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Sustainability commission flags Lily Lake shoreline restoration, seeks broader city department engagement
Summary
Commission members discussed a proposed shoreline restoration project at Lily Lake including invasive species removal, native planting and potential kayak launches, and agreed to invite department heads to future meetings to coordinate sustainability efforts and budget planning.
La Porte’s Sustainability Commission identified shoreline restoration along Lily Lake as a priority project and discussed steps to coordinate with other city departments and community partners on design, access and funding.
A commission member said they have been tasked with planning a Lily Lake shoreline restoration project that could include invasive-species removal, native-plant buffer installation and a kayak launch to retain public access. The member asked for commissioners’ input and for informal sign-off as the project moves toward scoping and possible implementation.
Why it matters: Members said shoreline restoration could preserve public access and improve water quality at a popular city lake while enhancing recreation opportunities. The project would tie into other ongoing work such as the Stone Lake trail extension and recent commercial development near the shoreline.
Coordination and timing: Commissioners agreed to pursue broader department engagement and suggested inviting one or two department heads to future commission meetings to discuss operational and budget implications. They proposed scheduling such outreach in May so the commission could develop proposals ahead of budget conversations in June–August.
Other operational topics raised: The group also discussed city efforts to reduce carbon from fleet vehicles, noting the water department’s plan to bid a utility truck that runs on propane or compressed natural gas. Members suggested the commission can help stimulate ideas and promote cross-department projects that save money and reduce emissions.
Next steps: The commission agreed to set department-head meeting dates and to gather ideas for small, practical sustainability measures (such as consolidating mowing crews) that could save budget and reduce redundancy across city operations. The Lily Lake shoreline project will be further scoped with community input and staff coordination.
