Summary
The Solon Township Board met on May 14, 2026, with all board members present (Supervisor Chris Comeaux, Treasurer Joan Gauthier, Clerk Shirley Mikowski, Trustee Kelly Claar, and Trustee Steve Morgan). Key actions included approval of the Treasurer's report and vouchers, adoption of a resolution to pursue navigable waterway classification for the Cedar River, approval of a budget amendment for insurance, approval of a Sports League property use agreement, approval of a tax bill insert regarding property fraud protection, and various parks-related purchases. The board also discussed the Food Truck Ordinance, Parks Ordinance revisions, and committee reports from the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee.
Public Comments
Melinda Lautner (first public comment period) announced the Parks Committee's cleanup event scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 A.M. and requested volunteers. She noted plans to remove plants in front of the township hall due to their age, with care to be taken removing roots to avoid foundation damage. She expressed support for the Park Ordinance.
During the second public comment period:
- Kim Smith raised concerns about whether the Polish Food Truck would be grandfathered in under the new ordinance, depending on permit status and whether the ordinance is a Police Power Ordinance. She also confirmed the board's intent to reinstate a no loitering provision.
- Jim Johnson noted that a permit may be required to put up a banner across the road and suggested checking with the Leelanau County Road Commission. Kelly Claar agreed to check with the Zoning Administrator on sign regulations.
- Melinda Lautner reported that the Solon Schoolhouse lawn had been mowed and looks good, and that damage caused by the Road Commission had been repaired. She supported including the fraud-protection insert with tax bills, shared concerns about the proposed Water Overlay, and suggested installing a flag pole in front of the town hall.
Correspondence included a notice that Charter Township of Elmwood approved distribution of their Draft Master Plan, and a FOIA request received from Peter Skribanek regarding the Leelanau Conservancy.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks and Recreation Committee met April 20, 2026, with two guests present. Topics included:
- Lengthy discussion of the revised Parks Ordinance.
- A request for a porta-jon at the Solon Schoolhouse during repairs and painting.
- An investigation into possible damage to the ballfields from the Nachazel event.
- Approval to purchase gates/t-posts to close off the entryway to Vlack's Park, not to exceed $1,400.00 (motion by Chris Comeaux, seconded by Shirley Mikowski; carried).
- Confirmation that mulch had been delivered and moved onto the playground by Dale Gauthier and son.
- Approval to purchase banners and/or flags to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, not to exceed $500.00 (motion by Kelly Claar, seconded by Steve Morgan; carried).
- The next Parks Committee meeting was set for May 18, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
Under Unfinished Business, Kelly Claar reported Deering Tree Service had not completed cleanup at Vlack's Park and she would follow up with Joe. The committee is also developing a policy for recreation classes involving a use agreement, base fee, and percentage charge for groups. Regarding hall rental for classes, Amy Hubbell requested to resume teaching yoga in June (previously paying 10% of fees), and a separate inquiry was raised about a woman wanting to teach dance classes and use the hall personally. Shirley Mikowski suggested a $150.00 deposit and $50.00 per use fee structure, though no formal fee structure was finalized.
The Parks Ordinance discussion included: Joan Gauthier's request to reinstate a no loitering provision due to concerns about drug use (including fentanyl) in playgrounds elsewhere; Kelly Claar's contact with Paul Olson regarding dogs in parks, noting the township is covered with them; and Shirley Mikowski's question about enforcement of dog rules. Section 5 (Permit Fees) is still being developed. Regarding Section 10.19 on prohibiting collection of natural/historical/archeological items from parklands, it was decided such collection would be allowed only with township board approval. The updated draft ordinance will be posted on the township website once finalized.
A Property Use Agreement for Sports League Activities was approved for the Leelanau County Youth League (Bailer Bell, applicant) for use of the ball fields from May 18, 2026 to August 1, 2026, for a fee of $1.00 (motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan; carried 5-0).
Kelly Claar encouraged attendance at the park cleanup event on May 16, 2026, offering to provide muffins, snacks, and coffee. Joan Gauthier noted the rowing club did a good job cleaning up Solon Beach Park.
