Cheboygan County

The agenda for the meeting included standard procedural items such as roll call, invocation, and agenda approval. Key items for approval under the Consent Agenda involved monthly finance claims, the Investment Report, and various County Resolutions from Cass, Genesee, and Iron Counties concerning data center development, Martin Luther King Jr. Day recognition, the National Day of Racial Healing, and the repeal of MCL 46.415 (2). The meeting also scheduled visitor introductions, including the Assistant Veterans Service Officer, and presentations of Certificates of Appreciation to members of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Business matters covered reappointments/appointments to several boards and committees (e.g., North Country Community Mental Health Services Board, Tax Allocation Board), and New Business items included a Straits Regional Ride application, a Straits Regional Ride Bus Purchase, County Mobile & Portable 800 Radios maintenance, a MERS purchase resolution, and a Letter of Interest regarding Food Assistance for the Ice Storm. Discussions were also planned regarding the District Health Department #4 Funding Request.

The meeting agenda covered several key new business items requiring action. These included the application for the FY 2026 Marine Safety Program Grant, which supports operating expenses for Marine Safety enforcement and safety courses, potentially involving up to $156,737 in revenue to offset expenditures. Discussions also included approving a Finance Claim for the purchase of five Sheriff's vehicles (Four Chevy Tahoe PPVs and One Chevy Silverado PPV) totaling $266,336.48. Furthermore, the board considered the approval of a three-year FOP Command Sergeants Union Contract, effective January 1, 2025, which details wage increases and various benefit modifications. Finally, authorization was sought for the MDOT Project Authorization Agreement 2022-0033 P11 for the purchase of two replacement transit vans using federal and state funding, totaling $150,000. The agenda also specified a closed session pursuant to MCL 15.243(1)(g) for Attorney-Client Privilege.

The primary focus of this session involved the continuation of Old Business regarding Dana Nutt's request for conditional rezoning from Residential Development to Commercial Development (D-CM) for the purpose of establishing Indoor Storage Facilities. Discussions centered on whether prior site work constituted 'substantial progress' to avoid reapplying, legal interpretations of vested rights, and concerns over potential spot zoning given the area's Future Land Use Map designation. The Commission ultimately voted to forward the request with a recommendation for approval to the County Board of Commissioners. New Business included updates on the Master Plan Revision, with subcommittee formation being discussed for January meetings. During Planning Commission comments, members addressed code enforcement priorities, the growing issue of storage containers, and scheduling for future meetings. Public hearings covered two applications: the first for Moran Iron Works to amend a Special Use Permit for a fabrication building, which was approved with several conditions, including stormwater management clarification and hazardous material storage acknowledgment; and the second for Huron St. Tabernacle to add a classroom addition, which was approved with conditions concerning screening, obtaining permits for the existing structure, restricting public fueling, and implementing a 10:00 p.m. cutoff for closing overhead doors for noise abatement. The meeting on December 3rd addressed a tabled request from Joseph Wieczorek for a Special Use Permit amendment for the Wildwood Lake Golf Course, focusing on screening requirements, obtaining written confirmation from the Health Department regarding facility capacity, and agreeing on noise abatement conditions, specifically closing overhead doors by 10:00 p.m.

The meeting agenda included organizational matters such as the call to order, roll call, invocation, nominations for Vice-Chairperson, reaffirmation of mission and vision statements, 2026 committee appointments, and adoption of the 2026 meeting calendar and rules of order. Key business items involved approving the agenda and consent agenda, which included monthly finance claims and budget adjustments. New business discussions focused on several agreements and approvals, including Surveyor Agreements for county remonumentation, the Canteen Jail Food Service Agreement amendment, Indigent Criminal Defense Service Agreements, approval of the AFSCME 2026-2027 Union Contract, a Peninsula Fiber Network Easement Request, ratification of Axon Body Camera and Taser Agreements, Sheriff Department vehicle purchases, Straits Regional Ride Bus Purchase, Materials Management Work Plan approval, and matters concerning the Cheboygan County Master Plan Advisory Group. Financial reports for December 2025 detailing vendor payments and prepaid expenses were also presented.

The meeting involved organizational matters, including the reaffirmation of the County Mission and Vision Statement, confirmation of 2026 Committee Appointments, and adoption of the 2026 Rules of Order. The Board reappointed two Judges to the Community Corrections Advisory Board. Key financial actions included approving monthly finance claims, budget adjustments, and the consent agenda items. Citizen comments focused heavily on the Circuit Court case regarding the Solar Farm and requests to revoke the current CREO (Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance). The Finance Director reported on revenue, expenditures, and cash summary as of November 30, 2025. The Administrator provided updates on the Vegetative Debris Processing bids, Parks and Recreation Plan Development, and the Opioid Steering Committee. The Board approved several agreements including annual Remonumentation contracts, a Canteen Services amendment for inmate meals, and three-year agreements for Indigent Criminal Defense Services. New contracts were approved with AFSCME for two years of wage increases, an easement for Peninsula Fiber Network, and five-year equipment bundle agreements with Axon Enterprise for body cameras and Taser 10 Solution. The Board also approved the purchase of five new Sheriff's Department patrol vehicles and one Straits Regional Ride transit bus. Furthermore, the Board approved the Cheboygan County Materials Management Work Program and established the Cheboygan County Master Plan Advisory Group. New Business concluded with the direction to the Planning Commission to review the Industrial District use rights, and a directive to repeal language related to CREO developments and establish a moratorium ordinance for data center development.