Linda Sherlund

The meeting covered agenda approvals, consent agenda items including financial disbursements and a letter of support for Snowsfest, and an amendment to previous minutes regarding zoning permit payments. Key discussions included the Assessor's update on difficulties in tracking building permits due to the former inspector's resignation, leading to a commitment for better communication. Old business addressed the retraction of an unauthorized airport lease extension, scheduling a Special Board Meeting to decide on retaining a Building Code Inspector versus letting the State take over, establishing an interview committee for the Building Inspector position, and tabling votes on reimbursement requests from the Peek-a-Boo Trail Committee due to accounting complexities. The Board also approved necessary repairs for the Fire Department ladder truck and authorized reimbursement for a DPW complaint. New business focused on approving the Hessel Beach new playground project contingent upon establishing a donation policy, authorizing negotiations to reduce a quote for computer changeovers, tabling a decision on engaging auditors for a budget review, and accepting a legal dispute resolution with Astrea/Spectrum. Furthermore, the Board accepted the resignation of Trustee Pat Schuster effective January 31, 2026, approved the KCI proposal for Assessor processing, and adopted a resolution regarding contract authority, excluding seasonal boat slip rentals. The Board also appointed Ken Bean as the new Wastewater Treatment Manager effective January 1, 2026, and approved costs related to Jim Landreville's recertification and consultant contract planning.

Discussions included the status of the State/Local Building Inspector, where the Board tentatively decided to hire an applicant contingent on license acquisition while researching State coverage options for the interim period. A motion passed to hire Mark Schwab on a three-month trial basis. The Board approved the Evashevski invoice for legal services covering various topics including ordinance reviews and specific agreement reviews. Compensation adjustments were approved for the Assistant Sewer Manager when acting as manager, and for the Sewer Manager's new salary per the Union Contract terms. The Board agreed to review Union Contracts by the end of March. The Jim Landreville consultant contract was tabled for further review by legal, insurance, and accounting professionals. A motion passed establishing a vacancy date of February 28, 2026, for the Bruce Johnson FDS Building rental, including penalty clauses for unremoved property. The status of the computer transition negotiation was noted as pending callback from VC3. Further investigation into the Sue Bakkila / Peek A Boo matter was tabled until January, with a suggestion to create a policy regarding unauthorized spending/purchases. Finally, the status of the EMC Maintenance Plan was reviewed, with plans to compile a list of outstanding items, especially electrical issues at the fire hall, for the next meeting.

The agenda for this regular meeting covered several significant items. Under the consent agenda, approval was sought for minutes from previous meetings, general fund and sewer fund disbursements, and various invoices and service contracts. Old business included discussion on a Jim Landreville contract and proposed resolutions regarding township policy on attorney contact and signatures on official documents. New business items involved appointing a new Trustee, hiring a Deputy Clerk, reviewing committee onboarding guides, updating account signatories, addressing a Bottomlands Conveyance Request Resolution, authorizing DPW repairs for a F250, reviewing plow mount quotes, and adopting the Annual Guidelines Resolution for Poverty Exemption. The Board was also set to review road agreements with the Mackinac County Road Commission for road work, discuss the Amended Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Association Agreement, and approve the 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting calendar. Reports covered updates on legal disputes, insurance, budget reconciliation, property agreements, harbor StarLink installation, and quotes for computer services. Committee reports included updates on ambulance run billing, fire department matters, zoning administration procedures requiring Board approval, and significant action items for the Recreation Committee concerning the Peek A Boo Trail engineering and a bike repair station, as well as a motion from the Sewer Advisory Board to table a change order.

The meeting included updates on the Peek-a-Boo Trail, Mertaugh Trail, and airport crack sealing. Discussions covered the RRC project managed with Trello software, the zoning ordinance on the website, master plan common themes, and the need for a Township Manager. New business included updates on the Boat School expansion halt due to cost overruns and the formation of the Hessel Marina Advisory Group.

The meeting included reports from the ZBA and County Planning Commission, as well as a Township Board report on internet availability and the passage of a Downtown District ordinance. Old business included discussion of Redevelopment Ready Communities participation and the Master Plan, with a focus on document management. The resignation of the Building Inspector was noted, and the Use Table was reviewed, with possible updates to be discussed at the next meeting.