Plain-language summaries of Elmwood Township meeting minutes in Leelanau County, Michigan. Every summary links back to the official source document.
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Board accepted $400,000 DNR grant for Cherry Bend Trail, approved marina security cameras ($25,000, Gallagher opposed), slip-fee increase up to 5%, fireworks permit, and DTE tree grant; tabled fuel tank request pending details from Ferguson/Tampa. Jenuwine to revisit camera bids. Ronald Hines spoke during public comment; substance unrecorded.
Board approved a budget amendment for insurance costs, cybersecurity/server upgrades ($45,000), a storage container, $10,000 marina lighting, a $100 hall rental deposit, two new paid holidays, and $211,993.46 in invoices. No public comments. Jenuwine to seek more security camera bids; Tamp monitoring SCBA grant funding; township pursuing Cherry Bend Trail and DTE tree-planting grants.
Board approved joint representation for Charter Communications franchise renewal (Resolution 9), a trial summer office schedule (Fri close 3pm), fireworks permits for Cherry Festival/Boom Boom Club, and invoices totaling $113,242.28. Leelanau Soccer President raised concerns over fertilizing costs and parking; Board kept terms unchanged, no motion made.
Board approved marina grant extension, two road assessment rolls, fire millage ballot, Granicus renewal, and insurance renewal; Darga absent. Harbormaster to arrange marina signage; 30-day dog trial at Greilickville Harbor Park under Jenuwine. New Cedar Lake Dam attendants approved. Public comment: Thomas questioned road washouts; Sokolnicki and Bassett spoke without recorded specifics.
Board approved consent calendar, committee appointments, $257,183.74 invoices, marina grant, ice machine, dock fees, and broadside docking/storage—all unanimous. TCL&P's Hardy to return once EV charging site chosen; Preston handles fire millage ballot language; dock drawings go to three firms. Reception redesign bid ($6,800) rejected—more bids sought. Timberlee assessment hearings scheduled next meeting.
Board approved distributing the draft Master Plan for 63-day public comment, marina infrastructure projects (A dock, dinghy dock, Handicaptain system), amended sewer ordinance, and Carter Road speed study resolution (6-0). Harbormaster Jenuwine to bring launch-booth quotes next month. No standard public comments; Grant Walstrom spoke during Extended Public Comment, details unrecorded.
Board unanimously introduced Sewer Use Ordinance amendments, approved a resolution supporting a $50,000 Rotary Charities grant for the Cherry Bend Trail Connector, renewed poverty exemption guidelines, and approved $32,340.76 in invoices. Master Plan to be placed on March agenda. No public comments were made.
Board reached informal consensus rejecting marina sale/lease or dockominium options, favoring resident-focused uses (ice-skating, Santa's house, farm market); no formal vote taken. Harbormaster Dan Jenuwine, who presented five strategic options, will continue reviewing marina operations and long-term planning based on Board preferences. No public comments were made.
Board approved consent calendar, $168,007.55 in invoices, and marina computer purchases (≤$4,000). Master Plan distribution postponed one month for further review. Harbormaster Jenuwine to plan A dock replacement (~$2M), pursue bottomlands lease reconfiguration/new 25-year lease, and develop details for a proposed USA 250th anniversary community celebration. No public contention noted.
Elmwood Township's board reviewed a proposed collective bargaining agreement addressing wage adjustments and short/long-term disability benefits over multiple years. Trustee Lautner motioned on the agreement, which appears to have passed, though details are incomplete. No public comments were made; document corruption limits clarity on final outcomes and specific action items.
The Board approved the 2026 budget, salary resolutions, a 5% wage increase, and Ordinance 2025-2 (Water Service/Cross Connection Control). Special meetings set: Dec 23 (firefighters' union contract) and Jan 14, 2026 (marina plan, led by Harbormaster Jenuwine). No public comments were made. Invoices of $450,685.79 approved.
Board approved a 5% wage increase for all staff and reached consensus to make the Harbormaster position full-time with benefits, pending salary/hourly discussion. Action items: Ian (buildings/grounds) to research a sander purchase; Harbormaster pay structure to be finalized; Greilickville water fees to be reviewed due to marina's reduced usage. No public comments were made.
Board approved Water Service Ordinance amendment, 2026-2032 Capital Improvement Plan, streetlight contract, and a $10,889 mower purchase (6-1); declined fire department merger with CAFR pending Board control concerns. Supervisor Shaw to explore TART trail plowing. Public comment: VanRaalte and Sokolnicki debated fire service goals/ALS status; Darga flagged drainage pond cone system.
Board adopted resolutions for a Trust Fund grant and health insurance Hard Cap exemption, renewed health coverage, and approved $5,060 for new M-22 streetlighting (Metro Fund), rejecting a costlier upgrade. Invoices of $225,776.97 approved. Action items: Shaw to review road funding priorities; begin union negotiations with Local 5387 without labor attorney unless needed.
The Board approved Resolution 7 (budget amendment) and Resolution 8 (Trust Fund grant match) unanimously, plus marina expenditures: up to $5,000 for curb stops and replacing a planned privacy fence with removable panels, pending Fire Chief safety approval. Chelcie continues training with Carrie Schaub. A social media report of possible camping in DeYoung Natural Area prompted no action.
