LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP – MEETING SYNOPSIS – 6-10-2025

LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Synopsis June 10, 2025
THE REGULAR MEETING of the Lincoln Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order on June 10, 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; Dick Stauffer, Marc Florian, Deb Peterson, and Amy Pheifer.
ALSO PRESENT: Deputy Clerk Taylor Grosso
The PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was given.
CORRESPONDENCE: Notice of application period for Farmland and Open Space Preservation with application deadline of August 22, 2025. A letter concerning short term rentals in residential neighborhoods.
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 of the May 13, 2025 regular meeting.
2. Approve the 5/15/25 and 6/12/25 bills totaling $458,704.18.
PUBLIC HEARING: Supervisor Youngstedt opened the public hearing to consider a request from Great Lakes Capital LLC to rezone a 10.59-acre property located at 3822 Red Arrow Highway, Saint Joseph, Michigan (parcel #11-12-0009-0022-01-4 and 11-12-0009-0022-02-2) from the CMU – Commercial Mixed-Use district to the HD – High Density Residential District.
No questions and comments on the re-zoning request were received.
LIBRARY REPORT: The Library Director, Joelle Wake, reported circulation of 13,471 books. and had 8,625 visits to date in 2025. The library’s audit for FY 2024-25 is being completed.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Supervisor Youngstedt reported on the Memorial Day event at the Lincoln Township Cemetery, John Beers sidewalk ribbon cutting, meeting with the County Drain Commissioner on lake levels in the Grand Mere region.
Supervisors Youngstedt accepted Trustee Dick Stauffer’s resignation from the Medic 1 board. He recommended that Manager Ralph Bansen serve in that capacity.
Supervisor Youngstedt moved, seconded by Trustee Peterson to appoint Ralph Bansen as a Lincoln Charter Township representative to the Medic 1 board. Unanimous approval by voice vote by present board members.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Brown reported the book balances ending May 31, 2025. The
revenue and expenditure reports for April and May were submitted to the board. The clerk and deputy clerk attended the MAMC conference in Muskegon.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Smith reported that the township has implemented online or in person payments for taxes with debit or credit cards. Taxes will be mailed June 30, 2025.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Trustee Florian advised the Planning Commission has posted the Master Plan to the Township website. Changes were made to the wording regarding several roadways that end near Lake Michigan that have no public beach access.
FIRST READING TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP OF THE ZONING ORIDINANCE OF LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP MOTION CARRIED
Trustee Florian moved, seconded by Trustee Peterson to amend the zoning map of the zoning ordinance on two parcels at 3822 Red Arrow Highway, Saint Joseph, Michigan (parcel #11-12-0009-0022-01-4 and 11-12-0009-0022-02-2) from the CMU – Commercial Mixed-Use district to the HD – High Density Residential District.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, Pheifer, Peterson, and Stauffer. Nays: None
BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT: In 2025, total construction (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing) permits for total values are at $11,937,434. In May, there were 343 inspections made on (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and rentals).
ASSESSORS REPORT: Currently two residential appeals at the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
POLICE DEPARTMENT: Distributed to the board with 439 calls for service in May of 2025.
FIRE REPORT: Distributed to board with 119 calls in 2025.
WATER/SEWER AUTHORITY REPORT: Treasurer Smith provided the proposed budget for the Sewer and Water Authority. Trustee Stauffer moved and seconded by Clerk Brown to approve the Water and Sewer Authority Budget. Unanimous approval by voice vote by present board members.
MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Bansen provided on updates utility pole removal by AEP in the township and a new traffic control order prohibiting commercial vehicle parking at exit 22. The manger reported a $500 donation was received for the fall Township Fun Day.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: A township resident commented that a rental property’s occupants were causing problems in their neighborhood with foul language and unsupervised children. A resident advised the board that the John Beers Road sidewalk project on the south side was not finished and items were left on their property. A business owner desiring to operate a food truck in the township explained to the board that the regulations to operate in Lincoln Township were extremely stringent compared to other local
communities
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business Supervisor Youngstedt adjourned the meeting at 8:22 pm.
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Michael A. Brown, Clerk
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Glenn Youngstedt, Supervisor