Michiana Council seeks help after dune‑area vandalism, amends tree ordinance

Police Chief Ryan Layman told the Village Council on Nov. 8 that a recent act of vandalism on village beach property near the new Stop 40 left "11 or 12 trees" cut down. The chief said he had already sent an alert and asked residents to come forward with any information; council members asked that the village arborist appraise the damaged trees and that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and Chikaming Open Lands be notified because the site is in the critical dune and a land trust.

At the meeting, Tree Board member Nancy Thill reported that AEP trimming work is nearly complete, that Pizzo Gardens applied a final herbicide application on Oct. 2, and that a proposed butterfly/native-plant garden project is on hold until Pizzo Gardens presents a seeding plan in December. Thill moved to approve a Tree Proposal application for tree services, amended the motion to require review by Village Attorney Sara Senica, and the motion passed on a 5–0 roll call vote.

Later in the meeting the Council voted 5–0 to amend the Tree Ordinance to prohibit pruning of identified oak trees between April 15 and Sept. 15 and to require that tools be sanitized and a latex‑based paint be applied immediately to wounds after pruning. The amendment was proposed to reduce spread of oak wilt and to standardize pruning practices.

Other business: Volunteer organizers for the village’s Pickleball Tournament reported a net donation to the village of $4,258 and offered several court‑related improvements and equipment donations; the council thanked organizers but made no decision on tournament dates for next year. The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

Next meeting: Friday, Dec. 13 at 1:00 p.m. EST.