Summary
The Cleveland Township Board met March 11, 2025, with Supervisor Tim Stein presiding and all members (Jan Nowak, Todd Nowak, Tim Stein, Tracy Olsen, Angie Diotte) present. The board approved February minutes and the Treasurer's Report (5-0 each), reviewed the proposed 2025/26 General Fund budget, discussed short-term rental (STR) enforcement, hall maintenance and rental fees, and prepared for the March 29 Annual Meeting.
Public Comments
During Open Forum, resident Phil Anderson asked for a copy of the STR list and said he may add names to it; Tim Stein responded that the township will police STR compliance and that anyone using a commercial rental platform must obtain a permit. Anderson also said he disagreed with how the STR moratorium process was handled, stating a planned special meeting for resident input was cancelled with insufficient notice and another meeting was held the night before instead. No board action was taken in response.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Planning Commission Chair Todd Nowak reported the commission is "real close" on a pilot housing program, still under review alongside the master plan and Article 8 business district zoning amendments. No vote was taken.
Infrastructure Projects
Tim Stein reported a new water filtering system was installed at the township hall as part of ongoing facility upgrades.
Other Business
Zoning Administrator Scott Sheehan reported no land use permits issued in February; STRs stand at 31 approved, 2 pending, with 3 additional permits available. The county website change required rebuilding the township's permit portal with Andi Stevenson. The ZBA held 3 hearings on February 19 and approved all 3 variances. The Assessor reported 6 assessment protests handled during Board of Review, with tax rolls to be finalized and turned over to the county. Maintenance quoted $20,707 for a new furnace/AC/heat pump system, with Barney Castle providing a 90% fuel credit and Lemcool removing the old tank; new hall furniture (12 tables, 72 chairs) was quoted at $3,999. Cedar Fire and Rescue's capital budget item and a new treadmill were approved, with capital funds to be invested in a short-term CD. The board reviewed a new CAFR Inter-Local Agreement; John Imboden recommended approval, and Tim Stein will draft a resolution for further discussion at the Annual Meeting. STR review found 45 residential/agricultural properties subject to permitting, with 33 currently permitted; violation letters begin April 1, 2025. Hall rental fees were discussed (proposed $200 for residents; cemetery burial services remain exempt), with Jan Nowak to prepare a fee schedule for the Annual Meeting.
Financial Summary
Treasurer's Report (2/28/25): beginning balance $424,326.24, disbursements $26,055.25, revenue $219,285.98, ending balance $669,667.47 (approved 5-0). Proposed 2025/26 General Fund Budget: taxable value $163,868,124 (+4.4%); revenue sources include township taxes/PTAF/interest $157,325 (millage .5402, down from .5490), State Shared Revenue $121,261, Fire/Emergency Millage $410,000, Reimbursement/License/Fees $26,000, Road Maintenance Millage $82,000. Total proposed revenue $798,856 against expenses of $1,013,058; projected General Fund Balance $455,014. Key expenses: Fire/Emergency Services $346,043, Road Repair/Maintenance $460,000, Salaries/Wages $79,840, Professional Services $37,000 (91% of total expenses). The board approved (5-0) allowing the Clerk and Treasurer to adjust the 2024/25 budget to reconcile line items, and approved payment of bills for March 11, 2025 (5-0).
Action Items
- Tim Stein to draft a resolution on the CAFR Inter-Local Agreement for discussion at the March 29 Annual Meeting.
- Jan Nowak to prepare a township hall rental fee schedule for review at the Annual Meeting.
- Township to begin sending STR violation letters beginning April 1, 2025, once county data is finalized.
- Clerk and Treasurer to reconcile 2024/25 budget line items.
- Board to finalize and submit tax rolls to the county following March 12 Board of Review session.