Summary
The Solon Township Board met on March 13, 2025, with all five board members present. The board approved the agenda with several unfinished business items tabled, approved the February minutes, accepted the Treasurer's report and vouchers, and heard committee reports from the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee. Key actions included appointing fire board representatives, scheduling a public hearing on a Fireworks Ordinance, approving a lease agreement with the Cedar Chamber of Commerce for the Polka Fest, and approving two sports league lease agreements. Numerous unfinished business items were tabled for lack of information, with several public commenters raising concerns about the tabling process and communication with affected residents.
Public Comments
Corey Flaska (Leelanau Construction) reported that the proposed township office renovation has encountered a snag: as a commercial building, all ceilings and walls above the kitchen must be fireproofed unless it could be shown offices existed upstairs previously, which they did not; the project therefore cannot proceed as designed.
Steve Tostige asked how the public, especially those traveling from out of town, would know what items are or are not on the agenda given the tabling of items, specifically citing the Short Term Rental item. Chris Comeaux responded that tabled items reflect the board not being ready to discuss them, and that a public hearing on the Short Term Rental Ordinance will be advertised and posted when scheduled.
Mike Miller asked that property owners with a vested interest in the alley be notified when that item is discussed.
Mary O'Neill asked whether tabled items could be removed from the agenda prior to the meeting.
Laura Richardson asked when the public hearing for the Short Term Rental Ordinance would be scheduled and noted she had cross-checked the proposed ordinance against four or five other jurisdictions' ordinances.
Diana Aug asked whether public comments made about the Short Term Rental Ordinance prior to a public hearing would be recorded in the minutes and considered. Chris Comeaux responded that not all public comments need to be recorded in the minutes.
Judy Janosik suggested that tabled agenda items be removed from the agenda prior to the meeting. Clerk Shirley Mikowski responded that an item remains on the agenda until completed, though it can be temporarily removed until it is addressed. Chris Comeaux noted the board reserves the right to table anything on the agenda.
Regarding the alley, Steve Morgan noted it has been determined the alley belongs to the county, so it is up to the county to sign and manage it; property owners with a vested interest should contact the county. Chris Comeaux suggested homeowners speak with Brendan Mullane at the Leelanau County Road Commission. The item was removed from the agenda.
In the second public comment period: Ann Leonardi said it was hard to hear the supervisor and requested a microphone. Blake Vidor suggested adding the weekend before or after a holiday to the Fireworks Ordinance. Judy Janosik asked about meeting start times; it was noted the budget meeting the following week and regular meetings starting in April 2025 would begin at 6:00 P.M. Diana Laug suggested developing a log sheet for volunteers to track hours and tasks. Steve Yoder cautioned the board to be careful in writing the Parks Ordinance since it is a Police Power Ordinance, and noted a scheduling conflict between the Cedar Polka Fest Foundation's Chamber event and the board's planned May 15 meeting with the Cedar Chamber of Commerce; the meeting may be changed to 7:00 P.M. Karen Smith said she found it disturbing that out-of-state individuals came to speak about the Short Term Rental Ordinance; it was noted they are property owners.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met February 25, 2025, with three members present; the next meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2025. The committee cannot move forward with the Parks Ordinance until the board decides whether to keep it as a committee, form a commission, or hire an independent contractor. The committee is not in favor of remaining a committee. Resident Tom Irvine expressed interest in joining but is absent four to five months per year; Chris Comeaux said he is not in favor of appointing someone who will be gone for months at a time. The committee approved its prior meeting minutes.
Joan Gauthier asked why MTA recommends an independent contractor; Kelly Claar responded it avoids oversight burdens and added employee benefit costs. Joan also asked about progress on the Parks Ordinance; the committee is awaiting the board's decision on committee vs. commission structure. Shirley Mikowski recommended discussing this at the budget meeting. Chris Comeaux asked if there is enough interest to sustain a commission; Kelly Claar said she would contact prior committee members. Steve Morgan agreed to wait until the budget meeting to confirm five interested members.
