The City of Monroe Commission on Environment and Water Quality MINUTES July 18, 2018 7:00 pm, 2nd Floor Conference Room
published: September 14th, 2018
Call to Order: Chairman Egen called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
Members Present: A roll call of members was taken and a quorum was present.
Isaac Owens
Bonnie Finzel-Doster
Richard Micka
Dan Stefanski
Milward Beaudry
Brian Egen
Andrew Felder
Ed Kane
Barry LaRoy
Absent/Excused: None
Guests: Bill Doster
Approval of agenda for meeting – Motion by MIcka, Seconded by Stefanski, motion passed.
Approval of minutes from June 13, 2018 meeting – Motion by Stefanski, Seconded by Beaudry, motion passed.
PAC Grant 2017: Briefly went over the final report package submitted to the MDEQ on 7-2-2018, grant is completed.
2018 PAC Support Grant: Agreement accepted by Monroe City Council on 7-2-2018. Briefly went over the scheduled tasks and what has been started: Media Outreach – to be a series of AOC and river topics; Website-ongoing maintenance of RR Legacy website; State Historic Marker – Egen researching materials, may need Micka’s assistance and materials, City assistance required as well; Portable Banners-Branding and message to be included on banners; Documentary Short Style PSA-PO issued to consultant, crew coming to 2018 River Cleanup, Micka & Stefanski to be interviewed along with filming fly fisherman, etc.
2018 Flowering Rush Spray-2018 spray work is part of USFWS 2-year grant with the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie Cooperative Weed Management Area, permit amended to include river up to Cranbrook Blvd. Current rush looks not healthy, due to past spray efforts to eradicate rush.
2018 River Cleanup Event (Michigan Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program Grant): Discussed all elements of river cleanup including rain/lightning, ziplock pags, megaphone use (if needed), reschedule date of 7-28-18. COTE members volunteered to “captain” each access site, film (MPACT), film crew for 2018 grant documentary, and coordinate logistics for event. Grant required include picture documentation. Encourage volunteers to bring their own boats with flat bottoms, discussed 6 access points and 5 sections to be cleaned of debris (Veteran’s Park, Roessler Field, IHM, Riverfront Parking Lot, Soldier’s & Sailors, & Hellenberg). Date of event to be 7-21-18, 9am-noon with food/drinks, prizes, T-Shirts, etc after the event.
MDNR Items: None
Members Time:
Beaudry – Facebook August 3, 2018 – Island on the River at Monroe Museum, In Pittsburg, PA kayak rental on river.
Kane-We will need a blowhorn/megaphone for cleanup event.
Felder – Council promoting volunteerism by having an annual dinner – member appreciation, discussed Proud Lake Recreation trip with family.
Owens-None
Finzel-Doster-Apologize for missing some meetings due to grandchildren graduations.
Stefanski – happy to be on COTE.
Micka-Attended EPA AOC SPAC meetings, EPA bucketlist for Raisin AOC to delist; discussed SPAC roles & responsibilities and handbook rules & bylaws; Motion by Stefanski for Micka to vote “Yes” on the SPAC handbook rules and regulations and to advise SPAC of the City of Monroe COTE related City ordinance (https://www.ecode360.com/12405435); discussed SEMCOG Terrain360 project; Lotus Tour on 7-28-18, discussed his position on pushing the Port of Monroe, DTE, MDOT, USFWS, etc on wetland mitigation & converting / filling various properties near and in the Port of Monroe area.
LaRoy – Dave Dempsey (well known author) requested pictures from RR Legacy website; Reminder of COTE re-appointments to go to Clerk’s office; submit comments to Barry on the Downtown Master Plan; Ypsilanti Councilperson has requested input from Mayor Clark on a project in their city – may come to a future COTE mtg.
Egen – Discussed ID cards / generic business cards – Mayor Clark is in support of the generic business card idea for COTE, not personal business cards.
Adjournment: 8:13 pm a motion made by Stefanksi, Seconded by Felder to officially end the meeting.