NOTICE TO PUBLIC - REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF HOME FUNDS
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, PERSONS AND GROUPS:

On or about October 3, 2008, Leelanau County will request the Michigan State Housing Development Authority ( MSHDA ) to release federal funds under the National Affordable Housing Act of 1980 for the following project.
ADR NEW CONSTRUCTION-GRANT NUMBER M-2007-0759
The Leelanau County Planning and Community Development Office will construct five new decent affordable homes in the communities of Suttons Bay and Northport,
The project period is 7-1-2008 to 6-30-2010. The total cost is $ 800,000.00, including the MSHDA grant for $ 350,000.00 of HOME funds and $ 450,000.00 of local leveraged funds. The homes will be sold to eligible low or moderate income families at or below 80% of the Area Medium Income. Home buyers will participate in the Community Land Trust program to maintain the continued affordability of the home. The homes will meet HUD Housing Quality Standards and other local building codes and ordinances.
An Environmental Review Record for the project has been made by the county office which documents the environmental review of the project. The record is on file at the address stated below and is available for public examination 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday though Friday. Copies available on request.
Leelanau County will undertake the described project with HOME funds from the National Affordable Housing Act of 1980 and certifies to the State of Michigan that Leelanau County and Robert L. Hawley, in his official capacity as Chairperson of the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if any action is brought to enforce the responsibilities in relation to the Environmental Reviews, decision making, and action; and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval, Leelanau County may use HOME funds and HUD will have satisfied it’s responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
MSHDA will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and acceptance of the certification only if it is on one of the following bases: (A) that the certification was not in fact executed by the chief executive officer or other officer of applicant approved by HUD; or (B) the applicants environmental record for the project indicates omission of a required decision finding or step application to the project in the environmental review process; or (C) other specific grounds in the HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58.75.
Objections may be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58) and may be addressed to MSHDA, P.O. Box 30044, Lansing MI 48909.
Objections to the release of funds on bases other then those stated above will not be considered by MSHDA. No objections received after October 20, 2008 will be considered by MSHDA.
Leelanau County
Planning and Community Development
8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite 108, Suttons Bay MI 48682
231-256-9812 Fax 231-256-0174

Changing the designation of a portion of CR-669 (north of M-22) and adjoining roads to seasonal road status.

The Leelanau County Road Commission will hold a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at its office at 10550 E. Eckerle Road, Suttons Bay, Michigan to consider designating that segment of CR-669 north of M-22, including any adjoining roads as seasonal roads, which would not be plowed during the winter.
Written comments may be submitted in advance to the Road Commission office at 10550 E. Eckerle Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Any questions about this hearing should be directed to the Road Commission office. Persons with disabilities requiring special needs are asked to notify the Road Commission 24 hours prior to the meeting
Board of County Road Commissioners
Leelanau County
Lee A. Bowen, Chairman
John Popa, Vice-Chairman
Glen Noonan, Member 25+16

Adam J. Risbridger, 25, 4766 E. Gauthier Rd., Cedar - Pleaded guilty under a plea bargain arrangement to larceny in a building; court accepts plea; sentencing scheduled for Oct. 27.

Anthony Boone, 38, 730 W. Harris St., Appleton, Wis, ­- Pleaded guilty under a plea bargain arrangement to possession of a controlled substance, LSD, near a park; court accepts plea; sentencing scheduled for Oct. 27.

Leland Township Board Meeting
September 15, 2008—7:30 PM

Leland Township Library Munnecke Room
203. E. Cedar Street
Leland, MI 49654
SYNOPSIS
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Supervisor Harry Larkin with Treasurer Mike Kirt, Clerk Jane Keen and Trustee Nicholas Lederle, and 18 guests present. The agenda was approved with one amendment. Minutes were approved as presented for the Aug. 11, Aug. 28 and Sept. 5 board meetings. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as presented. The following board actions were taken:
Approved Leelanau Community Resource Center project refinancing.
Increased the deductible on the township insurance policy to $500.
Granted a right-of-way easement to Consumers Energy.
Created a separate account for fire equipment expenses and approved related budget transfers.
Appointed Steve Plamondon as board representative to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Reappointed Skip Telgard and Mike Kirt to the Sewer Commission.
Appointed three new members to the Fire & Rescue Department.
Approved bills and accounts.
Board comment and public comment was heard. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. A complete copy of the minutes is on file at the Leland Township Office, 112 W. Philip St., Lake Leelanau, and on the township Web site at www.leelanau.cc/lelandtwp.asp.
Susan M. Buxton, Leland Township Deputy Clerk

