Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met October 8, 2024, with Chairman Ty Wessell presiding (District #1 vacant). The Board approved a resolution terminating the West Bay/West Shore Hotel Brownfield Plan, approved an intergovernmental agreement with Leelanau Township for a communications tower, accepted a bid for the county facade restoration, approved a joint resolution with Grand Traverse County on road safety funding, and went into closed session on union contract negotiations. A motion on the Leland Dam Walkway bid was withdrawn after debate. Reports were given by the 86th District Court and the Energy Futures Task Force.
Public Comments
Agenda-specific public comment was given by Dana Getsinger, Alan C. Campbell, Commander Greg Mikowski, Jean Jenkins, Lois Bahle, Jim White, Keith Beduhn, and Will Bunek. Written comments were also submitted and posted online; the minutes do not summarize their content. A second public comment period later in the meeting included Harry Steffens, Jim Kobberstad, Steve Mikowski, Keith Beduhn, Will Bunek, and Bill Wiesner, with written comments again noted as submitted online. No board responses to specific speakers were recorded.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
As part of the 2% Grants Fall "Intent to Apply" list, the Board authorized Homestretch Housing (Jon Stimson) to proceed with a grant application for pre-development of affordable housing in Suttons Bay, and Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region for a housing build application. This authorization (Motion #279) only allows preparation of applications, not funding approval; it passed 5-1, with Commissioner Lautner opposed, citing concern over the volume of requests diluting available grant funds.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved (Motion #278, 4-1-1) accepting DTE's offer of twenty trees to be planted at Veronica Valley Park under DTE's Re-Leaf Tree Planting Program. Commissioner Kama Ross recused herself, as she might serve as a compensated Project Manager; Commissioner Lautner voted no, citing concern that the item bypassed the Parks & Recreation Commission's review process. Commissioner Rexroat voted yes "reluctantly," urging that proper procedures be followed going forward. The 2% Grants list also included a future application for a Disc Golf Course update by Parks & Recreation.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board approved a Bill of Sale with T-Mobile for an equipment shelter at the Central Tower site (Motion #276, 6-0), pending legal review. An Intergovernmental Agreement with Leelanau Township for construction of a communications tower off Kitchen Road was approved (Motion #280, 6-0), replacing a prior unsigned agreement. A motion to award the Leland Dam Walkway and Railing project to Fisher Contracting (not to exceed $124,736.77) was debated at length over material choice and local vendor preference (Commissioner Rexroat objected) and ultimately withdrawn; Chairman Wessell indicated a special session would be scheduled before the Tuesday budget session to resolve it.
Other Business
The Board approved grant acceptance of $1,000 from MMRMA for a Sheriff's Office safety restraint chair, the EMPG work agreement, the county apportionment report, appointment of Lydia Gulow as Designated Planning Agency, TTCI committee appointments, and appointment of Dr. Thomas Koster as Deputy Medical Examiner. The facade restoration bid from Cusack's Masonry Restoration ($38,600) was approved 6-0. An MLI contract addendum for administrator search services ($4,250) was approved 6-0.
Financial Summary
- MMRMA RAP grant: $1,000 for safety restraint chair.
- Dam Walkway bid (withdrawn): not to exceed $124,736.77, Fund #805, from General Fund Contingency.
- Facade restoration: not to exceed $38,600.00, Fund #470, from General Fund Contingency; approved 6-0.
- MLI contract addendum: additional fee of $4,250.00 from fund #101.100.101.967.000; approved 6-0.
- FY2023 Amendment #24-011 (two parts) and FY2024 Amendment #24-012 and Fund Transfer #24-005 all approved 6-0.
- Claims and Accounts approved: $267,716.98.
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approved: $5,899,753.11.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Richard I. Lewis to resolve the Leland Dam Walkway bid issue; a special session is to be scheduled before the Tuesday budget session.
- County Administrator search advertisement remains open for applicants; job description finalized with Cohl, Stoker & Toskey.
- Entities authorized to prepare and submit 2% Grant applications for November Board consideration, including Homestretch Housing (affordable housing in Suttons Bay) and Habitat for Humanity (housing build) — flagged given prior board sensitivity to housing-related grant volume.
- Commissioner Ross to serve as potential Project Manager for DTE tree planting at Veronica Valley Park, pending availability of the District Forester.
- Joe DeFors invited to return in November to address Energy Futures Task Force membership continuation and offer public comment.