Summary
The Cleveland Township Board met September 9, 2025, with Supervisor Tim Stein presiding and all five members present. The board approved prior meeting minutes, the August Treasurer's Report, payment of bills, and the L-4029 tax rate request. Extended discussion covered the Cedar Fire and Rescue budget, short-term rental (STR) enforcement, and county road paving.
Public Comments
During Open Public Forum, resident Cookie Currier stated she found 72 STR names listed online via VRBO and suggested rental properties should display an ID. She offered to bring in paperwork on renters and said she and others could help Zoning Administrator Scott Sheehan with enforcement. No other public comments were made on agenda items.
Infrastructure Projects
Tim Stein reported the Leelanau County Road Commission's paving of Scenic Mountain View, Fairway Drive, and Bluff Lane was delayed by rain and Labor Day but is expected to resume and be completed within a week. The maintenance report noted cemetery water will be shut off in mid-October, and driveway markers were placed at the township park to protect an area disturbed by Davey's tree trucks during replanting.
Other Business
The Planning Commission continues its master plan review, with a survey planned this year. Zoning Administrator Scott Sheehan reported issuing a land use permit to Ross Dye for a new deck, sending violation letters, and having difficulty reaching 6 non-compliant property owners. He is compiling STR waitlist applications and asked current permit holders to submit 2026 renewals by November 1. Correspondence regarding the M22 Scenic Byway Committee's request for renewed participation was received; Stein will update his information but no one volunteered to serve.
Financial Summary
The township received a PILT award of $11,684.25 from Leelanau County, to be held in escrow pending a signed agreement. The August 31, 2025 Treasurer's Report showed a beginning balance of $531,054.68, disbursements of $13,715.32, revenue of $8,226.12, and an ending balance of $525,565.48 (approved 5-0). The board approved the L-4029 Tax Rate Request (5-0) setting millages at .5350 (operating), .2476 (fire/emergency), and .4952 (road maintenance) after Headlee reductions; taxable value rose over $10 million. Payment of bills for September 9, 2025 was approved 5-0.
Action Items
Zoning Administrator Scott Sheehan to visit 6 unreachable properties and continue STR violation enforcement; STR permit renewals due by November 1. John Imboden to represent the township on the Fire Board to develop a revised 2026 operational budget. The board will consider at its November meeting whether to raise the STR permit cap from 36 to 45 via the rider resolution. Tim Stein to update his contact information with the M22 Scenic Byway Committee.