HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 15 2018 EAC MinutesEcological Advocacy Committee Meeting 12-5-18
Location: Rum Village Nature Center
Committee Members Present:
Alicia Czarnecki
Greg Koehler
Sarah Nerenberg
Rachel Novick
Andrew Tucker
Steve Sass
Others Present:
Hannah Teshka – VPA Naturalist
Matthew Moyers – VPA Partnerships, Community and Standards Coordinator
Patrick Sherman – VPA Project Manager
Call to order – at 8:43 am by Steve Sass
Vote to approve of minutes from 9-13-18 EAC Meeting by Sarah Nerenberg and seconded by Rachel Novick.
Discussion:
Tree Ordinance update by Steve Sass:
Review of the Memo that Steve Sass sent out on Tuesday, December 4th.
The Construction Standards and Specifications document is under revision by Public Works. The Tree Standards document will be referenced in the newly revised document.
Nicole Degla, a student at the University of Notre Dame, is pursuing a sustainability minor. Her Capstone Project is focusing on responsible landscaping with an emphasis on engaging
nurseries. She will be assisting with the coordination of a Town Hall/Community meeting with nurseries.
Kris Krouse, Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, serves on the Indiana Invasive Species Council and is willing to assist.
VPA is asking the EAC to start drafting Ordinance 19.13 and 19.14.
EAC to start working on this via the google drive.
The draft will be presented to the Board of Park Commissioners at the December 17th meeting.
EAC Action Steps:
Start drafting Ordinance 19.13 and 19.14
Followed by the town hall/community meeting
Natural Resources Management Plan Update and Suggested Changes by Steve Sass:
Action Matrix framework will be on the agenda for January 2019
Under Land Policies:
“Responsible practices for outdoor lighting that include concerns for the night sky and wild life impacts.”
Under Aquatic Resource Management (under the sub-topic Best practices techniques for properties adjacent to natural aquatic resources):
“Bank management and stabilization, including particular attention to the practices determining the creation and maintenance of the River Windows project.”
Motion to recommend to VPA to add the two sub-topics to the Natural Resource Management Plan’s Topics of Concern by Sarah Nerenberg and seconded by Rachel Novick at 9:39 am.
Elbel Park – Mud Lake Conservation Discussion by Steve Sass:
Currently, Mud Lake is on the Indiana Wetland Register.
It appears that Mud Lake has not been deeded to any specific property owner. If this is true, it defaults back to the State of Indiana.
IDNR is not sure how to proceed with the ownership of Mud Lake and is currently working on figuring it out.
Potential Outcomes:
Have the State take ownership and maintain Mud Lake.
Have the State deed the lake to the City of South Bend, which the City would be responsible for management of the lake.
Have the State deed the Lake to the City of South Bend. Have the City pass Mud Lake to Shirley Henize for the management and maintenance.
2019 Membership Update by Hannah Teshka:
Meeting Dates for 2019.
January 7th
March 4th
May 6th
July 1st
September 9th
November 4th
Meetings will take place at 8:30 am at Rum Village Nature Center.
October 29th was the application deadline.
VPA received 5 applications.
VPA and a few members from the EAC will review the applications and make a recommendation to the Park Board.
Members for the 2019 Committee will be announced at the December Park Board meeting.
Other Agenda Items:
Steve Sass will give an update to the Park Board at the December Meeting.
Leeper Park 2019 10% plan was released with a rough outline of the park.
EAC will have an opportunity to recommend:
Native species to plant within the park.
A pollinator garden.
Best management practices involving the Canada geese problem.
Next Meeting will be January 7th at Rum Village Nature Center 8:30 am.
Motion to Adjourn at 10:16 am by Steve Sass and seconded by Rachel Novick.