Summary
The Solon Township Board met on June 19, 2025, addressing road maintenance, sewer system feasibility, short-term rental and food truck ordinances, parks improvements, fire department agreements, and staffing concerns for the Zoning Administrator. The Board approved several expenditures, denied two Planning Commission applications (a rezoning request and a cell tower placement), and scheduled a public hearing for August 14, 2025 on the Cedar Area Fire & Rescue Interlocal Agreement. Extensive public comment focused on support for the Zoning Administrator and concerns about proposed ordinances.
Public Comments
During the first public comment period, Mary O'Neill suggested angle parking in Cedar instead of parallel parking to help slow traffic. Tim Johnson raised concerns about the Short Term Rental Ordinance, warning that corporate buyers could convert multiple homes into short-term rentals; he suggested starting with the current number of rentals in the township rather than allowing an easy increase.
In the second public comment period, several residents spoke:
- Tim Johnson supported providing work phones/computers to board members and employees but strongly opposed using Cricket for cell service, citing IT concerns about Chinese ownership; he noted his own Verizon plan costs $45/month.
- Jim Johnson suggested establishing and posting office hours for the Zoning Administrator to help control costs, and requested that the permit fee structure be posted on the township website.
- Nikki Ackley also requested posting of the fee structure and asked the Board to allow food truck music until 9:00 P.M., citing precedent from baseball games and her own past experience with amplified music at the Cedar Rustic Inn.
- Mary O'Neill noted that Cricket is owned by AT&T (correcting a prior comment).
- Charlie Smith praised Christina Deeren's work ethic and questioned how the $24,000 in potential short-term rental fees might be used.
- Karen Smith echoed support for Christina Deeren and suggested the $24,000 in projected fees go toward her salary.
- Renee Spalding suggested the Board prioritize one or two ordinances at a time rather than several simultaneously, given Christina Deeren's salaried status. She also proposed that property/business owners, not food trucks themselves, should hold the permits, and expressed support for Steve Morgan's short-term rental draft and for allowing music until 9:00 P.M.
- Judy Janosik asked for clarification on why certain ordinances were changed from Police Power Ordinances to Zoning Ordinances.
- Kim Smith spoke in strong support of Christina Deeren, citing her qualifications and past experiences with less reliable zoning administrators.
- Steve Yoder reported that Kasson Township's Dana Boomer confirmed the six-year term in the Interlocal Agreement is required by state statute.
- Mary O'Neill argued that Christina Deeren's position is revenue-producing and merits further compensation research.
- Joy Johnson voiced support for Christina Deeren and asked whether the Short Term Rental, Food Truck, and Landscape Ordinances would be posted online before the July 2nd Planning Commission meeting.
Steve Morgan and Chris Comeaux responded that the ordinances are being sent to the Planning Commission for further work and will be posted once a final draft is ready for public hearing.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported that MTA confirmed a Parks Commission requires a written petition signed by at least 8% of registered voters and must appear on the next regular township election ballot. Kelly suggested giving more authority to the Parks Committee or hiring a parks manager.
The Parks and Recreation Committee met May 13, 2025. The Brzezinski family placed a memorial bench at Solon Beach Park without first contacting Kelly Claar as requested. The committee is awaiting a mulch cost estimate for the playground and is developing a wish list. It was noted that any enforceable Park Ordinance must be drafted by the township attorney. The next Parks Committee meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2025.
Regarding the Solon Beach Park fence, Straight Line Fence installed a fence that was later removed due to DNR/wetland regulations after EGLE contacted Chris Comeaux. The Board approved payment of $3,700.00 to Straight Line Fence for the installation (motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Shirley Mikowski; carried 5-0).
For Viack's Park, Kelly Claar has been unable to reach Joe from Deering's Tree Service regarding the Forester Management Plan; Chris Comeaux suggested the delay may be due to storm cleanup work in Gaylord.
Kelly Claar also raised concerns that Rick Brett began repairing the tennis courts without first bringing the matter to the Board, as had been previously agreed.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane of the Leelanau County Road Commission presented the Commission's 2024 annual report, including budget and activities. He explained the local road cost-share policy and updated the Board on Bunting's Road: the county will chip seal the road and Elmer's will perform an overlay, at an estimated total cost of $12,000.00, to be split between the township and Bunting's. The Board approved paying $6,000.00 (50%) from the Road Improvement Fund for this work (motion by Chris Comeaux, seconded by Kelly Claar; carried 5-0).
