Summary
The Solon Township Board met on August 14, 2025, with all five board members present. Key actions included adopting a ten-year Interlocal Agreement with Centerville, Cleveland, and Kasson Townships for the Cedar Area Fire and Rescue Fire Department (Resolution 2025-08-14-1), approving a resolution for street closures for the Cedar Polka Fest weekend (Resolution 2025-08-14-2), approving a consent judgment with Harmoni/Verizon regarding a cell tower, and various committee and unfinished business updates. The board also changed the October meeting date and discussed several public works and property matters.
Public Comments
- Ted Klumpp raised concerns about a letter from the Leelanau County Road Commission regarding alley parking, questioning why only his end of the alley received a letter when an abandoned trailer had been parked at the other end for six years. He suggested it would be simpler to abandon the alley.
- Corey Flaska, who has attended Planning Commission meetings for seven years, expressed concern that the Planning Commission reverted the Future Land Use maps back to how they were seven years ago, undoing work that the board had previously approved on a 4-1 vote. He suggested the board order the Planning Commission to bring back the previously approved maps. He also stated he believes a five-acre minimum may not be legal and said he would look into it.
- Heather Holden questioned why there was an issue with alley parking, noting neighbors have shared the alley for years under a mutual understanding.
- During the Public Hearing on the Fire Interlocal Agreement: Mary O'Neill asked about the advantages/disadvantages of townships joining or leaving the fire department; Charles Smith asked for clarification on agreement changes regarding new townships joining; Judy Janosik asked about advantages/disadvantages of Elmwood Township joining; Kim Smith asked whether her homeowner's insurance might decrease if Elmwood joined and whether there would be a charge for calls answered in her area. Supervisor Comeaux responded to each, explaining budget impacts, the Mutual Aid Box System, and potential ISO rating changes.
- In later public comment, Lisa Rossi-Brett thanked the board for looking into street cleaning by the Road Commission, noted the Polka Fest Committee agreed to pay half the cost, and asked about daily porta-john cleaning; she noted GFL is a sponsor providing trashcans.
- Rick Brett asked for clarification on road ownership behind Bunting's property; it was confirmed to be a county road.
- Judy Janosik noted she was glad the township purchased audio equipment but disappointed it was not being used, as she has difficulty hearing the board.
- Jeff Kozisek asked who was doing tree work at Vlack's Park; it was confirmed to be Deering's Tree Service.
- Karen Smith praised the Planning Commission's work incorporating public comment, and asked about plans for painting the Solon Schoolhouse, noting it was promised years ago. She encouraged the board to remember Zoning Administrator Christina Deeren in budget planning.
- Warren Fuller noted that lead paint in the schoolhouse could be encapsulated.
- Mary O'Neill suggested involving the Historical Society regarding the schoolhouse.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met July 29, 2025, with no public present. Topics included:
- Kelly suggested using the Solon Schoolhouse for meetings.
- The committee worked on the Parks Ordinance and fee schedule; the ordinance will go to the attorney once finalized before being made available. Joan Gauthier expressed concern about not receiving paperwork in a timely manner to review; Kelly agreed to email her a copy once available.
- The committee attempted to schedule a meeting with Robyn Schmidt from EGLE regarding Beach Park and the river but had not received a response.
- Next meeting scheduled for August 26, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. at the Township Hall.
Vlack's Park: Kelly Claar received the Forest Management Plan from Deering's Tree Service; no changes to the original agreement due to unchanged market conditions. Work is planned to begin mid-September and finish by November 30, 2025; the park will be closed September 15–November 30, 2025, requiring public notice. The board requested an updated agreement be signed and approved at the September meeting.
Beach Park: The board discussed complaints involving a neighbor who falsely reported a dog chasing ducks to Animal Control (later found untrue) and who reportedly sat intimidatingly near the oar house on another occasion. The board discussed options including sending a letter, involving the township attorney, and/or contacting the Sheriff's Department, but determined it would be up to the Rowing Club to contact the Sheriff's Department directly since the information was secondhand. Shirley Mikowski asked Kelly Claar to inquire with EGLE about planting tall grass or installing a fence at Beach Park.
