Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met February 17, 2026, with all seven commissioners present. Key actions included approving prior closed-session minutes, welcoming new Finance Director Sean Cowan, reviewing four county drainage district projects with Drain Commissioner Tim O'Non and GEI Consultants engineer Brian Cenci, approving a senior services millage renewal proposal for the August 2026 ballot, accepting a $50,000 MNRTF grant for the Veronica Valley Trail, ratifying a collective bargaining agreement with the Sheriff Deputies POAM unit, and denying a termination appeal from former Finance Director Catherine Hartesvelt.
Public Comments
Under the 1-minute general concern period, Kathy Dawkins spoke. Under the 3-minute agenda-specific period, speakers included Steve Scales, Rebecca Hendrick, Jim Cantwil, Jim White, and Elisa Cantwil (who read a handout from Kristy Burns), Bob Price, and Tom Casier. Commissioner Wessell called a Point-of-Order during this comment period, later stating he believed Jim White's comments unfairly attacked a contracted employee; Commissioner Bunek disagreed, stating it is inappropriate to interrupt public comment. A second public comment session later in the meeting included Kathy Dawkins, Steve Tostige, Steve Mikowski, Patty Leach, Jim Cantwil, Bill Wiesner, and Jim White. Written comments were also submitted and are available via the county website, though their contents were not detailed in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board accepted a reimbursable Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant of $50,000.00 to fund development of the Veronica Valley Lower Pond Trail, authorizing the Board Chair to sign the award contract. The Board also approved an agreement with MCSA Group, Inc. for grant administration and project management of the Lower Pond Trail construction, and approved an MCSA Group proposal (not to exceed $8,500.00) to prepare and submit a grant application for a universally accessible playground at Myles Kimmerly County Park, funded from account #101.850.756.801.000.
Infrastructure Projects
Drain Commissioner Tim O'Non and P.E. Brian Cenci of GEI Consultants presented a summary of four drainage districts: Little Glen Lake Drain, Elmwood Twp. #1 Drain, Timberlee Drain, and Schomberg Drain, with plans to bid at least three of the four projects this year. Commissioner Campbell and Chairman Yoder raised questions, including about the Lake Bluffs Drain. In later commissioner comments, Robbins raised concerns about unresolved issues with the Drain Commissioner and the Empire Township Treasurer; Administrator Dyer noted the Drain Commissioner is a statutory office over which the Board has limited control, aside from budget oversight, and said he gave the Empire Township Treasurer his business card to help resolve the dispute.
Other Business
The Board approved several consent agenda items, including a Sheriff's Office application for a 2026 Marine Safety Grant, purchase of an Accident Investigation Total Station (not to exceed $28,164.25, funded by GTB 2% grant funds), hiring of a new Animal Control Deputy with staffing overlap not exceeding 11 weeks, a Law Enforcement Services Agreement with the National Park Service, out-of-state travel approval for Emergency Management staff to a conference in Wisconsin, an ArcGIS Pro migration project through Motorola Solutions, an MMRMA grant application for Power DMS software, and appointment of Kate Gallup to the Soil Erosion, Sedimentation and Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance Board of Appeals through December 31, 2028. The Board authorized issuance of an RFP for strategic planning consulting services and approved a Governance Workshop agreement with MSU, funded from account #101.100.101.801.000. Senior Services Director Lena Vander Meulen was approved for out-of-state travel to the American Society on Aging Conference in Atlanta (April 20-23), not to exceed $3,500.00. A Human Resources Resolution was tabled until the March Executive meeting pending legal review. The Board went into closed session to discuss a collective bargaining strategy and attorney-client privileged letters; upon returning to open session, it ratified the tentative agreement with POAM Law Enforcement Division and denied Catherine Hartesvelt's complaint/appeal of her February 10, 2026 termination as Finance Director for failure to follow complaint procedures under Section 1.07, Section 12 of county policy.
Financial Summary
The Board accepted 2% Allocation Winter Cycle grant awards totaling from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, including: $4,595.00 to Human Resources for AED/CPR/First Aid training; $50,000.00 to Leelanau Christian Neighbors for food pantry and financial assistance; $5,000.00 for the Planning Department's mattress recycling program; $3,127.66 for scrap tire recycling events; $2,000.00 to ShareCare of Leelanau for a senior needs assessment; and $28,164.25 to the Sheriff's Office for the Accident Total Station purchase. The Board approved issuance of a State Savings Bank credit card to the new Finance Director with a $7,500.00 limit, increased the Administrator's card limit to $5,000.00, and retained the Board Chair's limit at $1,000.00. Claims and accounts were approved in the amount of $255,050.10, and post-audit claims and accounts were approved in the amount of $3,239,876.61.
Action Items
- Commissioner Wessell requested review of Policy 1.05 (meeting minutes policy, developed 1992, updated 2013) to reduce narrative and subjective content in future minutes.
- Commissioners Walter and Allgaier will attend the Senior Services millage sub-committee meeting in place of Commissioner Wessell; Chairman Yoder will chair that one meeting.
- Ballot language for the Senior Services millage renewal is to be drafted by Cohl, Stoker & Toskey, with the matter moving to the March Executive Session.
- The Human Resources Resolution was tabled pending legal review, to be addressed at the March meeting.
- Chairman Yoder will forward the signed appreciation letter to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for commissioner signatures; the letter is to be placed in the Leelanau Enterprise.
- The Governance Workshop agreement with MSU is to be finalized with the Chairman authorized to sign on April 7, 2026.
- Administrator Dyer stated he would follow up with the Empire Township Treasurer regarding ongoing Drain Commissioner-related issues.