Summary
The Solon Township Board met on May 9, 2024, with all five board members present. Key actions included approving the agenda and April minutes, receiving the Leelanau County Road Commission's annual report, approving payment of vouchers, hiring Christina Deeren as Zoning Administrator/Planner/Recording Secretary, approving a well repair proposal funded by ARPA dollars, extending the Rotary Seed Grant for the Parks program, approving an audit contract with Tobin and Company, and approving a lease agreement with Cedar Rec LLC for softball field use. Discussion continued on unresolved matters including township hall wall repairs, office remodeling quotes, and the Cedar Chamber of Commerce/Polka Fest Foundation lease agreement, which was tabled pending a joint meeting.
Public Comments
Jon Zelinski, property owner on Allgaier Road, addressed the board regarding his 2022 request to rezone his property back to Business-2 after the Planning Commission changed the Future Land Use designation when the board did not adopt a proposed Landscape Ordinance. Zelinski stated he was unaware of substantive contention over the rezoning beyond neighbor concerns about traffic, and asked that the property be reconsidered for Business-2 zoning. He asked Road Commission Manager Brendan Mullane whether rezoning would create traffic problems; Mullane responded that there are restrictions on driveways. Supervisor Jim Lautner stated the matter would need to go before the Planning Commission.
During the second public comment period, Rachel Barnard of Heartwood Ciders thanked the board for hiring Christina Deeren, noting it has been positive working with her. Mary Taylor thanked the board for its continued support of the Parks Committee.
A written report from the Parks Committee (Kelly Claar/Mary Taylor) was submitted, containing numerous requests and recommendations (summarized under Parks and Recreation Matters below), including proposed conditions the committee recommends the board impose on the Polka Fest Foundation before issuing a permit, and a request for documentation of a reported $350,000 donation from the Chamber of Commerce to the Parks program. These are committee recommendations, not board decisions.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Mary Taylor reported for the Parks and Recreation Committee, which met April 30, 2024. Highlights included:
- Thanks to Joan Gauthier for depositing $10,000.00 of Parks Funds into a CD, and to the board for a successful Tai Chi class advertisement.
- Approximately 20 volunteers (12 from the Tai Chi class) participated in a May 4 park cleanup; 30 yards of mulch were spread on the playground, bushes were trimmed at the township hall, and the Community Park was cleared of trash and branches.
- The Rotary Seed Grant was set to expire May 15, 2024, risking return of over $3,000.00 to the Rotary. Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Yoder, to extend the Rotary Seed Grant six months. Motion carried 5-0.
- The committee recommended installing a gate at the playground; Jim Lautner suggested contacting Apple Fence.
- Concerns were raised about ticks near the ballfields; the board agreed Mary Taylor could hire pest control (Wheelock's recommended).
- Next Parks Committee meeting scheduled for May 26, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Under Unfinished Business (Parks): Apple Fence installed 36 feet of fencing at Solon Beach Park after removing fencing from the recycling site; additional brush must be cleared before more fencing is installed. Steve Yoder picked up bleachers from Extruded Aluminum Company and will coordinate installation with Sarah Lautner and volunteers. At Vlack's Park, David Bradshaw is donating black forest poles for a closure at the park entrance; a livestock gate ($800.00 quoted, with Mary Taylor to research cheaper options) and a Knox box with chain (approximately $150.00) plus a "Road Closed" sign are planned. The board agreed the Parks Committee may move forward with this project. Potholes at Solon Beach Park were filled by homeowner Dan Birchmeier and Randy Herman; Deering's removed trees at the park, and gravel was delivered for spreading by Dale Gauthier, Brian Weber, and Randy Herman.
The Parks Committee's written report also raised several items for board response, including status updates on the GTB grant balance for boat-wash-station wayfinding signs, the Parks Ordinance status, and softball league obligations under their agreement. The committee proposed specific conditions for any Polka Fest Foundation lease (security deposit, exclusive-use fee, walk-throughs, documented maintenance approvals) and raised public safety concerns about a proposed dog daycare and dock diving competition near the Polka Fest, recommending the board prohibit dog events on park property except at Vlack's Park. The committee also proposed a list of capital improvements for Cedar Community Park (playground gate, ballfield fencing repair, trash cans, porta potties, lighting, ADA parking, walking trail, tennis court refurbishment). These are committee recommendations; the minutes do not reflect board votes on these specific proposals.
