Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners' Committee of the Whole met December 9, 2025, chaired by Steve Yoder, with Commissioner Gwenne Allgaier absent (excused). The meeting focused entirely on annual review of vacancies on county boards and commissions, with Executive Assistant Lauren Cypher explaining the appointment process. Several appointments and reappointments were recommended to the full Board of Commissioners, three vacancies were postponed to January 2026 due to lack of applicants, and the Housing Action Committee was recommended for dissolution.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during either public comment period (agenda-specific or general).
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Commissioner Campbell moved to recommend dissolving the Housing Action Committee; the motion was seconded by Bunek. After discussion, the recommendation passed 6-0 (Campbell, Robbins, Bunek, Walter, Wessell, Bunek), with Allgaier absent.
Other Business
- Benzie/Leelanau District Environmental Health Board of Appeals: No applications received; appointment postponed to January 2026.
- Construction Board of Appeals: Robert Miller recommended for appointment (Architect category), partial five-year term expiring December 31, 2030. Passed 6-0.
- Land Bank Fast Track Authority: Discussion included Commissioner Bunek advocating for Jim White due to his frequent meeting attendance, while Chairman Yoder favored Josh Bareman, citing Bareman's outreach and real estate background. Josh Bareman was recommended for a 3-year term expiring December 31, 2028, passing 4-2 (Bunek and Campbell opposed).
- Leland Dam Authority: Richard Thompson reappointed (Engineer category), 3-year term expiring December 31, 2028, passed 6-0. A motion by Bunek to appoint Jim Kobberstad (Riparian category) failed 1-5. A subsequent motion by Robbins to appoint Dawn Lund (Riparian category) passed 5-1, with Bunek opposed.
- Michigan DHHS vacancy: No applications received; postponed to January 2026.
- Northwest Regional Airport Authority (NRAA) Zoning Board: Steve Patmore reappointed, 3-year term expiring December 31, 2028, passed 6-0.
- Planning Commission: Brian Fenlon and Tom Nixon reappointed (Agriculture and Municipal Government categories), 3-year terms expiring December 31, 2028, passed 5-1 (Campbell opposed). Steve Ruddell (Business category) appointed, passed 6-0. Christopher Logan (Tourism category) appointed after the question was divided at Wessell's request, passed 5-1 (Wessell opposed).
- Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance BOA: No applications received; postponed to January 2026.
- Solid Waste Council: Residency requirement waived, passed 6-0. Robert Newell appointed for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2027, passed 6-0. Mark Bevelhymer, Marcia Harris, and James Palmer reappointed for two-year terms expiring December 31, 2027, passed 6-0.
- Commissioners thanked Lauren Cypher for her work on the appointment process.
Action Items
- Reconsider appointments for the Benzie/Leelanau District Environmental Health Board of Appeals, Michigan DHHS vacancy, and Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance BOA in January 2026, as no applications were received for these seats.
- Full Board of Commissioners to act on all recommendations forwarded from this Committee of the Whole meeting, including the recommended dissolution of the Housing Action Committee.