Summary
The Solon Township Board met on June 19, 2025, with all five board members present. Key actions included approving payment for fence installation at Solon Beach Park, approving a $6,000 township contribution toward the Bunting's Road overlay/chip seal project, scheduling a public hearing for August 14, 2025 on the Cedar Area Fire & Rescue Interlocal Agreement, approving MTA dues and a microphone system purchase, approving a street closure for Fr. Ken's Garden Walk, and extensive discussion (without final decision) on the Zoning Administrator's contract, wages, and hours. The Planning Commission denied two rezoning/tower applications. Several ordinances (Short Term Rental, Food Truck, Landscape) were discussed and will be routed through the Planning Commission as Zoning Ordinances rather than Police Power Ordinances.
Public Comments
Mary O'Neill suggested angle parking instead of parallel parking in Cedar to help slow traffic; she later noted that Cricket cell service is owned by AT&T, and stated that Christina Deeren's work is revenue-producing for the township.
Tim Johnson commented on the Short Term Rental Ordinance, suggesting the township start with the current number of short-term rentals rather than a larger cap, expressing concern about corporations buying multiple homes for short-term rentals. He later opposed using Cricket for cell phones, citing IT contacts who do not recommend the company due to Chinese ownership, and noted his own Verizon plan costs $45/month.
Jim Johnson suggested the board set and post official office hours for the Zoning Administrator to control costs and time usage, and requested the permit application fee structure be posted on the township website.
Nikki Ackley requested the fee structure be posted online and asked the board to allow food truck music until 9:00 P.M., citing baseball games and past experience with amplified music at the Cedar Rustic Inn.
Charlie Smith praised Christina Deeren's work ethic and intelligence, referencing past problems with a previous Zoning Administrator, and questioned how the potential $24,000 in short-term rental fees might be used.
Karen Smith also questioned the $24,000 in potential fees and suggested it go toward Christina Deeren's salary, citing her strong work performance.
Renee Spalding suggested the township not pursue multiple ordinances simultaneously given the Zoning Administrator's salaried status, recommending prioritizing one or two at a time. She supported the Short Term Rental Ordinance approach and Nikki Ackley's 9:00 P.M. music suggestion, and proposed that food truck permits be issued to property/business owners rather than food truck operators, allowing rotation of trucks.
Judy Janosik asked why the ordinances were not Police Power Ordinances and requested clarification on the difference between zoning and police power enforcement.
Kim Smith described Christina Deeren's qualifications and lack of insurance benefits, supporting her requested wage increase, and shared a negative experience with a previous Zoning Administrator.
Steve Yoder reported that at a Kasson Township meeting, Dana Boomer stated the six-year term in the Interlocal Agreement is required by state statute.
Joy Johnson expressed support for Christina Deeren and asked whether the Short Term Rental, Food Truck, and Landscape Ordinances would be posted on the township website before the July 2nd Planning Commission meeting. Steve Morgan and Chris Comeaux responded that the ordinances would be posted once a final draft was ready for public hearing.
A correspondence was noted: an email from Jim Greene, new owner of Cedar Tavern, requesting the crosswalk at the main intersection be restriped; Brendan Mullane agreed to obtain an estimate from PK Contracting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported that per MTA, establishing a formal Parks Commission requires a written petition signed by at least 8% of registered voters and must be placed on the next regular township election ballot. Kelly suggested giving more authority to the current Parks Committee or hiring a parks manager.
The Parks and Recreation Committee met May 13, 2025. The Brzezinski family placed a memorial bench at Solon Beach Park without first contacting Kelly as requested. The committee is awaiting a mulch cost estimate for the playground and is developing a wish list. Any enforceable Park Ordinance would need to be drafted by the township attorney. The next committee meeting was set for June 24, 2025.
Regarding Solon Beach Park, Straight Line Fence installed a fence that was subsequently removed due to DNR/wetland regulations after a call from EGLE. The board approved payment of $3,700.00 to Straight Line Fence for the installation (Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Shirley Mikowski; carried 5-0).
