Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met August 20, 2024, under Chairman Ty Wessell with Commissioner O'Rourke, Rexroat, Ross, Allgaier, and Lautner present (District #1 vacant). The board approved numerous action items including a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program resolution, a Cherry Capital Airport Joint Zoning Board appointment resolution, an ARPA/Point Broadband funding commitment, and an extension of Interim Administrator Richard Lewis's contract through May 2025. The board also dissolved its Finance and Personnel Committees and set an August 28, 2024 special session to address the administrator search and Facilities Director position.
Public Comments
Lois Bahle spoke during agenda-specific public comment regarding the importance of information about wells; Commissioner Lautner later thanked her for these remarks. During general public comment, Keith Ashley and Bill Wiesner spoke in person, though the minutes do not detail their remarks. Written comments were also submitted and are referenced via a document link, but their content is not summarized in the minutes.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The board approved a one-year contract extension with the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) for housing rehab services, pending review by Corporate Counsel (Motion #222, carried 6-0). Separately, under the 2% Grant Contracts, Housing North was approved to receive $50,000.00 in grant funds (Motion #225, carried 6-0).
Infrastructure Projects
The board approved the first amendment to the agreement with Midway Electronics, Inc. for construction of the Leelanau Township cell tower, pending Corporate Counsel approval (Motion #218, carried 6-0). The board also approved the "Classic" design by Machin Engineering for the Leland Dam Bridge and Walkway repair and authorized Interim Administrator Lewis to solicit material pricing (Motion #230, carried 6-0); Lewis reported the Leland Dam hydraulics repair would be completed by September 9, 2024. Additionally, the board adopted Resolution #2024-014 establishing a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program to finance renewable energy, efficiency, and water-usage improvement projects via property owner-arranged private loans, with no county funds pledged (roll call, 6-0).
Other Business
The board approved a replacement Sheriff's vehicle, a Secondary Road Patrol grant application, a Visa credit card application for Finance Director Catherine Hartesvelt, an IT Director salary adjustment for Liana Wilson, a Land Bank Authority fund transfer, permission to draft an RFP for financial audit services, a title change for the Human Resources Director to Human Resources Manager, a Vital Records software agreement with Fidlar Technologies, and an RFP for electrical inspection/repair (Commissioner Rexroat recused). The board entered closed session under MCL 15.258(1)(h) to discuss an attorney-client privileged legal opinion, then authorized Lewis to contact MMRMA regarding Claim #2402726.
Financial Summary
Key approvals: Sheriff's vehicle replacement not to exceed $4,470.00 (General Fund); ARPA funds (~$862,897.00) committed toward the $1,800,000.00 Point Broadband contract, with the remaining balance (~$937,103.00) drawn from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund; IT Director retroactive salary adjustment of $4,382.86; Land Bank Authority transfer up to $400,000.00 for blight elimination at 201 S. High St., Northport; 2% Grant Contracts totaling $68,680.00 (Inland Seas $15,000.00, Housing North $50,000.00, Leelanau County Historical Preservation Society $3,680.00); Vital Records software agreement not to exceed $3,000.00; Budget Amendment #24-010 and Fund Transfer #24-004 approved; Claims and Accounts of $652,537.78 approved; Post Audit Claims and Accounts of $1,934,214.60 approved.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to draft an RFP for financial audit services covering fiscal years 2024–2027 and request a one-year extension proposal from Rehmann.
- Special session set for August 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. to address the County Administrator search direction and the Facilities Director position/job description.
- Finance Director Hartesvelt to research and report back to the full board on vendor Safety Net invoices exceeding the annual monthly fee.
- Board to consider bringing routine maintenance work (e.g., electrical/fluorescent light repairs currently billed to vendor Gary O'Conner) in-house as part of the Administrator's plan.
- Commissioners encouraged to identify a Leelanau County elected official to serve on the tri-county Material Management Plan committee, per Commissioner Ross's request on behalf of Grand Traverse County's Lydia Gulow.