Summary
The packet for the Leelanau Township Board's August 12, 2025 meeting centers on Supervisor Barbara Conley's report, alongside minutes from three prior meetings (May 27, June 10, July 28). Key items include rescission of both the police and facilities/roads millage renewals due to election timing, continued funding decisions for Woolsey Airport Terminal repairs, ongoing housing initiatives, and proposed changes to employee health and retirement benefits.
Public Comments
At the June 10 meeting, Mark Krueger thanked the Board for hiring a grant writer for Woolsey Airport and urged raising the facilities/roads millage above what he called an insufficient $160,000 a year. Eric Potes asked approval to clean stored baseball equipment at Buster Dame Park for an upcoming event. Gary Fredrickson (online) urged increasing the millage beyond three mills, saying available funds would not cover planned projects. In second public comment, Betsy Malek (Zoom) opposed lifting the deed restriction on Buster Dame Park; Trustee Schwind separately expressed strong opposition to lifting that restriction, citing transparency concerns. Jennifer Wack thanked the Board for approving the Buster Dame event, and Emmy Neighbors thanked the Board for transparency on her winery license request. A written correspondence from Michael McMillan, read into the record, encouraged the Township to continue the DNR review process for Buster Dame and support attainable housing efforts; two additional supportive communications were noted as posted on the Township website.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Housing North's Yarrow Brown presented six core services (grants, zoning reform, developer engagement); the Board expressed interest in a roughly $30,000 contract, possibly split with the Village of Northport. Supervisor Conley's August report notes Northport passed a PILOT and Attainable Housing ordinance allowing up to 50% property tax reduction for landlords renting to households at or below 120% AMI. A Housing North community meeting is set for August 26. Conley is asking the Board to consider a Township-owned 5-acre parcel north of the firehall for housing/government-center use; non-profit builder Home Stretch has expressed interest, with Jon Stimson invited to address the Board in September.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved a July 19 Buster Dame Park community baseball event and cleaning of Township-owned equipment for it. Eric Potes and Trustee Schwind both opposed lifting the deed restriction on Buster Dame Park. Supervisor Conley is nominating Eric Potes to the Parks and Rec Commission vacancy. A draft update to the 1987 Parks Regulation Ordinance was included for Parks and Rec Committee review, targeted for September or October. Bob Newell (Village Planning Commission) requested permission to plant trees at the dog park, to be discussed with Parks and Recreation.
Infrastructure Projects
Woolsey Airport Terminal: the Board approved bid solicitation for Phase 1 repairs; bids came in above the $150,000 budgeted. Conley recommends hiring engineer Mark Krueger (fee $4,900) and allotting $145,377 (from a $11,377 Endowment Fund, $34,000 SWAT fund, and $100,000 Township commitment), plus a pending $69,323 request to the LTCF general fund, to be reviewed in September. Cherry Homes Subdivision roads: Road Commission estimated reconstruction cost at $2,712,900 (later refined estimate $2,575,700); Township would contribute $200,000 via Capital Improvement Plan, with a Special Assessment District proposed pending HOA agreement. Omena Point Rd (M22 to Omena Hts) improvement timing remains uncertain.
Other Business
The Board is asked to approve hiring attorneys to update the Employee Handbook (not to exceed $4,500) and to consider switching retirement administration from John Hancock to MERS. Health insurance options were compared (Priority Health vs. BC/BS), with a decision needed by September 1. An EGLE grant for Christmas Cove shoreline resilience (up to $250,000, requiring a 50% match) is due in December. The Board approved exploring a Northport Arts Association mural for the township hall. An architecture firm (Fishbeck, proposed at $18,800) may be hired to assess the aging Township building. The assessor reported 21 qualified Board of Review errors on July 22 and a corrective action plan needed after a PA 660 audit "factored" the Township for assessments outside valuation limits.
Financial Summary
June 10 bills approved: $14,721.79. UHY Auditors approved for up to 60 hours at $200/hour to reconcile Township accounts. MTA annual dues approved: $7,537.54. BS&A Stripe payment addendum approved: $450. Police Services Millage (rescinded July 28) had proposed 0.25 mills, raising an estimated $126,735 in year one. Facilities/Roads Millage (also rescinded) proposed 0.30 mills, raising an estimated $152,082. NLTUA approved a $130,000 capacity study. Woolsey Terminal funding sources total $145,377 committed, with a pending $69,323 request. Cherry Homes road reconstruction estimated at $2,712,900–$2,575,700. Fishbeck facility assessment proposal: $18,800. Employee Handbook update: not to exceed $4,500. EGLE Christmas Cove grant: up to $250,000 available with 50% match.
Action Items
Health insurance vendor/plan decision due by September 1. Barry Wauldron (Assessor) to present the corrective action plan in September. Jon Stimson (Home Stretch) invited to address the Board in September regarding housing use of the 5-acre parcel. LTCF to review the $69,323 Woolsey funding request in September. Parks and Rec Committee to review the draft Parks Ordinance by September/October. Planning Commission vacancy to be publicly advertised. EGLE grant application for Christmas Cove due in December. Continued tension noted over the proposed use of Buster Dame Park (a public park) for housing/deed-restriction changes, opposed by Eric Potes, Betsy Malek, and Trustee Schwind.