The City of Monroe Commission on Environment and Water Quality MINUTES April 12, 2018 7:00 pm, 1st Floor Conference Room

published: May 11th, 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.

Bonnie Finzel-Doster

Richard Micka

Dan Stefanski (via call in number 734-322-4370, access code 0498650)

Brian Egen

Andrew Felder

Barry LaRoy

Excused:          Isaac Owens

Milward Beaudry

Absent:            Ed Kane

Guests:            Melanie Foose, MDNR

Coffee provided for the COTE.

Approval of minutes from March 8, 2018 meeting – Motion by Micka, Seconded by Finzel-Doster, motion passed.

PAC Grant 2017: Quarterly report completed and submitted along with all invoices.  Invoices & report to be submitted via SIGMA as well, working with state on resolving issues.  Updated COTE on River Raisin AOC GIS StoryMap.  Final pictures being taken and uploaded by consultants (RitterGIS and Winter Apple Photography).  Will be linked to RR Legacy website & City website once done-scheduled for end of April.  Egen presented a revised PSA script (V4) read for COTE to listen to, discussed MPACT to do final read, purchase music, and start video documentary for PSA task (budget  = $300).  Drone Video – a purchase order was issued to Seventy7 Productions.  Discussed work, details, logistics that are scheduled to be completed in May/June – before media package so as to promote all tasks and proposed 2018 river cleanup.  The Media Outreach task package is scheduled to be done at end of June 2018 to comprehensively include all PAC support grant tasks, promote the AOC, projects completed and advertise for the 2018 river cleanup.

2018 Michigan Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program (VRSCCP) Grant application: Discussed grant RFP & plan that was submitted Feb 12, 2018.  Waiting for official notice on grant application, per Great Lakes Commission application looks good and we will officially find out the official grant award likely in late April 2018.  Other groups to aid in completing the cleanup by section including COTE supervision, City DPS, DTE Dream Team, boat owners/volunteers, JAWs group, and Boy Scouts discussed.  6 debris collection locations are Veteran’s Park, Roessler Field, IHM, Riverfront Parking Lot, Soldier’s & Sailors, & Hellenberg.

2018 PAC Support Grant application: COTE RFP submitted before March 30, 2018 deadline.  MDNR AOC Coordinator mentioned tasks are aggressive.  Final tasks submitted are:

• Media Series Outreach Program
• RR Legacy Website maintenance / updates
• State Historical Marker
• Portable banners (pull up)
• High-Quality Documentary Trailer

COTE discussed how to site a State Historic Marker-will coordinate with City Historic Preservation Planner.  All tasks discussed, MDNR will move grant award up ASAP to complete all tasks.

MDNR Items: New OGL website & logo reviewed.  Will consider linking RR Legacy website to OGL website, will move on award of PAC grants, no monitoring report for benthos BUI – will have Mike Alexander come down to go over report with COTE, SIGMA online payments discussed, 4 BUIs remaining and reports/studies are ongoing for herring gulls, bald eagles.

Members Time:

Finzel-Doster – none

Felder – Going to RRWC Semi-Annual meeting at Cabela’s on 4-26-18 @ 5:30pm

Stefanski – Justin Clark info provided for drone video coordination

Egen – Consider COTE logo

LaRoy – Water Trail meeting, map updates, & coordination w/ COTE and City grant applications; Flowering Rush meeting coming in May for 2018 sprays

Micka – several handouts provided to COTE, discussed them.  Specific items include: Port Commission meetings are now at 8am on 3^rd Wed of month, 1000’s of comorants in river, Dr. Hartig articles, Thanks to Melanie Foose, MDNR AOC coordinator, DEQ, & OGL, Handouts for fish caught in Dundee – thanks to God, Raisin Point discussed in coordination with DTE tax reduction issue with City and land swaps, consideration for circle tour modifications.

Adjournment: 8:40 pm a motion made by Felder, Seconded by Finzel-Doster to officially end the meeting.

The City of Monroe Commission on Environment and Water Quality MINUTES March 8, 2018 7:00 pm

published: May 11th, 2018

Call to Order: Chairman Egen called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm

 

Members Present: A roll call of members was taken and a quorum was present.

Richard Micka

Dan Stefanski (via call in number 734-322-4370, access code 0498650)

Milward Beaudry

Brian Egen

Andrew Felder

Ed Kane

Barry LaRoy

Excused:          Isaac Owens

Bonnie Finzel-Doster

Guests:            Melanie Foose, MDNR

Coffee provided for the COTE.

Approval of minutes from February 8, 2018 meeting – Motion by Stefanski, Seconded by Micka, motion passed.

