Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission - Lake Michigan Room 6100 Southport Rd. Portage, IN 46368
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance 9:00
Introductions
9:05
Approval of March 2, 2017 EMPC Meeting Minutes 9:10
Federal Environmental Budget Cuts – NIRPC Legislative Committee discussion 9:15
Lead in Drinking Water — Peg Donnelly, USEPA 9:45
Michigan City’s Multi-department Lead Task Force — 10:15
Michael Kuss, Sanitary District of Michigan City
Pertinent Partner Updates 10:45
Other Business/Announcements 11:15
Adjourn 11:30
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The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT POLICY COMMITTEE
NIRPC- Lake Michigan Room March 2, 2017
Members/Guests: Geof Benson, Deb Backhus, Jennifer Gadzala, Kevin Breitzke, Ellen Kapitan, Will Farrellbegg, Michael Kuss, Tim Kingsland, Reggie Korthals, Richard Morrisroe, Natalie Johnson, Kay Nelson, Leslie Dorworth, Brenda Scott-Henry, Eric Foster, George Topoll, Cathy Martin, Michelle Caldwell, Rick Massoels, James Conn, Leah Thwing, John Davidson, Jennifer Birchfield, Carl Lisek, Hala Kuss, Katilyn McClain, George Malis
NIRPC Staff: Kathy Luther, Meredith Stilwell
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Benson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and self- introductions.
Approval of February 2, 2017 EMPC Minutes
On motion by Reggie Korthals and second by Will Farrellbegg, the February 2, 2017 EMPC meeting minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
Presentations:
a. Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Overview – Bruno Pigott, Commissioner-IDEM
The Commissioner Pigott presented Governor Holcomb’s administration, expounding on the Governor’s staff, intended areas of key focus and expectations for IDEM to provide good quality service to the citizens of Indiana and will measure, track and evaluate IDEM’s performance with that expectation in mind. IDEM is also expected to revise metrics to ensure measurable outcomes.
Commissioner Pigott communicated some of his ideas regarding agency initiatives. Permits will be expected to be completed on-time and will be tracked. Inspection reports will be issued to facilities in a reasonable time. Application permits submitted on paper will be converted to electronic submission. Ensure timely and appropriate payments from the Excess Liability Trust Fund. Compliance assistance efforts will be increased. Coordinate the many water funding sources across the state to leverage them to be more effective for water cleanup. Encourage regionalization of water infrastructure. Assuming of 404 permitting to streamline the process.
New senior staff at IDEM include General Counsel, Nancy King; Chief of Staff, Brian Rockensuess; Assistant Commissioner, Office of Land Quality, Peggy Dorsey; and Director of Communication, Ryan Clem.
Senate Bills 416, 421, and 521 and House bill 1495 were reviewed by Commissioner Pigott.
NIRPC Business:
NIRPC Planner, Eman Ibrahim announced that NIRPC hired Ratio Architects and BFS Engineering to conduct a safety and planning study, through funding from INDOT, for US 30 around the I-65 area. The area has been growing with no planning for many years. Almost 26% of the crashes in the area are pedestrian and bicycle. Only 5% of the area is residential which is mismatched between jobs and housing. Recommendations have been made for the area.
Eman asked the group to take a few minutes after the meeting to review and vote on design recommendations and denote origination and destination points on display boards.
Announcements:
Michigan City will be hosting a Conference on the Environment the 1st week of June.
The House and Senate bills are in their third reading.
Announcements and events will be forwarded to the Committee.
Public Comment: None
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.