THE BRIGHT SIDE
The Piers Harbor and Lakefront Committee had two issues on its agenda.
On the 23rd of May, Harbor Master Steve Russell, Head of Public Works Tom Earl, and the board of the GLC (Geneva Lake Conservancy) discussed some issues.
Seaweed buildup is a huge problem, and with the help of Alderperson Mary Jo Fesenmaier, they connected Russell with a weed removal company that could send two workers out to clear lakeshore weeds every two weeks at a cost of $750 for each visit. The debris floating in the north end of the lake is also an issue, as everything in the lake eventually ends up going through the lagoon toward the waterfall into the White River. Much of this debris is becoming trapped and causing a very disruptive and uncomfortable build-up. The lagoon is clogged with this debris, floating and rising up from the bottom, and in some places, above the water. Slips one through eight are unusable on the southern side of the lagoon and the renters have been told to get their boats out of those slips. What redress the boaters might be allowed has not been discussed. One company was going to come in and suction the debris from the slips but the decision to give them the job was left without a response from the city for too long, and besides, the equipment wasn’t really up to the size of the job. The GLEA (Geneva Lake Environmental Agency) talked with the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) and the DNR has waived any permits needed that might normally be required to clean the lagoon.
The Harbor Master is waiting on quotes for the work to be done. What he would like to see done is to first get the lagoon cleaned out, even if it means slips one through eight are to be lost (temporarily,) Second, the piers and wooden ‘fingers’ will need to be removed to get the equipment into the lagoon and get the job done. Third, a contractor needs to be hired to come and clean the lagoon annually and look into grants for the purchase of equipment so the work can eventually be done by the city’s public works department.
Finally, the wooden walkways and planks need to be repaired and or replaced that surround the lagoon slips. The lagoon is in bad shape and needs work immediately, as well as regular maintenance to keep it thriving, ambient, and putting out great aromas instead of what the rising muck smells like. None of this is going to be done fast and the city will likely be giving refunds to the renters of the lost slips later in the year.