PAC Grant 2017: Reviewed and discussed revisions to the River Raisin AOC GIS StoryMap.  Revisions made by consultants (RitterGIS and Winter Apple Photography) for the GIS interface and pictures for each item listed.  StoryMap scheduled to be done by end of April/May.  Egen presented a revised PSA script (V3) information, COTE discussed the PSA task budget ($300) and how it would be used.  The radio PSA does not have a cost with MPACT, $50 will be used for a music purchase and the balance will be used for the video PSA to be worked on before the end of the grant period.  The Media Outreach task package is scheduled to be done in June 2018 to comprehensively include all PAC support grant tasks, promote the AOC, projects completed and advertise for the 2018 river cleanup.  Drone Video – a requisition to award to Seventy7 Productions was entered.  Discussed work, details, logistics that are scheduled to be completed in May/June – before media package so as to promote all tasks and proposed 2018 river cleanup.

2018 Michigan Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program (VRSCCP) Grant application: Discussed grant RFP & plan that was submitted Feb 12, 2018.  Will find out if we are awarded a grant likely in April 2018.  Other groups to aid in completing the cleanup by section including Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Adopt-A-River section discussed.  First aid and DPS staffing will be needed.  Coordination / promotion efforts at 2018 Fish Derby will be investigated with City Parks & Rec, June 9^th is scheduled day.

2018 PAC Support Grant application: Notice has been provided by our MDNR AOC Coordinator that an RFP will be coming soon.  RFP timeframe will be fast turn around, likely a week or so.  Grant will be from 4-1-18 ~ 2-28-19.  COTE discussed several tasks options in great length with the following results:

• Advertise program as an accomplishment series – incorporate what’s next and get public support for river use/maintenance
• RR Watershed staff time or local effort to promote programs
• Partner with RR Institute / IHM (Sister’s Island) on educational outreach
• Mussel Survey – wait for 10 yr period after projects completed, 6 more to go.
• Fish app – app for smartphone to log location, picture, specifics on type of fish caught, length, weight, etc details in an effort to aid in determining benefits of fish passage structures
• State Historical Marker
• Guest Speaker
• Documentary
• Portable banners (pull up)
• River Cleanup
• Fair booth / fish shows – hand out RR AOC info, field guides, etc
• Community Foundation advertisement

Motion was made by Micka, seconded by Kane for COTE to explore / develop a scope / proposal for the 2018 PAC Support grant, motion passed.

Other grant opportunities: Monroe County Solid Waste fund and other programs discussed.  Motion made by Stefanski, seconded by Felder for COTE to explore all avenues & programs on the books be investigated to be used for COTE initiatives, motion passed.

MDNR Items: 2018 PAC Support grant RFP short timeline; AOC Conference May 2018 – Micka funding request / carpooling discussed; U of M (Dr. Sealbach) – PAC work with MDNR, Master’s students talking to PACS – Raisin included, 18 month timeframe – engage students, discussing infrastructure & reduced sewer overflows – Stefanski clarified with the brown trout run.

Members Time:

Kane – none

Felder – none

Beaudry – none

Stefanski – none

LaRoy – none

Micka – several handouts provided to COTE, discussed them, has his people working on several initiatives.

Adjournment: 9:25 pm a motion made by Felder, Seconded by Micka to officially end the meeting.

The City of Monroe Commission on Environment and Water Quality MINUTES February 8, 2018 7:00 pm

published: May 11th, 2018

Call to Order: Chairman Egen called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm

 

Members Present: A roll call of members was taken and a quorum was present.

Richard Micka

Brian Egen

Andrew Felder

Ed Kane

Barry LaRoy

Excused:          Isaac Owens

Bonnie Finzel-Doster

Dan Stefanski

Milward Beaudry

Coffee provided for the COTE.

Approval of minutes from January 11, 2018 meeting – Motion by Micka, Seconded by Felder, motion passed.

PAC Grant 2017:

Reviewed two of the revised grant tasks.  Discussed revisions to the River Raisin AOC GIS StoryMap.  City staff are working with a few consultants (RitterGIS and Winter Apple Photography) for the GIS interface and pictures for each item listed.  Egen presented a revised PSA script (V2), COTE reviewed and discussed the content & length for using with a radio version.  A longer version with assets / video will be developed thereafter.  Jerry Gystin of MPACT will voiceover the PSA when done.  Briefly touched on Media Outreach package to be delayed until June 2018 and Drone Video to be completed before media package so as to promote all tasks and proposed 2018 river cleanup.

2018 River Cleanup Grant application: Discussed grant RFP & application to be submitted no later than Feb 20, 2018.

Adjournment

7:46 pm due to Micka having to leave the meeting a quorum was not available such that a motion made by Micka, Seconded by Egen to officially end the meeting.

