Plain-language summaries of Glen Arbor Township meeting minutes in Leelanau County, Michigan. Every summary links back to the official source document.
Board evaluated the Zoning Administrator's poor performance across 13 contracted duties and voted unanimously (DePuy/Hawley) to seek Township Attorney guidance on next steps, including possible contract termination. Contention: Planning Commission dissatisfaction over withdrawn site plan reviews, plus complaints from residents, contractors, and realtors about unanswered communications and permit delays. No public comments were made.
Board approved GLFD FY28 budget (8.16% increase, no millage hike), adopted Ordinance 1-1998 amendment, and approved disposal of old Turnout Gear Dryer. No public comments occurred, though a visitor's letter about a sidewalk hazard prompted action: paint the area, hire a local vendor for repairs, and Trustees will explore a Sidewalk Ordinance.
ESAC recommended approval of the proposed FY2028 GLFD budget, reflecting increased personnel/benefit costs (including Earned Sick Time Act leave requirements) and new radio purchases requiring a 40%-50% county match. No public comments were made. Supervisor Laureto praised the Fire Department's community reputation.
Board approved a $53,417.74 refund to Empire Township, increased Garden Club plant funding to $400, and sent an ordinance amendment to the attorney (returns next month). Actions: circulate GLFD FY28 budget; Laureto to recap zoning administrator meeting; Board to suggest capital improvement items. Public comment urged tightly controlling lot splits on platted lots; no formal response given.
Board approved a $53,417.74 refund to Empire Township and increased Garden Club plant funding to $400. Action items: attorney reviewing Ordinance 1-1998 amendment; GLFD FY28 budget to be circulated; Laureto to recap zoning administrator meeting for Lewis. Public comment urged tight control over lot splits to platted lots; no Board response recorded.
Board approved clean audit, prior minutes/financials, and placement of a Naloxone Distribution Box on Lake Street (motion Laureto/Hawley). Martin's rejected the Township's Buy/Sell property offer; Hawley proposed considering a sinking fund ballot measure. Public comment called the rejection "a blessing" and supported the sinking fund idea. Chad Dykgraaf sworn in as Assistant Fire Chief.
The Election Commission approved election inspector, chairperson, and receiving board appointments for the August 4, 2026 State Primary Election (Aucello, Avis, and Thompson as shift/board chairs), all passing 3:0. A Public Accuracy Test was scheduled for July 20, 2026, 10:00 AM at Glen Arbor Township Hall. No public comments were made.
Board approved clean audit, financial reports, and General Fund/Emergency Services bills and payroll. Chad Dykgraaf sworn in as Assistant Fire Chief. Naloxone box approved for Lake Street placement. Public comment noted relief over the Martin's rejected Buy/Sell agreement; Hawley suggested a sinking fund ballot proposal, no vote taken.
The Election Commission approved prior minutes and conducted Public Accuracy Tests on the AVCB and Precinct Tabulators, finding no issues. Tapes and required paperwork were signed and sealed in a State-approved container. No public attended; no comments or contentious items arose.
Board voted 4:1 to direct realtor B. Ihme to draft a formal purchase agreement with contingencies for 6404 W. Western Ave.; purchase would go to voters in November 2026. Action items: Ihme drafts agreement; Board members compile pros/cons (per Treasurer Lewis); follow-up meeting June 10, 2026. No public comments made.
The Board tabled action on the 6404 W. Western Ave. purchase agreement pending realtor input, returning it to the next Regular Board Meeting. Action items: T. Laureto to consult a Bond Attorney; P. Laureto to contact Grand Traverse Surveying and Mapping; realtor B. Ihme arranging Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. No public comments were made.
Board adopted Resolution #12-2026 (3-2) authorizing a $1,350,000 property purchase for "expanding and enhancing the town center"; approved $27,637 tennis court repainting; appointed Barnes and Oriel to the library board. B. Ihme and T. Laureto to finalize agreement/bond details; Laureto continues with Bond Attorney/surveyor. Public questioned intended land use and B. Ihme's role.
Board approved tennis court repainting ($27,637) and, 3-2, a $1,350,000 property purchase resolution (Aye: Lewis, DePuy, Hawley; Nay: P. Laureto, T. Laureto). Action items: T. Laureto on bond costs, P. Laureto on survey, Supervisor Laureto on Bond Attorney. Public commenters questioned intended land use and B. Ihme's role; no Board response recorded.
Board approved a $94,000 Assistant Fire Chief salary and $24,000 bonus for Asst. Chief Dykgraaf, plus Station 1 Renovation (RCI Construction, starting June 1st) and ADA website compliance vendor. Property purchase discussion deferred; Laureto to contact attorney and schedule a Special Meeting. Residents raised concerns about tax-roll removal, pricing, and Township becoming a landlord.
