Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Executive Board Session on December 10, 2024 was chaired by Ty Wessell with Commissioners O'Rourke, Rexroat, Ross, Allgaier, and Lautner present (District #1 vacant). The board advanced numerous recommendations to the December 17, 2024 Regular Session, approving agreements with MSU Extension, MMRMA, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, GEI Consultants, and Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs, along with HR policy updates, a 2025 non-union wage schedule, an aerial imagery agreement, and claims/accounts totaling significant sums. Several items were deferred to the December 17 Regular Session for final action.
Public Comments
Three individuals spoke during public comment: Steve Mikowski, Bill Wiesner, and Lois Bahle. The minutes do not detail the content of their remarks. Written comments were also submitted and are available via the county's meeting handouts link, but their contents are not summarized in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Interim Administrator Richard I. Lewis reminded commissioners and the public that a public hearing on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on December 17, 2024, prior to the Regular Session.
Infrastructure Projects
Interim Administrator Lewis updated the board on the Leelanau Tower site and Point Broadband. The board approved (6-0) an amendment to the Progressive AE agreement for professional services on the Leelanau Tower project, raising the not-to-exceed amount from $5,300.00 to $7,800.00, funded from account #101.100.101.967.000. The Drain Commission, represented by Steve Christensen, received approval (6-0) to relinquish jurisdiction of the Brewery Creek Drain to Elmwood Township, and approval (6-0) to renew the GEI Consultants of Michigan contract pending legal review. Chairman Wessell noted unresolved traffic concerns related to the planned M72/M22 roundabout construction in 2025; Lewis explained that current traffic changes stem from utility companies relocating lines ahead of spring construction.
Other Business
- Approved (6-0) MSU Extension 2025 Agreement for Extension Services, $141,730.00, funded from account #101.615.257.801.000.
- Approved (6-0) MMRMA coverage proposal, $258,480.00, and Stop Loss Program Agreement, funded from account #101.830.871.954.000.
- Approved (6-0) Sheriff's Office request to send a second "employed recruit" to the police academy, contingent on a vacancy arising before December 31, 2024.
- Approved (5-1, Lautner opposed) BLDHD Early Childhood Services agreement (2025–2030), funded from Fund #280.
- Approved (6-0) authorizing the Finance Director to make year-end budget adjustments within Contingency limits.
- Moved to the December 17 Regular Session: Solutions For You contract extension/renewal; Brownfield Authority Resolution #2008-026 (after Ross and Allgaier withdrew a motion to retain a $100,000.00 forfeited deposit on the Varley Kelly property); and Boards and Commissions appointments.
- Approved (6-0) MISAIL aerial imagery agreement for Spring 2025.
- Approved (6-0) VMware licensing renewal, $10,968.96, from Data Processing Fund #636.
- Approved (5-1, O'Rourke opposed) Materials Management Planning Committee by-laws.
- Approved (6-0) new Earned Sick Time Act Policy #08.04 and updated Personnel Policy #1.07, effective February 8, 2025.
- Approved (6-0) 2025 Non-Union Wage Schedule with a 3% increase, subject to "me too" upon Teamsters/FOPLC ratification.
- Approved (6-0) Netlink printer/copier maintenance agreement, not to exceed $19,529.40, waiving bid policy.
- Approved (6-0) Veterans Services agreement with Grand Traverse County (2025–2030), $56,618.00 annually, contingent on Grand Traverse County's approval.
- Commissioner O'Rourke reported the Northwest Regional Airport Authority tentatively approved its 2025 budget.
Financial Summary
- MSU Extension Agreement: $141,730.00 (account #101.615.257.801.000).
- MMRMA Coverage: $258,480.00 (account #101.830.871.954.000).
- Progressive AE Amendment: increased from $5,300.00 to $7,800.00 (account #101.100.101.967.000).
- VMware Renewal: $10,968.96 (Data Processing Fund #636).
- Netlink Maintenance Agreement: not to exceed $19,529.40.
- Veterans Services Agreement: $56,618.00 annually.
- Brownfield Authority forfeited deposit discussed: $100,000.00 (motion withdrawn, no action taken).
- Claims and Accounts approved: $142,623.80.
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approved: $4,099,340.40.
Action Items
- Solutions For You contract extension/renewal to be acted on at the December 17, 2024 Regular Session.
- Brownfield Authority Resolution #2008-026 to be acted on at the December 17, 2024 Regular Session.
- Boards and Commissions Appointments to be finalized at the December 17, 2024 Regular Session.
- C&M Insurance Agent Lew Wolters to provide further explanation of health/benefits cost analysis at the December 17, 2024 Regular Session.
- Public hearing on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan scheduled for 6:30 p.m., December 17, 2024.
- Sheriff's Office second employed recruit contingent on a law enforcement vacancy arising before December 31, 2024.
- Veterans Services agreement contingent on approval by the Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs Committee.
- GEI Consultants contract renewal pending legal review.