Patrick J. Varley, 21, 509 Grand Ave., Leland - 94 in 55 mph zone; $205 fine and costs.

Chad D. Vanprooyen, 26, Cadillac - Insufficient number of personal flotation devices on board vessel; $40 fine, $50 costs.

Andrew E. Drumm, 36, Bay Village, Ohio - Expired boat registration; $20 fine, $55 costs.

Toyota Motor Sales, Cincinnati - Unlawfully parked motor vehicle at DNR public access site; $5 fine, $20 costs.

Martin Tafolla, 42, Mercedes, Texas - 60 in 55 mph zone, reduced from 78; $6 fine, $94 costs.

Ian W. York, 26, 10701 E. Cherry Bend Rd., Traverse City - Camped on state land without permit; $60 fine, $100 costs.

Angela A. Hyde, 40, Interlochen - 65 in 55 mph zone, reduced from 70; $7 fine, $103 costs.

Steven J. Richardson, 22, Traverse City - 70 in 55 mph zone, reduced from 83; $9 fine, $121 costs.

Ralph M. Reahard, 26, Richmond, Va. — Expired boat registration; $10 fine, $80 costs.

Brian R. Maurer, 27, 13766 S. W. Bay Shore Dr., Unit 206, Traverse City — 70 in 55 mph zone; $9 fine, $121 costs.

Jose A. Piceno, 32, 8555 E. Horn Rd., Lake Leelanau — Defective equipment, window tint; fine and costs suspended.

George J. Baibak, 79, Toledo, Ohio — Failed to yield right of way; $130 fine and costs.

Valerie J. Holcomb, 57, Ada — 65 in 55 mph zone, reduced from 86; $7 fine, $118 costs.

Tara J. Ziegler, 30, Williamsburg — 60 in 55 mph zone, reduced from 71; $6 fine, $139 costs.

Douglas D. Feague, 32, Foster City, Cali. — No personal flotation device on board vessel; $20 fine, $65 costs.

Grafton M. Thomas, 92, 521 S. Shore Rd., P.O. Box 15, Northport — Failed to yield; $8 fine, $122 costs.

Bryan T. Wendel, 44, Cazenovia, N.Y. — Expired boat registration; $10 fine, $80 costs.

John M. Mirsky, 53, Plymouth — 60 in 55 mph zone, reduced from 65; $6 fine, $94 costs.

Elizabeth L. Seymour, 22, Goodrich — No personal flotation devices on board vessel; $30 fine, $40 costs.

Notice of Special Meeting Planning Commission
Elmwood Charter Township

On Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., the Elmwood Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a special meeting to consider the following:
1.  Conditional use and site plan review of proposed Elmwood Township Marina Dock C Fabrication / Installation. Applicant Elmwood Township, represented by Klaus Heinert, Gosling Czubak.
The Elmwood Township Planning Commission seeks public comment and input regarding this matter. The Planning Commission may act on this matter during the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Elmwood Township Hall located at 10090 E. Lincoln Road, Traverse City. Written comments may be submitted at or before the meeting. Individuals who are planning to attend and require reasonable auxiliary aids should contact Connie Preston, Township Clerk at 231-946-0921.
Elmwood Charter Township
Christopher Grobbel, Planning Coordinator

Despite 29 new permits, '08 pace still behind '07.

Despite a pickup in activity over the latest two-week reporting period, the number of building permits and the construction values associated with the permits continues to lag as they have for at least the past two years.

