Plain-language summaries of Empire Township meeting minutes in Leelanau County, Michigan. Every summary links back to the official source document.
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Board approved agenda, minutes, bills, and amended Rules of Procedure unanimously; purchasing policy revisions return in September. Planning Commission continues zoning review on affordable housing, with follow-up meeting August 26. Wolterink to revise Code of Conduct; budget discussions ongoing. No public comments made; assessment roll corrections confirmed complete by state.
Board approved amended Rules of Procedure, Bills to be Paid, and reviewed Purchasing Policy changes (returning September). Planning Commission continues zoning review for affordable/workforce housing, decisions pending; next meeting August 26. Wolterink to update Code of Conduct. No public contention noted; routine reports covered fire department, finances, and infrastructure/drainage district apportionments.
The Board approved amended Rules of Procedure (Wolterink to consolidate remaining sections) and reviewed Purchasing Policy changes requiring three quotes for purchases over $2,500. Planning Commission continues zoning review for affordable housing, with follow-up meeting August 26. No public comments were made. Bills and financials were approved unanimously.
Board adopted revised Rules of Procedure and approved bills/post-audit checks. Planning Commission continues reviewing zoning changes for affordable/workforce housing, with a special meeting set for August 26; Wolterink to consolidate Rules of Procedure. No major public contention noted; routine updates on fire department, drainage district, and Purchasing Policy revisions requiring quotes for purchases over $2,500.
Board approved fire station garage door replacement ($21,655) and a new office printer ($2,999.99). Tessa Alexander requested Planning Commission consider allowing temporary dwellings during home construction—no decision made. Bacon to consult attorney Figura on Purchasing Policy; Wiejaczka monitoring permit delays; Planning Commission special meeting set July 28 on Zoning Ordinance review.
Board approved garage door replacement ($21,655, Compaan Garage Door) and a new printer/copier. Fire department union contract finalized with 5% wage increase and added holidays. DNR reviewing Slow-No-Wake designation for South Bar Lake. Public comment: Tessa Alexander proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment allowing temporary dwellings during construction, referred to Planning Commission.
Board approved agenda, amended minutes, bills/post-audit checks, a fireproof cabinet purchase, and directed Wiejaczka/Bacon to draft a resident letter on Beach Parking Passes after Tarr and Maxbauer raised communication concerns. Noonan continues monitoring cemetery road erosion; office to clarify parking pass fines. Purchasing Policy first reading given; board members to submit comments.
Board approved bills ($129,319.42), a fireproof cabinet purchase, and directed the Supervisor and Clerk to draft a resident letter on Beach Parking Passes after public concerns from Julie Tarr and MarchMarge Maxbauer. Trustee Noonan will monitor cemetery road erosion; board members must review the draft Purchasing Policy and submit comments.
Board appointed Ryan Macut as campground host and approved Sheree Nelson as Clerk-Election Assistant despite debate over Bacon's temporary salary reduction. Board awaits Village accounting of parking revenue before funding beach passes. Wolterink/Bacon to revise Rules of Procedure; Bacon/Price to follow up with Summit Fire Protection.
Board approved bills, temporary clerk staffing (Sheree Nelson), appointed Ryan Macut as campground host, and reviewed Vertical Bridge cell tower approval. Contention arose over beach parking pass costs ($984) with the Village; board wants revenue accounting first. Action items: Bacon/Price on extinguisher inspections; Bacon/Nelson on swearing-in; Wolterink/Bacon revising procedural rules.
Board approved Ryan Macut as campground host and appointed Sheree Nelson to Clerk-Election/Office Assistant roles; bills and post-audit payments passed unanimously. Vertical Bridge cell tower approved with conditions; Board must request escrow account. Contention: Township declined Yolanda's $400 furniture offer and withheld beach parking pass funding ($984) pending Village accounting of revenue allocation.
Board approved Resolution #5 seeking up to 7 mils for Glen Lake Fire Department millage renewal, pending attorney and Equalization Director review (Wiejaczka to follow up). Approved amended Campground Host contract; interview committee will negotiate residency requirement with top candidate. Mold inspection found no serious issues; airflow improvements suggested. No public comments were made.
Board approved Glen Lake Fire Department millage renewal resolution (up to 7 mills, pending attorney/revenue review) and an amended Campground Host Contract. Wiejaczka will confirm resolution details with attorney Figura and Giguere; interview committee to negotiate host residency terms; Wiejaczka/Wolterink to interview candidates May 9. No public comments were made.
Board approved Resolution #5 seeking up to 7 mils for Glen Lake Fire Department millage renewal (up from 5.12 mils) due to rising costs, and approved an amended Campground Host Contract. Wiejaczka will confirm details with attorney Figura and Giguere; interview committee will negotiate residency requirement. No public attended.
Board tabled the South Benzonia Trail housing project indefinitely and appointed Maggie Bacon as clerk effective May 1. Approved mold testing (up to $500) and bill payments. Vertical Bridge must consolidate its tower application before the April 22 hearing; Bacon will raise fire department parking with the Village Council. A resident asked about the tower's status.
