Summary
The Solon Township Board met on July 10, 2025, with all board members present. Key actions included approving a Grand Traverse Band Fire Rescue hazardous materials training exercise at Cedar Park, retaining outside legal counsel to respond to a lawsuit filed by Verizon over a denied cell tower application, adopting a resolution authorizing street closures for the Cedar Chamber of Commerce's Polka Fest weekend events, and approving sign repair/replacement work not to exceed $2,500. The board also discussed ongoing issues with the Zoning Administrator's workload, a land division/accessory building dispute, and committee reports from the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee.
Public Comments
During the initial public comment period, Linda Ackley-Eaker stated she read the June 19, 2025 minutes and did not appreciate comments made about the previous Zoning Administrator.
During the later public comment period:
- Jim Johnson suggested the township's insurance policy may include errors and omissions coverage that could cover litigation legal costs; Chris Comeaux responded that he had already looked into this.
- Joy Johnson asked whether neighbors would have input on camouflaging the cell tower. Chris Comeaux responded that the tower would be camouflaged by coating the metal to match the surroundings.
- Karen Smith expressed disgust that the township was getting a cell phone plan with Verizon after being sued by the company, and stated she was cancelling her own contract with Verizon. Chris Comeaux noted Verizon has the cheapest plan and is difficult to compete against as a major carrier.
- Linda Ackley-Eaker requested that permit fees be posted on the website and added to applications, and asked if the township could seek advice from a source other than an attorney to save costs. She also noted that historically the Zoning Administrator was an independent contractor paid $20,000/year and asked where permit fees go. She was told fees are posted online and vary, so cannot be listed on the application, and that MTA generally recommends consulting an attorney.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported the Parks and Recreation Committee did not meet this period. She reported having posted the remaining no-overnight-parking signs, and that a Soil Erosion representative visited Beach Park and indicated EGLE (Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) would need to be involved regarding a bridge neighbors built on township property; Kelly will contact EGLE. She also noted an ongoing issue with someone parking overnight that needs to be addressed.
Chris Comeaux asked Christina Deeren/ZA to have a draft Parks Ordinance ready for the next month's meeting.
Ron Novak requested permission to mow the old dump site and be reimbursed for gas. Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan, to approve Ron Novak mowing the old dump and reimbursing his gas. Motion carried 5-0.
The next Parks and Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.
Regarding Vlack's Park, Kelly Claar reported she has been unable to reach Joe from Deering's Tree Service regarding the Forester Management Plan, and noted there should be public notice when Deering's works on the park.
Regarding the Cedar Chamber of Commerce and the tennis courts: Lisa Rossi-Brett understood the Chamber could move forward with repairs. Rick Brett asked whether board approval was needed first. Chris Comeaux confirmed via the township's insurance representative that board approval is required before repairs on township property due to liability. The board asked Chamber members to track volunteer hours and out-of-pocket expenses. A group of volunteers was scheduled to work on the tennis courts the following Sunday.
Chris Comeaux noted exposed bolts in the concrete near Bunting's where a bench was removed pose a tripping hazard; Dale Gauthier was asked to remove them.
Ron Novak requested permission to use a natural product to kill weeds along the sidewalks.
Kelly Claar recommended creating a parks consent calendar to improve communication.
Regarding signs: Shirley Mikowski reported contracting Patrick Ivory to repaint/refurbish the Cedar sign ($500) and repair, clean, and repaint one side of the Joe Vlack Park sign ($550). Mikowski also asked Ivory to quote prices for two signs at the beach park, one on Lake Shore, and one at the Maple City entrance. Motion by Chris Comeaux, seconded by Joan Gauthier, to approve hiring Patrick Ivory for sign repainting/replacement in Cedar and at Solon Beach Park, not to exceed $2,500.00. Motion carried 5-0.