Over the past two weeks, the Leelanau County Construction Code Authority has added 29 new permits to a file available for public perusal. Combined, the estimated construction values associated with the permits was $2,690,029.

The latest additions brought the year-to-date number of permits issued to 273, valued at $29,121,552. The number of permits issued is down more than 27 percent from 2007. Between 2006 and 2007, that number went down 19 percent.

Taking into account a change in the way values were calculated this year, estimated values are down as well. The “adjusted” year-to-date construction value is down around 20 percent from 2007. Between 2006 and 2007, estimated values decreased by around 40 percent.

Following is a list of projects for which permits have been issued, listed by the community in which the work is being done:

CLEVELAND: Brian Merkel (Bassett Point Construction), detached residential garage at 1804 S. Bay Bluffs Dr., $24,000; Theodore and Kristine Moore, two-story single -amily residence with garage and deck at 4775 S. Wheeler Rd., $208,960.

ELMWOOD: Alan R. and Susan K. Szepanski (Brian Meiste Builders), two-story single-family residence on basement with attached garage and deck at 8003 S. Skye Hill Dr., $235,260; Richard Vernon Williams, house foundation only at 12260 S. West Bay Shore Dr., $11,390.

EMPIRE: William J. and Rosemary C. Banish (Platte River Construction), one-story detached garage addition at 7889 S. Dune Hwy., $7,280.

GLEN ARBOR: John M. and Sandra L. Butler (Habegger Construction), two-story addition to single-family residence at 6888 W. Day Forest Road, $36,960; Vannort Family Trust, certificate of occupancy replacement for 8257 W. Day Forest Road, $1.

KASSON: Maple Valley Nursing Home, installation of fire alarm system at 1086 W. Burdickville Rd., $500; Nancy Hoaglund (Lanham Construction), two-story addition on crawlspace to single-family residence with porch and attached garage at 8460 S. Dunns Farm Rd., $160,730; Randall S. and Jennifer L. Kaastra, one-story single-family residence on basement with attached garage and porch at 94 W. Golden Meadow Dr., $191,460; Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse (Dennis Lee Lutes), one-story single-family residence on crawlspace with porch and deck at 8500 S. Elizabeth Dr., $97,160.

LEELANAU: Joseph P. and Kathryn S. Walsh (Birch & Sons Construction), alteration to single-family residence at 5720 N. Omena Point Rd., $16,200; Stanley Cottage L.L.C. (Easling Construction), two-story single-family residence on basement with porches and attached garage at 430 N. Brandon Dr., $491,280; Stanley Cottage L.L.C. (Easling Construction), demolish single-family residence at 430 N. Brandon Dr., $1; Robert T. Gale (John Peter Leabo), one-story utility shed with deck at 7632 N. Cove Tr., $7,680; Jack E. and Joanne Brown (Dave Webster Construction), two-story detached residential garage at 12949 N. Northport Point, $8,400.

LELAND: Joseph M. Korson, residential detached garage at 5929 E. Duck Lake Rd., $18,720; Paulette E. Blaida (Camelot Construction Development), two-story single-family residence on basement with covered porch and attached garage at 608 E. Oak St., $218,440; Norbert W. and Paula N. Gits Trust (Maple Hill Builders), addition to single-family residence at 721 N. Duck Lake Tr., $3,060; Thomas D. and Karen H. Cassady (Easling Construction), demolish guest house and add two-story single family residence on crawlspace with porches and deck at 396 N. Terrace Ct., $297,720; Mark J. and Lynn D. Lyons (Easling Construction), deck, walkway and stairs for residence at 6061 N. Birchwood Dr., $3,500; Judith Koenig et al (Biggs Construction Service), one-story single-family residence on slab with porches and attached garage at 661 N. Twin Pines Dr., $146,000; Thomas and Elizabeth Battaglia (Summit Properties & Development Company), two-story single-family residence on crawlspace with attached garage and covered porches at 5241 E. Detzer Rd., $400,050.