Infrastructure Projects
Leelanau County Road Commission Manager Brendan Mullane presented the Road Commission's 2023 annual report and budget. Discussion topics included:
- A dock at the end of a county road near Perrins Landing; per Michigan law (MCL 324.30111b, attached), townships generally cannot install a dock at a county road end absent a recorded easement/dedication. Jim Lautner noted a previous Zoning Administrator had determined the township could not place a dock there. Mullane will check with the DNR.
- Railroad Street: Mullane suggested the township decertify the road and convert it to a driveway/alley, citing danger to fire trucks exiting the fire department location on that road; decertification could allow the road to be blocked, whereas formal abandonment would be a lengthy process.
- The Road Commission no longer offers 50% cost-share for road repairs.
- The road behind Bunting's is platted at fifteen feet wide and is not a county road; neither the township nor Road Commission is responsible for its repair. Mullane will provide this information directly to Bunting's.
Township Hall well issue: Shirley Mikowski reported sand found in tanks in the women's restroom; B&Z Well Drilling proposed installing a new pressure tank and screen for $2,983.53. Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Yoder, to accept the proposal. Motion carried 5-0. This repair was later approved for payment from ARPA Funds (see Financial Summary).
Cedar River Project/Buoys: No report given. Cedar River Marina Project fund balance reported at $10,042.67, with an associated CD of $14,834.73 (total $24,877.40).
Other Business
- Fire Department: The four Cedar Area Fire & Rescue township supervisors will meet May 16, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. to discuss the Interlocal Agreement. Chris Comeaux reported the Capital Fund loan has been repaid, with a goal of $160,000.00 in the Contingency Fund (six months operating budget). The first union negotiation meeting is set for June 4, 2024, with Chris and Greg Julian (Kasson Township) participating. It was suggested the fire chief be given authority to hire part-time personnel, while full-time hiring authority would remain with the fire board. Samuel Kelly was hired part-time and will be sent to training. Kasson Township is proceeding with plans to build a new station.
- Zoning Administrator: The board voted to hire Christina Deeren as Zoning Administrator, Planner, and Recording Secretary (details under Financial Summary and Action Items).
- Resolution/Street Closure and Lease Agreement with Cedar Chamber of Commerce were placed on hold pending clarification of whether the Chamber or the newly formed Polka Fest Foundation is the appropriate party, given the Polka Fest Foundation is now the permit applicant. A joint meeting with both organizations is scheduled for May 29, 2024, at 7:00 P.M.; no decisions will be made at that meeting even if a quorum is present.
- Audit: Motion by Shirley Mikowski, seconded by Joan Gauthier, to hire Tobin and Company for the fiscal year audit (details under Financial Summary). Motion carried 5-0.
- Lease Agreement: Motion by Steve Yoder, seconded by Joan Gauthier, to approve a Property Use Agreement with Cedar Rec LLC (Cedar Co-Ed Softball League) for ball field use June 4–October 31, 2024. Motion carried 5-0.
- Correspondence: Long Lake Township sent notice of intent to prepare an activity center sub plan; Almira Township sent notice of a Master Plan update public hearing.
- Planning Commission: Steve Yoder reported the Commission met May 7, 2024; Jon Zelinski presented on his rezoning request and was told it is up to the township board. The Master Plan has been completed and is now ready for the board to schedule a public hearing.
Financial Summary
- Treasurer Joan Gauthier reported deposits of $10,000.00 (Parks Fund), $100,000.00 (General Savings), $5,000.00 (Fire Fund), and $5,000.00 (Road Improvement Fund) into CDs.
- Huntington Bank Checking: $28,954.93 (including $12,085.33 in ARPA funds; $16,869.60 available).
- Total General Savings: $437,998.20; Total Funds Available: $454,867.80.
- Total Road Improvement Fund: $15,385.36; Total Fire Sinking: $122,215.24; Total Sidewalk Fund: $19,757.97; Total Other Township Funds Available: $157,358.57; Total Current Assets: $612,226.37.
- Non-Township Funds: Cedar River Marina Project total $24,877.40; Parks and Recreation Fund total $13,428.95.