Summary
The Leelanau Township Board of Trustees met with Supervisor Barbara Conley presiding, Clerk Jessica Wilson, Treasurer JoLisa Ugalde, and Trustees Elizabeth Schwind and Silvia Gans (Gans arrived at 5:38 P.M.). The Board approved several sets of prior minutes with corrections, approved bills totaling $12,460.17, held a closed session on a legal matter, and took numerous actions including a new brush truck purchase, retirement back-payments for the Zoning Administrator, an investment move to MI Class, tasting room support letters, and a proclamation for International Compost Awareness Week.
Public Comments
Philis Rebori (Leelanau Dark Sky Committee) distributed dark-sky preservation materials and an invitation to a planetarium program. Mark Krueger asked for updates on Omena Point Road support and Cherry Homes estimates from the Road Commission, later thanking the Commission and urging the Board to press for quick Cherry Homes estimates and to seek less expensive options for the Green Building addition. Elizabeth Maleck asked about availability of meeting drafts and later clarified the next meeting date (May 13). Chris McCann raised concerns about Buster Dame Park and a possible designation transfer, clarifying no decisions have been made between the Village and Township on affordable housing, and asked the Board to focus discussion on housing. In second public comment, Eric Potes thanked the Board and Village President for information on Buster Dame and affordable housing, urging consideration of all options before taking a park. Written correspondence was received from Kristi Fischer (housing needs on 7th St. and Buster Dame; also regarding AI note-taking devices), David Brigham and Marsha Buehler (7th St. and Buster Dame uses), and Tom MacDonald (7th St. use).
Parks and Recreation Matters
Trustee Schwind reported the Dog Park is not moving to Braman Hill and has not been discussed for relocation. Parks and Recreation is working on a half-pipe bike single track and a shade structure for pickleball courts. Supervisor Conley reported a $6,000 LCTF grant for a grant writer for the Woolsey Airport Terminal was approved. Jeanette Egler requested use of the Braman Hill Park warming room three mornings weekly for exercise classes and building key access; the Board tabled action pending legal consultation on for-profit use agreements, with a decision expected by the next meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane (Road Commission) presented an annual report on road funding, millage spending, and possible planning for Omena Point Rd. and Cherry Homes road repairs. Supervisor Conley reported NLTUA elected new officers (Chair Chris McCann, Vice Chair Mike McMillan, Secretary James Root, Treasurer Barbara Conley); the sewer system remained operational despite ice-storm outages, two new sewer connections were added, and a sewer capacity study (over $100,000, unbudgeted) by Jacobs was discussed for future consideration. Ty Wessell's report noted Point Broadband's Leelanau Township cabinet completion by May 9 and countywide completion by June 30, with delays in critical dunes areas. Clerk Wilson reported AT&T is proposing to replace Spectrum for ambulance communications; further quotes are pending.
Other Business
The Board approved Jon Hedgcock's mowing contract renewal for Woolsey Airport and the Township cemetery at $95/hr. Two tasting room requests were discussed: Bel Lago Ventures (off-premises) was approved unanimously; Red Truck Orchards (on-premises) passed 4-1, with Trustee Schwind opposed pending further Planning Commission review. The Board proclaimed May 4-10 as International Compost Awareness Week per Kathy Dawkins' request. A personnel manual compensation policy and Earned Sick Time Act policy (ESTA Policy VIII) were discussed and the ESTA policy was approved as amended. The Board approved a letter supporting the Grand Traverse Band's resolution to lower the Peshawbestown speed limit to 45 MPH. Vector Solutions renewal was approved. The Assessor employment contract was tabled.
Financial Summary
- Bills approved: $12,460.17 (amended, removing disputed $11,163.53 Zoning Administrator retirement expenditure pending approval).
- New brush truck (Skeeter) approved for $325,282.00 from the EMS Fund; preferred bid was $31,000 higher than the second bid.
- Zoning Administrator retirement back-contributions of $11,163.53 for six years approved separately.
- $1 million CD maturing April 21 approved to be moved from Huntington Bank into MI Class investments.
- $225,000 previously budgeted for Green Building addition alterations (discussion tabled this meeting).
- $6,000 LCTF grant approved for a Woolsey Airport Terminal grant writer.
- Sewer capacity study estimated at over $100,000, not yet budgeted.
- Zoning Administrator hourly rate set at $62/hr under FY25-26 wage approvals; Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee members' rates remained unchanged as unbudgeted.
Action Items
- Board to further discuss Jeanette Egler's Braman Hill Park facility request, including legal review of for-profit use agreements, by the next meeting.
- Bel Lago Ventures and Red Truck Orchards tasting room applications require further review by the Planning Commission and zoning/site licensing approvals.
- AT&T to provide further quotes for ambulance communication services.
- Assessor employment contract remains tabled for future action.
- Further Board discussion needed on affordable housing plans involving Buster Dame Park and 7th St., given ongoing resident concern (Fischer, Brigham, Buehler, MacDonald, McCann, Potes).
- Supervisor Conley continuing to obtain liability and airport insurance quotes before the airport policy expires.
- Trustees Gans and Schwind to continue exploring AI note-taking tools versus staff-handled minutes.