Helena Township Board Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 11, 2026 – 7:00 PM

8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan 49612

Call to Order

Supervisor C. Peeples called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Pledge of Allegiance

All present participated.

Roll Call

Present: C. Peeples, O. Leffew, C. Rice, B. Bartz, J. Schilling.
Absent: None.

Approval of Agenda

J. Schilling motioned to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by O. Leffew.
Motion approved.

Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

Public Comment

S. Steffen presented the 2026 fireworks permit, with a 10:30 PM start, enhanced display for America's 250th anniversary, and sponsors DTE Energy and Meijer. Supervisor C. Peeples signed the permit. No other public comment.

Approval of Minutes

C. Rice motioned to approve the May 14, 2026 minutes as presented, seconded by B. Peeples.
Motion approved.

Treasurer Report

Treasurer C. Rice presented the May 2026 report:

• Beginning Balance, May 1, 2026: $1,377,215.52
• Total Receipts: $11,014.84
• Total Disbursements: $41,026.83
  • General: $35,106.03
  • Cemetery: $1,622.85
  • Building: $4,297.95
• Ending Balance, May 31, 2026: $1,347,203.53

O. Leffew motioned to accept the Treasurer's Report, seconded by J. Schilling.
Motion approved.

Presentation of Bills

May 2026 disbursements totaled $41,026.83.

Reports

Fire Chief

P. Fabiano reported 24 calls in May, including 17 EMS calls. Year-to-date calls are 106, compared with 99 in 2025. Three personnel are enrolled in the EMR class, with graduation expected around August 11. Ladder testing passed on June 10, and pump testing is scheduled for June 17. Garage and station improvements are underway.

Sheriff

K. Hoch was not in attendance and no report was provided.

County Commissioner

T. VanAlstine reported that the dam project is advancing, with Charlevoix County not participating upstream. The Public Safety Center is now in the design phase. A Capital Improvement meeting is scheduled for the following week. Chrismon construction and steel cells were discussed.

Township Ambulance Authority

M. Robinson reported status quo with no new items.

Speakers

S. Steffen, Fireworks

See Public Comment.

L. Stone, Alden Volunteers

L. Stone reported on downtown hanging baskets and Marina banners, cost-shared with the Township and DABA.

• Marshall Marlock Band concert: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at the Village Center. The event is free.
• Inaugural Downtown Alden Poker Walk fundraiser: Saturday, August 29, 2026.
• Limited-edition community posters by L. Kohl are available at the Pear Tree for $50.

Communications

• Annual Budget Meeting: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 7:00 PM.
• Junk Pickup / Clean-up Day: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, residents only.
• Strawberry Social: Sunday, June 21, 2026, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Alden Historical Depot.
• Art Show: Depot Park, weekend of June 13 and June 14, 2026.
• Election Commission Meeting: Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM, time set by Board consensus.

Committee Reports

Zoning

R. Logee reported that five permits were issued in May. One land division was approved in May.

J. Schilling motioned to approve the South Torch Lake Fire Department building permit application, seconded by C. Rice.
Motion approved.

A gravel pit inquiry was preliminary and carried forward pending additional information.

Parks and Recreation

R. Wanstreet delivered a substantive update on the Tennis Court Park Project. The May 22, 2026 community forum drew approximately 45 attendees in person plus Zoom participation, and 33 comment cards were submitted. Of 30 cards expressing a preference, 23, approximately 76%, supported Option C, which would reimagine the park with new pickleball courts and a basketball court on the lower level and green space on the upper level.

The Parks and Recreation Committee met on June 4, 2026 to review the results. Community members in attendance at that meeting requested a fourth option, “Option D,” to retain the existing tennis courts and develop the lower level additionally. Several requested that the project be put to a Township-wide vote. Seven written resident letters were submitted to the Board. The letters and full comment-card text are on file with the Clerk.

