Summary
The Leelanau Township Board met and took action on a wide range of items, including a $1 million CD rollover, approval of the December 2024 minutes and bills ($64,278.86), several school tax collection agreements, and appointments to the Parks and Recreation Committee and NLTUA. The board discussed housing collaboration with the Village of Northport, a proposed cell tower, road funding shortfalls, and the future of the township’s assessing contract, which will end March 31, 2025.
Public Comments
Dan Toole asked the board to maintain a $100,000 allocation for Woosley Airport repair. Jeff Tropf raised concerns about over-taxation and said he would file a federal complaint if his case is denied again. Will Harper asked that facilities manager pay changes not come at the expense of the current manager. Paris Morse raised budget concerns and questioned the proposed cell tower's pricing and compliance with ordinances. Phyllis Rebori and Paul Rebori both criticized the current assessing contract and urged the board to seek other assessing companies; Elizabeth Mallek asked that the assessor position be opened to multiple bids. In second public comment, Ann Harper cautioned that financial information on the cell tower was misleading and said multifamily homes work better in the sewer district. Betsy Mallek noted a small group would assess the joint housing committee and that DNR conversion requires public input and an appraisal. Gina Harder said cell tower funding would include $100,000 from ARPA and $150,000 from Cherryland Electric, with the remainder from tower lease fees. Phyllis Rebori thanked the board for openness on the assessor search and asked about township hall hours.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The board discussed a Joint Housing Commission with the Village of Northport, including whether restrictions on the 7th Street property could be swapped so the Buster Dame property could be used for more than recreation. Conley clarified the township owns Buster Dame while the village zones it. Gans supported continuing to work with the village, and Wilson suggested forming a group knowledgeable about housing. No formal action was taken; more information was deemed necessary.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks and Recreation Committee held its first meeting January 15. The board voted unanimously (5-0) to reappoint Court Wengreen and Daniel Toole to three-year terms. Trustee Rutila proposed reviving the Winter Carnival; the board approved use of Braman Hill Recreational Park for the event on February 22, 2025 (5-0), with $100 liability insurance to be reimbursed to the township.
Infrastructure Projects
The board approved payment of $23,145.93 to Popp Excavating for the Woolsey Lake sewer project and $37,213.00 to Netlink Business Solutions for computer security upgrades ($18,660.50 due upfront). Mike McMillian was appointed as the joint NLTUA member with Northport Village. County Commissioner Ty Wessel reported ongoing broadband fiber work and EGLE permitting issues for unconnected residents. The board reviewed a Road Commission report showing Cherry Homes and Omena Point need repairs; Cherry Homes would cost over $1 million, with insufficient funding, potentially costing households about $3,000 each. Conley will contact the area township supervisor for further discussion.
Other Business
The board approved advertising the assessor position for 30 days at a cost not to exceed $650. Summer school tax collection agreements with Leland, Suttons Bay, and Northport school districts were approved. Township hall hours were amended to 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Monday–Thursday, closed Fridays. Official holidays matching the county schedule were approved. The Miss Dig annual invoice of $940.07 was approved. The board also discussed converting the facilities manager role from hourly ($52,000/$26 per hour) to a $60,000 salaried position, and reviewed a timeline for updating the policy manual.
Financial Summary
Bills totaling $64,278.86 were approved. A $1 million CD was rolled into Huntington Bank for three months after withdrawing $21,250 in interest. ARPA expenditures included $18,000 for solar panels, $22,835 for BS&A, $4,000 for BS&A training, and $37,213 for Netlink security, with all ARPA funds required to be committed by December 31, 2025. The Popp Excavating ($23,145.93) and Netlink ($37,213.00) invoices were approved. Cell tower funding was cited as $100,000 from ARPA and $150,000 from Cherryland Electric, with remaining costs from lease fees.
Action Items
Supervisor Conley will contact the area township supervisor regarding road funding for Cherry Homes and Omena Point. The assessor position will be advertised for 30 days following the end of the current Michigan Assessing Service contract (March 31, 2025) — an issue raised repeatedly in public comment by Phyllis Rebori, Paul Rebori, and Elizabeth Mallek. The Board of Review will assess property tax poverty exemption levels in March. Policy manual review will begin next month, and the draft 2025-26 budget will be presented at the February board meeting.