January 1 thru March 30 2026
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Solem at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
BOARD PRESENT:
Supervisor Solem, Treasurer Gottschalk, Trustee Haswell, and Clerk Michalak and Trustee Bollenberg
PUBLIC PRESENT:
10 (including guests) – Mike Burgard, Heather Hollick, Lisa Pyne, Bob Michalak, Robin Talsma, Molly and Ray Franks, Jeanne Strathman, Art Jeannot, Katie Zeits
A MOTION byHaswell, support by Gottschalk to accept minutes from 3rd quarter as amended; motion carried all ayes.
PUBLIC INPUT-
None
GUESTS-
Karie Zeits– Benzie County Administrator- explained the upcoming millage request to reset funding for county services. Passed out a packet with detailed information to all. Information also on the Benzieco.gov website. Art Jeannot explained further the benefits of the millage reset. Bob Michalak queried about the actual tax increase to the property owner. Mike Burgard asked about the popup valuation increases and new builds as added revenue.
COMMISSIONER REPORT-
A copy of his report is available at the hall.
COMMUNICATIONS
The U of Michigan fiscal report about Townships’ fiscal health was read. Supervisor announced the Rotary Club Bike Tour is planned for May 30, 2026. Inland Township sent a bed race challenge to Platte Township to compete in the Coho Festival August 23 against other municipalities.
REPORTS
- Property Transfers -1 sale with PRE application 7203 Valley $650,000
Well, Septic permits-0
- Fire runs- no report
- Building report- a report permits thru March 31, 2026 is received and available at the hall for review
- Road Commission- 2 brines requested this year.
- WBJPC
- Update- Bollenberg reports of the rewrite progress. His report is available with minutes. Heather Hollick reports of the resident Survey and open house results.
- Zoning Administrator report– Supervisor read highlights of the Zoning report from Bob Hall.
- Salary rates for ZA and Planner- clerk explained that the amount to fund the Zoning Administrator and Planner positions have been approved when the 2026-2027 WBJPC budget was adopted on March 11, 2026. What remains is clarification on rate of pay and maximum hours to be worked for each position. A MOTION by Michalak, support by Haswell to authorize a pay rate of $30 per Hour for the Zoning Administrator with a maximum of 15 hours per week; motion carried all ayes. A MOTION by Solem, support by Michalak to authorize a pay rate of $30.00 per hour for the Planner/Code enforcement officer with a maximum of 10 hours per week; motion carried, all ayes
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
- MTA principal of Governance- Clerk read the statement of Governance sent from Michigan Townships Association and asked all members to sign and adhere to these principles.
BOARD ROUNDTABLE- Bollenberg asked for consideration to hire Paula Figura to create and maintain the Platte Township website. A MOTION by Bollenberg, support by Michalak to authorize Paula Figura to create and maintain a new Platte Township ADA compliant website; motion caried, all ayes.
CLERK’S OPERATING STATEMENT –
A motion by Solem, support by Gottschalk to accept the clerk’s operating statement as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.
TREASURER’S OPERATING STATEMENT
A motion by Solem, support by Michalak to accept the Treasurer’ statement as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
A motion by Gottschalk, support by Michalak to approve the bills for the 4th quarter as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.
Motion to adjourn by Trustee Haswell, support by Solem; All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:01 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Alison Michalak, clerk