Infrastructure Projects
Cell Tower/Verizon Litigation: Chris Comeaux reported the township is being sued by Verizon after the Planning Commission denied Verizon's request to place a cell tower in Solon Township. Comeaux stated he requested the tower be 199", camouflaged, with no lights. Steve Morgan stated this went against the township's wishes and the Zoning Ordinance, and criticized Verizon's presentation. Christina Deeren/ZA stated the township's Zoning Ordinance is strong enough under Special Use provisions. Comeaux noted Verizon has a federal license and an existing contract with the property owner. Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Kelly Claar, to retain attorneys Michael J. Watza (Bloom Sluggett, PC) and David A. Bieganowski to represent the township in the Verizon telecommunications matter without further litigation and with limited damages. Motion carried 4-1, with Morgan opposed. Steve Morgan asked whether it was possible to inform the cell tower company the township is willing to resolve the matter and whether Verizon would pay legal fees incurred to that point; Comeaux said he would ask the attorney.
Bunting's Road: The Leelanau County Road Commission chip-sealed the road behind Bunting's at no charge. Elmer's will perform an overlay; the original cost was $12,000.00, with the latest proposal at $12,105.00 (an increase of $105.00). Chris Comeaux will ask Greg Bunting to cover the additional $105.00.
Fire Department Interlocal Agreement: A Public Hearing will be held at the start of the August 14, 2025 regular meeting on the proposed draft Interlocal Agreement. Proposed changes include moving to a one-year budget (from two-year), a six-year term, and language to add a fifth and possibly sixth entity. Discussions are ongoing regarding Elmwood Township joining the department. Chris Comeaux reported Kasson Township is moving forward with building a second fire station at an approximate cost of $6 million, with a bond vote planned for November; this would double staffing and budget.
Correspondence noted: FEMA is updating its flood risk analysis process and will study northern Michigan. Point Broadband will lease its wires to third parties. The township is in litigation with a cell tower company.
Other Business
- Approval of Agenda: Motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Joan Gauthier, approved 5-0.
- Approval of Minutes: Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Kelly Claar, to approve June 19, 2025 minutes as written. Motion carried 5-0.
- Correspondence included: AL-4029 received from TCAPS; a taxpayer complaint to Chris Comeaux about increased summer taxes due to the board's approval to pay Northwest Education Services in the Glen Lake School District via the summer tax bill.
- Planning Commission (reported by Steve Morgan) met July 1, 2025: discussed the Short Term Rental Draft Ordinance (focused on Christina Deeren/ZA's draft); discussed the Master Plan and Future Land Use maps, agreeing to remove PUDs from the Future Land Use maps and revert to prior map format; approved holding a Public Hearing on the Landscape Ordinance at their August 5, 2025 meeting.
- MTA/Board Policies: Kelly Claar is working on required board policies and contacted MTA for guidance on addressing unruly subjects at meetings; a policy would need to be established.
- Zoning Administrator Contract: Chris Comeaux stated the township cannot afford to give Christina Deeren/ZA a raise given recent circumstances, and asked her to slow down and space out her work. Board members discussed her workload, including being bombarded with calls/emails regarding real estate, land divisions, and permits. Steve Morgan suggested posting her available work hours online; Kelly Claar suggested posting FAQs online. Joan Gauthier offered to help with typing. Ms. Deeren stated she is not giving up and considers herself part of the community.
- Land Division/Accessory Building Dispute: Don DeMoulpied (builder) has been working with Ms. Deeren for months regarding building a house where accessory buildings already exist; the Land Division Act of 1991 requires the residence be built before accessory buildings. Deeren denied the permit as proposed and returned the application fee; she proposed changing the lot line, building the house, then completing the land division. DeMoulpied proposed setting up a bond with the bank as a simpler solution. Terry Whiteford noted a barn existed on the property 40 years before he built his house and asked why it couldn't be grandfathered in. Chris Comeaux stated the board is not opposed but wants to seek legal counsel to ensure proper procedure, and gave Deeren and DeMoulpied two weeks to resolve the matter before consulting an attorney.