The Glen Arbor Township Board unanimously adopted Resolution #11-2026, authorizing an interfund loan from the General Fund to the Emergency Services Fund to finance renovations at Glen Lake Fire Department's Station #1. No action items were assigned beyond adoption. No public comments were made, and no contentious issues arose.
Board approved Station 1 renovation start (June 1) with RCI on immediate pay, Assistant Fire Chief's contract/salary, and Dykgraaf's bonus. Property purchase debate continues—P. Laureto to consult attorney and schedule a Special Meeting; residents raised concerns over tax-roll removal, price, and Township acting as landlord.
Board approved IP phone/internet upgrade with Utel (saving ~$95/month), promoted Capt. Dykgraaf to Assistant Fire Chief (effective May 1), and authorized proceeding with Station 1 renovation, allowing Clerk to sign contract. Treasurer Lewis and B. Ihme to report further on Martin Company property purchase in April. No public comments were made.
The Board interviewed three candidates (Candidate #3 was a no-show) for Zoning Administrator and voted unanimously to authorize Supervisor Tom Laureto to finalize an employment agreement with Candidate #4, effective May 1, 2026. No public comments were made.
Board approved Station 1 renovation (construction June start) and a cheaper IP phone/internet upgrade via Utel ($318.65/month). Dykgraaf promoted to Assistant Fire Chief, contract finalized in May. Lewis and Ihme to research Martin Company property purchase. No public comments; Road Commission gave presentation.
The Board interviewed three of four Zoning Administrator candidates (Candidate #3 was a no-show) and voted to authorize Supervisor Tom Laureto to negotiate an employment agreement with Candidate #4, effective 5/1/26–3/31/26. Motion by Hawley, supported by DePuy, passed unanimously. No public comments were made.
The Board unanimously adopted the FY 2026-2027 budget, General Appropriations Act, and budget amendment resolutions, plus approved final General Fund and Fire Department bills. The River Club's 5K/10K road race proposal was approved, contingent on mailing route residents details postcards. No public attended; no public comments were made.
Board repealed three outdated ordinances, adopted GLFD budget amendments, and selected Story Roofing for Township Hall. Action items: Lewis/Laureto to finalize phone system with Utel; Supervisor Laureto to schedule Zoning Administrator interviews, Hawley drafting questions, followed by a Special Meeting. A taxpayer praised the Board and suggested using ChatGPT for phone quote comparisons—not adopted.
Board unanimously repealed three ordinances, adopted GLFD budget amendments, selected Story Roofing for Township Hall, and continued hiring for Zoning Administrator and phone system evaluation. Laureto/Lewis to finalize phone vendor details; Laureto to schedule ZA candidate interviews with Hawley preparing questions. Public commenter praised board, suggested ChatGPT for comparing phone quotes—no formal response recorded.
The Board reviewed the proposed FY2026-2027 budget and millage rates by cost center; no vote or final adoption occurred. Treasurer Don Lewis questioned the State Shared Revenue line item, left unresolved. No public comments were made despite attendees present. No action items or deadlines were assigned.
The Board reviewed the proposed FY2026-2027 budget by cost center and property tax millage rate; no adoption vote occurred. Treasurer Lewis questioned the State Shared Revenue estimate, with Clerk Laureto noting it's safer to underestimate. No public comments were offered by attendees despite two invitations.
The Board reviewed the proposed FY2026-2027 budget and millage rate, unanimously approving the agenda (D. Lewis/B. Hawley). Treasurer Don Lewis questioned the State Shared Revenue estimate; Clerk Pam Laureto advised underestimating for later upward amendment. No public comments were made, and no conflicts of interest were disclosed.
Board adopted five salary resolutions (2.8% COLA), approved Budget Amendment #1, and set FY27 budget hearing (March 17) and adoption (March 30) dates. Clerk to repeal four ordinances, seek ADA compliance specialist, and obtain roof quotes; Zoning Administrator replacement to be discussed next meeting. No public comments were received.
Board approved routine business, 2.8% COLA salary resolutions, a budget amendment, and set FY27 budget hearing (March 17) and adoption meeting (March 30). Clerk to draft ordinance repeal documents, find ADA compliance expert, and obtain roof quotes; Board to address Zoning Administrator replacement next month. No public comments were made.
Board approved increasing Garden Club flower barrel funding to $400 and purchasing 12 pots for $600 (Clerk Laureto abstained). Insurance renewal payment pending vehicle updates from Chief Ferguson. Trustee Hawley to bring ordinance rescission request to Planning Commission; Clerk Laureto handling telephone quotes and ADA website compliance by 2027. No public comments made.
Board approved routine bills/payroll, increased Garden Club flower funding to $400, and authorized $600 for terra cotta pots (both 4-1, Laureto abstaining). Rescission of four ordinances tabled pending Planning Commission review (Hawley to present). Clerk Laureto handling telephone quotes and ADA website compliance; Homestead's fireworks reschedule request denied. No public comments made.