Summary
The March 10, 2026 packet for the Leelanau Township Board (Supervisor Barbara Conley) outlines a heavy agenda: consent agenda approval, a new Deputy Supervisor position description, EMS/Fire policy and contract amendments, hiring and bonus actions for EMS/FD staff, an RFP for attainable housing at 824 N Warren St, engineering costs for Cherry Home Shores roads, Veterans Memorial funding, and Woolsey Airport land-swap title costs. The Board was also to continue discussion of proposed facilities, roads, and police millages for the November 2026 ballot, the 2026-7 budget, the Capital Improvement Plan, and a draft Local Road Improvement Policy. The packet also includes minutes from the February 10, 2026 meeting, in which the Board unanimously approved several resolutions (Parks Ordinance, Parks Hours, Purchasing Policy, EMS Bonus, Woolsey Airport land swap, snow removal contract, and tax collection agreements).
Public Comments
At the February 10 meeting: Resident Mark suggested removing the township hall from the facilities millage in favor of a bond, urged clarifying township road cost-shares before Special Assessment Districts (SADs), and recommended a clear Local Road Policy prioritizing school-bus routes, PASER scores, and parcels served; he also questioned an $8 million estimate tied to the Cherry Home Shores engineering proposal. Tom Wellman supported separating road and facility millages but cautioned against seeking a full mill if voters might reject it, and urged Road Commission financial participation. Hugh Cook clarified a school fog machine was water-based. Mike Derain thanked the Board for pursuing an engineering estimate before a SAD, noting Cherry Homes residents have long paid taxes without road improvement. Supervisor Conley clarified the $8 million figure was not KPM’s estimate but a previously discussed number.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Board previously authorized Supervisor Conley to work with Housing North consultant Susan Leithauser-Yee on an RFP for builders to develop attainable housing on ~3.5 acres of the 5-acre parcel at 824 N Warren St, reserving 1.5 acres for a possible future township hall. The draft RFP targets households at 50–120% of Area Median Income, 8–26 units/acre, and deed-restricted (no short-term rental) housing. Timeline: RFP issued April 15, 2026; pre-bid meeting April 28; proposals due June 15; review team meets June 22; finalist presentations June 30; selection mid-July. The Board is to identify 2 subject-matter experts and discuss 3 additional review-panel members, deciding whether to finalize this March 10 or hold until April.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The packet's 6-year Capital Improvement Plan details park-by-park needs (Braman Hill, Peterson Park, Buster Dame, Omena Beach, Christmas Cove), totaling roughly $2.6 million in repairs/improvements, with township match estimated near $2.19 million. A proposed 0.5-mill Facilities millage (2026–2031) would raise an estimated $311,500 in year one ($1,869,000 over six years) to fund park and building repairs. At the February 10 meeting, the Board unanimously approved a Parks Ordinance Resolution and a Parks Hours Resolution.
Infrastructure Projects
Cherry Home Shores Roads: KPM Engineering proposed a $59,574.80 design/engineering plan (base, preliminary, final plans) for 3.79 miles of subdivision roads, funded from the Facilities Fund, contingent on eventual SAD approval; construction anticipated in 2027. A resolution directs added traffic-calming language and clarity on construction-phase responsibilities. Woolsey Airport: Board asked to approve $643 for title search/insurance tied to a DNR land swap; a separate LTCF-funded grant-writer effort raised about $25,000 in pledges, with two of nine submitted grants funded. NLTUA (water/sewer authority) reported transitioning to a cellular alarm system, a capacity study expected in April, and passage of the 2026-7 budget; January and February revenue deposits were $8,412.96 each.
Other Business
Other items include re-hiring a firefighter/paramedic who briefly resigned, bonuses of $1,000 each for two previously omitted EMS/FD personnel, EMS Policy 1.48 (fitness) and 1.60 (facial hair) amendments, a CBA holiday-alignment amendment (Resolution No. 6 of 2026), MERS retirement plan re-approvals, and a Bel Lago tasting room address-change application.
Financial Summary
As of 2/28/2026, total revenues were $2,094,453.56 against a $3,397,766 budget (61.64%), while total expenditures were $5,362,955.79 against $4,441,424.91 budgeted (120.75%), leaving a net deficit of $3,268,502.23 for the period reported. Notable line items include $2,003,402.03 posted to Township Miscellaneous (101-265-956.000) and Communication Tower Rental revenue of $55,167.42. February paid check runs totaled $1,220,729.67, with an additional $17,183.84 in unpaid checks pending March 11 payment. Proposed ballot millages: Facilities 0.5 mills (~$311,500/yr), Roads 0.3 mills (~$186,900/yr), and Police 0.25 mills (~$151,750/yr, renewal from a rolled-back 0.2423 mills). The Veterans Memorial project totals $8,817, with the Township contributing $2,817 (from Cemetery perpetual care CD interest) and a $6,000 LTCF grant requested; Board approval sought for up to $3,000 additional if the grant is awarded.
Action Items
Board to decide by March 10 (or defer to April) on RFP review committee composition for the 824 N Warren housing project. Board to decide whether to commission the $59,574.80 Cherry Home Shores engineering plan and adopt the accompanying traffic-calming resolution. Approve $643 Woolsey title/insurance payment and pending land-swap documents. Budget work sessions scheduled March 17 (if needed) and March 24, with public hearing and budget approval targeted for March 24 ahead of the April 1 deadline. Millage ballot language resolutions (Facilities, Roads, Police) to be finalized for the November 3, 2026 election. Road policy draft remains under Board discussion for prioritization criteria and SAD cost-sharing (25% Township/25% residents/50% LCRC).