SUTTONS BAY: Robert J. and Mary C. Sharpton, addition of deck to house at 1986 S. Simon Rd., $2,420; Robert J. and Mary C. Sharpton, addition of deck at 1986 S. Simon Rd., $4,980; County of Leelanau (Joseph Smalley), demolition of commercial storage building at 8527 E. Government Center Dr., $9,600; Steven P. and Loretta Grossnickle, change of use for agricultural processing structure at 8580 E. Horn Rd., $57,677; Richard and Alina Krahn (Camelot Construction Development), one-story detached residential garage at 11972 E. Blossom Ln., $14,600; Three Bay Development, L.L.C., commercial gatehouse, sign and retaining wall for subdivision at 1300 Dumas Rd., $15,000.

Donald J. Thompson, 38, 1241 E. Valley Rd., Maple City - Pleaded guilty to drunk driving; to serve 21 days in jail; jail time to be held in abeyance, may be scheduled by probation officer; $100 fine; $700 costs; $50 state crime victims fund; $45 state judicial fee; $125 Sheriff’s Department expense; not to consume or be in possession of alcohol and illegal drugs; must attend two 12-step program meetings per week with written verification monthly; to take and pass random once per week alcohol testing; to attend, cooperate with and complete the Early Recovery program; one year probation.

John P. Bunbury, 25, 109 Liberty St., Spring Lake, Mich. - Pleaded guilty to marine driving while under the influence of alcohol; $100 fine; $700 costs; $50 state crime victims fund; $45 state judicial fee; $125 Sheriff’s Department expense; $70.50 Prosecuting Attorney Office costs; six months probation.

David E. Rauch, 51, 8840 E. Fouch Rd., Traverse City - Sentenced for drunk driving; to serve one day in jail with credit for one day served; $100 fine; $700 costs; $50 state crime victims fund; $45 state judicial fee; $350 Circuit Court-appointed attorney program fee; $125 State Police expense; to take and pass once daily preliminary breath tests, then become random per assessment by probation officer; six months probation.

Tomas M. Pedro, 32, 4129 Jacobson Rd., P.O. Box 362, Suttons Bay - Pleaded guilty to drunk driving; to serve two days in jail with credit for two days served; $50 fine; $50 costs; $50 state crime victims fund; $45 state judicial fee; $125 Grand Traverse Band Police Department expense; not to consume or be in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs; to take and pass alcohol testing as directed by probation officer; six months probation.

Cassandra M. Finch, 26, 2944 Glen Dr. No 6, Traverse City - Pleaded guilty to a probation violation; probation revoked; to serve five months in jail with credit for five months served; $175 Circuit Court appointed attorney program fee; all fine and costs owed preserved.

Ellen R. Thiel, 43, 8272 Maple Leaf Dr., Traverse City - Pleaded guilty to a probation violation; to enter Munson’s PHP program and resume attending 90 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in 90 days; probation continued.

Sarah E. Wagner, 23, 6201 E. Hoxie Rd., Cedar - Pleaded guilty to second offense drunk driving; sentencing scheduled for Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.; bond continued.

Heidi B. Mooney, 21, 12060 E. Davis Rd., Northport - Sentenced for fraudulent withdrawal by use of a financial transaction device less than $200; to serve one day in jail with credit for one day served; $100 fine; $200 costs; $50 state crime victims fund; $45 state judicial fee; $201.01 additional restitution.

Raymond J. Hulbert, 22, 1423 W. Kasson Center Rd., Maple City - Pleaded guilty to a bond violation; to serve three days in jail; bond reinstated.

Michael A. Darga Jr., 41, P.O. Box 502, Traverse City - Appeared for a probation violation hearing; hearing rescheduled to Sept. 26 at 9:15 a.m.; bond set at $1,000 personal recognizance.

Is Leelanau County government really sitting on a $6.2 million "reserve fund?"

Several members of the public who appeared at the regular monthly meeting of the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners last week seemed convinced that's the case - and publicly criticized county board members for raising taxes only to "hoard" an "excessive amount" of taxpayer money.

The entire county budget this year calls for some $12.1 million in revenues and expenditures. (See accompanying story.)

