – Emergency Obstruction Removal Invoices

• The board approved the following invoices individually (all motions carried unanimously):
  • KDM Invoice #26172 – Turkey Creek (Schererville) emergency obstruction removal: $7,380.00
  • KDM Invoices #26157 ($29,772.50) and #26169 ($17,705.00) – Turkey Creek Lats 6 & 7 (Merrillville) emergency obstruction removal: $47,477.50 total
  • KDM Invoices #26173 ($1,540.00) and #26174 ($48,985.00) – Schoon Ditch (Munster) emergency obstruction removal: $50,525.00 total
  • Payment of $200.00 to Tom Larson for beaver relocation and dam removal (Turkey Creek Lat 7 near Bon Aire Lake)

Crop Damage Reimbursement – Hanover Ditch Investigation

• The board approved a payment of $333.35 to Mr. Klein for crop losses incurred during the drainage investigation on Hanover Ditch, as recommended by the Surveyor.

Award Contract

• The board approved the Notice of Award for the 2026 Foss Ditch 2-Stage Ditch Project (Cedar Creek Twp., near 153rd Ave & Colfax St). The project is expected to start soon.

Key Outcomes

• All emergency obstruction removal invoices approved.
• Crop damage reimbursement approved.
• Contract awarded for Foss Ditch project.
• No public comments.
• Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 8:00 AM (Advisory Committee) and 9:00 AM (Drainage Board).