Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met February 18, 2025, with Chairman Steve Yoder presiding. Commissioner Rick Robbins arrived at 6:40 p.m., missing early votes. The board approved a lengthy consent agenda, approved a new IT Technician position, renewed the FY2025 Blue Cross/Blue Shield contract, awarded several 2% allocations, approved a $120,000 broadband consulting contract, discussed terminating agreements related to the Leelanau Township tower project, and approved claims and accounts.
Public Comments
Two public comment periods were held. In the first (agenda-specific), Lois Bahle, Steve Mikowski, Keith Ashley, Tim McCauley, Jim White, and Kathy Dawkins spoke in person. In the second (general, 5-minute), speakers included Steve Tostige, Steve Mikowski, Jim White, Kathy Dawkins, Keith Beduhn, Amede DeCruydt, Bill Wiesner, Josh Bareman, Mickey Eicher of Burdickville, and Kathy Williams. Written comments were also submitted for both sessions and posted online, though the minutes do not summarize their content.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The board appointed Lois Bahle as the Planning Commission representative to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a one-year term ending December 31, 2025. Commissioner Bunek had previously questioned funding of a grant-writer expenditure from the Board's budget rather than Parks & Recreation; Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt confirmed Bunek was correct. The board then approved (7-0) the MCSA Group, Inc. proposal to prepare and submit a Michigan Trust Fund Development Grant application for the proposed Veronica Valley Lower Pond Trail Project, not to exceed $6,500, funded from Parks & Recreation account #101.850.756.801.000, with Chairman Yoder authorized to sign.
Infrastructure Projects
The board approved (6-1, Bunek opposed) a Project Management Services Agreement with DCS Technology Design, LLC for the Point Broadband Project and remaining unserved locations, not to exceed $120,000, citing years of LIFT Committee work covering roughly 25% of residents lacking broadband. Regarding the Leelanau Township Tower Project, Interim Administrator Richard Lewis outlined four agreements needing resolution: a lease with property owners Brian Mitchell and Holly Jandernoa (roughly $25,000 spent on roadway design); a Midway Electronics agreement ($202,750 already paid, 50% share); a Tower Space Agreement with Cherryland Electric Cooperative; and an Intergovernmental Agreement executed 10/09/2024. The board voted 7-0 to terminate the Mitchell/Jandernoa lease. A motion to terminate Midway Electronics was withdrawn; Lewis was authorized to investigate and report back at the March meeting.
Other Business
The board rejected (1-6) a proposed pick-up truck purchase for the Drain Commission not to exceed $46,320. A printer/copier purchase motion was withdrawn, with the matter referred to the March executive agenda. The board approved (6-1, Campbell opposed) $153,000 for 14 heat pump replacements via D&W Mechanical. The board also approved MMPC bylaws amendments, an EMS 9-1-1 dispatch console RFP, transfer of the Leland Dam property parcel to Newby Company, Inc. for $1.00, and appointed Kim Todd to the Land Bank Fast Track Authority (4-3).
Financial Summary
Approved 2% allocations from the Grand Traverse Band included $59,545.19 for Emergency Management consoles, $57,800 for Leelanau Christian Neighbors Food Pantry (5-2), and $12,343.16 for VFW Little Finger Post accessibility renovations (6-1). Fiscal Year 2025 Amendments #25-002 and #25-003 were approved. Claims and accounts totaling $550,212.72 and post-audit claims of $2,986,912.81 were approved unanimously.
Action Items
Interim Administrator Lewis will report back at the March meeting on Midway Electronics, Cherryland Electric, and Leelanau Township tower agreements. A truck purchase referral for the Drain Commissioner was sent to the March executive agenda. Broadband and DTR Fund discussions are planned for next month.