Summary
The Leelanau Township Board met on March 10, 2026, with all members present (Clerk Jessica Wilson, Treasurer JoLisa Ugalde, Trustees Elizabeth Schwind and Silvia Gans, Supervisor Barbara Conley). The board approved a lengthy slate of unanimous actions, including fire/EMS hires and policy amendments, adoption of MERS retirement plans, an RFP for housing at 824 Warren Street, engineering plans for Cherry Home Shores roads, and several equipment/service expenditures. The Leelanau County Road Commission presented on road funding and conditions, and public comment focused heavily on the Cherry Homes Road project and local road millage options.
Public Comments
Mark Krueger supported the proposed local road policy and a 0.3 mill road millage, suggested clarifying that the $4 million estimate came from the Leelanau County Road Commission, supported advancing engineering for the Cherry Homes project, and requested the Road Commission presentation be posted online. Later in the meeting, Krueger also voiced support for raising the county road millage to 1 mill to fund local maintenance and chip seal projects, favored use of Special Assessment Districts (SADs) tied to number of tax parcels served for equity, and supported preventative maintenance.
Dan Ray, a roughly 30-year Cherry Homes property owner, reported a September survey showing 53% of lot owners opposed the proposed road project, described the existing chip seal road as generally adequate, and raised concerns about SAD assessment calculations, subdivision covenants, voting procedures, wetland/permitting issues, erosion control, and speeding. He stated additional written comments would be submitted to the Township.
Mike, identified as HOA treasurer, expressed appreciation for the Township's efforts on Cherry Homes Road, noted differing survey results depending on whether votes were counted by lot or by individual owner, and said engineering/Road Commission input suggested chip seal may no longer be sufficient; he supported considering a road millage for future improvements.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mallane, Managing Director of the Road Commission, presented on gas tax changes, the Neighborhood Road Fund, funding challenges, local road funding restrictions, county road conditions, PASER ratings, estimated repair costs, matching fund importance, maintenance versus improvement distinctions, 2025-2026 budgets, federal/MPO funding, planned projects, and equipment/facilities updates. Board discussion covered local road expenditures, revenue projections, millage renewals and limits, matching requirements, SAD mechanisms, and state law on matching funds.
The board approved (Trustee Schwind moved, Trustee Gans seconded, unanimous roll call) a resolution to spend township funds for the Road Commission to prepare an engineering plan for Cherry Home Shores road improvements.
The board also approved payment of $643 for title search and title insurance for a land swap between the township and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at Woolsey Memorial Airport (unanimous roll call vote).
Other Business
- Approved the Deputy Supervisor position description as presented (unanimous roll call).
- Approved hiring Arielle Challender to the Fire Department/EMS, effective September 4, 2025 (unanimous roll call).
- Approved amendments to EMS policies #1.48 and #1.60 (unanimous roll call).
- Approved a Collective Bargaining Agreement amendment/MOU with Firefighters Union Local 5056, effective April 1, 2026 (unanimous roll call).
- Approved a resolution for bonuses for two additional fire department/EMS personnel (unanimous roll call).
- Approved an RFP for builders for housing at 824 Warren Street (unanimous roll call).
- Approved multiple MERS-related resolutions and agreements (Defined Contribution Plan, Adoption Agreement, Contribution Addendum, 457 Supplemental Retirement Program, 457 Participation Agreement, authorized signatories resolution), all effective April 1, 2026, unanimous roll calls.
- Tabled discussion on a change of address for the Bel Lago tasting room pending more information.
- Approved expense for Fire Instructor 2 educational course for Bryan Kukla (unanimous roll call).
- Trustee Schwind raised concerns about delays in distributing recent assessor change notices.
- Noted the Treasurer and Clerk's office will be closed March 30 to April 24.
- Discussion items included facilities/roads/police millages, the 2026-7 budget, the Capital Improvement Plan, and roads policy.
Financial Summary
- Veterans' Cemetery Plaque: approved expenditure up to $3,000 (from cemetery perpetual care CD interest), contingent on a successful $6,000 grant application to LCTF.
- Land swap title costs: $643 approved for title search/insurance at Woolsey Memorial Airport.
- Pitney Bowes postage meter annual lease: $441.99 approved.
- Annual National Fire Hose Testing Agreement: approved not to exceed $7,000.
- Annual Breathing Air Compressor Service (MES quote): approved not to exceed $1,500.
- Annual Amazon membership for Fire, Facilities and Township: approved not to exceed $180.
- Road Commission presentation referenced a $4 million professional cost estimate (per Krueger's characterization) and discussed 2025/2026 Road Commission budgets, gas tax and Neighborhood Road Fund revenues.
- Discussion of a proposed 0.3 mill local road millage and an alternative suggestion to raise the county road millage to 1 mill; no vote taken on either.
Action Items
- Dan Ray to submit additional written comments to the Township regarding the Cherry Homes road project.
- Board to obtain more information before revisiting the Bel Lago tasting room address change.
- Road Commission presentation requested (by Mark Krueger) to be posted online with the meeting packet.
- Ongoing discussion needed on millages (facilities, roads, police), the 2026-7 budget, and the Capital Improvement Plan.
- Assessor's office delays in distributing change notices flagged by Trustee Schwind for follow-up.