Summary
The Suttons Bay Township Board met on September 15, 2026, with Trustee Debbie Slocombe absent. The board approved bill payments of $50,626.61, reappointed Mike Hill to the Fire Authority Board through August 31, 2028, dissolved the playground subcommittee in favor of folding members into the Parks & Rec committee, and authorized tree removal at the Suttons Bay Cemetery for up to $1,500.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered at the start of the meeting. Later in the session, Courtney Yaple, a Park & Rec member and playground committee member, thanked Dallas of Gosling Czubak for his playground presentation, appreciating that he listened to the committee's vision and minimized the equipment's footprint.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Parks & Rec Manager Jared Pontius was absent; Pete delivered the update. The bottle refill station vendor is unresponsive, and funding for a replacement next season may be considered. The pickleball tournament raised $1,250 plus $268 in donations, to be sent to Friends of Herman Park earmarked for pickleball. A quote for Autumn Olive clearing at Herman Park came in at $11,000, with the board suggesting additional bids be sought. The disc golf course project came in under budget due to reuse of materials; the board agreed by consensus to allow purchase of new signs with leftover funds. Jared is pursuing additional grant funding for the Herman Park playground.
Gosling Czubak representative Dallas presented two playground concepts for Herman Park, discussing universal accessibility versus ADA compliance. Concept #2 uses 70% less property while including more equipment, nesting equipment into the landscape. Metal slides may not be used due to heat and manufacturer reluctance. A change order for additional and future work ($5,000) will be submitted.
Other Business
- Planning & Zoning: ZA Patmore reported a productive September 14 Planning Commission special meeting on the Master Plan; a public hearing on the Homestretch Application is set for September 29; another Master Plan special meeting is scheduled October 13.
- Fire Authority: A part-time employee was hired; a special closed meeting was held September 15.
- Assessor's Report: None given due to the meeting date change.
- Cemetery: A large locust limb threatens headstones at Suttons Bay Cemetery; a first bid came in at $1,500, with additional bids requested before the board authorized a contract not to exceed $1,500.
Financial Summary
- Bills for September 2026 approved in the amount of $50,626.61.
- Pickleball tournament proceeds: $1,250 plus $268 in donations, earmarked for pickleball via Friends of Herman Park.
- Autumn Olive clearing quote: $11,000 (additional bids to be sought).
- Playground change order: $5,000 for additional/future work.
- Cemetery tree removal: authorized not to exceed $1,500.
Action Items
- ZA Patmore and Planning Commission to hold additional Master Plan special meeting on October 13.
- Public hearing on Homestretch Application scheduled for September 29.
- Seek additional bids for Autumn Olive clearing at Herman Park and for cemetery tree removal.
- Jared Pontius to continue pursuing grant funding for Herman Park playground.
- Gosling Czubak to submit change order for $5,000 in additional playground work.
- Playground committee members to transition into the Parks & Rec committee as members at large.