Summary
The Solon Township Board met on February 12, 2026, with all five board members present. Key actions included approving the agenda and prior meeting minutes, accepting the Treasurer's report and payment of vouchers, adopting a Poverty Exemption Resolution, adopting salary resolutions for Township officers for 2026-2027, rescheduling the Annual Meeting to March 19, 2026, setting a budget workshop meeting, approving the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 meeting schedule, and engaging Tobin & Co. for the annual audit. Extensive public comment focused on support for adopting the Master Plan as presented by the Planning Commission, and the board agreed to move forward with scheduling a Public Hearing on the Master Plan after corrections are made.
Public Comments
During the first public comment period, multiple residents spoke in support of adopting the Master Plan as presented by the Planning Commission: Tim Johnson stated it assures the township will remain rural; Jim Johnson said the Planning Commission received substantial public input and this reflects what people want; Karen Smith, Judy Janosik, and Dan Petroskey each voiced agreement and support; Bryan Brzezinski, who attended the Planning Commission meetings, noted that all public comments had been taken into consideration and also supported adoption.
During the second public comment period, Tim Johnson thanked the board for using microphones, suggested that any trees planted at Vlack's Park be native species, and asked whether a corrected/updated Master Plan copy would be available to the public before the Public Hearing; he also noted Steve Morgan's mention that the Planning Commission hopes to strike the last sentence of Section 8.4 as it doesn't match the rest of the document.
Mary O'Neill commented that the posted agenda had the wrong meeting time and that some agenda items had confusing asterisks. Clerk Shirley Mikowski apologized, explaining she had reused the previous year's February agenda and forgot to update the time and some carried-over items.
Nicole also noted the wrong meeting time on the posted agenda and asked if a meeting recap could be provided.
Melinda Lautner said she was encouraged by the board's Master Plan discussion and its willingness to listen to the public and make corrections. She raised concern about a social media post showing long traffic lines on M-72 west of town at 7:30 a.m., questioning how much worse traffic would get if numerous houses were allowed on lots under five acres. She suggested the board provide a meeting recap under Announcements. Ms. Lautner separately said she appreciated the clerk's salary increase given her workload, and suggested (without a formal board decision) that the township consider a small stipend for Kelly Claar and the rest of the Parks Committee for their work, noting she did not want the Parks Committee to lose Kelly.
Judy Janosik thanked the board for using the microphones.
Joy Johnson asked Joan Gauthier if the corrected Master Plan would be completed by March 12th; Joan said she hopes to have it done by then.
Jim Johnson raised concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) facilities being built around the country, noting many residents have been upset by such facilities being placed in their areas along with associated complications. He encouraged the township to do reconnaissance and have the township attorney prepare the township in advance.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks and Recreation Committee attempted to meet January 20, 2026, but weather prevented it; they instead met on their regular date, January 27, 2026, at the Township Hall. A quorum was not present, but the committee discussed schedules, meeting times, and upcoming goals and plans without putting anything in writing until the full committee could meet. Kelly Claar reported no news on the Beach Park; she emailed Robyn Schmidt of the DEQ but has not received a response. The next Parks and Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:30 P.M. at the Township Hall.
Regarding the Solon Schoolhouse project, Joan Gauthier asked Kelly Claar whether she had contacted Thom Greene, a historic restoration architect willing to help find funding; Kelly confirmed she has the correct contact number for him.
On Vlack's Park, Kelly Claar reported nothing new would happen until spring; she would like to budget for tree planting and needs to install a gate. Chris Comeaux asked Kelly to check with Deering Tree Service regarding cleanup plans to reduce fire hazard risk in the area.
Regarding the Parks Ordinance, Kim Smith has been updating the November copy received from Christina Deeren and will email it to Shirley Mikowski, who will proofread before forwarding to the rest of the board.
The Treasurer's report listed a Parks Improvement Fund balance of $20,000.00 and a Parks and Recreation Fund total of $22,939.48 (including $12,540.95 in the Huntington account and $10,398.53 in a Huntington CD).
Infrastructure Projects
The Treasurer's report listed Non-Township Funds including the Cedar River Marina Project account ($10,089.44) and a Cedar River CD ($15,422.65), totaling $25,512.09 for Cedar River funds. No discussion or action items regarding the marina were otherwise reported.
