Environmental Affairs Advisory Board

From looking out for the health and welfare of our citizens to implementing recycling programs, the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB) oversees many critical areas of our community. If you have questions about the EAAB, please email Councilman Rob Shahmir at RShahmir@avonlake.org.

Subcommittees within the EAAB consist of:

Environmental Affairs Advisory Board Members

Resident Representatives:

Rita George (term ending 12/31/2025)
Kayla Goodwin (term ending 12/31/2025)
Amy Oliver (term ending 12/31/2025)
Marty Patton (term ending 12/31/2025)
Terry Robison (term ending 12/31/2025)
Terry Wyrock (term ending 12/31/2025)
VACANCY
VACANCY
VACANCY

Industry Representatives:

Applied Specialties, LLC, Mike McCormick, Vice-Chair
Avient™, Tom Sulzer
Ford Motor Company, Michelle Hall
Lubrizol Corporation, Ron Spears
Vestolit, David Messinger

Council Representative:

Rob Shahmir

Ex-Officio Representatives:

Mayor Mark Spaetzel
Public Works Director Jon Liskovec

Meeting Time & Location

Meetings are typically held the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake House, 32756 Lake Road.

Agendas and Minutes

Environmentally Speaking 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. Links below of recorded programs:

Environmentally Speaking 2024 Library Program Recordings

Invasive Species: Spotted Lanternfly & Poison Hemlock
Thrifting 101
Stormwater
Helping Monarch Butterflies to Thrive
Nurturing Trees for a Sustainable Future
The Impact of Environmental Challenges on the Avon Lake Power Plant Redevelopment Project
Forest Bathing
Rain Gardens
Transportation Safety in Lorain County

Environmentally Speaking 2023 Library Program Recordings

Recycle Right
Make, Thrift, Mend: Thrifting and Repurposing Your Wardrobe
Composting Basics
Organic Lawn Care
Importance of Native Plants
Our Drinking Water
Importance of Urban Trees
Coexisting with Nature
Birding in Lorain County
Small Changes, Big Impact
Spotted Lanternfly & Poison Hemlock, December 12 @ 7:00 p.m.

Environmental Advisory Affairs 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 EAAB 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 EAAB 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 why of science can be confusing. This ALRW Report can sort out some of your questions.

Our Lake

According to Ohio Department of Natural Resources, fallen leaves provide an 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 algae blooms in Lake Erie. Help us keep algae 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!

Additional Reading and References can help you learn more about our lake.

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 opening in April of 2022, all diverted from landfills and put back into the ecosystem in a healthy and sustainable way. Click HERE for more information.

Educating Youth About Wasted Food

Involving children in the planning, shopping, cooking of food and managing of leftovers teaches them sustainable habits and skills at an early age that potentially will stick throughout their lives. Small changes over time make a big difference and can extend outward from the classroom to the home and eventually the community at large. For more information: EPA Sustainable Management of Food