Summary
The Suttons Bay Township Board met May 8, 2024, with Supervisor Doug Periard presiding. Key actions included approving certificates of appreciation for outgoing Planning Commissioners Don Gregory and Dee McClure, confirming Jared Pontius as the new SB Twp Parks & Rec Manager, approving three budget amendments totaling adjustments across Township Board, Clerk, and Township Office cost centers, and authorizing a request for an engineering proposal for a walkway at Herman Park.
Public Comments
Larry Mawby raised the topic of a Pilot Permit and submitted a draft ordinance, currently used by the City of Frankfort, for the trustees' review. Later in the meeting, under the Planning & Zoning report, Mawby also spoke about the Peninsula Housing project in relation to the pending Zoning Ordinance Overhaul (ZOO). No board response or decision was recorded on either matter.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Parks & Rec representative Pete Ostrowski submitted the April 21, 2024 Parks & Rec Manager/Assistant report along with March 11 and April 24, 2024 meeting notes. Trustees discussed applicants for the Parks & Rec Manager position; Supervisor Periard noted that applicant Dennis Rathnaw had rescinded his application. Trustee Carlson moved to confirm Jared Pontius as SB Twp Parks & Rec Manager, seconded by Petroskey; motion passed unanimously (all ayes). Ostrowski also requested authorization to seek a proposal from Gosling Czubak Engineering for a walkway at Herman Park. The board amended the agenda (motion by Slocombe, second by Carlson, passed) to add this item, then approved requesting the proposal (motion by Slocombe, second by Periard, passed). Ostrowski and Pontius will contact Gosling Czubak and solicit bids. A volunteer work-bee at Herman Park was announced for Saturday, May 10 at 10:00am.
Other Business
Brendan Mullane of the Leelanau County Road Commission presented a PASER report covering road ratings, expenditures, budget projections, equipment maintenance, and future equipment purchase plans; Commissioner John Popapeity commended the Road Commission's work. Trustee Carlson reported from the May 7 Planning Commission meeting on a commercial condo project proposal and noted a preliminary Zoning Ordinance Overhaul (ZOO) review from Giffels Webster will be submitted at the June meeting. Treasurer Petroskey reported that Fire Authority officer elections occurred with no changes. The Purchase and Bidding Policy was included in board packets, and trustees Jean Moe and Eric Carlson shared materials from a Township Conference. A County Garage clean-up day was set for Saturday, May 18.
Financial Summary
The board approved payment of May 2024 bills totaling $35,721.64 (motion by Petroskey, second by Slocombe). Treasurer Petroskey presented three budget amendments for the year ending March 31, 2024: (1) allocating $2,800 from the Treasurer cost center to Township Board, decreasing Treasurer expenditures; (2) reallocating $14,200 from Graham Greene to the Clerk cost center and Other Functions; (3) reallocating $2,300 from Township Office to Other Functions, reducing Township Office to $11,100. Total expenditures for the budget year were reported at $1,053,697.84. Motion to approve the amendments (Petroskey, second Slocombe) passed via roll call vote.
Action Items
- Pete Ostrowski and Jared Pontius to contact Gosling Czubak Engineering and request quotes for the Herman Park walkway project.
- Giffels Webster's preliminary Zoning Ordinance Overhaul review to be submitted at the June 2024 Planning Commission/Board meeting.
- Trustees to review Purchase and Bidding Policy materials distributed in packets.
- Next Township Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 5:15pm.