Good morning! Happy Friday!
The commissioners met on Wednesday. They started their organizational meeting at 1:00 and I missed the swear-in of the new board members (Dave Jagst and Craig Johnston) and the committee appointments. We got there around 1:25. I did find out later that commissioner Brummund will be the liaison to the ACCOA.
There were 16 people in the audience. Public comment came first. Steve from the Medical Examiners office stood and introduced himself and then Adam moved him to presentations so the board could ask him any questions. He said in 2022 they had 45 cases from Alcona County with 11 autopsies. There are five investigators for Alcona County and in February they are adding a forensic pathologist. There have been two cases this year already for his office. Wilferd Weber of Mikado Township asked the board to keep an eye on the emergency/fire rescue situation in his township as there had not been any of that for six months. He said an ambulance would have to come from Lincoln which would take more time. He has health issues and worries there are no emergency services in Mikado township right now. He said he heard it was due to a clerical error and wondered when it would be fixed.
The board approved the new library board members with two no votes. They would still like to talk with the new appointees. Craig suggested letting the library board handle the new hires; that it might be stepping on the library board’s toes to also interview the candidates. If the county board sees something they may not like, they can bring it to the library board’s attention. No further discussion. New fair board members were also approved. Adam motioned to approve the State Land Bank resolution. Motion passed.
Scott from EMS gave an explanation of the fiduciary grant. It only says the Health Department will handle all the administration which they have done every year. The board approved the signing. Scott also gave the board the proposed fee schedule for emergency and non-emergency runs. The rates of reimbursement are set by Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Claims of $415,594.72 were paid. Dog licenses are over budget. The clerk received the EMS contracts and the board signed. Gustin Township tabled the solar issue until next month so some of the board members could travel downstate to see a solar farm. Adam told the other board members to make sure all the townships are doing a solar ordinance as this is a big issue in the county. Farm and land owners want to have them due to the money involved and other people don’t want the aesthetics of our county changed.
At the last public comment, Gary Wnuk asked the board to remember their oaths to protect our constitutional rights and he prays that the board is guided in their future decisions for the people of Alcona County. Craig Johnston said he is happy to help with the veteran’s situation with the county. Also, if any citizen sees any blight that needs to be cleaned up, contact your township officials as there is going to be government money available to clean some things up. Meeting adjourned until January 18th at 1:30.
Several went to the Lincoln Planning Commission meeting at 5:00 to give a comment, if necessary, about the change to their zoning ordinance. They are deciding on adding the verbiage “condos and townhomes” to the already existing language allowing apartments and multi-family dwellings. This will occur in all parcels designated “B-1” which exist throughout the Village. The Commission voted to say they had no objections to the language and now the matter goes before the entire Village Council. The Commission made it clear that they were not saying they were in favor of the changes, but rather that since none of the comments against the change indicated a concern for “the general health, welfare or safety” of the residents, they did not have legal grounds to not approve the change, since their legal council told them that only objections raising those concerns would give them legal cause to not approve. Zoning administrator Mahalak read a statement based upon her communications with Denise Kline of NEMCOG that was provided to the Village Council. I have attached that letter below.
The Tavern meeting started at 5:30 so we could go to the village council meeting at 7:00. We waited for those to return from the zoning meeting to give us all an update. We discussed the ACCOA and any updates we have had since the last meeting. Also, I mentioned that we got a directive from McLaren to take a course in Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services. One section was on refugees and immigrants. So I believe they are preparing us to have immigrants and refugees here. And they’re going to need housing. The ones that went to the zoning meeting never made it back for the Tavern meeting so we all left about 6:30 and headed to Lincoln for the Village Council meeting. The first thing they brought up was the zoning change. After some discussion, they decided to table the decision until they have a second public hearing. Sheila Phillips wants to hear directly from the people who live in the village how the proposed change will affect their safety, health and/or welfare. There were some who stood and said that our emergency services are already struggling to keep up with what we have…an aging population needing more services and a small sheriff’s department with deputies not wanting to come here due to lower salaries than other counties. There were a couple of others who said if the council does not make the change, the village will die in 20 years. One spoke that her 30 year old daughter lives with her because she can’t find housing. Someone pointed out that Lincoln Manor had openings but the daughter doesn’t want to live there. Sheila asked that some of these comments wait for the public hearing which is scheduled for Monday, January 30th at 6:00pm at the fire station in Lincoln.
So if you know anyone who lives in the village, please let them know about the upcoming public hearing. Even if you don’t live in the village of Lincoln, you are welcome to come and give a comment on how adding townhomes and condominiums to the existing zoning ordinance will affect the health, safety or welfare of yourself and your family. This will be very important to let the council know your thoughts on the matter. Even though the village is only focusing on changing their ordinance, this will directly impact the housing project that Lenny Avery wants to put in Lincoln and Harrisville.
Leroy had a new building project committee meeting with Jacquelyn Schwanz and Will St.John. They (not Leroy) want to change the mission statement in the bylaws of the ACCOA to change ‘senior services’ to ‘community services’. They are concerned the 501(c)3 status will go away if they continue with this project that has nothing to do with seniors. However, it seems to me this would be the first step in phasing out the seniors from the senior center. Plus we already have a community service agency called NEMCSA. Maybe they’ve forgotten. Leroy found out that condos are NOT a requirement of the grant. Only housing. So the senior villas would fulfill that requirement. Also, after much discussion regarding the newest contract proposed by The Sidock Group of architects, Leroy voted against signing it, it was 2 to 1. It will be interesting to see how many board members will vote to change the bylaws so the project can go forward, if that is what is presented in front of the entire Board.
I called around to other area senior centers to ask if they had not only mask mandate signs, but indoor surveillance. I called nine, seven answered. Of those, not a single one had a sign that required masks indoors. And five of the seven had no indoor surveillance – only Oscoda and Alpena had it. I also ran into a fellow patriot in East Tawas who said she loves what we’re doing here. If you run into Karen at the senior center there, say hello. 🙂 She also told me they have a $100 spending limit without board approval….and Lenny has $10,000? What’s up with that??
Next week the school board meets on Monday at 5:30 and Tuesday, Harrisville Township meets at 7:00pm. I think I’ll ask Chad Spitznagel why he was telling people he didn’t want me on the school board. Wonder if it’s because I ask too many questions….. 🙂
Have a nice weekend!
Your fellow patriot,
Lisa
