Summary
The Leelanau Township Board packet for the October 13, 2026 meeting covers numerous items including firefighter union contract ratification, a HomeStretch MOU for attainable housing at 824 N. Warren St., a data center moratorium, Woolsey Airport fee schedules and consultation panel appointments, budget amendments, and the recent resignation of Trustee Elizabeth Schwind effective October 1, requiring board appointment of a replacement within 45 days.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Supervisor's report describes continued work on a HomeStretch MOU and Agency Agreement for development of attainable housing on approximately 3.5 acres of the Township-owned parcel at 824 N. Warren St. Township counsel Seth Koches drafted the MOU, which was reviewed by Jon Stimson (HomeStretch), with a resolution presented to the board for discussion; if approved, it would go to the HomeStretch Board. The MOU defines "Attainable Housing" as housing for households at 50%-120% of area median income, with costs around 30% of gross income, and restricts the property to that use for 24 months or the land reverts to the Township. The board will also decide whether to support a 2% Grand Traverse Band funding application submitted by HomeStretch, which requests $800,000 toward a project with a total budget around $6,946,474.
Separately, Parks & Recreation committee member Barb Conley reported that the committee discussed a New Community Vision proposal for a potential land swap for attainable housing near Braman Park/Braman Hill. The committee unanimously agreed this was too early-stage for a recommendation and that the matter should proceed through the full Township Board slowly.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Parks & Recreation Chairman Tom Mayhew resigned in September; the Township has an applicant and the board will decide whether to further advertise the position. The committee's September 16 report (from Barb Conley) raised several items: whether remaining gravel at Braman Hill could be spread to repair rain damage; hopeful news of a potential new grant for Woolsey; a request for a crosswalk sign at Omena Beach once road work is complete; and plans to move forward with postcards to the community regarding the Parks & Rec survey. Dan Tompkins reported that TART Trail, the DNR, and the Leelanau Conservancy have expressed interest in assisting with the 5-year plan.
Infrastructure Projects
Woolsey Airport: Phase 1 terminal repair work (drainage and foundation) has started; the Supervisor previously proposed, and the board is expected to decide at this meeting, a fee schedule for parking, hangar rental, grounds/facility rental, and camping. Rental and camping permit forms were presented again for board action. An additional nominee, Jason Manley (FAA-certified flight instructor for NMC), was proposed for the Airport Consultation Panel.
NLTUA sewer enforcement: A property divided into three "child" parcels (two along the sewer collection system, one not) was sold to a new owner who obtained a sewer/well permit and land use permit in 2022. NLTUA's board voted to require connection to the sewer at a distance of 1,000 feet because the parent property was within the sewer district. The Supervisor requested a legal opinion from Seth Koches, and the board will consider the matter in closed session.
Omena Point Road: A draft resolution requests the Leelanau County Road Commission designate recently received Neighborhood Roads Fund money (over $272,227.40 received by LCRC from MDOT) toward the Township-funded Omena Point Road reconstruction project, estimated near $200,000.
Grand Traverse Band attorney Bill Rastetter requested the Township enter an agreement releasing several recorded "exceptions" tied to the former Timber Shores property, now owned by the Tribe and permanently restricted from development under its deed.
Public Comments
Kim Todd submitted a letter of interest in the vacant Parks and Recreation Committee position, citing the value of outdoor public spaces to mental and physical health.
Dale Manty and Elizabeth Tucker Manty requested that Center Road be abandoned and added to their properties; the Supervisor stated the road was never developed and the Township has not objected in court. A related letter from attorney Andrew Blodgett notified Village of Omena Plat property owners that they may be named as defendants in a required lawsuit to modify the plat regarding "Center Street."
Other Business
Firefighters' Union: A tentative agreement was ratified by the union after September 9-10 negotiations between the Township team (Barbara Conley, Jessica Wilson, Hugh Cook) and union representatives (Jeff Good, Kirk Andrzejewski, Derek Brown) with labor attorney H. Lizzie Mills, who will attend remotely to explain the new contract (2027-2029, 10% pay increase, new short-term disability benefit).