Mullane confirmed the alley behind Bunting's has been decertified by the county; the Sheriff's Department can enforce no-parking, and the township will pay for signage while the Road Commission installs it. A speed study on Rosinski Road has been completed, and the Road Commission will conduct a traffic study at no charge.
Correspondence noted an email from Jim Greene, new owner of Cedar Tavern, requesting the crosswalk at the main intersection be restriped. Brendan Mullane will obtain an estimate from PK Contracting and report back to the Board.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application from Harmoni Towers to place a Verizon cell tower on Gallivan Road; the application was denied 0-5 due to its location near a populated area with already adequate cell service.
Steve Yoder reported progress on sewer system proposals. SludgeHammer, working with Performance Engineering (a Charlevoix consulting firm), and using a Fleis & Vandenbrink study, produced cost estimates: a $3.5 million system for 80 homes ($40,000/household), versus SludgeHammer's estimate of $25,000/household for 65 homes.
Other Business
- The Board approved payment of MTA annual dues of $2,439.75 for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2025 (motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan; carried 5-0).
- The Board approved reimbursement/approval of a microphone system purchased from Marshall's Music for $1,503.48, including a speaker and five microphones (motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Kelly Claar; carried 5-0).
- The Board approved closing Nelson Street on July 25, 2025, from 1:00 P.M.–9:00 P.M. for Fr. Ken's Garden Walk, contingent on Fire Chief approval; Fr. Ken has already provided a $1,000,000 liability policy and $40.00 permit fee (motion by Shirley Mikowski, seconded by Joan Gauthier; carried 5-0).
- Chris Comeaux formed a sub-committee (himself and Steve Morgan, with Joan Gauthier alternating with Steve) to maintain communication with the Cedar Chamber of Commerce.
- Kelly Claar is working on required MTA/Board policies and will forward them to all board members.
- The Planning Commission met June 3, 2025, and denied a rezoning application from Zelinski (Allgaier Road, AC to B-2) by a vote of 1-4, following public opposition to the rezoning.
Financial Summary
The Treasurer's report reflected the following balances: Huntington Bank Checking $54,358.60 (including $9,000.66 ARPA funds; $45,357.94 available); Total General Savings $405,699.43; Total Funds Available $451,057.37; Road Improvement Fund $30,629.71; Fire Sinking Fund $160,612.20; Sidewalk Fund $18,903.65; Parks Improvement Fund $20,000.00; Total Other Township Funds Available $230,145.56; Total Current Assets $681,202.93. Non-township funds included Cedar River Marina Project totaling $25,495.18 and Parks and Recreation Fund totaling $18,602.48. Delinquent tax money was received from Leelanau County. Vouchers #15939–15982 were approved for payment (motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Kelly Claar; carried 5-0).
Other financial actions included: $6,000.00 approved from the Road Improvement Fund for the Bunting's Road overlay/chip seal (50% share); $3,700.00 approved for Solon Beach Park fence installation; $2,439.75 approved for MTA dues; $1,503.48 approved for a microphone system; and a cell phone plan not to exceed $200.00/month for four phones (Chris Comeaux, Steve Morgan, Kelly Claar, and Christina Deeren) approved (motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Kelly Claar; carried 5-0).
Christina Deeren, Zoning Administrator, requested a wage increase, having been hired at $35,000.00 for an anticipated 20 hours/week but averaging 36.5 hours/week. She requested either a $23,000.00 increase for a full-time position or an $18,000.00 increase to continue her current hours. The Board did not reach a decision and agreed to discuss further. It was noted that if the township implements 40 short-term rental permits at $600.00 each, this could generate approximately $24,000.00 in revenue, though no allocation decision was made.
Action Items
- Brendan Mullane to obtain a crosswalk restriping estimate from PK Contracting and report back to the Board.
- Kelly Claar to continue attempting to contact Deering's Tree Service regarding the Viack's Park Forester Management Plan.