Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held its Organizational Session on January 7, 2025, electing Steve Yoder as Chairman for a two-year term and Ty Wessell as Vice-Chairman. The Board amended its 2025 Rules of Order and Procedure, set the 2025 meeting schedule with regular sessions beginning at 6:30 p.m. and morning meetings at 9:30 a.m., eliminated the Energy Futures Task Force as a committee, and directed further review of the Housing Action Committee. A closed session was held regarding attorney-client privileged communication related to union negotiations.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered at the start of the meeting. After the closed session, several individuals spoke: Mitchell Treadwell (City Commissioner, TC), James White, Donald Spinniken, Bill Wiesner, Alexis Wittman, Zach Marano, Steve Mikowski, and Scott Richards. The minutes do not detail the specific content of their remarks. Written comments and handouts were also submitted and are available via the county's meeting link. Commissioner Campbell responded by clarifying that the closed session concerned union negotiations and proposed that the Board consider adding a one-to-two-minute general public comment period to future agendas, suggesting the agenda be set after public comment so the Board could incorporate public input; this was a suggestion, not a Board decision. Commissioner Bunek and Chairman Yoder both thanked attendees for their comments.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Commissioner Campbell raised concerns about the Housing Action Committee (originally established in 2017 under the Planning Commission), noting several 2024 meetings were cancelled. A motion by Bunek to eliminate the Housing Action Committee failed 3-4 (Yes: Bunek, Walter, Yoder; No: Campbell, Robbins, Wessell, Allgaier). A subsequent motion by Campbell, amended by Wessell, passed 6-1 (No: Campbell), directing the Leelanau County Planning Commission to review the Committee in consultation with other entities, the County Administrator to review its creation for compliance with Board rules, and cancelling the Committee's planned organizational meeting until further notice.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Administrator Lewis noted the Parks and Recreation Commission bylaws allow up to three Commissioners to be appointed, and the Board could choose to appoint fewer if desired. No formal action was taken; appointments were deferred to the January 14, 2025 Executive Session.
Other Business
The Board amended the 2025 monthly department update schedule (motion by Bunek, seconded by Walter, 7-0) to replace the September Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department update with a Tri-County Materials Management Plan update; Commissioners Campbell and Walter suggested limiting presentations to 15 minutes. The Board voted 4-3 (Yes: Campbell, Walter, Yoder, Bunek; No: Robbins, Wessell, Allgaier) to eliminate the Energy Futures Task Force as a committee, following Campbell's motion citing its expired one-year mandate and lack of provision for task forces in Board policy.
Action Items
Commissioner appointments to Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Authorities, and appointments to Standing Committees, were deferred to the Executive Session on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The Planning Commission is to review the Housing Action Committee in consultation with other entities, and the County Administrator is to review its creation for compliance with Board rules; the Committee's organizational meeting is cancelled until further notice.