Kelly Claar requested the board develop board procedures and policies; Chris Comeaux asked her to look into it. Kelly also expressed frustration that the Parks Committee was not given the opportunity to review the Sports League Lease Agreements before the meeting to provide a recommendation.
Under Unfinished Business, the Fence item (Parks, item B.1) was tabled. For Viack's Park, the board previously approved (at the February meeting) a Forester Management Plan through Deering Tree Service for $1,800.00. Joe from Deering's Tree Service sent the agreement for signature; Kelly Claar will meet with Joe to ensure a long-term agreement. The $1,800.00 fee will be charged upon completion/acceptance of the plan, and will be waived if the management plan is included with a Timber Harvest Agreement between the Township and Deering Tree Service.
The Park Ordinance (item G) cannot move forward until the board decides on structure (committee/commission); the fee schedule can be worked on in the meantime. Joan Gauthier will check with MTA about a Parks Commission. This will be discussed at the budget meeting. Appointments to the Parks and Recreation Committee (New Business item A) were put on hold until the budget meeting.
Two Sports League Lease Agreements were approved: one with Cedar Rec LLC (applicant Sarah Lautner) for use of the ball fields from April 15, 2025 – October 31, 2025 for a $1.00 fee (motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Shirley Mikowski, carried 5-0); and one with the Leelanau County Youth League (applicant Alison Beebe) for use of the ball fields from May 18, 2025 – August 3, 2025 for a $1.00 fee (motion by Chris Comeaux, seconded by Joan Gauthier, carried 5-0).
Infrastructure Projects
A community member contacted Kelly Claar regarding a porta john near the river that could not be used due to deep snow, expressing concern the township was still paying for it. Shirley Mikowski stated she had been in contact with Williams and Bay at least half a dozen times since October, when the unit was supposed to be moved to the north side of the river, but it was not moved before the snow arrived.
A notice was received that Solon Township may be responsible for paying a Drainage District Assessment for Timber Lee, estimated to cost the township approximately $24,000.00.
The Cedar River Project, including Buoys and Navigable Cedar River items, were tabled. Sewer System Proposals were tabled. The Township Hall wall repair remains pending; Shirley Mikowski still needs to contact the Leelanau County Building Code Office, and Joan Gauthier explained the difficulty in obtaining bids for the repair location.
Financial report showed the Cedar River Marina Project fund at $10,066.18 and a related CD at $15,153.68, totaling $25,219.86 for Cedar River (non-township funds).
Other Business
The Planning Commission (met March 4, 2025, four members present) discussed ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units); there was no discussion on the Landscape Ordinance; a Public Hearing on the Master Plan and Future Land Use maps was scheduled for April 15, 2025; and a zoning change request will be presented at the April meeting.
The Cedar Chamber of Commerce requested a formal open meeting with the township regarding the Polka Fest; the board agreed to hold a special meeting on Thursday, May 15, at 6:00 P.M. (a scheduling conflict with a Chamber event was raised in public comment, and the meeting time may be changed to 7:00 P.M.).
The QuickBooks fee has increased (no further detail given).
The Interlocal Agreement for the fire department was discussed; supervisors met February 26, 2025, and made changes forwarded to the four townships for discussion and approval. The agreement term was clarified as ten years (Kelly Claar had believed it was five). Discussion covered the fire chief's expanded duties to run the department with fire board support rather than fire board micromanagement. Joan Gauthier asked about the annual audit (available yearly; Chris Comeaux to provide a copy) and inquired about proceeds from equipment previously purchased by Solon and Centerville Townships when sold; Chris explained those proceeds went into the Capital Improvement fund. Shirley Mikowski will prepare a resolution for adoption of the Interlocal Agreement.
Fire Board appointments: Motion by Shirley Mikowski, seconded by Joan Gauthier, to appoint Chris Comeaux as Solon Township's representative to the Cedar Area Fire and Rescue Board for a four-year term ending 03/31/2029; motion carried. Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan, to appoint Dan Leach as alternate representative for a four-year term ending 03/31/2029; motion carried 5-0.