Summary
The Solon Township Board met on July 9, 2026 with Supervisor Chris Comeaux, Treasurer Joan Gauthier, Clerk Shirley Mikowski, and Trustees Steve Morgan and Kelly Claar (arrived 6:12 P.M.) present. The board approved the agenda and June 11, 2026 minutes, accepted the Treasurer's report and vouchers, approved several Property Lease Agreements with the Cedar Chamber of Commerce for the Cedar Polka Fest, adopted Resolution No. 2026-07-09 authorizing multiple road closures for Polka Fest events, approved a street closure for Fr. Ken's Garden Walk, and scheduled a Public Hearing on the proposed Parks Ordinance #2026-1. Committee reports covered Planning Commission activity on a PUD amendment, Master Plan revisions, and a possible Data Center moratorium, as well as Parks and Recreation updates.
Public Comments
Corey Flaska spoke twice, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the current Zoning Administrator firm, stating it is unresponsive and not suited for a small township. He criticized the Planning Commission as inefficient and biased against housing and business growth, argued the new Master Plan is flawed and should not be approved, and claimed downtown Cedar is now considered non-conforming under the new Zoning Administrator's interpretation. He requested that the Future Land Use maps be reinstated and asked the board to reconsider the Master Plan direction. He noted his farm represents only 1% of township land and asked the township to work with him, citing his history of improving buildings and adding a subdivision in Cedar.
Renee Lemcool pointed out a date error on the agenda (should read July 9, 2026 instead of July 11, 2026).
Sandra Bright said she has worked with the Zoning Administrator for six months to get tiny homes added to the Zoning Ordinance and asked how to get the matter on the Planning Commission agenda, as she was surprised it had not been included. Steve Morgan responded that the Zoning Ordinance already allows construction of a 400 square foot house.
Later in the meeting, Rick and Lisa Brett reported a downed tree on Whitman Street with debris left by the Leelanau County Road Commission; Chris Comeaux said it would be addressed.
Melinda Lautner thanked the board for a banner, noted disappointment from some residents that "gnome trees" were cut down without the Parks Committee's input, mentioned that matching siding may have been found for the Solon Schoolhouse, and asked where to find the Cedar Area Fire & Rescue 2026-2030 Strategic Plan (Comeaux said it should be on the website).
Mary O'Neill and Renee Lemcool both thanked the board for their work and guidance.
Correspondence included an L-4029 form from TCAPS and a membership form from the Lake Leelanau Lake Association.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met June 15, 2026, with all members present. Key items included:
- Drafting a Use Agreement for the recreation program.
- A request that the Township Board communicate any changes it makes to projects the committee is working on.
- Annual playground inspection to be conducted by David Bradshaw for a $100.00 fee.
- Ron Novak will mow the old dump site and be reimbursed for gas up to $45.00.
- The next committee meeting is scheduled for July 13, 2026 at the Solon Schoolhouse, focusing on a fee schedule recommendation and the recreation program.
Regarding Solon Beach Park, Joan Gauthier relayed a report of overnight parking and foot traffic on an illegal bridge. Kelly Claar noted she was told not to touch the bridge and that EGLE may have already contacted the neighbor. Next steps include having Robyn Schmidt from EGLE evaluate whether a fence can be installed; the DNR should be notified for ATV/side-by-side use, and the Sheriff's Department for overnight parking. Kelly Claar will follow up with Robyn Schmidt.
At Vlack's Park, Kelly Claar contacted Joe from Deering Tree Service, who was hesitant to bring a dozer in due to heavy rains; once completed, a fence will be installed to allow only foot traffic.
Regarding the Parks Ordinance, Kim Smith said she resent proposed changes to Shirley Mikowski after they were not received the first time. Joan Gauthier raised the question of allowing ATVs and golf carts in parks at low speed, excluding ball diamonds; Kelly Claar said such vehicles need to stay on designated roadways. Motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Kelly Claar, to hold a Public Hearing on proposed Parks Ordinance #2026-1 on August 20, 2026 at 6:15 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.
Melinda Lautner raised concerns that the Parks Committee had planned to decorate "gnome trees" for the 4th of July, but the trees and remaining shrubs were cut down without the committee being consulted; she said the committee would have appreciated advance communication from the township board.
Under lease agreements, the board approved use of Ballfields 1, 2 and 3, and the tennis courts for the Cedar Polka Fest (see Other Business for details).
