Advisory Committee Meeting of Lake County Drainage Board – October 21, 2026

On October 21, 2026, the Lake County Drainage Board Advisory Committee met at 8:00 AM in the Commissioners Courtroom. The committee reviewed a full agenda including emergency obstruction removal contracts, routine maintenance approvals, several applications for work within regulated drains, and updates on current projects. All actions taken were recommendations to the Lake County Drainage Board for final approval.

Township Reports & Correspondence

• Eagle Creek Township representative John Jores reported a drainage issue at 165th Avenue and Clay Street: a tile cut during road raising has caused water to stand on about two acres of farmland, leading to mosquito complaints. The matter was referred to Dwayne for follow-up.
• Kathy LaRue of Hanover Township thanked the Surveyor’s Office for addressing an issue in unincorporated Lake County south of Dyer.
• Schererville representatives noted plans to clean brush on the Shilling Ditch from its confluence with Dyer Ditch to Route 30, to be done with the next Dyer Ditch phase. Also, Hartsdale Ponds are low enough to investigate remaining pump work, and the SCADA system project is progressing quickly.
• Jim, representing St. John Township, reported reaching out to a landowner regarding an unresolved issue; phone tag delayed follow-up.
• Under the Little Calumet River Watershed, the committee noted the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission’s meeting that evening and a DNR Certificate of Approval for the Indiana Harbor Canal.
• Under the Kankakee River Watershed, a State Line Bridge Removal Ceremony was announced for October 28, 2026, with the Governor expected. The actual bridge removal was delayed to early November. The committee also noted the passing of Bill Price, a long-time member of the Kankakee River Basin Commission.
• On Bull Run Ditch, a tree cut by a property owner fell into the ditch and became an obstruction; the owner was notified by certified mail and must remove it.

Discussion Items

• The committee discussed the Hanover Ditch Reconstruction Report and responses from property owners (agenda item 3C). No votes were taken; the item remains pending.
• Extensive discussion occurred on emergency obstruction removal contracts (8A1). The committee debated whether amounts exceeded bidding thresholds, with clarification that emergencies were properly declared. A new state program was introduced: a company called BreeTech will conduct drone evaluations of storm debris at no cost, and a state contractor will remove debris with only 6% local reimbursement. The committee expressed concerns about timing, bidding fairness, and potential delays. The emergency contractor agreement, drafted with FEMA reimbursement language and not to exceed $750,000, was approved.
• An update was provided on the Little Calumet River-funded Kaiser Ditch structure removal project in Merrillville, which is ongoing and not part of the emergency work.
• For the 2026 Turkey Creek Maintenance Phase 1, funding from the Little Calumet Commission is pending, but the committee approved plans and advertising for bids.

Key Outcomes (Recommendations to Drainage Board)

• Approved a two-year extension for St. John Ditch application 445-04-24-I-III.
• Approved change order for Spring Street Ditch culvert replacement (Ellis Construction), estimated between $15,000 and $17,500.
• Approved payment to Ellis Construction of $221,524.02.
• Approved final payment to Gariup of $67,187.90 for Schoon Ditch Maintenance.
• Approved final payment to Dyer Construction of $19,292.70 for Dyer Ditch Stabilization Phase 1.
• Approved application 524 (Family Express Corporation, Turkey Creek) for storm sewer discharge and parking lot construction.
• Approved application 525 (NIPSCO, Ernie Niemeyer Creek & Levee) for tree trimming and animal guard installation.
• Approved application 526 (NIPSCO, Kaiser Ditch) for utility pole replacement.
• Approved application 527 (Project Purple, Beaver Dam Ditch) for boring sanitary and water mains.
• Approved application 528 (Surf Internet, Schoon Ditch) for directional bore fiber optics.
• Approved the 2027 MS4 agreement with Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District for the Cover Crop Program ($20,000).
• Approved invoices from KDM Services for emergency obstruction removal: Schoon Ditch ($263,815) and Turkey Creek Lats 6 & 7 ($36,645).
• Approved the Emergency Contractor Agreement (not to exceed $750,000) incorporating FEMA reimbursement requirements.
• Approved payments to Tom Larson for beaver relocation and dam removal: Dyer Ditch ($400), Cady Marsh Ditch ($400), and Turkey Creek Lat 6 ($200).
• Approved Blood Hound invoice of $2,421 for investigative work at 8724 Marquette St, Schererville.
• Approved plans and advertising for bids for 2026 Turkey Creek Maintenance Phase 1 (Liverpool to Broadway), subject to pending funding from the Little Calumet Commission.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 AM. The next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2026.