Board tabled indefinitely the 40-acre South Benzonia Trail housing project, appointed Maggie Bacon clerk effective May 1, and approved mold testing (up to $500) at the campground host building. Planning Commission asked Vertical Bridge to consolidate its cell tower proposal; next hearing April 22. A resident asked about the tower application during public comment.
Board tabled action indefinitely on 40-acre South Benzonia Trail property (Wolterink/Noonan motion), appointed Maggie Bacon as clerk effective May 1, and approved mold testing (911 Restoration, up to $500) at campground host building. Vertical Bridge tower application remains under review, next hearing April 22. Public comment addressed tower status; no written comments submitted.
The board approved the amended 2026-2027 fiscal-year budget after a public hearing, confirming the campground, cemetery, and airport are self-sustaining. Clerk candidate interviews were scheduled for April 14; Wiejaczka and Wolterink will interview campground host candidates. Public questions addressed vacancies, job descriptions, and pension coverage.
The board approved salary resolutions (no changes) and agenda; no public comments were made. Key actions: fill remaining staff vacancies, complete cemetery survey/paving of sections 4-6, open section 6 (~70 new sites), and address library millage renewal this year. No contentious items reported.
Board approved the amended 2026-2027 fiscal-year budget after a public hearing, using the 2025 millage rate of 0.4095. Clerk candidate interviews were scheduled for the April 14 meeting (Clark/Noonan); Wiejaczka and Wolterink will interview campground host candidates. Public questions addressed self-sustaining enterprises, pensions, and job vacancies.
Board accepted Clerk Cheryl Clark's resignation (effective April 30), approved automated payroll (Integrated Payroll), new staff positions, and Sleeping Bear Marathon permit. Wolterink to submit revised rules of procedure; Clerk, Campground Host, and assistant positions to be advertised. Public comment raised concern over clerk resignations due to stress, overwork, and records/turnover issues.
Board approved staffing positions (Staff Accountant, Clerk-Election Assistant, Office Assistant, Campground Host), automated payroll system, and accepted Clerk Cheryl Clark's resignation effective April 30. Wolterink must draft new procedure rules; new clerk and staff positions to be advertised. Public raised concerns about clerk turnover, overwork, and recommended posting via Michigan Townships Association.
Board appointed Casey Noonan as trustee, approved a communications tower zoning amendment, set the 2026 meeting schedule, and denied all salary increases. Budget hearing scheduled March 28. Residents raised concerns over an icy township hall ramp, inaudible board members, adding a fire department report to agendas, and speeding on Echo Valley Road—zoning administrator investigating.
Board appointed Casey Noonan as trustee, approved a zoning amendment making communication towers special land uses, denied two alternatives, froze official salaries, and set March 28 budget hearing. Wolterink owns board rules draft. Public raised icy ramp hazard, audio issues, and requested fire department reports on regular agenda; officials pledged action.
Board reviewed and adjusted the draft 2026-2027 budget, to be finalized at March's annual hearing; no salary resolution changes proposed. Approved January 13 closed session and regular meeting minutes (Clark/Wolterink motions, Price support, unanimous). Public comments praised the board's work amid new member transition; no contentious issues raised.
Board accepted Hendricks' resignation, appointed Wiejaczka supervisor, adopted a Claim Payment Policy, and adjusted deputy clerk Nelson's pay ($50/hr Jan-Mar, reverting April 1). Cell tower leasing deferred after closed session. Wiejaczka/Davis to reconvene housing committee in February. Public comments praised Hendricks, questioned cell tower plans, and requested more public input opportunities.
Board accepted Hendricks' resignation, appointed Wiejaczka as supervisor, adopted a Claim Payment Policy, and set March 28 annual meeting. Housing committee (Wiejaczka/Davis) advances Benzonia Trail proposal, reconvening February. Cell tower lease near Maple Grove Cemetery deferred, no action taken. Public comments addressed Hendricks' departure, cell tower concerns, and requests for more public input opportunities.
Board accepted Hendricks' resignation, appointed Wiejaczka as Supervisor, adopted a Claim Payment Policy, and deferred the Maple Grove cell tower lease decision after public comment. Housing committee (Wiejaczka, Davis) to reconvene in February on Benzonia Trail proposal. Hendricks must notify Glen Arbor before future fund commitments. Public comments praised Hendricks, requested more input on cell tower and housing decisions.
The Board appointed Cheryl Clark as Township Clerk (Wolterink withdrew her own candidacy), approved a Zoning Administrator contract pending legal review, and passed Budget Amendment No. 001-2025. Resident Clay McNitt raised concerns over the SBGC's proposed 40-acre attainable housing lease, still awaiting a Village Council appointee. Tower ordinance legal fees are rising toward $2,000.
The Board accepted Clerk Casey Noonan's resignation and voted not to advertise the Clerk vacancy publicly, given existing interest. Trustee Wolterink will decide by the weekend whether to seek the position; resident Cheryl Clark also expressed interest. Trustee Noonan offered to return as Trustee if Wolterink becomes Clerk.