Infrastructure Projects
The Treasurer's report listed a Cedar River Marina Project fund balance of $796.38, plus related CDs totaling $25,750.69, though no specific marina project discussion or decisions were recorded in the meeting.
Chris Comeaux stated that Solon Township has approved moving forward with reopening the Interlocal Fire Department Agreement for Cedar Area Fire & Rescue among Centerville, Cleveland, Kasson, and Solon Townships. This will change agreement language so each of the four townships owns 1/4 of the building (not the land), and the same ownership structure will apply when a secondary station is built.
Shirley Mikowski reported cemetery road filling and grass seeding has been completed; she raised a concern with Brian Weber about pebbles visible in topsoil placed at the cemetery, and Chris Comeaux said he would follow up with him.
Other Business
- Township Hall repairs: The Youthwork Conservation Corps will begin power washing and painting trim the week of July 20, 2026, at a cost under $3,000.00. Removal of roots/stumps may need to be hired out; Joan Gauthier shared that Charlie and Karen Smith offered to help with landscaping and recommended they attend a Parks Committee meeting.
- Fire Department: Chris Comeaux reported the department is on budget. Joan Gauthier questioned a 120% stipend increase and computer software costs exceeding budget; Comeaux explained the budget was projected three years ago and that health/liability insurance costs have risen sharply. He will contact insurance rep Paul Olson about possibly reducing costs. Kelly Claar raised an incident on her road, which Comeaux said had already been addressed.
- Cedar Chamber of Commerce: Renee Lemcool reported the Chamber met and preparations for Polka Fest are on track, including flowers being placed.
- Short Term Rentals, Food Truck Ordinance, MTA/Board Policies, and Master Plan items remain tabled.
- Data Center Moratorium: The Planning Commission discussed a potential moratorium on data centers; a moratorium would lock the township into a 6-12 month timeframe to add provisions to the Zoning Ordinance. Data centers are already prohibited under one existing zoning map. The Zoning Administrator will review the current Zoning Ordinance to determine if it already addresses data centers.
- Planning Commission (met July 7, 2026): Public comment was received against a PUD amendment. A Public Hearing is scheduled for August 11, 2026 on a Special Use Permit requested by Corey Flaska for the old bank building in Cedar; a letter is still needed from the Leelanau County Road Commission certifying septic tank location. A majority of members wish to remove mixed use from the PUD and focus on residential only. A Water overlay was added to the Master Plan; it is unclear if another Public Hearing will be required.
- Property Lease Agreements approved for the Cedar Chamber of Commerce/Cedar Polka Fest: Ballfields 1, 2, and 3 for emergency landings/vehicles (Aug 27-30, 2026) for $1.00 (motion by Mikowski, seconded by Claar, carried 5-0); parking area next to the Fire Station (Aug 29-30, 2026) for $1.00 (motion by Gauthier, seconded by Mikowski, carried 5-0); and exclusive use of two tennis courts (Aug 24-Sept 3, 2026) for $2,000.00 per the Use Agreement effective October 15, 2025 (motion by Mikowski, seconded by Comeaux, carried 5-0).
- Resolution No. 2026-07-09 approved authorizing the Cedar Chamber of Commerce to close Railroad Avenue, Bellinger Rd, Valley Rd, Novak Rd, and other roads for the Craft Fair, Car Show, Run 4 the Kielbasa, and Polka Fest Parade on August 29-30, 2026, with support from the Leelanau County Sheriff's Department and Cedar Area Fire and Rescue Fire Chief. Roll call vote: Morgan-yea, Claar-yea, Comeaux-yea, Gauthier-yea, Mikowski-yea; 5 yeas, 0 nays. Resolution approved.
- Street closure approved for Fr. Ken's Garden Walk on Nelson Street, July 24, 2026 from 1:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M., contingent on Fire Chief approval; Fr. Ken provided a $1,000,000.00 liability policy and $44.00 permit fee. Motion by Mikowski, seconded by Gauthier, carried 5-0.
- Joan Gauthier announced the Holy Rosary Chicken Dinner will be held the last Sunday in July.
Financial Summary
Treasurer Joan Gauthier reported the township received $12,341.00 from the Metro Act Fund this year compared to just over $6,000.00 last year; she noted something appears off and will investigate further.