Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Executive Session, chaired by Ty Wessell, met May 14, 2024, with all seven commissioners present. The Board approved multiple Sheriff's Office contracts, accepted a $45,100 DNR Marine Safety grant, approved Finance and Planning Department actions, authorized creation of a new Finance & Accounting Department (6-1, Lautner opposed), and approved claims and accounts totaling $164,804.51 plus post-audit claims of $2,163,130.29.
Public Comments
Agenda-specific public comment was given by Harry Steffens, Lois Bahle, Laurel Jeris, Margaret Klesney, Steve Mikowski, Stephen Stier, and Renee Wyler; written comments were also submitted (available via county link). A second public comment period included Harry Steffens, Steve Mikowski, Scott Richards, Bill Wiesner, Don Spinniken, Jim Kobberstad, Renee Wyler, and John Hunter. Commissioner Lautner raised concern that a "Call of Duty" pop-up appeared on a Register of Deeds office computer while Ms. Wyler was using it, and asked that county property/computer security be reviewed; Chairman Wessell directed Interim Administrator Lewis to investigate. Commissioners O'Rourke, Kramer, Lautner, and Allgaier each responded to audience remarks regarding conduct toward Board members and free speech at public comment, with Commissioner Kramer citing casualty figures related to the Israel-Gaza conflict (1,139 killed and 8,730 injured in Israel; nearly 36,000 killed, half children, and over 80,000 injured in Gaza/West Bank).
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved (7-0) increasing Parks and Recreation authorized staffing to three positions for summer maintenance, within current budgeted hours. The Board also approved (7-0) an agreement with TruNorth Landscaping, not to exceed $14,315.00, for work at Myles Kimmerly Park per an April 19, 2024 proposal, plus a $1,500 contingency, funded from account #101.850.756.775.000. Chairman Wessell requested a late addition for the May 21 Regular Session on rolling forward unspent FY2023 Parks and Recreation funds into FY2024.
Infrastructure Projects
A Public Hearing on the Leelanau Tower project was set for June 13, 2024. The Board approved (7-0) waiving RFP requirements for Leland Dam repairs, directing Machin Engineering to seek a formal proposal from Michigan Fluid Power, not to exceed $17,000.00 (account #805.000.000.970.00). The Board also approved (7-0) Amendment No. 3 to the Fiber Optic Broadband Network Construction Agreement with Point Broadband; Chairman Wessell thanked DCS Technology CEO Chris Scharrer for his work. Sheriff Borkovich reported the new Great Lakes patrol boat would arrive between May 23-25 for delivery to either the Elmwood or Northport marina.
Other Business
The Board approved Sheriff's Office Cherryland Humane Society contracts (2025-2026) and Special Event Contracts (7-0 each). MCOLES recruitment agreement was discussed only, with Sheriff Borkovich noting recruitment wage competition challenges versus Grand Traverse County ($39/hr) and state/federal agencies (near $40/hr). The Board approved Senior Services in-home care proposals from Comfort Keepers, Linda Lingaur, and Janet Flowers; a multi-county Materials Management Plan intergovernmental agreement with Grand Traverse and Benzie Counties; remonumentation peer group and surveyor agreements ($700 each) with several survey firms; and appointed David King to the Land Bank Authority (partial term through 12/31/2026). The Energy Futures Task Force was authorized (6-1, Lautner opposed) to prepare a grant application to EGLE for the UofM SEAS project, with no county funds involved. The Budget Rules Amendment was deferred to the May 21 Regular Session at Commissioners Rexroat and Lautner's request.
Financial Summary
The Board approved increasing the 2024 Soldiers & Sailors Relief expense by $5,000 to an amended budget of $10,000, funded from the General Fund. The L-4029 tax rate request was approved at the maximum allowable millage. Claims and accounts of $164,804.51 and post-audit claims of $2,163,130.29 were approved. The Finance & Accounting Department creation includes adding one Account Clerk and transferring unspent Finance Director wages/benefits.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to consult Corporate Counsel regarding a Letter of Understanding with POAM on recruitment starting wages.
- Interim Finance Director Hartesvelt to prepare a report on rolling forward unspent FY2023 Parks and Recreation funds for the May 21 Regular Session.
- Veterans Affairs contract with Grand Traverse County to be renegotiated during the budget process, as FY2024 is the final contract year.
- Interim Administrator Lewis to investigate the "Call of Duty" pop-up on Register of Deeds office computers, per Commissioner Lautner's concern.
- June agenda to include discussion on whether to maintain the Personnel and Finance Committees following Finance Department creation.
- 2% Tribal Grant applications due May 16, 2024, for consideration at the May 21 Regular Session.