No updates were reported on cell towers, water, or sewer infrastructure projects in this meeting.
Other Business
Township Hall/Repairs: Corey Flaska indicated he will return the deposit paid for office construction, less the cost of the drawn-up plan. Shirley Mikowski will follow up with Mr. Flaska.
Fire Department: Grand Traverse County has moved to create its own MAVIS division. Tobin & Co. was adopted to perform the audit. Chief Doornbos has drafted an annual report to present at the annual meeting. The department remains on track with its current budget. There is no update on building the Kasson Fire Station, but a written plan and financials for updating the Cedar Fire Station are expected to be in place by budget time.
Planning Commission: Met February 3, 2026, with all members present. They are rewriting language for Article 22; working on Section 16.04 to allow more land for storage buildings without requiring a permit process; eliminating the Demo permit fee; Zoning Administrator Sara Kopriva is simplifying the Short Term Rental Ordinance; and the Leelanau County Planning Commission returned the Food Truck Ordinance with minor changes. Chris Comeaux noted Sara Kopriva was a pivotal member in creating Elmwood Township's Short Term Rental Ordinance.
Cedar Chamber of Commerce: Steve Yoder reported the Chamber did not meet in February.
MTA/Board Policies and Cemetery: Remain tabled.
The board approved changing the Annual Meeting date from Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. to Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 6:00 P.M., with a special meeting to follow (motion carried 5-0). A budget workshop meeting was approved for Thursday, March 12, 2026, following the regular board meeting (motion carried 5-0). The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 meeting schedule was approved, setting board meetings for the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 P.M. through January 14, February 11, and March 11, 2027, with the Annual Meeting set for Saturday, March 20, 2027 (motion carried 5-0). Chris Comeaux gave a recap of the meeting under Announcements due to the agenda posting error.
Financial Summary
Treasurer Joan Gauthier reported a CD renewed for three months at 3%. Key account balances included: Huntington Bank Checking $27,308.64; Huntington Bank General Savings (2010) $34,241.71; Huntington Bank General Savings CDs totaling $108,610.26 and $54,408.14; Total General Savings $197,260.11. Road Improvement Fund accounts totaled $31,135.99 (including a 2049 account of $10,436.47 and a CD of $20,699.52). Fire Sinking funds totaled $163,309.46 (Fire Fund Savings 2023 $10,295.38, and two CDs of $104,374.36 and $48,639.72). Sidewalk Fund accounts totaled (2036 account $10,465.89 and separate account $8,664.57). Parks Improvement Fund: $20,000.00. Total Other Township Funds Available: $233,575.91. Total Current Assets: $458,144.66.
Non-Township Funds: Cedar River Marina Project account $10,089.44 and Cedar River CD $15,422.65, totaling $25,512.09; Parks and Recreation Fund totaling $22,939.48 ($12,540.95 plus a $10,398.53 CD).
Vouchers #16256-16289 were submitted for payment. Motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Kelly Claar, to accept the Treasurer's report and payment of vouchers as presented; motion carried 5-0.
The board adopted Resolution No. 2026-02-12-1 establishing Poverty Exemption Income Guidelines and Asset Test policy, including an asset limit of $5,000.00 in real and personal property (with certain exemptions) for eligibility, and tiered taxable value reductions of 75%, 50%, or 25%. Roll call vote: Morgan-yea, Claar-yea, Comeaux-yea, Gauthier-yea, Mikowski-yea (5 yeas, 0 nays).
Salary resolutions for 2026-2027 (effective April 1, 2026) were adopted: Clerk's salary increased by $1,000.00 from $25,000.00 to $26,000.00 (Resolution 2026-02-12-4, roll call 5-0); Supervisor's salary remains $14,000.00 (Resolution 2026-02-12-2, roll call 5-0); Treasurer's salary remains $21,000.00 (Resolution 2026-02-12-3, roll call 5-0); Trustee per diem remains $135.00 (Resolution 2026-02-12-5, roll call 5-0). These will be presented to electors at the Annual Meeting for possible modification.
The board approved engaging Tobin & Co., P.C. to prepare the audit for the year ending March 31, 2026, for a fee not to exceed $4,200.00, out-of-pocket costs not to exceed $100.00, $400.00 to prepare Form F-65 in the audit year, and $600.00 in a non-audit year. Motion carried 5-0.