Summary
The Suttons Bay Township Board met on August 12, 2026, approving the agenda, July minutes, and July bills totaling $26,165.46. The Board heard a Fishbeck Brownfield TIF presentation on 980 S Herman Rd and voted unanimously against appealing the Southwell Land Division circuit court ruling. Reports on planning, parks, fire authority, and assessing were submitted, and Trustee Slocombe's request to reschedule the October meeting was approved.
Public Comments
Tom Nixon, N Stony Pt, Suttons Bay, spoke twice. In his first comment, he urged the Board to pursue overturning the Southwell Land Division ruling on principle, expressed pleasure that the Planning Commission subcommittee is considering hiring a part-time township planner, raised concerns that Steimel Park trash receptacles are continually full due to household waste dumping and asked if this could be policed, and thanked the Board for its hard work. After the Board's vote denying the appeal, Nixon commented again, stating he appreciated the Board's productive conversation despite disagreeing with the outcome, noting a different judge might yield a different decision, and observing that the dollar amount quoted for the appeal was higher than originally stated. No formal Board response to the trash receptacle concern was recorded.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Manager Jared Pontius submitted a written report: a message board was installed, the shed grant is completed with location approved, the playground fundraising is at 75% of goal, concrete pads were cut for disc golf, and a display table at the Suttons Bay Art Festival collected funds for the playground.
Infrastructure Projects
Theresa Searles of Fishbeck presented a Brownfield TIF Plan for 980 S Herman Rd, Suttons Bay, providing a printed slide packet to the Board. No vote or decision was recorded on this item. Separately, Treasurer Petroskey reported the Fire Authority heard a presentation from Larry Mawby on the same 980 S Herman Rd property.
Other Business
ZA Steve Patmore reported the Planning Commission is working on a new Master Plan, with September and October meetings designated to continue edits with GW. Treasurer Petroskey reported the Fire Authority hired a new paramedic. Assessor Gunner Brow submitted a written report. Clerk Moe reported a successful election and noted Deputy Clerk Grace Periard is now working part-time in the office.
Financial Summary
The Board approved payment of July 2026 bills totaling $26,165.46 (motion by Slocombe, second by Carlson). Regarding the Southwell Land Division appeal, Patmore advised an appeal to the State Supreme Court would initially cost $10,000, with potential lawyer costs reaching $25,000 if a review were granted; Nixon later noted the actual appeal cost quoted was higher than originally stated. The appeal motion was denied by unanimous roll call vote (Periard, Carlson, Petroskey, Slocombe, Moe all voting No).
Action Items
- Board to consider bringing in an attorney in closed session to further discuss the Southwell Land Division matter.
- October Board meeting moved from Wednesday, October 14, 2026, to Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Planning Commission to continue Master Plan edits with GW in September and October meetings.