4/27/2026 Meeting Minutes

1. Welcome and Introductions

   1. Present: Renee Van Houten, Jim Williamson, Anna Kornoelje, Ron Young, Darren VanderBoon, Sherrill Gardiner, Sally Seely, Rachel Frantz

2. Financial Report

   1. $20 for website host fee

3. Grant Report(s)

   1. EGLE Watershed Support Grant

      1. Rachel gave an overview of the watershed grant efforts and where the budget is currently at. There are many items that need to be purchased in the next month or so as this grant ends in September.

      2. There are two more rain garden workshops scheduled for May 6 in Dowling and June 30 in Ada. 

      3. Rain garden installations are planned June 2 and June 4 and Hastings Secretary of State and Tyden Park respectively, times tbd and volunteer call will be posted soon

4. Water Quality

   1. Cascade Ada Weed Study and Treatment

      1. Ron gave an update on the deicing agents used at the airport

      2. They have agreed to provide storm water samples 

      3. There will be an experiment by GVSU on the deicing agent and algae growth. They also have a grad student who is researching algae in the Ada impoundment and will be continuing sampling monthly until November. 

   2. River Survey - establish teams & sections, must be finished by end of July https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e9db53e26cff4f35bcb2891bad351a10

      1. Ron asked if the map will have nearby amenities such as where to get ice cream or some food. 

   3. MiCorps Sampling

      1. Thornapple sampling April 30, May 1, & May 2

      2. May 15, ID workshop at Pierce Cedar Creek 

      3. Coldwater River has sampling coming up as well, May 30

   4. Thornapple River Water Trail

      1. Rachel met with Catherine Getty and Danielle Zoellner to discuss the water trail effort. LGROW/GVMC submitted a proposal to provide services for the Thornapple River Water Trail designation

      2. Renee reported that most, if not all, municipalities along the river have signed on through memorandum of understanding for the water trail effort

      3. Darren asked if we want any Coldwater sites identified as well

5. Old Business

   1. Annual Paddle Trip, cleanup activity optional

      1. Instead of the normal annual cleanup we just have an organized paddle trip with optional cleanup activities. We have plenty of bags left from years past.

      2. Establish charter groups for main areas of the watershed, ie Hastings, Middleville, Alaska, Cascade, Ada

         1. Rachel will lead Hastings

         2. September fills up fast - we could have paddle trips every weekend at all different sections

         3. River month

   2. Fishing Contest

      1. Still in the works, Renee and Sherrill have been brainstorming on this. Will report back next month 

   3. Tabling - Community outreach

      1. Renee is going to make a post on Facebook 

   4. Riverwatch

      1. Wally is working on getting the specs out for this 

      2. Jim volunteered his site for a riverwatch cam

   5. Fish Stocking/Anglers

      1. Renee and Jim have been working on this.

      2. Renee is looking for more information on a fish fry fundraiser

6. New Business

   1. TRWC Secretary

      1. Renee asked for a vote for make Rachel the secretary of the watershed council, motion passed

7. Upcoming Events

   1. May 6, 2026, Rain Garden Workshop, Dowling Library

   2. June 2, 5, 2026, Rain garden installations, Hastings

   3. June 30, 2026, Rain Garden Workshop, Roselle Park, Ada

   4. September 19, 2026, 10 AM - 2 PM,  Barry County Outdoor Youth Day, Historic Charlton Park

8. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm

   1. Next Meetings:

      1. May 18, 2026 6pm Caledonia Library

      2. June 22, 2026 6.30 Caledonia Library

      3. July 27, 2026 6:30 Caledonia Library