Board adopted parks ordinance 2025-01, approved BS&A accounting software ($54,050), marina rate/contract updates, Dockwa reservation system, and authorized hiring a receptionist/deputy treasurer. Shaw will present a $400,000 grant request for Cherry Bend Trail Connector; Jenuwine must confirm cancellation policy authority with the State. Public comment: Rick Robbins requested a "Welcome to Leelanau County" sign near the roundabout.
Board approved new park ordinance introduction, Currie's Planning Commission appointment, a $70,000 Fire Department truck purchase, and a budget amendment resolution. Harbormaster to report dock pedestal installation costs; Jenuwine to revise marina signage using the Elmwood tree logo after Darga questioned the mismatched logo. Fireworks permit tabled pending missing applicant requirements.
Board approved $35,000 Timberlee Well House road/parking work, Brewery Creek summer boat storage rates ($100/week, $200/month; 6-1, Gallagher opposed), fireworks permits for two July 4th events, and invoices totaling $766,606.27. Trustee Darga must receive a site plan for Timberlee; Lautner will explore acquiring a State Park pedestrian bridge. Marina pedestal discussion tabled at Jenuwine's request.
Board approved special assessment resolutions, a $389,400 Wade-Trim contract for Cherry Bend Trail design, and marina purchases (AEDs, pest control, insurance renewal). Jenuwine to investigate marina off-season rental rates and adjust Brewery Creek parking numbers. Mullane proposed local road millage over special assessments for Sylvia Street. No public comments recorded despite Chrestensen's listed attendance.
Board approved new cell tower construction at Brewery Creek (attorney to negotiate), marina grant extensions, a $271,994.12 marina change order, a $10,000 additional slip, and $5,350 playground equipment. Public hearings for road assessment districts set for May 12, 2025. Duane Straubel gave public comments; Shaw addressed MDOT tree removal/replacement concerns.
Board approved consent calendar, pickleball scheduling, Cherry Bend Trail Connector grant resolution, revised marina furnishings purchase (≤$135,000), ZBA/Planning Commission appointments, and $82,760.16 in invoices. No public comments made. Trustee Darga opposed selling old cell tower, favoring Brewery Creek placement; item returns in April. Camera/tarp decisions and wi-fi issues postponed.
Board approved consent items, MMR fire/EMS billing agreement, Harbormaster wage scale, Par Plan grant resolution (7-0), and $235,388.88 in invoices. Attorney Bryan Graham retiring; Bauckham, Thall taking over municipal clients. Marina project delayed to July; shower partnership with local gym explored. Public comments raised concerns about Cherry Bend Trail plowing plans.
Board adopted the Poverty Exemption Resolution, Capital Improvement Plan, ATV/skid unit purchases, marina cooler ($5,310, 5-1, Darga opposed), and delegated marina hiring to the Harbormaster. Shaw will investigate a salt spreader; AT&T lease review delayed two years. MIOSHA fined the fire department $750 despite existing training records. No public comments made.
Board unanimously awarded Marina Phase III to RCI (low bid), approved Wade-Trim ($60,000) and Environment Architects ($45,000) contracts, combined harbormaster/buildings & grounds director roles, approved LED lighting upgrade ($3,000 max), and storage container purchase ($2,000 plus $400 transport). No public comments were made.
Board approved paying $228,412.11 in invoices and $7,640 for additional Brewery Creek paving; scheduled a special meeting (April 18) to award the marina contract and hire a harbormaster, and set Road Maintenance District hearings for May 13. Shaw will investigate a cell tower lease request; no public comments were made.
Board unanimously approved Cherry Bend Trail survey/design (Wade-Trim, ARPA-funded), marina asbestos remediation (Mid-State, $3,400), Dockwa marina software ($8,000/year), new marina/grounds wage scale ($16/hr start), and Michigan Broadband security cameras. Personnel Committee will interview harbormaster candidates; Basch to relocate light poles; Fire Chief Tampa to purchase ESO software. No public comments were made.
Elmwood Township Board approved a Brownfield Grant application, poverty exemption resolution, MDOT easement, revised Comprehensive Plan RFP, and $212,886.81 in invoices; denied Cherry Square septic responsibility; raised interim harbormaster wages. TACS's regatta request for Greilickville Harbor Park was denied 2-4 by roll call due to park-use and ordinance concerns. Darga requested pre-work photos for MDOT easement.
Board approved $3,785 for asbestos/lead paint inspection before marina demolition bidding, and agreed to advertise a seasonal, hourly ($25-30) harbormaster position instead of year-round salaried. Shaw to clarify camera quote; Bogart to pursue Brownfield grant funding for light pole salvage ($3,250). Public comments from Krumm, Currin, Berkey, and Slip Holder #165 were not detailed.
Board unanimously adopted a Bond Authorizing Resolution (not-to-exceed $6 million) for 2024 Capital Improvement Bonds and approved a $30,000 budget amendment transferring ARPA funds to cover an ambulance chassis. Basch began construction per Supervisor Shaw; MDOT roundabout project remains on track. No public comments were made.