At a special budget work session of the county board this week, county administrator David W. Gill and county treasurer Vicki Kilway offered an explanation of how a “fund balance” in the county budget fluctuates throughout the year.

Gill acknowledged that an audit report for the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, 2007 indicated that the county had a “fund balance” of nearly $6.2 million, but said that the number is naturally at its highest point at the end of the fiscal year because of the way taxes are collected. He said the county’s current “fund balance” – an amount kept in reserve – is about $2.2 million.

Kilway explained that in 2005 the State of Michigan changed the method it uses to provide “revenue sharing” dollars, requiring that the county build up and retain more than $380,000 that normally came six months earlier from the state. More significantly, she said, the timetable for tax collections has changed in the past few years.

As taxes are collected and put into county coffers, they now reach their peak at the end of the fiscal year – Dec. 31 – but are not spent until the following fiscal year, beginning Jan. 1. That’s why the dollar figure reflected in annual audits now appears so high, Kilway explained.

Gill said that the board and members of the public should look at the county’s “fund balance” as a “checking account” rather than a “savings account.”

“Most of the money that’s reflected as ‘fund balance’ at the end of the fiscal year is spent the following year,” Gill explained. “Depending on when revenues are received and expenditures are made, the fund balance will fluctuate widely throughout the year,” he said. “The figure reflected in the year-end audit report only reflects a snapshot of the fund balance at its highest point.”

Gill said that at one point last year, the fund balance dipped to $1.2 million after payments were made on construction of the new Government Center.

Kilway pointed out that auditors recommend that counties maintain about two months worth of expenditures in their fund balance and that, on average, the county maintains something around that amount.

“This county is certainly the envy of its neighbors in terms of its budget,” said District No. 7 commissioner Melinda Lautner.

Gill agreed.

“Having a healthy fund balance is an indication of good management, not bad management,” Gill said.

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners this week appears to have finally agreed on a budget for 2009 following delays that will still push formal approval of the budget back a month, to November.

A proposal by outgoing District No. 2 commissioner and former Sheriff candidate Mark Walter to eliminate the county jail administrator’s position is now off the table. Commissioners had been struggling to erase an estimated $72,000 deficit in the proposed $12.3 million budget, but county department heads completed work Monday on a new proposed budget that calls for $2.1 million in spending that includes no cuts in personnel.

District No. 3 commissioner Will Bunek noted that a budget subcommittee had previously pared back a budget shortfall estimated at $133,500.

County administrator David Gill explained that budgets for each of the departments routinely include “internal service funds” that pay off a share of building maintenance, information technology services, copy machine replacement and other line items spread across all departments. But such expenses have actually been lower than previously estimated, with substantial fund balances building up within each of those accounts. He explained that some of the leftover money those funds would be deliberately spent down to balance the overall budget.

Gill said a maintenance fund had been brought down by about $50,000 and a copy machine budget reduced by about $16,000. At the same time, the proposed new budget will carry forward some $400,000 from the county’s fund balance for use as a “contingency” fund in 2009. He noted that the county has rarely been required to dip into its contingency fund.

The county’s current spending plan for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2009, calls for $12,156,982 in expenditures balanced with an equal amount in anticipated revenues. Of the $12.1 million in revenues, an estimated $8 million will come from taxes.

The two most expensive departments to run are the Sheriff’s Department at $1.7 million and the county jail at $1.8 million.

During a special budget workshop session on Tuesday afternoon, all seven board members appeared to be satisfied with the latest budget proposal, but took no formal action.

An earlier schedule had indicated the board would recommend final action on a completed budget proposal at its Sept. 9 executive committee meeting, with another review on Oct. 7 and formal adoption on Oct. 14 when state law calls for counties to adopt their annual “Appropriations Act.”

Additional budget subcommittee meetings and special budget work sessions by the full board delayed that process, however. The board will likely recommend adoption of the latest budget proposal formally at a rescheduled executive committee meeting on Oct. 7 and was expected to finally adopt a 2009 budget at its regular meeting on Nov. 18.