Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held an Executive Board Session on April 8, 2025, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present. The Board approved numerous recommendations to move to the April 15 Regular Session, including sheriff's office budget adjustments, a lactation room construction project, a Cherryland Electric tower lease amendment, and various financial and maintenance items. The Board also entered closed session to discuss union negotiations and reconvened afterward.
Public Comments
During agenda-specific public comment, Stephen Mikowski, David Mosher, and Steve Tostige spoke in person; no specific concerns or responses were detailed in the minutes. During the later public comment period, Josh Barmen, Steve Scales, Stephen Mikowski, Lois Bahle, Bill Wiesner, and Scott Richards spoke in person. Written comments were also submitted and are available via a linked document on the county website; the minutes do not summarize their content.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Administrator James Dyer presented amended Parks & Recreation Commission Bylaws, recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission at its March 18, 2025 meeting. On motion by Robbins, seconded by Wessell, the Board voted 7-0 to recommend the bylaws move to the April 15 Regular Session for approval, with the motion language amended from "approved" to "recommended by" the Commission.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board approved (7-0, motion by Bunek, seconded by Robbins) Amendment No. 2 to the Cherryland Electric Cooperative tower space lease, restating the total amount received from Cherryland at $162,200.00, a refund due to Cherryland of $40,550.00, and a 25-year tower lease rent credit of $121,650.00 on three towers.
Regarding the Leland Dam pedestrian bridge/walkway project, the Board approved (7-0, motion by Allgaier) roofing repair of the dam control room roof by Easling Construction not to exceed $7,172.00, funded from the General Fund, and waived board bid-requirement policy for the project. The Board also approved (7-0, motion by Bunek) additional engineering services from Machin Engineering, Inc. for the dam pedestrian bridge deck replacement, not to exceed $3,000.00.
Other Business
The Board discussed (information only) 9-1-1 law enforcement radio encryption with Emergency Manager Matt Ansorge and voted to move the item to the April 15 Regular Session. The Board reappointed Jane Keen to the Leelanau County Jury Board through April 30, 2031. A motion by Allgaier to change Board regular session start times from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. beginning May 20, 2025 failed 2-5 (Ayes: Allgaier, Wessell; Noes: Bunek, Campbell, Robbins, Walter, Yoder). The Board discussed 2% Allocations policy, with Commissioners Bunek, Allgaier, and Wessell sharing views; Chairman Yoder noted consensus for Administrator Dyer to draft a policy for presentation in May. The Board approved (7-0) entering closed session for union negotiation strategy under MCL 15.268(1)(c), including Attorney Matt Nordfjord, Administrator Dyer, Finance Director Hartesvelt, Chief Deputy Clerk Zywicki, HR Manager Kain, and Sheriff Borkovich.
Financial Summary
Approved items included: $7,735.00 for 20 Mitel IP phones from BSB Communications (Telephone Fund #656); MIDC FY26 Compliance Plan moved to April 15 session; credit card application amendments authorizing Finance Director Hartesvelt and Administrator Dyer as authorized users on the Elan Financial card; MSU Extension Agreement for $141,731.00 for 2025 services; engagement with SpyGlass Group for telecommunications analysis; $1,000.00 contribution from Bay Area Senior Advocates for Senior Services; mower purchase from Ginop Sales, Inc. for $33,900.00; Kubota mower replacement for $23,966.23 (funded via $16,084.87 MMRMA claim, $4,600.00 capital outlay, $2,000.00 salvage credit, $1,281.36 from Parks & Recreation); lactation room construction not to exceed $12,000.00. Claims and accounts were approved at $131,240.88, and post-audit claims and accounts at $3,242,531.32.
Action Items
Administrator James Dyer to draft a County Policy on 2% Allocations for presentation at the May Executive Session. Finance Director Hartesvelt to send the Board revised budget information for the Marine Division seasonal hours adjustment and to process a fund transfer for the Mitel phone purchase to the Telephone Fund. Lactation room construction to be completed by August 1, 2025 to comply with the Affordable Care Act. Several items (9-1-1 radio encryption, MIDC Compliance Plan, Material Management Plan RFP) were moved to the April 15, 2025 Regular Session for further action.