Summary
The Leelanau Township Board of Trustees met January 14, 2025, with Supervisor Barb Conley presiding and all members present (JoLisa Ugalde, Jessica Wilson, Elizabeth Schwind, Silvia Gans). The board approved minutes and bills, approved a CD investment move, reappointed two Parks and Recreation members, approved a Winterfest event, and discussed road funding, the assessor contract, and housing collaboration with the Village of Northport. The next regular meeting was set for February 11, 2025.
Public Comments
First comment period: Dan Toole asked the board to maintain a $100,000 allocation for repair and restoration of Woolsey Airport. Jeff Troph raised concerns about property over-taxation, citing court history, and warned he would file a federal complaint if denied again. Will Harper commented on the facilities manager position, hoping salary changes would not "freeze out" the current manager. Paris Morse raised budget concerns and questioned the proposed cell tower's pricing and compliance with ordinances. Philis Rebouri and Paul Rebouri both raised concerns about the assessing contract and assessor Christy, with Paul suggesting the board consider other companies for assessing services. Betsy expressed hope that the assessor position would be posted publicly.
Second comment period: Ann Harper cautioned that financial information about the cell tower was misleading and suggested multifamily housing is better suited to the sewer district. Betsy commented on the joint housing committee, noting a small group would assess DNR conversion requirements. Gina Harder detailed tower funding: $100,000 from ARPA, $150,000 from Cherryland Electric, with remaining costs from tower lease fees. Philis Rebouri thanked the board for openness on the assessor search and asked about hall hours.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Conley reviewed history of a resolution exploring a Joint Housing Commission with the Village of Northport, including whether deed restrictions could be swapped between the 7th Street property and the Bustrodame property to allow non-recreational use. Gans supported continuing to work with the Village; Wilson suggested forming a group knowledgeable in housing/low-income housing. The board agreed more information was needed before proceeding.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Trustee Schwind reported the Parks and Recreation Committee's first meeting was held 1/15/25. The board voted to reappoint Court Wengreen and Daniel Toole to the Parks and Recreation Committee for 3-year terms. Rutila proposed reviving the Winterfest/winter carnival; the board approved the event and its $100 insurance liability cost. A Parks and Recreation Committee report (Kristi Holmstrom, secretary) recommended against installing three test wells for lead in groundwater at the Braman Hill shooting range, citing low lead levels in nearby Village and school water tests, favorable soil pH, and adequate EPA-recommended practices already followed by the Northport Sportsman's Club; the committee recommended tying future lease renewals to compliance with best practices instead.
Infrastructure Projects
The 2024 road report showed Cherry Homes and Omena Point roads need maintenance; Cherry Homes repairs were estimated over $1 million, with insufficient township funding (would cost each household roughly $3,000). Gans noted $410,000 was given in 2009 to repair 8.6 miles and suggested assessing a millage. Conley agreed to contact county road supervisors. A draft resolution proposed engaging the Leelanau County Road Commission to improve Omena Point Road (0.45 miles, PASER rating of 3) at a cost not to exceed $200,000, funded from the Facilities fund. Woolsey Airport funding of $100,000 was requested by resident Dan Toole; cell tower funding was discussed ($100,000 ARPA, $150,000 Cherryland Electric, remainder from lease fees), with resident concerns about ordinance compliance and pricing.
Other Business
The board discussed the assessor contract (salary range $60,000–$70,000 plus benefits) and voted to approve advertising the assessor position at a cost not to exceed $600. A full-time Facilities Manager position was proposed, moving from an hourly $52,000 rate to a salaried $60,000; Schwind expressed approval. The board discussed Board of Review dates (all of March), Township Hall hours (proposed 9:30–1:00 public hours with by-appointment availability 1:00–3:00), and Township holidays aligned with county holidays. Motions were made and seconded for Summer School Tax approvals for Leland, Suttons Bay, and Northport Public Schools. The Miss Dig annual invoice ($940.07) and a Popp Excavating payment ($23,145.93) were approved. Netlink security expenses were also approved. Mike McMillian was appointed to NLTUA jointly with Northport Village.
Financial Summary
The Treasurer reported a matured 1-mil CD generating $21,250 in interest; the board voted to move this CD into Huntington Bank. ARPA expenditures reported included $1,800 for household solar panels, $2,285 for BSNA, $4,000 for BSNA training, and $37,213 for Netlink computer security. The 2025-26 budget timeline calls for a draft budget at the February meeting, with the fiscal year running April 1–March 31; salary resolutions were prepared for Treasurer ($60,000), Supervisor ($38,262), Clerk ($62,000), Trustees ($5,146), and Deputy Clerk/Deputy Treasurer (converted to salaried, $49,920 full-time). The unpaid check run for February 2025 totaled $51,470.26; the December 2024–January 2025 check register totaled $2,649,364.41 in disbursements. A proposed resolution would fund $200,000 in Omena Point Road improvements from the Facilities fund.
Action Items
Conley to reach out to county road supervisors regarding Cherry Homes/Omena Point road funding. The Joint Housing Commission discussion with Northport Village requires further information before proceeding, including possible property-use swaps. The assessor position is to be advertised (cost not to exceed $600), with resident-raised concerns about the current assessing contract and assessor Christy remaining unresolved and flagged as a recurring source of public friction. The Parks and Recreation Committee's recommendation on Braman Hill groundwater testing awaits formal board action, including possibly tying Sportsman's Club lease renewals to compliance verification.