Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met November 12, 2024, in Executive Session under Chairman Ty Wessell. Commissioner District #1 remains vacant. The board approved numerous contracts and grant applications, moved several items to the November 19 Regular Session, and engaged in extended debate over ending stipends for the Chief Deputy Clerk and County Clerk during union negotiations, ultimately deferring a decision pending a revised proposal from Interim Administrator Richard Lewis.
Public Comments
Agenda-specific comments were given by Sam Getsinger, Dr. Bob McCormick, and Rick Robbins, though specific concerns were not detailed in the minutes. Later in the meeting, Harry Steffens, Christine Kramer, Renee Wyler, Steve Mikowski, Jim Kobberstad, and Bill Weisner spoke; written comments were also submitted and posted online, but no summary of their content was recorded. During the stipend discussion, Commissioner Ross noted that public comment had raised a possible legal issue with paying an hourly wage versus a stipend.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
As part of the Grand Traverse Band (GTB) 2% Tribal Grant application package (Winter 2024 cycle), the board approved submitting requests including $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity's home build in Leelanau County, $34,947 for Homestretch Housing and SEEDS' affordable housing build in Suttons Bay, and $50,000 for Housing North's Leelanau County Zoning Atlas Project. Motion by Allgaier, seconded by Ross; AYES – 6, NO – 0.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The board set a public hearing on the Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Plan – February 2025 for December 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the County Commission Chambers (motion by Rexroat, seconded by Ross; AYES – 6, NO – 0). Separately, a $18,006.00 Disc Golf Course upgrade was included in the GTB grant application list approved above.
Infrastructure Projects
The board approved the First Amendment to the tower space lease with Verizon at the Maple City Tower site (motion Rexroat/Allgaier; AYES – 6). It also approved the Third Amendment to the AT&T tower lease at Maple City, Omena, and Northport sites, pending legal counsel review (motion Rexroat/Allgaier; AYES – 6). A three-year maintenance contract with Motorola Solutions for 9-1-1 dispatch radio consoles and NICE radio recorder equipment was approved (motion Allgaier/O'Rourke; AYES – 6). The board also approved allowing T-Mobile to use County electrical power at the Central Tower site for one month in exchange for $750.00 (motion Allgaier/O'Rourke-Rexroat; AYES – 6).
Other Business
The board approved a uniform/gun allowance for non-union Sheriff's personnel (motion Lautner/Rexroat-O'Rourke; AYES – 6); a 5-year inmate food service agreement with Canteen Services Inc. (motion Allgaier/O'Rourke; AYES – 6); purchase of a LiveScan fingerprint unit for $10,298.00 from ID Networks (motion Rexroat/O'Rourke; AYES – 6); and entry into the MCOLES Public Safety Academy Assistance Program for an employed recruit starting January 27, 2025 (motion Lautner/Allgaier; AYES – 6). A contract with Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs (2025–2028) at $56,618.00 annually was approved (motion Lautner/O'Rourke; AYES – 6). The Equalization L-4402 Apportionment Report was moved to the November 19 Regular Session (motion Rexroat/Lautner; AYES – 6). Jennifer L. Zywicki was authorized to purchase six months of MERS service credit for approximately $12,785.00, paid by the employee (motion Allgaier/O'Rourke; AYES – 6). Multiple Senior Services agreements (2025–2026) were renewed: Linda Lingaur/Linda Lou Hair and Nails at $35.00/service (motion Allgaier/Rexroat-Ross; AYES – 6); Flowers Help Services LLC at $37.50/15 minutes with 3% annual increase (motion Lautner/Ross-Allgaier; AYES – 6); Health Department of Northwest Michigan for dental services (motion Ross/Rexroat; AYES – 6); Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council for $2,000.00 (motion Allgaier/Ross; AYES – 6); Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency for $75,000 (Meals on Wheels) (motion Allgaier/Ross; AYES – 6); ShareCare of Leelanau for up to $56,000 (transportation) and $44,000 (wellness) (motion Allgaier/Ross; AYES – 6); and Catholic Human Services for up to $8,000.00 (Senior Companion Program) (motion Ross/Allgaier; AYES – 6). Out-of-state travel for Senior Services Director Lena Vander Meulen to an April 21–24, 2025 conference in Orlando was approved (motion Ross/Allgaier; AYES – 6). A service agreement with Rehmann Robson LLC for ACA forms preparation, not to exceed $5,700.00, was approved (motion Lautner/Allgaier; AYES – 6). The 2025 Tire Recycling Amendment #4 with ERG and the 2025 Mattress Recycling Agreement with BARC were both approved (motions by Ross/Allgaier; AYES – 6 each). The Appropriations Act Resolution and Budget Rules were moved to the November 19 Regular Session (motion Rexroat/Allgaier; AYES – 6). The board approved submitting twelve applications for the GTB 2% grant cycle (see above and Financial Summary) (motion Allgaier/Ross; AYES – 6). Purchase of 129 office chairs from Staples for $48,501.86 was approved (motion Lautner/Rexroat-O'Rourke; AYES – 6). MAC 2024–2025 annual dues of $12,000.00 were approved (motion Lautner/Allgaier; AYES – 6). Claims and Accounts of $190,806.68 and Post Audit Claims and Accounts of $15,836,153.87 were both approved (motions Lautner/O'Rourke-Rexroat and Lautner/Rexroat; AYES – 6 each).
Financial Summary
Key approved expenditures included: $56,618.00 annual veterans affairs contract; $10,298.00 fingerprint scanner; $12,785.00 MERS service credit purchase; $75,000 Meals on Wheels contract; $56,000 and $44,000 ShareCare contracts; $8,000.00 Catholic Human Services contract; $2,000.00 Family Coordinating Council contract; $5,700.00 cap for Rehmann Robson services; $48,501.86 for office chairs; $12,000.00 MAC dues; $750.00 payment from T-Mobile to the County; $190,806.68 in claims and accounts; and $15,836,153.87 in post audit claims and accounts. The board also approved submitting twelve GTB 2% grant applications totaling requests including $18,006.00 (Disc Golf), $20,000.00 (EV charging), $125,445.19 (dispatch consoles), $50,000.00 (Habitat for Humanity), $34,947.00 (Homestretch Housing/SEEDS), $50,000.00 (Housing North), $5,000.00 and $10,000.00 (mattress/tire collection), $10,350.00 (SEEDS composting), $57,800.00 (food pantry), $75,650.00 (body cameras), and $53,000.00 (VFW accessibility).
Action Items
Interim Administrator Richard Lewis is to prepare a revised proposal on compensation for Clerk's Office assistance during union negotiations, to be reviewed at the November 19, 2024 Regular Session; this follows unresolved board conflict between Commissioner Rexroat (favoring ending stipends) and Commissioners Lautner, Allgaier, and Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt (favoring continued support), with Chairman Wessell seeking a compromise. Lewis is also to bring a request to the November 19 Regular Session to set the Committee of the Whole date for December 10, 2024, regarding Boards and Commissions recommendations. Lewis will also update the board on December meeting scheduling pending an ongoing interview process.