LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Synopsis April 8, 2025
THE REGULAR MEETING of the Lincoln Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order on April 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Glenn Youngstedt at the Municipal Building, 2055 W. John Beers Rd, Stevensville, MI 49127.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Supervisor Glenn Youngstedt, Treasurer Terrie Smith, Clerk Michael Brown, Trustees; Marc Florian, Deb Peterson, Amy Pheifer, and Dick Stauffer.
ALSO PRESENT: James Pheifer, Building Official/Zoning Administrator
CORRESPONDENCE: Two letters from a township resident to the Board and EGLE were presented opposing the Roosevelt Road shared use path. Board members received copies of each letter. Attachment C
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Trustee Pheifer, to approve the consent agenda. Unanimous voice vote by present board members.
1. Approval of minutes for the March 11 regular meeting, March 12 special meeting, March 27 special meeting, and the March 12 closed meeting minutes.
2. Approve the 3/13/25 and 4/9/25 bills totaling $764,377.03.
LIBRARY REPORT: The Library Director, Joelle Wake, reported their FY 2025-26 budget was approved. Circulation of 15,158 and their Saturday hours will now be open at 9:00 AM for consistency with the week days.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Supervisor Youngstedt and other township officials attended the MTA conference and training sessions. Exit 23 or 22 exit cleanup dates for 2025 scheduled for April 12, July 12, and September 20. Thirty volunteers have been obtained for fire hydrant painting.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Brown reported the book balances, and that the clerk’s office will be removing approximately six hundred non active voters from the voting rolls pursuant to Department of State directions. March balances in various funds totaled $25,433,108.48.
MDOT RIGHT OF WAY RESOLUTION #25-6 MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Trustee Pheifer, a Resolution authorizing the township to sign a contract with MDOT. The contract establishes right of way for MDOT, and maintenance by Lincoln Charter Township after sidewalk construction by a new business. Attachment A
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, Peterson, Pheifer, and Stauffer. Nays: None.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Smith submitted a report to the board the total interest earned on investments across the township funds through March 2025. To date earnings were $594,933.89. The annual township audit will be scheduled for June 2025.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Trustee Florian advised the Planning Commission conducted their public hearing on April 7, 2025 for the re-zoning a 10.59-acre property from Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) to High Density Residential (HD) made by applicant Great Lakes Capital, LLC. The rezoning was approved and forward to the Berrien County Planning Commission.
MOTION TO APPROVE RE-ZONING MOTION CARRIED Trustee Florian moved, seconded by Trustee Peterson for the township to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission to re-zone the development property to High Density Residential.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, Pheifer, Peterson, and Stauffer. Nays: None
Trustee Florian stated the Master Plan was still receiving comments and the proposed solar ordinance is under review by the township attorney.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT: Building Official James Pheifer presented proposed sewer assessments for ten parcels totaling 106.07 acres now serviced by sanitary sewer. Parcel owners will know their assessment should they decide to connect, develop, or subdivide parcels.
MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER ASSESSMENTS MOTION CARRIED Trustee Florian moved, seconded by Trustee Pheifer for the township to accept the proposed sewer assessments. Attachment B
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, Pheifer, Peterson, and Stauffer. Nays: None
In the month of March there were 199 inspections made on building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and rentals. Written report provided to the board.
FIRE REPORT: Distributed to board with sixty calls in 2025. The board discussed and by consensus directed the manager to have the command vehicle marked with appropriate township insignia and reflective material.
PARKS REPORT: The southwest field in the soccer complex will be closed for the year for chemical treatment. Parks improvements to the soccer field concession and bathrooms are being completed.
ENGINEER REPORT: The sewer lining project is complete, grant application submitted for restrooms at Lincoln Township Beach, late summer construction will begin on Lincoln Township Beach improvements, John Beers sidewalk construction underway through May, the right of way permit was obtained for lift station 14, and bids for Roosevelt mixed use path will be in July 2025.
MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Bansen provided updates on the John Beers sidewalk project, which will take approximately sixty days. Any concerns on traffic or construction please refer to the manager. An upcoming meeting with the Drain Commission, EGLE, and residents regarding water levels at North Lake will take place. The fence will be repaired at the corner of Cleveland and Rocky Weed Roads. The township will be adding an Instagram page for communications. The Fire Chief will be helping Lake Township with administrative duties after his responsibilities to Lincoln Charter Township are completed. The LTPD K9 unit has retired after numerous years of service.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: A township resident presented their letters of correspondence to the township opposing the Roosevelt Road shared use path. They suggested a new bridge with an extension for pedestrians and bicyclist instead of the current design. Also, wider shoulders on Roosevelt would be safer and more cost effective to the taxpayers. The resident thanked the board members for their service to the township.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business Supervisor Youngstedt adjourned the meeting at 8:07 pm.
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Michael A. Brown, Clerk
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Glenn Youngstedt, Supervisor
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