Water Quality Council – Inaugural Meeting Nov. 4

The first meeting of the newly constituted TMACOG Water Quality Council is November 4, at 2 p.m. in the Grand Lobby of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, just outside TMACOG offices. Members of the Water Quality Council and its committees are asked to arrive by 1:30 p.m. for a meet-and-greet opportunity. The event will include keynote speakers from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Professionals working in water resource management, elected officials, water plant operators, park officials, conservancy groups, and people concerned with actions directed toward safe and healthy Lake Erie are invited to attend.

William Creal of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Karl Gephardt of the Ohio EPA will be keynote speakers at the inaugural meeting of TMACOG’s Water Quality Council, discussing public policies geared toward improving water quality in Lake Erie. A panel discussion following the keynotes featuring the leadership of TMACOG’s water quality sub-committees will focus on the role of local governments in protecting the lake and what policies TMACOG’s program committees should consider.

This is the first meeting of the Water Quality Council and an introduction to new sub-committees. TMACOG members have re-structured the environmental department to directly focus on water quality initiatives in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The sub-committees are:

•         Public Water Supply
•          Stormwater Coalition
•          Wastewater
•          Watersheds
•          Regional Water Planning

There is no charge to attend but please call to register: Joy Minarcin 419.241.9155 ext. 128.

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

Ribbon Cutting on the High Level Bridge

Local, state, and federal elected officials gathered with leaders from ODOT and the skilled trades today to celebrate the completion of the overhaul of the Anthony Wayne Bridge connecting east and west Toledo at the south end of downtown.

Ohio State Rep. Michael Sheehy, Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks Hudson, ODOT Director Jerry Wray, U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur, and ODOT District 2 Director Todd Audet cut the ribbon on the bridge. 

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

See Green Infrastructure at Work in Cullen Park

The City of Toledo invites the public to come and learn about changes at Cullen Park in Point Place that will protect Lake Erie water.  Thursday, Oct. 29, 11 am  to 1 pm.

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

Passenger Rail Forum - October 26

People interested in passenger rail travel and rail transit are invited to attend a program and luncheon to learn about recent innovations in the Midwest. The annual Passenger Rail Forum is Monday, October 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Toledo Club, 235 14th St., Toledo, OH. The program is organized by the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) and the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association (NOPRA).

Call for Proposals - Safe Routes to School National Conference

What should transportation professionals be talking about at their April conference? Send your breakout session topics to saferoutesconference.org. They are looking for intersections showcasing where transportation and health meet. 

Organizers would like your ideas by October 31. The conference is April 5-7 in Columbus, OH.

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

In Case of Flooding:

The Stormwater Action Group has compiled a page of frequently asked questions about household flooding. October is one of the rainiest months in our region and the storms of November can be legendary. Click this link for all the tips.

Or go the stormwater pages on the TMACOG website for even more stormwater information.
http://www.tmacog.org/Environment/Stormwater/2015/SC_floodingnewsletter915.htm


Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

Passenger Rail Forum Looks at Streetcars in Cincinnati

People interested in passenger rail travel and rail transit are invited to attend a program and luncheon to learn about recent innovations in the Midwest. The annual Passenger Rail Forum is Monday, October 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Toledo Club, 235 14th St., Toledo, OH. The program is organized by the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) and the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association (NOPRA). 

The keynote speaker for this year’s event is John Schneider with the City of Cincinnati Planning Commission. Mr. Schneider was a driving force behind the establishment of Cincinnati's new 3.6-mile streetcar. He will lay out the argument for a modern streetcar system and address the many challenges encountered throughout the project’s development. The project was challenged twice in ballot initiatives but citizens voted both times to move forward with it. Mr. Schneider will provide insight into what it takes to build a streetcar from both capital and political perspectives. A panel of regional voices will weigh in on the topic and answer audience questions.

Registration is preferred. Log on to https://nopra-fall-rail-forum-2015.eventbrite.com. Tickets are $30 for NOPRA members, $35 for non-members, and $20 for students. Payment will also be accepted at the door, space permitting. For more information, contact NOPRA at nwohiopassengerrail@gmail.com.





Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

TMACOG Tech: Being Prepared When Opportunity Knocks

People interested in economic development opportunities that cross the Ohio/Michigan border are invited to the next TMACOG Tech. Improvements to I-75 in both states and construction of the new Gordie Howe International bridge will increase the amount of traffic and goods exchanged in the region with opportunities for economic development.

TMACOG Tech: Being Prepared When Opportunity Knocks is Friday, October 16, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Monroe Bank & Trust, 10 Washington St., Monroe, MI. The last day for registration is Friday, October 9.  Register on the TMACOG website here. The fee is $25 and includes breakfast and lunch. Follow this link for parking information. 

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

Invitation to Trail Users - Register by Oct. 7

Anyone involved in the planning, construction, and use of recreational trails is invited to attend and participate in Boots, Bikes & Boats. The program is Friday, October 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at the Oberhaus Park Pavilion, 750 W. Maumee Ave. on the banks of the Maumee River in Napoleon. This is the second year for the program presented by Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor.

Registration fee is $45.00 and includes coffee, break snacks and a box lunch. Register as late as October 7. See registration information at this link or call 419-891-2222 with questions.