The current contractor’s bid for the project expires July 1, 2026, and Helena Township does not have the project funds in hand. The Committee's current strategy is to pursue private funding and to apply for a Michigan DNR grant, with the next application due in April 2027. The Committee asked the Board for clear directions on whether to continue toward the reimagined-park concept and whether additional public outreach is required.

Board discussion supported additional outreach, including a postcard mailer to all Township addresses with a link to the site plan and a comment mechanism, and including a fourth option in the next round.

The Ball Park Project erosion remediation remains pending execution of the Memorandum of Understanding with the adjoining property owner on the south end. The Township has circulated multiple draft MOUs without execution. The erosion problem is on Township property, and the Antrim County Road Commission has indicated a willingness to assist. Supervisor Peeples will request the erosion consultant return to the site to reassess.

Planning Commission

J. Gurr reported that the ZBA denied one dimensional-setback variance. Proposed bylaw amendments include monthly meetings on the first Thursday at 7:00 PM, Robert's Rules of Order, removal of obsolete four-year term references, and correction of misspellings and grammatical errors.

J. Schilling motioned to accept the Planning Commission bylaw amendments, seconded by C. Rice.
Motion approved.

One open Planning Commission seat was advertised on June 9, 2026, with appointment scheduled for July 2, 2026.

Roads

B. Bartz reported that the ACRC paving project is on schedule but weather delayed. Estimates were received for Crystal Springs, $332,000 to $380,000, and Chapman Road, $304,000, overlays. The Township has unobligated road funds. ACRC is unlikely to have capacity for additional projects this season, so action was deferred. ACRC would contribute $16,000 for projects in Helena Township.

Old Business

Alden Depot Museum, Window Replacement

Bids were received for $20,000 for the west side only or $40,000 for the full project on both sides. The full project this year is more economical.

O. Leffew motioned to authorize the full window replacement project at $40,000, seconded by C. Rice.
Motion approved.

C. Rice motioned to authorize roll-up curtains for the Depot pavilion at approximately $3,100, subject to confirmation of current pricing, seconded by O. Leffew.
Motion approved.

Loeb Gazebo, 9740 Cedar Street

Township Counsel continues working with property owners on enforcement options. An update is anticipated at the July 9, 2026 meeting.

BS&A Update

Launch moved from December to October 2026. Three weeks of on-site training will occur upon go-live.

Maner Costerisan

The auditor will be on site Monday, June 15, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

New Business

FOIA, Rowlader/Bishop

The May 21 request for QVF records was granted in part and denied in part. Eighty-three records were produced. The Clerk will update and post the fee schedule for cost recovery.

Phones / Voicemail

Service was restored on June 11.

Municipal Civil Infractions Ordinance

This item was carried forward to the July 9, 2026 meeting for additional review.

Library Lease Renewal

The CPI-based rent adjustment changes from $14.3216 to $14.6471 per square foot. The Library Board approved the renewal on June 9, 2026. The Supervisor will sign.

Packet / Agenda Timeline

The Clerk proposed returning to one-week-advance packet distribution. Formal Rules of Procedure will be brought at a future meeting. The item was tabled to locate the current ordinance or adopt a new ordinance.

Announcements

• Historical Society Cottage Decor and Antique Sale: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Alden Historical Depot.
• Solar flag lights were installed by resident M. Ciszewski at three locations.
• Three solar speed-limit signs have been installed, with programming this weekend.
• The Township website migrated to www.helenatownshipmichigan.gov.

Public Comment

A resident reported vehicle vandalism at the Community Center, affecting three vehicles. Two officials and one resident reported damage. The Board condemned the conduct, and the Sheriff's Department was notified. No further public comment was made.

Motion to Pay Bills

J. Schilling motioned to pay the bills in the amount of $41,026.83, seconded by B. Bartz.
Motion approved.

Adjournment

O. Leffew motioned to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.

Respectfully Submitted

Respectfully Submitted,
Oryana Leffew
Helena Township Clerk