Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole met December 10, 2024, chaired by Ty Wessell, primarily to conduct its annual review of vacancies on boards and commissions. Executive Assistant Lauren Cypher presented a handout outlining open seats, and the Committee approved numerous recommendations for appointments and reappointments to the full Board of Commissioners, all passing 6-0 (Commissioner Kama Ross, Melinda Lautner, James O'Rourke, Doug Rexroat, Gwenne Allgaier, and Wessell voting; District #1 seat vacant).
Public Comments
Dr. David Quimby spoke during agenda-specific public comment. No specific concerns were recorded in the minutes. Later in the meeting, the Committee recommended appointing Dr. Quimby to the Benzie/Leelanau District Board of Health for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2026 (motion by Allgaier, seconded by Ross, passed 6-0). No public comments were made during the general public comment period at the end of the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Committee recommended reappointing Charles Godbout and Keith Beduhn to the Parks & Recreation Commission for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2027 (motion by Rexroat, seconded by Allgaier/Lautner, passed 6-0). Mel Black was recommended as the Leelanau County Road Commission representative to the Parks & Recreation Commission (motion by Lautner, seconded by O'Rourke, passed 6-0). Rebecca Benedict was recommended for a partial term expiring December 31, 2027 (motion by Allgaier, seconded by Ross, passed 6-0), and Jim Carpenter was recommended for a partial term expiring December 31, 2026 (motion by Allgaier, seconded by Lautner, passed 6-0). Administrator Lewis noted Casey Noonan resigned from the Parks & Recreation Commission; that commission will recommend a replacement to fill Noonan's remaining term.
Other Business
Numerous other board/commission appointments were recommended, including to the Benzie/Leelanau Environmental Health Board of Appeals (Don Barrows reappointed), Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (David King reappointed; Christopher Logan and Kathleen Wiejaczka appointed), Construction Board of Appeals (Thomas Verschaeve and Julius Bunek appointed), Leland Dam Authority (Garth Greenan reappointed), Planning Commission (Lois Bahle, Scott Heiser appointed; Mel Black reappointed), Soil Erosion/Sedimentation/Stormwater Runoff BOA (Eric Lind reappointed; Kathy Dawkins appointed), Solid Waste Council (Andrew Gale and Tom Peterson reappointed; Kathy Dawkins appointed), and Veterans Affairs Administrative Committee (Steve Stanton reappointed). All motions passed 6-0. Chairman Wessell noted the Board should seek recommendations from Networks Northwest for Workforce Development appointments. Commissioner Ross requested better advertisement of open positions.
Action Items
- Discussion on whether the AAANM appointment should be a Board member or private citizen moved to the January 2025 Organizational Meeting.
- Discussion on whether the Northwest Regional Airport Authority appointment should be a Board member or private citizen moved to the January 2025 Organizational Meeting.
- TTCI and Northwest Regional Airport Authority Commissioner representatives to be chosen at the January 2025 Organizational Meeting.
- Readvertise for the citizen member opening on the Land Bank Fast Track Authority.
- Advertise for two remaining openings on the Solid Waste Council.
- Parks & Recreation Commission to recommend an appointee to the Board to fill the remainder of Casey Noonan's term.
- Board to seek Workforce Development recommendations from Networks Northwest.