Summary
The Leelanau Township Board's August 11, 2026 packet centers on the Supervisor's report and several major action items: selecting a developer for the 824 N. Warren Street affordable housing project (Allen Edwin has withdrawn), Woolsey Airport Terminal Phase 1 close-out and roof protection, multiple budget amendments, an EMS equipment purchase, and follow-up on a financial audit that identified several material weaknesses. The July 15, 2026 regular meeting minutes, included as reference material, show the Board approved the L-4029 tax levy and Parks and Facilities millage language unanimously, approved EMS membership costs, and denied a resident's tennis court rental request.
Public Comments
The July 15 minutes list Leonard Pollard(th) under public comment, though no substantive detail is recorded. A public hearing on rental of Braman Hill land for a communications tower and a separate public hearing/presentation session on the housing RFP (August 6 at Northport Public School) were scheduled for public input; Supervisor Conley indicated results of the August 6 housing session would be reported at the August 11 meeting.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The RFP Housing Committee (Susan Leithauser-Yee, Ann Marie Mitchell, Elizabeth Schwind, Brayton Farr, Josh Mills, Nora Dunlop) evaluated three developers for 824 N. Warren Street. Allen Edwin withdrew, citing unworkable financials. Between Homestretch (26 townhome units, ~$7,323,101 budget, land for $100, roughly $2.4 million funding gap after equity/deferred fees, targeting 40-60% AMI) and LC Consultants (24-40 units, $8.8-$14.8 million depending on configuration, relying on competitive 9% LIHTC credits), committee members Ann Marie Mitchell, Elizabeth Schwind, Josh Mills, and Nora Dunlop each individually recommended Homestretch, citing village-scale design, faster/more predictable local fundraising, and a "Plan B" to scale units if funding falls short. No formal Board vote on the developer is recorded in this packet; the Supervisor states the Board will decide following the August 6 session.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Parks and Recreation requested $5,000 (per the Supervisor's report) or a quoted $763.58 (per the Parks and Rec Committee) for postcard printing/mailing to survey residents for the new 5-year Parks and Rec Plan due December 2026. Omena Beach received added trash pickup (Monday/Thursday via GFL) after complaints; Health Department monitoring shows the beach safe for full-body contact. Peterson Park facilities management is seeking public input on tree management affecting the water view.
Infrastructure Projects
Woolsey Airport Terminal Phase 1: Hallmark Construction completed work; engineer Mark Krueger certified a final invoice of $17,398.13, with a change order reducing the contract from $131,960 to $125,245 (a $6,715 unused-contingency reduction). Krueger recommended not-to-exceed $10,000 for foundation drain/pointing repair and roof painting as interim protection, funded from the prior $152,700 Phase 1 authorization ($22,555 remaining). The July 15 minutes note a public hearing was set for August 11/12 regarding rental of Braman Hill land for a cellular communications tower, with a presentation on coverage planned. Cherry Home Shores engineering plans, funded by a Board-approved $60,000, place road improvement costs at $2,402,881; further discussion with the Road Commission and the Homeowners Association is planned.
Other Business
The Board was asked to approve a deputy supervisor leave of absence from July 26 through October 31, 2026. The township police millage passed August 4; a draft police services contract was received August 5, with the current contract ending December 31. Road prioritization remains undecided; two Kovarik Road residents raised safety concerns after flooding, with repair estimated at $500,000-$600,000.
Financial Summary
- Unpaid check run for 8/12-8/13/2026 totals $46,508.87.
- Facilities requested up to $20,000 for consumables and up to $20,000 for repair/maintenance (up from ~$10,000 and ~$13,000 last year, respectively), requiring budget amendment.
- EMS requested $20,083.73 in training equipment against a $20,000 budgeted line.
- Proposed budget amendments: adopt Library Fund budget of $304,500; allow Fire/EMS to spend up to $16,660.75 from the Fireman's Discretionary Fund; increase Facilities budget by $10,000 (operating) and $10,000 (repair/maintenance); close the Trust and Agency tax bank account per auditor advice.
- Assessor requested up to $5,000 for printing/mailing assessment notices and postcards.
- The audit for April 1, 2024-March 31, 2026 identified five material weaknesses (GAAP statement preparation reliance on auditors, segregation of duties, untimely recording, auditor-proposed adjusting entries, and a budget-compliance violation in the General, Police, and Library Funds under MPA 621 of 1978).
Action Items
- Board decision on selecting Homestretch or LC Consultants for the 824 N. Warren Street housing project, pending results of the August 6 public session — flagged as a recurring point of committee debate and multiple competing developer recommendations.
- Review and approve/deny the 8/12-8/13/2026 unpaid check run ($46,508.87).
- Approve budget amendments for Library, Fireman's Discretionary Fund, and Facilities.
- Approve or deny Facilities' requested consumables and repair/maintenance spending.
- Approve or deny EMS equipment purchase ($20,083.73).
- Approve or deny deputy supervisor's leave of absence (July 26-Oct 31, 2026).
- Ian Dawkins to assist Supervisor Conley in prioritizing roads for repair, including consideration of Kovarik Road.
- Board to review audit results again next month and address material weaknesses, including closing the Trust and Agency bank account.