Board approved Homestretch attainable-housing agreement for 842 N. Warren St. (Wilson dissenting), capped Parks/Rec mailing budget at $1,000, and approved airport/EMS spending. Braman Hill Verizon tower lease remained undecided amid extensive public opposition over height, access hours, removal bonds, and health concerns. Action items: Wauldron's MAAO training by October 31; finalize Sheriff agreement and moratorium ordinances.
The Board considered acting on the Verizon/Vertical Bridge Braman Hill tower lease on September 8, 2026. Public comment was divided: several residents supported it for emergency communication reliability, while Whitley (backed by most hearing speakers) opposed rushing approval, urging a pause and Planning Commission/Citizens Advisory Committee review of alternative sites like Kitchen Road first.
Auditors issued an unmodified opinion but flagged four material weaknesses and budget noncompliance (Library, Police, General Funds). Board must adopt an amended Library budget next meeting and monitor budgets monthly. Corrective actions assigned: Clerk/Treasurer to fix reconciliations, receipts, insurance allocation, police payments, HSA taxes, negative cash balance; Board to consult attorney on Cemetery Fund.
No decisions were made; document contains only public comments ahead of an August 13, 2026 special meeting on a proposed Braman Hill cell tower. Four residents (Holmstrom, Morse, Rebori, McCann) raised concerns over tower height, siting, lease terms, low rental fee, and inconsistent maintenance/coverage claims, urging clarification before approval.
No board decisions or votes recorded; no action items assigned. Three residents (Vickie Slot, Rachael Dean, William Harper) submitted written comments opposing a proposed cell tower at Braman Hill, citing RF radiation health risks, inadequate public input, and lack of board due diligence. Harper explicitly criticized the board's competence and process.
No board decision recorded; this is a written public comment (Aug 12, 2026) on a proposed Vertical Bridge/Verizon tower lease at Braman Hill Park. Commenter raises 17 requests and 6 questions—height caps, FAA approval, airport ordinance compliance, park conversion rules, and inadequate rent terms—urging answers before any Township Board vote.
Public comment only; no Board decision recorded. Robert Carroll (retired healthcare RN/administrator) urged the Board to reject a proposed cell tower on Braman Hill, citing insufficient current research on radiofrequency radiation safety for children, hill users, and nearby residents, and distrust of federal health guidance.
Board must select Homestretch or LC Consultants for 824 N. Warren Street housing, pending August 6 session results; committee members favored Homestretch. Action items: approve $46,508.87 check run, budget amendments (Library, Facilities, EMS equipment), deputy supervisor's leave, and audit material weaknesses. Contention centers on developer selection and Kovarik Road safety/flooding concerns.
AEH withdrawn; finalists are LC Consultants and Homestretch, with all four reviewing committee members recommending Homestretch for its village-scale design, AMI flexibility, and faster shovel-readiness. Board must select a developer, pursue R-4 rezoning/PUD, and possibly split the parcel. Homestretch needs ~$2.4M more funding (1.5-3 years); LC needs a competitive 9% LIHTC award.
Board to decide Woolsey Airport roof type, Braman Hill communications tower hearing (Aug 11), and finalize millage language for November ballot. Action items include DNR closing costs by July 22, Assessing Assistant hire, and August finalist selection for 824 N. Warren Street housing. Contention: Michael Levan's tennis court lesson permit request remains undecided.
No formal decisions were made; document contains public comment letters. Beth Verhey urged integrating P&R input into Board budgeting/planning, exploring user-funding models, and inviting TART/Elmwood officials to present on trails. Woolsey descendants requested delaying the new airport ordinance approval pending further stakeholder consultation, citing historical and environmental concerns—a point of contention.
Commissioner Ty Wessel's report to Leelanau Township Board highlighted county strengths: balanced budgets, low tax rates, adequate retirement funding, strong public safety/health partnerships, and a new Board Code of Conduct. No votes, motions, or specific action items were documented. The report acknowledged unspecified "internal culture issues" needing continued attention, but assigned no owner or timeline.
Board voted to repeal April 2026 resolutions for both Facilities and Services Millage and Township Local Roads Millage due to ballot language errors, both originally set for August 2026. Action items: decide whether to resubmit Facilities and Roads millage language for November (deadline August 11). Barbara Conley commented on November Roads millage; absent for votes.
The board unanimously approved the agenda for the proposed 2026-27 budget public hearing, with no public comments received and no budget figures discussed. The brief meeting, attended by all five members, concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn. No action items or contentious issues were noted.
The board unanimously approved 2025-2026 budget amendments and a resolution creating a Deputy Supervisor position; no public comments were made. Action items include finalizing the 2026-2027 budget and millage end dates, and implementing the Deputy Supervisor role, with all trustees and officers voting in favor unanimously.
