Summary
The Leelanau Township Board (meeting of January 13, 2026) considered a wide agenda including a proposed technical-assistance contract with Housing North, formation of a special assessment district for Cherry Homes Subdivision roads, adoption of the Township Personnel Manual, a Woolsey Airport land swap with the MDNR, a grant application to America250MI, appointment of Jessica Wilson as Zoning Administrative Assistant, a new 2026 poverty exemption policy, a tax-collection agreement with Leland Public School, and review of the NLTUA draft budget. Discussion also began on the Parks and Recreation ordinance, purchasing policy revisions, and a new facilities/roads millage tied to the township's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Public Comments
No general public comment period is detailed in the packet, but the Parks & Recreation Committee (meeting 12/17/2025) relayed a resident's request for a wind break at the Buster Dame dog park; the committee discussed options but felt the issue needs further investigation. Letters of support for the Save Woolsey Airport Terminal (SWAT) project were received from the Northport Area Historical Association, EAA Grand Traverse Region Chapter 234, Recreational Aviation Foundation, Leelanau Dark Sky, and the Northport Lions Club. The MDNR sent a letter (Erin Campbell, December 15, 2025) confirming Buster Dame Park remains in compliance with its 1991 grant terms and that the 7th Street/Buster Dame matter is closed.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks & Rec Committee reported on Woolsey Airport (SWAT requesting $50,000 from the CIP to start Phase 2, needing about $350,000 more; recommending a donation box on-site in spring), Braman Hill (skate park and single-track work pending spring; about $2,500 unspent from prior budget, with an additional $5,000 request likely for next year), Buster Dame (roof/wall disrepair, and a recommendation that any new cell tower contract include removal provisions), and Omena Beach (request to upgrade the pit toilet structure with better lighting). The Board was set to begin a first reading of the Parks and Rec ordinance, which governs park hours, permits, conduct, pets, vehicles, fires, and enforcement penalties (up to $500 per civil infraction).
Infrastructure Projects
The Board planned to establish the Cherry Homes Subdivision Special Assessment District No. 1 for road construction and maintenance, with the Township contributing $200,000 from road millage funds; Seth Koches was to join remotely for questions. The Woolsey Airport land exchange with the MDNR (15.317 acres DNR land appraised at $30,000 for 14.429 acres township land appraised at $50,000) was up for cost approval, including a $1,850 survey (O'Non Land Surveying) and $3,985 appraisal (Northern Michigan Real Estate Consultants). The NLTUA draft budget projected $807,976 in revenue and $698,229 in expenses, leaving a $109,747 fund balance; the NLTUA Board approved replacing the lift-station/treatment-plant alarm system with a Sensaphone device ($12,821 first year, $981/year thereafter) and approved Amendment #17 to the Jacobs Operations and Maintenance Agreement (a 3.44 cost-index adjustment, about 3.4% increase, no change in labor/staffing). NLTUA also flagged a parcel-splitting issue causing potential lost assessment revenue and will send the township a formal clarification letter. A cell tower contract (Vertical Bridge/ATT, per Ben Varney) is slated for discussion at the next month's meeting.
Other Business
The Board planned to approve the Leelanau Township Personnel Manual, a resolution appointing Jessica Wilson as Zoning Administrative Assistant (Wilson to abstain from the vote), a new 2026 poverty exemption policy using 150% of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines, and an agreement to collect summer school property taxes for Leland Public School. Discussion also began on amending the purchasing policy and on a new Capital Improvement Plan and facilities/roads millage.
Financial Summary
Housing North's proposed contract (LT2026) covers January 15, 2026–January 14, 2027, up to 12 hours/week support, capped at $20,000, billed at $5,000/quarter. The America250MI grant request is $50,000 (reimbursable) toward Woolsey Airport Terminal Phase 2, following $100,000 in township Phase 1 spending. The expiring facilities/roads millage (0.3 mills) generated about $180,000/year; the Supervisor proposed a new 2-mill millage for four years, projected to yield about $1,246,000/year, to be placed on the August ballot. The six-year CIP projects total costs ranging from $158,000 (2025) to $1,480,000 (2029), assuming $600,000–$700,000/year toward roads. Proposed purchasing policy changes would raise the supervisor's expedited-purchase approval limit to $35,000 and the formal-bid threshold to $50,000. The NLTUA budget (to be voted in March 2026) shows $807,976 revenue, $698,229 expenses, and a $109,747 fund balance, with O&M charges rising 8% in 2026.
Action Items
- Board to vote on the Housing North contract, the Cherry Homes special assessment resolution, the Personnel Manual, the Woolsey land swap costs, the America250MI grant submission, the Zoning Administrative Assistant resolution (Jessica Wilson to abstain), the 2026 poverty exemption resolution, the Leland Public School tax-collection agreement, and the NLTUA draft budget.
- NLTUA to send the township a formal letter regarding the split parcel and unassessed quarterly fees.
- Parks & Rec/SWAT to pursue a donation box at Woolsey Airport in spring and continue fundraising (including a Dune Bird Winery event).
- Township to gather further data for the CIP and prepare millage ballot language by April for the August ballot.
- Cell tower (Vertical Bridge/ATT) contract discussion scheduled for next month's meeting.
- Further investigation needed on the Buster Dame dog park wind break request.