Environmental Affairs

From looking out for the health and welfare of our citizens to implementing recycling programs – the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board oversees many critical areas of our community.

Subcommittees within the Advisory Board consist of:

Board Members

Citizen Members

  • Sam Naumann, Chair
  • Jen Miller, Vice Chair
  • Rita George
  • Kayla Goodwin
  • Marty Patton
  • Rob Shahmir
  • Terry Robison
  • Terry Wyrock

Meeting Times & Locations

Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month except for the months of July and August. They are at 6:30 p.m. in the Lake House, 32756 Lake Road.

Agendas and Minutes

Sign Up for Email Communications

"Environmentally Speaking" 2023 Library Programs

This program is part of a year-long environmental series, presented in partnership with the Avon Lake Public Library and Avon Lake’s Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB), that addresses the environmental concerns of Avon Lake's residents expressed via the EAAB survey. Each session focuses on a different topic presented by experts who will educate, as well as provide tools and resources for making an impact in our community. Registration links below as well as videos of recorded programs:

Recycle Right, January 10
Make, Thrift, Mend: Thrifting and Repurposing Your Wardrobe, February 21 @ 7:00 p.m.
Composting Basics, March 14 @ 7:00 p.m.
Organic Lawn Care, April 11 @ 7:00 p.m.
Importance of Native Plants, May 9 @ 7:00 p.m.

More details to come:

Lake Life, June 13 @ 7:00 p.m.
Importance of Urban Trees, July 11 @ 7:00 p.m.
Coexisting with Nature, August 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sustainability, September TBD
“The Erie Situation,” October 10 @ 7:00 p.m.
Small Changes, Big Impact, November 14 @ 7:00 p.m.
“Effects of Climate Change in Ohio,” December 12 @ 7:00 p.m.

Specific Board Responsibilities:

According to Chapter 274 of the Avon Lake Codified Ordinances, the purposes of the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board shall include the following:

(a) To study and advise courses of action which the Environmental Committee of Council may take to formulate and promote general and broad codes of land, air and water pollution control for the City; and

(b) To study and investigate other environmentally-related concerns and issues of importance to the Council and residents of the City and to report its findings and make appropriate recommendations to residents of the City and Council at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. The Board shall seek, as its general goals, to create and foster a positive, responsible, cooperative and continuous effort between industry and residents of the City, to educate the Council and residents of the City on important environmental issues and to establish and make appropriate recommendations to Council for enforcement of land, air and water pollution control programs. The Board shall also investigate every reasonable means available to it to inform and educate its members relative to the problems and possible solutions of land, water and air pollution and control in small communities of similar size to the City. The Board shall meet on a quarterly basis or as requested by its Chairperson. Minutes of Board meetings shall be forwarded to the Mayor and members of Council.

View EAAB's by-laws

Resources

Our Drinking Water

The City of Avon Lake and Avon Lake Regional Water (ALRW) work extremely hard to provide our community safe and clean water but understanding exactly the what and whys of science can be confusing. This ALRW Report can sort out some of your questions. If you have additional questions email Sam Naumann, sam.naumann@hyland.com.

Our Lake

According to Ohio Department of Natural Resources, fallen leaves provide excellent habitat for wildlife, but they can also be a significant source of phosphorus in urban stormwater. When large piles of raked leaves are too close to streets, the excess nutrients play a part in fueling the algal blooms in Lake Erie. Help us keep algal blooms out of Lake Erie by keeping leaf piles away from storm drains. You can also mulch your leaves to add a boost of nutrients to your lawn, use the leaves to jumpstart a compost pile for your garden in spring or just “leaf” them be as habitat!

Rust Belt Riders Composting Service

The City has partnered with Rust Belt Riders neighborhood food scrap drop-off program, to offer a solution to both of these issues and an easy action residents can take every day to make a positive impact on the planet. The Avon Lake Drop-Off site has collected 5,600 pounds of food scraps since it opened in April 2022.  All diverted from landfills and put back into the ecosystem in a healthy and sustainable way. Click HERE for more information.