Board reviewed draft 2026-2027 budget/CIP in a working session; no formal vote occurred. Key items: 0.25 mill police services millage for August ballot; Assessor to pursue Pivot Point/ArcGIS renewals; Board of Review per diem raised to $150. Public comment from Mark Krueger addressed road funding options and preserving the Woolsey Terminal Building's name; no Board action taken.
No votes taken; EMS budget discussion deferred to future meeting. Action items: Clerk Wilson to research payroll/HR service costs; Chief Cook to continue gathering Omena Fire Hall repair bids. Board reviewed proposed salary increases (3% Clerk/Treasurer/Trustee, 10% Supervisor) without voting. No public comments made.
Board approved engineering plans for Cherry Home Shores roads, MERS retirement resolutions, fire/EMS hires and policy changes, and RFP for 824 Warren Street housing. Public comment centered on Cherry Homes Road: Krueger backed a 0.3 mill (or 1 mill county) road millage; Ray cited 53% owner opposition; Mike supported millage consideration. Ray to submit written comments.
The board unanimously adopted the 2026-2027 budget, approved officer salary resolutions (effective April 1), hourly/per-meeting rates, the Capital Improvement Plan, and a $30,000 EMS-to-general-fund transfer for administrative costs. Trustee Gans requested more detailed departmental financial reports going forward. Public comments praised Conley and Gans for budget efforts; no board response recorded. Next meeting: April 14.
Board approved H&S as CPA ($24,000, 3-2 vote), UHY engagement letter ($15,000, unanimous), and adopted November 2026 ballot language for a 0.3 mill local roads increase to address $4.2M in repairs. Hired Juan Claudio Ruiz as groundskeeper. EMC/VFIS insurance quotes pending; Schwind requested earlier documentation. No public comments made.
This is a pre-meeting public notice, not minutes—no decisions were made. Leelanau Township Board will meet Sunday, May 17, 2026, to consider resolutions setting 2026 election dates for millage ballot proposals. Clerk Jessica Alpers handles disability accommodation requests (7 days' notice); Zoom access is posted on the township website.
Board approved Woolsey Airport ordinance and $19,000 hangar door repair (sole-source, capped $21,000). Dawkins must fix 14 runway lights within two weeks to avoid provisional status. Appointments: Meg Jean (Assessing Assistant), ZBA reappointments through 2029. Housing RFP for Warren St. parcel due June 15; health insurance policy review planned. Prior contention: rejected housing use at Buster Dame Park.
No board votes occurred; the document contains four public letters supporting SWAT!'s grant application to restore the historic Woolsey Terminal Building. Supporters include EAA Chapter 234, the Dark Sky Leadership Team, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (offering volunteer work parties/amenities), and the Northport Lions Club. Action item: SWAT! committee's grant application remains pending.
Board approved placing a 0.3000 mill, six-year local road millage on the November 2026 ballot, expected to raise $186,902 initially. Next steps: Township to review/sign H&S Companies' accounting proposal, then hold kickoff meeting; UHY LLP (partner Michael D. Cool) to begin audit ~May 18, 2026. Insurance renewals (EMC, VFIS) noted for informational purposes; no contentious items recorded.
Board considers three August 2026 ballot millages (police, facilities, roads), housing RFP review committee (chaired by Wilson), Parks Ordinance amendment adding Buster Dame Park, and multiple contracts (Newkirk cell study, Cherry Homes engineering, airport mowing). Prior contention: 2025 denial of Kitchen Rd. cell tower permit after public opposition. Action owners: Supervisor negotiates Sportsmen's Club contract; Airport Ordinance decision set for May.
The Board considered a resolution (effective April 1, 2026) authorizing hourly, salary, and per-meeting compensation for township officers, employees, and committees. Specific rates, motion/support names, and vote tallies remain blank pending completion. Action items: finalize rate schedule, complete roll call record, and Clerk to certify minutes per Open Meetings Act. No public comments noted.
Board reviewed the 2026-2027 budget, approving new facilities (0.5 mill) and roads (0.3 mill) millage renewals, plus a 0.25 mill police millage for the August ballot. Key actions: hire Deputy Supervisor and Assessing Assistant, pursue EGLE grant for Christmas Cove, finalize union contracts, and complete Fire/General Fund audits. Fire/EMS and General Funds show projected deficits.
Leelanau Township Board considered Resolution No. 15 of 2026, setting FY 26-27 hourly, salary, and per-meeting pay rates effective April 1, 2026. Mover, seconder, and roll call vote results were not recorded. Action items: finalize/record the vote and Clerk to certify minutes per Open Meetings Act compliance. No public comments noted.