Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Executive Board Session met August 13, 2024, with Chairman Ty Wessell presiding. The Board approved numerous recommendations including a replacement Sheriff's vehicle, a Secondary Road Patrol grant application, a Midway Electronics tower contract amendment, 2% grant distributions, a Land Bank Authority transfer, an IT Director wage adjustment, and a one-year extension of Interim Administrator Richard Lewis's contract until May 2025. The Board also dissolved the Finance and Personnel Committees and directed Lewis to redraft the Human Resources position's job title.
Public Comments
Agenda-specific public comment was given by Steve Mikowski; written comments were also submitted and are available via the county's meeting link. During general public comment later in the meeting, Steve Mikowski, Allan Campbell, and Bill Wiesner spoke in person, with written comments again noted as available online. No specific concerns or board responses were detailed in the minutes.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board approved the First Amendment of Agreement with Midway Electronics, Inc. for construction of the Leelanau Township tower, pending final approval from Corporate Counsel (6-0). Interim Administrator Lewis reported the County's response to the Leelanau Township Planning Commission regarding the Leelanau Tower Special Land Use Permit would be completed by week's end. Lewis also noted an estimate of $26,500.00 was received for Old Settler's Well and water line repair, to be addressed during 2025 budget/Capital Projects discussions. The Board approved committing approximately $862,897.00 in remaining ARPA funds (including interest) toward the $1,800,000.00 unfunded balance of the Point Broadband contract, with the remaining balance (approximately $937,103.00) to be transferred from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund as invoices are presented (6-0). Chairman Wessell reported the Point Broadband project is connecting residents in Leelanau Township and Suttons Bay Township, and Commissioner Allgaier noted Spectrum Communications is expanding internet access to residents via grants.
Other Business
The Board approved a one-year contract extension with Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency for housing rehab services, pending Corporate Counsel review (6-0). The Board approved requesting RFPs for electrical inspection, repair, and certification (6-0), and approved requesting audit RFPs from CPA firms for fiscal years 2024-2027, plus requesting Rehmann submit a one-year extension quote for FY2024 (6-0). Lautner raised long-standing concerns about Human Resources function errors since the Clerk's Office stopped handling HR; Ross countered that employee survey feedback favored keeping HR separate from the Clerk's Office. A Facilities Director job description discussion was deferred to a special meeting in late August.
Financial Summary
- Sheriff vehicle replacement: not to exceed $4,470.00 from General Fund Sheriff's Office budget (originally proposed from Motor Pool Fund, amended)
- IT Director Liana Wilson: retroactive lump sum salary adjustment of $4,382.86, with 2024 budget amended accordingly
- Land Bank Authority: transfer up to $400,000.00 from General Fund for blight elimination at 201 S. High St., Northport, to be returned upon grant receipt
- 2% Grant contracts: Inland Seas Educational Association $15,000.00; Housing North $50,000.00; Leelanau County Historical Preservation Society $3,680.00
- Point Broadband/ARPA: approximately $862,897.00 in ARPA funds plus approximately $937,103.00 from Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund toward $1,800,000.00 contract balance
- Claims and Accounts approved: $532,397.17
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approved: $1,934,214.60
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to bring forward a BS&A software purchase request in September 2024
- Lewis to present the updated Grant Policy for approval in September
- Lewis to redraft the Human Resources position job title and report back at the August 20, 2024 regular session
- NRAA Zoning Board Appointments moved to the August 20, 2024 regular session
- Facilities Director Job Description to be addressed at a special meeting in late August
- County Administrator/CFO job description and hiring process to be discussed at a special meeting, with Clerk's Office to invite Board of Commission candidates to give input during public comment
- Lautner emphasized that only the current Board may make decisions prior to January 1, 2025, and that the administrator search process must occur via public meetings