Task Forces and Sustainability Team

From time to time, City Council may establish citizen groups to promote residents' engagement in relevant community matters. There are currently three active citizen groups open to resident participation.

River Restoration Task Force

The River Restoration Task Force (RRTF) was established in 2020 and is charged with creating a plan to restore the ecological health of the city’s waterways while improving public access and recreation through the implementation of a trail system referred to as “The Riverwalk.” Since being established, the RRTF created a framework plan, which will lead to a strategic plan. A needs assessment, documentation of current conditions, and concept drawings are part of the framework plan. Ongoing work includes identifying grant sources and managing the roles associated with the Farmers' Market Task Force and Ford Field Task Force, which ceased meetings after their reports were presented to City Council.

Meetings:
The RRTF generally meets at 6:30 pm, the second Thursday of each month, via Zoom. View the group's report to City Council below the task force descriptions.

View current meeting agenda
View current meeting presentation

Members:
Chair: Nancy Darga
City Council Liaison: Barbara Morowski Brown
Members: Michelle Aniol
John Arrowsmith
Rick Birdsall
Dave Gutman
Gary Jeffers
Nancy Jeffers
Luci Klinkhamer
Jennifer Maude
Doug Moak
Diane Pittaway
John Roach
Carol Schrauben
Kathy Spillane
Dan Stedmen
William Stockhausen
Donald Web

River Restoration Task Force Plan

Sustainability Team

The Sustainability Team was formed in early 2020 to initiate efforts that would help guide Northville toward becoming a more sustainable city. The role of the Sustainability Team is:
• To assist our community to think, plan and act more sustainably.
• To prepare and maintain a sustainability plan that provides a framework for identifying goals and objectives and for monitoring outcomes – this resource is a “living document” which will be modified and improved over time as we learn what is best for our city.
• To provide support to the city commissions and committees on issues and actions impacting sustainability
• To provide criteria for evaluating the sustainability impact of local actions, near-term and long-term
• To provide a point of contact for sustainability proposals

The Sustainability Team has developed a Sustainability Plan a sustainability plan to be a resource that provides research, support and guidance to city officials and departments as well as the community.

Northville’s sustainability plan addresses the three pillars for supporting a sustainable community – environmental conservation, economic development and social responsibility. Within the plan document, these components provide the foundation for several distinct sustainability strategies that ultimately drill down to specific goals and objectives (some of which are already identified and/or in process by various city departments and organizations).

The plan includes:
• Vision for the city
• Mission Statement
• Guiding Principles
• A Sustainability Framework, which contains the plan’s sustainability strategies, areas of focus and long-term goals and objectives.

Meetings:
The Sustainability Team generally meets at 4:30 pm, the last Monday of each month, via Zoom. View the group's report to City Council below the task force descriptions.

View current meeting agenda
View current meeting presentation

Members:
Chair: Kathy Spillane
City Council Liaison: Laura Genitti
Planning Commission Liaison: Tom Barry
Members: 

Rooted in Northville is a public outreach campaign designed to help residents make informed, practical choices in their yards and landscapes that support birds, butterflies, pollinators, and a healthier river habitat. Led by the City of Northville’s Sustainability Team and River Task Force, the campaign shares science-based guidance and easy-to-follow recommendations for creating more environmentally friendly outdoor spaces.

Through this campaign, residents will find tips and resources on topics such as helping birds thrive, reducing water use and lowering utility costs, understanding the benefits of fallen leaves, choosing native plants, creating river-friendly landscapes, and exploring pesticide alternatives that are safer for children and pets.

The goal of “Rooted in Northville” is to show that even small changes can make a meaningful difference. You do not need a large yard or a major landscaping project to have a positive impact. Whether you are planting a few native flowers, leaving leaves in place a little longer, or trying a new eco-friendly practice, every step helps support a healthier local environment.

We invite you to explore the information on this page, try something new at home, and see how simple choices can help Northville’s natural spaces thrive.