About Portage Lakes Advisory Council

The Portage Lakes Advisory Council Board meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the Kiwanis Civic Center. Please check our Calendar page for updates in case of a schedule change. All meetings are open to the public.

The Portage Lakes Advisory Council has a twelve member Board of Directors that is composed of four representatives from each of the communities of Coventry Township, the City of New Franklin, and the City of Green. Members may be lakes residents, lakes users, representatives of community organizations or neighborhood associations and local business owners. The Portage Lakes Advisory Council is a non-political, not for profit corporation which uses a variety of interests and cross functional approaches in a team framework to fulfill its mission.

Our Mission Statement

The Portage Lakes Advisory Council exists for persons interested in the well-being of the Portage Lakes and improving the quality of life within its watershed. Our mission is to:

Become an available resource to those who wish to learn more about the Portage Lakes while conducting educational programs to increase public awareness through communication with the local communities and government organizations. Discussion of issues that affect the Portage Lakes area shall provide an avenue for hearing concerns and ideas.

Promote both active and passive recreational use of the Portage Lakes that will enhance the quality of life and environment found throughout our communities. The Council endorses water quality improvement, wildlife and habitat preservation, conservation, pollution prevention, law enforcement and safety patrols.

Evaluate the impact/success of projects and improvements strategies, consider possible follow-up activities, and make recommendations that help ensure the value added for the community or facility.

By fulfilling its mission, the Portage Lakes Advisory Council will make a significant and positive contribution to the Portage Lakes community and government agencies.

Board Members

Officers of

Melissa Millmier,
President

Jeff Noble,
Vice President

Tom Fry,
Treasurer

Steve Godar
Secretary

Coventry Township

John Sheppard

John Sheppard is a resident of Coventry Township, on the Portage Lakes East Reservoir since the 1990s. He became active with the Portage Lakes Advisory Council in 2013 and has served as a member of its Board since 2017.

Judy Lancaster

Judy Lancaster is a retired teacher and has been a member of the council since 2020. She is also a member of the Purple Martins Association, and volunteers with Summit County Metro Parks, Canal Locks Parks Association and Akron Children’s Hospital. She lives on Long Lake with her husband Chuck.

Sean Fremon

David Cordea

David Cordea is director of quality and compliance at the Little Tikes Company. He is a resident of Coventry Township on East Reservoir. David is honored to be a part of this team and is eager to serve our great community.

City of Green

Tom Fry,
Treasurer

Tom Fry is retired and has served on the board as City of Green representative since 2010, currently board Treasurer. He resides on Mud Lake.

Jeff Noble,
Vice President

Melissa Millmier, President

Melissa Millmier is a full time realtor and has been a Green board member of PLAC since 2023. She currently serves as board President and resides with her husband and children in Green.

Jon Vielhaber

City of New Franklin

Steve Godar,
Secretary

Steve Godar is a retired meatcutter and has lived in the Portage Lakes area since 1976 having been a member of the Portage Lakes Advisory Council for over 20 years. Steve is proud to be able to do serve the community with the smart, kind, and passionate people on the council. Steve is founder and past president of the Portage Lakes Disc Golf Course. Finally, and mostly, I am thankful to God for providing me with the means to be able to do all the above.

Jody Holloway

Jim Stewart

Jimmy Stewart is a resident of New Franklin on Turkeyfoot Lake and has been a member of Portage Lakes Advisory Council since 1993. Jimmy also provides much of the historical background of the Portage Lakes area for the council.

Bryan Scot Kelper

Meeting Minutes are available below

Contact Information

68 Portage Lakes Drive Akron,Ohio 44319

Email: [email protected] | Call us: 330.618.1184