Summary
The Suttons Bay Village General Services Committee met on August 4, 2026, primarily to receive a presentation from Rich Bahle and Council Member Perkins on the condition of Leo Creek culverts. Supporting documents outline the scope, history, and cost of a proposed hydrologic study to assess culvert adequacy, along with a draft joint resolution between the Village and Suttons Bay Township to cooperatively address the issue.
Infrastructure Projects
The committee discussed the condition of culverts carrying Leo Creek under roads at seven crossings, six within the Village. Most are Village responsibility, with the M22 culvert under MDOT jurisdiction and the two southernmost crossings under Leelanau Road Commission control. Many culverts date from the 1900s and are undersized, causing erosion, impeded fish passage, and flooding, including flooding that reached Leo Creek Park gardens during a Spring 2026 high-flow event. The two culverts under Elm Street were identified as being in particularly poor condition and likely needing replacement, while corrugated culverts at S Shore Dr and Eckerle Rd show accelerated flow and pedestrian/biker hazards due to narrow roadbeds.
Rich Bahle and Sarah U'Ren (Program Director, The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay) previously obtained a proposal from engineering firm Environmental, Consulting & Technology, Inc. (ECT) to conduct a hydrologic and hydraulic assessment of the seven crossings. ECT's fee is a not-to-exceed $9,680 on a time-and-materials basis, plus a $320 oversight fee from The Watershed Center, for a total of $10,000. An optional add-on investigation into the causes of flooding (land use/design changes over time) is available for an additional $2,750. The document notes the overall study cost, if covering all culverts, is likely around $14,000.
A draft joint resolution between Suttons Bay Township and the Village of Suttons Bay was included, proposing the two governments agree to work cooperatively to address the culvert and stream health issues, citing flooding risk (referencing a September 6-7, 2023 rainfall event) and impacts on Suttons Bay's health, property values, and the local economy. No vote on the resolution is recorded in this document.
Financial Summary
ECT's proposed study fee: not-to-exceed $9,680 (time and materials). The Watershed Center oversight fee: $320. Total base study cost: $10,000. Optional additional investigation into causes of flooding: $2,750. A full study covering all culverts is estimated at approximately $14,000. No votes or approvals of these expenditures are recorded in this document.
Action Items
No formal actions, deadlines, or votes are recorded in this document. The presentation by Rich Bahle and Council Member Perkins served to inform the committee of the culvert conditions and the previously drafted study proposal and joint resolution; no committee decision or next steps are documented following the presentation.