Schoolhouse: Several attendees (Karen Smith, Kelly Claar) expressed interest in restoring/painting the Solon Schoolhouse. Chris Comeaux noted the building contains lead paint requiring mitigation and that items on loan to the Empire Museum should be returned. Warren Fuller noted lead paint can be encapsulated. Mary O'Neill suggested involving the Historical Society, and Kelly Claar noted she has already been in contact with them. Joan Gauthier reported that an old agreement with "Friends of Solon" is no longer valid.
Infrastructure Projects
Cell Tower: Chris Comeaux reported receiving consent judgment paperwork in the lawsuit brought by Harmoni (parent of Verizon) against the township. Terms include a tower height of 199 feet (down from a potential 249 feet), no lights, an impact fee of $5,000.00 to the township to cover most legal fees, and ground-level equipment screened with landscaping. Motion by Chris Comeaux, seconded by Shirley Mikowski, to approve the consent judgment with terms provided by Harmoni and township federal attorney Michael J. Watza. Motion carried 5-0. Joan Gauthier questioned the tower's placement at the bottom of a hill; Comeaux explained the alternative was a taller 249' tower and that the company settled quickly because it had not followed proper process before suing. Steve Morgan raised concerns about preventing similar situations in the future given Planning Commission's Special Land Use approval process; Comeaux advised consulting legal counsel when federal law is involved.
Road Commission/Alley: Motion by Chris Comeaux, seconded by Kelly Claar, to have the Leelanau County Road Commission clean the streets in Cedar at a cost not to exceed $900.00. Motion carried. Kelly Claar reported that funding for bridges on Alpine and White Roads has been rescinded; the Grand Traverse Band submitted an appeal and will be first in line when funds become available. Ted Klumpp received a citation for parking his truck in the alley (owned by the county); the township will need to pay for alley signage, which Comeaux discussed with Brendan Mullane of the Road Commission. Comeaux will also inquire about pricing for painting crosswalks in Cedar; a possible alternate contractor with a lower cost was mentioned, and Shirley Mikowski will follow up.
Bunting's Road: Chris Comeaux reported Greg Bunting paid the full $12,105.00 for a road overlay; the township will arrange for Elmer's to reimburse Bunting $6,000.00 and invoice the township for that amount. The road project is complete.
Other Business
- Agenda Approval: Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Kelly Claar, to approve the agenda with additions (Road Commission, Legal Counsel, Cemetery Damage under New Business; MTA/Board Policies tabled under Unfinished Business). Motion carried 5-0.
- Minutes Approval: Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan, to approve the July 10, 2025 minutes as written. Motion carried 5-0.
- Public Hearing/Interlocal Agreement: The board opened and closed a public hearing (6:14–6:31 P.M.) to receive comments on the Fire Interlocal Agreement (see Public Comments and Infrastructure sections for detail).
- Planning Commission Report: Steve Morgan reported a Public Hearing was held for the Landscape Ordinance with no comments received; it will be sent to the county. The Short Term Rental Draft Ordinance public hearing was rescheduled from September 3 to October 7, 2025, after attorney review and changes. The Master Plan/Future Land Use maps were discussed; the Planning Commission agreed to remove PUDs and most commercial designations, reverting to prior map configurations while keeping acreage the same, citing public comment against dense housing.
- Fire Board Report: Chris Comeaux reported discussions about moving the Ambulance Run Fund to the Contingency Fund, noting budget changes require fire board approval. Joan Gauthier questioned fire department budget line items, including a $4,059.00 computer expense, 88% of the cell phone budget already spent, and high costs from Williams Pumping (attributed to a holding tank needing regular pumping). Comeaux will look into installing a raised septic system.
- Signs: Patrick Ivory completed township signs at a total cost of $2,075.00 (itemized in Financial Summary).
- Cell Phones: Comeaux reported the cell phone contract will be finalized that week, with phones included.