July 1 thru September 20 2025
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: 14 (including guests) – Matt Wieber, Paula Figura, Barbara McBride, Cameron Luenberger, Heather Hollick, Lisa Pyne, Brooke Kaminski, Jeff Knoblock, Molly and Ray Franks Mary Pitcher, Art Jeannot, Chris Parrish and Eric Johnson
A MOTION byHaswell, support by Gottschalk to accept minutes from 1stquarter; motion carried all ayes. A MOTION by Haswell, support by Gotschalk to accept the special meeting minutes from July 7 and September 15, 2025 as presented; motion carried, all ayes.
PUBLIC INPUT-
None
GUESTS
EMS presentation- Chris Parrish gave a general update of activities performed by the EMS – 3 EMS vehicles in service and 5 ambulance transport vehicles; Tom King is the current director.
COMMISSIONER REPORT-
Art Jeannot presented his report. A copy of his report is available at the hall.
COMMUNICATIONS
- Solem announced receiving the Homestead Township Master Plan.
REPORTS
- Property Transfers -1 – PRE Kaufmann 12754 Oakley
Well, Septic permits-Fowler rd. septic
- Fire runs- 11
- Building report- permits thru September 30, 2025 is received and available at the hall for review necessary
- Road commission- 2nd brine completed for a total cost for 2025 is $14,666.32 *amendment necessary*
- WBJPC-
- Update– Bollenberg reports of the 1st stakeholder meeting with Mckenna on 9/25/2025. Mckenna gave recommendations to correct the current deficiencies in the zoning ordinance as currently written- stakeholder committee will be meeting monthly- next regular WBJPC meeting October 9. Topics discussed include short term rentals, food trucks; stated focus groups will be created from interested residents to assist the stakeholder committee.
- Zoning Administrator report- Mary Pitcher presented the ZA report – 2 permits issued for Platte (ground solar array and an accessory structure.) Also stated the next regular meeting of the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission is scheduled for Thursday October 9, 2025 at the new Benzonia Township Hall at 6 pm.
- amend budget receipts/disbursements Clerk explained the adjustments necessary and read correspondence from the WBJPC fiduciary. A MOTION by Michalak, support by Haswell to amend the WBJPC current budget reflecting the receipt of an insurance payment of $25,000 to offset the legal fees incurred in 2024.
OLD BUSINESS
- A MOTION by Haswell, Support by Gottschalk to sign the resolution to OPT OUT of a designated county Assessor; motion carried, all ayes. Clerk will send document to the County for recording.
- Disaster management- A MOTION by Solem, support by Gottschalk to designate the Platte Townships’ 80 acres to be the location for debris collection in the event of a natural disaster; motion carried, all ayes.
NEW BUSINESS
- Supervisor announced the donation from Benzonia Township giving Platte township the office desks and chairs. The Clerk, Supervisor and Eathan Solem spent 4 hours on September 25, 2025 removing the office equipment and delivered to the Platte Township Hall. A MOTION by Haswell, Support by Michalak to pay Eathan Solem $100.00 for his labor performed to help the Supervisor and clerk; motion carried 4 ayes, Solem abstained;
- Amend budget to accommodate road commission brining invoices- A MOTION by Haswell, support by Solem to amend the current budget reflecting an increase of $5000.00 to cover the overage spending for the Road commission 2025 brining; motion carried, all ayes
PUBLIC INPUT
Lisa Pyne – asked the clerk to send out a notification for the October 9 WBJPC meeting.
Molly Franks – asked if the public can attend the stakeholder work sessions.
BOARD ROUNDTABLE-
The clerk asks consideration to create a wall to secure the office area at the Township Hall. The board agreed to discuss at the February budget meeting.
CLERK’S OPERATING STATEMENT –
A motion by Haswell, support by Solem to accept the clerk’s 2nd quarter operating statement as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.
TREASURER’S OPERATING STATEMENT
A motion by Haswell, support by Bollenberg to accept the Treasurer’ statement as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
A motion by Bollenberg, support by Solem to approve the bills for the 2nd 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 8:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Alison Michalak, clerk