Infrastructure Projects
The board adopted Resolution #2026-05-14 regarding the Cedar River Waterway. Chris Comeaux noted current momentum for the Cedar River Project. Joan Gauthier noted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was involved when the river was dredged in 1983 and stressed the importance of classifying the river as a navigable waterway under applicable federal regulations. The resolution authorizes the Township Supervisor to identify and evaluate qualified professionals, including an environmental attorney and, at a later stage, an environmental engineer, with experience in federal navigability determinations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory processes, and environmental permitting within protected wetland areas. The resolution notes that funds for this project are not available in the current budget and that additional funding sources must be explored. The resolution was moved by Shirley Mikowski, seconded by Joan Gauthier, and adopted by roll call vote: Morgan-yea, Claar-yea, Comeaux-yea, Gauthier-yea, Mikowski-yea (5 yeas, 0 nays).
Other Business
- The Planning Commission met May 5, 2026, with all board members present. A rezoning request from RA-5 to Agriculture-Conservation was received from Jason Gibson for property at 2881 E. Aspen Drive; a Public Hearing was scheduled for June 2, 2026. The Commission approved Dutchman Manufacturing's replacement of a building at 6185 E. Traverse Highway. A Public Hearing for the Short Term Rental Ordinance was also scheduled for June 2, 2026.
- The Master Plan was reviewed; the Lake Leelanau Lake Association requested a Waterfront Overlay be added and submitted a seven-page document for the Zoning Administrator's review. Kelly Claar asked how the board would be informed of the overlay proposal; a written document is expected once reviewed.
- The PUD (Planned Unit Development) section of the Zoning Ordinance is to be brought back to the June meeting by the Zoning Administrator. Joan Gauthier asked whether PUDs had been removed from the Master Plan and Future Land Use maps; it was clarified that PUDs were only included with the maps and were removed based on public input.
- The board received an email from Corey Flaska regarding proposed plans for the bank building in Cedar. Steve Morgan noted the Planning Commission was first introduced to the project in January, and Mr. Flaska has been working with the Zoning Administrator.
- Zoning Administrator Sara Kopriva will attend the board's June meeting.
- Township Hall repairs: the hall needs pressure washing and exterior painting; Chris Comeaux will look into this.
- Fire Department: Chris Comeaux was unable to attend the last fire board meeting and requested a board member serve as alternate, to be acted on at the next township board meeting. The fire board will discuss the interlocal agreement at its next meeting. Joan Gauthier referenced a 1997 newspaper article discussing fire building repairs needed at that time.
- Food Truck Ordinance: The board reviewed the ordinance along with questions and comments from the Zoning Administrator(s)/Sara Kopriva/Jenn Cram. Discussion included limiting business district operation to four days a week (Joan Gauthier questioned this; Steve Morgan agreed the business district should not be limited to four days, but private property should be limited to four days weekly, and food trucks should not be allowed in agriculture-business areas). Concerns were raised by Kelly Claar about amplified music, weekly permit renewals, and parking. Chris Comeaux suggested allowing food trucks May through October and for special events; Shirley Mikowski did not think it should be limited. Chris Comeaux will relay the board's input to the Zoning Administrator, who will attend the next meeting.
- Cedar Chamber of Commerce: no representative was present.
- MTA/Board Policies: remains tabled.
- Cemetery: Shirley Mikowski reported contacting Brian Weber, whose proposal cost increase would only reflect rising gas prices; she asked him to proceed with filling and seeding the cemetery roads.
Financial Summary
Treasurer's Report (Joan Gauthier): $15,000.00 budgeted amount was added to the Road Improvement Fund, combined with an existing $3,000.00, and placed into a CD. The Parks Improvement Fund figure was corrected (previously listed ten cents over).
- Huntington Bank Checking: $34,662.96
- Huntington Bank General Savings (2010): $51,335.07
- Huntington Bank General Savings CD 1007: $250,000.00
- Huntington Bank General Savings CD: $112,354.30
- Huntington Bank General Savings CD: $54,408.14
- Total General Savings: $468,097.51
- Total Funds Available: $502,760.47
- Road Improvement Fund (2049): $612.47
- Road Improvement Fund CD: $38,819.37