Deputy Sheriff contract: current agreement ends December 31, 2026; the Supervisor seeks board input on proposed revisions and authorization to negotiate with the Sheriff's Department, with a final agreement expected in November or December.
Assessor availability policy: amended to have Barry Wauldron work on-site Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with about 10 hours of in-person consultation weekly, continuing remote work and Friday consultations.
LTFD items: an MOU on maintenance of paramedic licensure was drafted; a new firetruck for the Omena station is being built, and Chief Cook requested permission to sell the old Omena fire truck.
Other future items: possible abandonment of Center Road; township hall furniture needs (quotes being gathered from Interphase/MiDeal, Integrity Business, and Excel); health insurance plan options discussion for 2027 (decision expected at November meeting); and discussion of whether to hold two monthly board meetings (a "working" meeting and a "decisions" meeting).
Financial Summary
The LTFD requests board approval to renew the Stryker EMS equipment maintenance agreement for two years at $17,814.38 (budgeted in the EMS budget), and to renew the ESO Solutions software contract at $3,895.99.
Budget amendments are being presented for quarterly review per prior board agreement, covering multiple general fund and fire department line items (e.g., repair and maintenance, vacation pay, LUP fees, reimbursements).
The firefighters' tentative agreement includes a 10% pay increase effective January 1, 2027, followed by 3% increases in 2028 and 2029, plus a new short-term disability benefit and increased first-30-days medical cost reimbursement (up to $7,000, from $500).
The HomeStretch 2% Grand Traverse Band funding application requests $800,000 toward total project costs of $6,946,474, which includes $3,258,536 in Land Bank financing, $1,200,000 MSHDA Michigan Neighborhood Grant, $150,000 HomeStretch equity, and $500,000 in deferred developer fee.
A $28,748.01 unpaid check run was listed for post date October 14, 2026, including payments to vendors such as Airgas USA ($448.47), Bound Tree Medical ($15,009.43), Bauckham Thall Seeber ($4,120.00), and UHY LLP ($623.00), among others.
The September 2026 check run totaled $66,245.19 across 43 disbursements.
A legal invoice from Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes for collective bargaining work totaled $5,057.00.
Action Items
- Board to develop procedures and appoint a replacement trustee for Elizabeth Schwind within 45 days of her October 1 resignation (by mid-November 2026); advertisement deadline for letters of interest is November 5, 2026.
- Board to review and act on the Firefighters' Union tentative agreement, with Lizzie Mills attending remotely to explain terms.
- Board to further discuss and potentially approve the HomeStretch MOU/resolution and Agency Agreement for 824 N. Warren St.
- Board to provide input on Deputy Sheriff contract revisions; Supervisor to negotiate and bring back a final agreement in November or December.
- Board to discuss/vote on data center moratorium ordinances (zoning and non-zoning), both drafted by Seth Koches.
- Board to decide on Woolsey Airport Consultation Panel appointments (including new nominee Jason Manley) and vote on the proposed airport fee schedule and rental/camping forms.
- Board to decide whether to support HomeStretch's 2% Grand Traverse Band funding application.
- Board to consider a resolution asking the Leelanau County Road Commission to contribute Neighborhood Road funding toward Omena Point Road improvements.
- Board to consider in closed session the NLTUA sewer connection enforcement matter and legal opinion from Seth Koches.
- Board to respond to Grand Traverse Band attorney Bill Rastetter's request to release recorded exceptions on the former Timber Shores property.
- Board to decide on further advertisement for the vacant Parks and Recreation Committee chair position.
- Board to review and discuss the amended Assessor's Office Accessibility Policy.
- Board to decide whether to approve sale of the old Omena fire truck and renewal of Stryker and ESO Solutions service contracts.