Summary
The Leelanau Township Board packet for August 13, 2026 centers on two infrastructure-related items: results of a limited cellular coverage study conducted across the township, and a proposed Option and Lease Agreement with The Towers, LLC ("Vertical Bridge") to construct a new communications tower on township-owned Braman Hill Recreation Area property to improve Verizon Wireless coverage. No votes or final board decisions are recorded in this document; materials appear to be under board review.
Infrastructure Projects
A limited cellular coverage study was commissioned after board members expressed interest in understanding cell signal reception township-wide. One company agreed to perform testing at 14-15 locations across three cellular providers, measuring download/upload speed, latency (ping), jitter, and packet loss. Findings showed significant service problems: packet loss as high as 98.9% at one location (45.113,-85.669) and 89.8% at another (45.133,-85.633); the Kehl Lake area showed 71.6% packet loss despite an adequate 46.9 Mbps download speed. Both LTE and 5G connections showed high variability across the township, with several locations exhibiting latency and instability that would affect voice calls, video, streaming, and emergency communications.
Separately, The Towers, LLC ("Vertical Bridge") submitted a proposed Option and Lease Agreement to construct a 195-foot monopole communications tower (199 feet with lightning rod) on township property at 9995 N Morningside Drive (Braman Hill Recreation Area), designed to accommodate three co-locators including Verizon Wireless. The initial compound would be 50'x50', with Vertical Bridge requesting flexibility up to 100'x100'. Access would use existing Morningside Drive. Verizon's RF engineer Phil Brennecke stated there is a significant service gap in the area with no existing towers available for collocation, necessitating new construction. Verizon provided coverage propagation maps showing current poor coverage and modeled improvements at tower heights of 190', 250', 275', 300', 325', 350', and 375' feet; Verizon indicated a preference for 375' but noted towers under 200' do not require FAA lighting while those over 200' do. Project manager Austin Babich (Pyramid Network Services, LLC) submitted the proposal narrative and requested the township indicate whether it would accept a taller, lit tower or prefer the shorter, unlit 195' option. No decision on tower height or design was recorded in this document.
Other Business
No additional agenda items beyond the cellular coverage study and tower lease proposal are documented in this packet.
Financial Summary
Under the proposed Option and Lease Agreement, Vertical Bridge would pay the township $900.00 within 30 days of execution for an initial two-year option period, with an additional $900.00 payment required to renew for two more years. Once the lease commences, monthly rent would be $900.00, beginning the first day of the third month after the Commencement Date, increasing 1.00% annually on each anniversary of the Rent Commencement Date. The initial lease term would be five years with up to nine additional five-year renewal terms. Tenant would be responsible for personal property taxes on the Communications Facilities; Landlord (the township) would pay real property taxes, with a mechanism for Tenant to reimburse Landlord for tax increases directly attributable to Tenant's use. No board vote or approval of the financial terms is recorded in this document.
Action Items
- Township to review and respond to Vertical Bridge/Pyramid Network Services regarding preferred tower height and whether a taller, FAA-lit tower is acceptable versus the shorter 195' unlit design.
- Board to consider the proposed Option and Lease Agreement terms, including the compound size (50'x50' vs. up to 100'x100') during lease negotiation, per Vertical Bridge's request.
- Contact for follow-up: Austin Babich, Pyramid Network Services, LLC, (989) 395-1518, ababich@pyramidns.com.