Regarding Vlack's Park, Kelly Claar has been unable to reach Joe from Deering's Tree Service regarding the Forester Management Plan; Chris Comeaux noted the company may be busy with storm cleanup in Gaylord.
Kelly Claar raised concerns that Rick Brett began fixing the tennis courts without first coming to the board, contrary to prior agreement.
Infrastructure Projects
Roads: Brendan Mullane of the Leelanau County Road Commission presented the Commission's 2024 annual report (budget and activities available online) and explained the local road cost share policy. The Bunting's Road proposal changed so the county will chip seal and Elmer's will perform an overlay, estimated at $12,000.00, split between the township and Bunting's. The board approved paying $6,000.00 (50%) from the Road Improvement Fund for this work (Motion by Chris Comeaux, seconded by Kelly Claar; carried 5-0).
Discussion covered the Road Improvement Fund's depletion from prior Popa Road work and ongoing efforts to rebuild it. The alley behind Bunting's was discussed; it has been decertified by the county, which can now ask the Sheriff's Department to enforce no-parking; the township will pay for signage while the road commission installs it. A speed study was completed on Rosinski Road (results requested by Eric Miller), and the Road Commission will also conduct a traffic study at no charge.
Sewer System: Steve Yoder reported on sewer system proposals. Performance Engineering (via SludgeHammer) and a Fleis&Vandenbrink study were referenced. The Fleis&Vandenbrink-based estimate was $3.5 million for 80 homes ($40,000 per household); SludgeHammer's estimate was for 65 homes at $25,000 per household. No decision was made.
Cell Tower: The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Harmoni Towers' application to place a Verizon cell tower on Gallivan Road. The application was not approved (vote 0-5), due to its location near a populated area and lack of justification given existing good cell service in the area.
Marina: The Treasurer's Report listed a non-township fund, "Cedar River Marina Project" ($10,072.53) and associated CD ($15,422.65), totaling $25,495.18, but no discussion or action was recorded.
Other Business
The board approved the May 8, 2025 regular meeting minutes and May 15, 2025 special meeting minutes as written (both 5-0).
The Planning Commission met June 3, 2025 with all members present. A public hearing on a rezoning application from Zelinski (Allgaier Road, Agricultural Conservation to Business 2) was not approved (vote 1-4) following public comment opposing the rezoning.
Wall repair permit from the Leelanau Conservation District has been received by LRM's Colby Thoreson. Chris Comeaux asked board members to email him ideas for township office/hall use before meeting with Corey Flaska of Leelanau Construction regarding applying a deposit to a different project.
The Interlocal Agreement for Cedar Area Fire & Rescue was discussed; a public hearing was set for August 14, 2025 (Motion by Shirley Mikowski, seconded by Joan Gauthier; carried 5-0). Chris Comeaux reported five fires last month (two simultaneous), mutual aid from neighboring departments except Northport, and that Solon is the second busiest fire department in the county behind Suttons Bay despite a much smaller budget. Kasson Township is building a second fire station estimated at $7 million.
Short Term Rental Ordinance: Steve Morgan credited Christina Deeren for her work drafting the ordinance and reported using Elmwood Township's ordinance as a model per MTA recommendation. Steve recommended capping at 40 short-term rentals (Elmwood charges $600/permit; Elmwood started with 60, or 4% of a larger township). The board agreed the ordinance would be a Zoning Ordinance (not Police Power), requiring Planning Commission review.
Food Truck Ordinance: Joan Gauthier and Chris Comeaux objected to provisions banning music and reserving two parking spots; Comeaux also wants the old recycling site area added. The board agreed to allow music with a time limit; this will also be a Zoning Ordinance requiring Planning Commission review.
Cedar Chamber of Commerce: A township board sub-committee (initially Chris Comeaux and Steve Morgan, later alternating with Joan Gauthier) was formed to maintain communication with the Chamber.
MTA/Board Policies: Kelly Claar is working on required board policies and will forward them to all board members.
Landscape Ordinance: Steve Yoder presented an updated seven-page draft from the Planning Commission; it was determined the Planning Commission must hold a public hearing before the board can review it.