The City of Monroe Commission on Environment and Water Quality MINUTES January 11, 2018 7:00 pm

published: May 11th, 2018

Call to Order: Chairman Egen called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm

Members Present: A roll call of members was taken and a quorum was present.

Isaac Owens

Bonnie Finzel-Doster

Richard Micka

Brian Egen

Barry LaRoy

Excused:          Dan Stefanski

Milward Beaudry

Ed Kane

Guests:            Bill Doster

Donuts for the COTE were provided and coffee.

Approval of minutes from December 14, 2017 meeting – Motion by Finzel-Doster, Seconded by Micka

PAC Grant 2017:

Reviewed all revised grant tasks.  Discussed log of features on River Raisin AOC GIS StoryMap.  Pictures and potentially other things (video, etc) can be shown when you select each item.  A motion was made by Egen, seconded by Owens to use some of the extra Drone footage funding (up to $1,400) to use a consultant to aid in organizing and taking any needed pictures / video of each feature that exists in the StoryMap – LaRoy to follow-up.  Egen presented a DRAFT PSA script, COTE reviewed and discussed the content & length for using with several versions of a PSA-Dr. John Hartig document used as basis of PSA script.  Additional comments are requested no later than Jan 25, 2018.  Media Outreach package discussed along with Drove Video proposal.

MDEQ Items:

Dick Micka emails to be followed up with Art Ostaszewski, MDEQ (Waste Management & Radiological Protection Division).  Existing water well monitoring at Ford site, nothing has left the Ford facility.  Micka & LaRoy to contact Art.  Monitoring Final Report to be discussed at a future regular COTE meeting to discuss results with Mike Alexander, MDEQ.  Snowy Owls spotting occurring, State of Great Lakes report recently sent out by MDEQ.  Sampling efforts with Eagles, Herring Gulls, Forge Fish onging.  Dec 28, 2017 OGL now with DNR, all funding & staff remains unchanged.  Social Media now on DNR.

Members Time:

Owens-won’t be at next mtg, having surgery, provided handout Big Bass Fishing, discussed S.E. Fishing Report in paper, will provide pictures of pipes flowing from homes directly in river for follow-up.

Finzel-Doster-She will not be able to attend February COTE mtg-out of state, likes PSA script.

Micka-Discussed Sandy Creek (Johnny Darter) picture and fishing for walleye is ongoing off the seawall in Detroit Beach

LaRoy-Clean Michigan Water’s grant application-river cleanup tasks, motion by Finzel-Doster, seconded by Owens to review & apply, Council liaison forthcoming – likely Councilman Felder, Per Commissioner Egen a call-in number & pass code will be put on all future COTE mtgs for members with new City phone system.

Adjournment

8:53 pm motion made by Finzel-Doster, Seconded by Owens.

The City of Monroe Commission on Environment and Water Quality MINUTES December 14, 2017 7:00 pm

published: May 11th, 2018

Call to Order: Chairman Egen called the meeting to order at 7:02 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

Councilwomen Gloria Rafko

Ed Kane

Barry LaRoy

Guests:          Bill Doster

Scarlett Egen

Ike Owens brought donuts for the COTE.

Approval of minutes from November 9, 2017 meeting – Motion by Micka, Seconded by Stefanski

PAC Grant 2017:

Reviewed all revised grant tasks.  COTE reviewed, discussed and made suggestions to River Raisin AOC GIS storymap.  COTE discussed the PSA, scripting, and content.

MDEQ Items:

Future COTE day meeting may occur in an effort to discuss PCB sediment results – will discuss options at January 2018 meeting.

Members Time:

Finzel-Doster-She will not be able to attend January or February COTE mtgs-out of state.

Micka-Suggested Monroe News cover all rivers in their publishing’s on what is caught in waterways (i.e. Include the River Raisin).

Stefanski-Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all, Thanks Councilwomen Rafko for her time on the COTE.

Owens-Went over Representative Joe Bellino’s letter to his request to restock River Raisin with walleye and other species.

Kane-Amend Eat-Safe-Fish signage to add a small sign to say “Catch and Release is Encouraged”.  Also, suggests putting signage up for fisherman to remind them to pick up their debris / trash.

Beaudry-None

Rafko-This will likely be her last COTE mtg; COTE has been her favorite.

Egen-Same as Stefanski

LaRoy-Went over Dr Hartig’s comprehensive writeup on River Raisin AOC & actions to delist AOC-will forward to all members.

Adjournment

8:19 pm motion made by MIcka, Seconded by Beaudry.