Summary
The Leelanau Township Board of Trustees met on October 14, 2025, with Supervisor Barbara Conley presiding and all members present (Conley, Treasurer JoLisa Ugalde, Clerk Jessica Wilson, Trustee Silvia Gans, Trustee Elizabeth Schwind). The Board approved the L-4029 millage resolution with a reduced Police & Equipment Fund rate, adopted a 218 Amendment resolution, approved several assessing policies, contracted with YouthWork Industries for Braman Hill bike trail work, and rescheduled the November meeting due to a Veterans Day conflict. A presentation on attainable housing was heard from HomeStretch representative Jon Stimson.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered during the first session. In the second session, Hugh Cook asked about insurance coverage for the new bike trail at Braman Hill; no formal response was recorded. Correspondence was received from Mike McMillan, though its contents were not summarized in the minutes.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Jon Stimson of HomeStretch gave a slideshow presentation discussing options for attainable housing on township-owned land north of the Firehall on Warren St. No board decision or vote was recorded on this item.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Trustee Schwind reported ongoing YouthWork Industries work at Braman Hill, installation of pickleball courts at Buster Dame Park, and tree removal at the dog park, with the Township handling excavation as needed. The Board approved a contract with YouthWork Industries for Braman Hill bike trail improvements, not to exceed $7,500 (motion by Conley, seconded by Ugalde; roll call vote 5–0). Community members donated and installed portable basketball hoops at Buster Dame Park. The Northport Public School PTO requested use of Braman Hill for a Halloween event on October 25 (5:00–8:30 PM).
Infrastructure Projects
Facilities Manager Ian Dawkins reported the airport is prepping for Stage 1 of Terminal Building Restoration, a shade structure is expected at Braman, the well pipe at Omena Fire Station was repaired, and Kal Excavating is scheduled to repair the Omena Fire Station holding tank level monitor system.
Other Business
The Board discussed adopting a new meeting agenda structure and voted (Schwind moved, Ugalde seconded) to trial a new meeting format for three months; motion passed. The Board reviewed and approved multiple assessing policies (poverty exemption, personal property assessment, granting/removing property exemptions, and assessor accessibility), all by unanimous voice votes of 5–0. The Board approved the Assessor job description (Conley moved, Schwind seconded, 5–0). The November 11 meeting was rescheduled to November 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM due to the Veterans Day conflict (Conley moved, Ugalde seconded, 5–0). Reports were given by County Commissioner Ty Wessell (early childhood initiatives, hiring freeze, road millage update), Assessor Barry Wauldron (land sales, audit corrective plan, Pivot Point software), and Emergency Services (58 runs in August). Board members noted the Northwest Michigan Housing Summit (Oct 27–28), Leelanau Uncaged (Sept 27), and a Traverse Connect grant writing workshop. Gans proposed scheduling another board retreat.
Financial Summary
The Board approved bills as presented (Gans moved, Schwind seconded, roll call 5–0). The L-4029 millage resolution was approved with the Police & Equipment Fund millage reduced from 0.25 to 0.20 (Schwind moved, Ugalde seconded, roll call 5–0). GoGov push notification service was discussed at an annual cost of $3,600 (or $4,000 with texting). The YouthWork Industries contract was capped at $7,500. Treasurer Ugalde reminded the Board that taxes are due October 16.
Action Items
Draft an Assessor position description (completed and approved). Finalize L-4029 millage levy for December tax collection. Supervisor, Clerk, and legal counsel to work with the State of Michigan on the 218 Amendment. Kal Excavating to complete repair of the Omena Fire Station holding tank monitor system. Reschedule and notice the November 18, 2025 meeting. Continue three-month trial of new meeting format, to be reviewed by the Board.