LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP – MEETING SYNOPSIS – 7-8-2025

LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Synopsis July 8, 2025
THE REGULAR MEETING of the Lincoln Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order on July 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; Dick Stauffer, Marc Florian, Deb Peterson, and Amy Pheifer.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Trustee Peterson, to approve the consent agenda. Unanimous voice vote by present board members.

1. Approval of minutes of the June 10, 2025 regular meeting.
2. Approve the 6/27/25 and 7/9/25 bills totaling $769,837.40.
   LIBRARY REPORT: The Library Director, Joelle Wake, reported the library received two grants towards their capital campaign. $10,000 was received from the Whirlpool Foundation and $20,000 from AEP.
   SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Supervisor Youngstedt encouraged the board and residents to participate in the Exit 23 cleanup on July 12, 2025. The township hired a consultant for Brownfield Development activities for the Red Arrow Bluffs project. The evaluation was completed for the manager by the Supervisor, Treasurer, and Clerk with input from Trustees and Department Heads.
   ASSESSORS CONTRACT: Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Trustee Pheifer to approve a three-year contract with John Baumann for property assessment services.
   Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Pheifer, Peterson, and Stauffer. Nays: Trustee Florian
   CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Brown reported the book balances ending June 30, 2025. The revenue and expenditure reports for June was submitted to the board. The townships election equipment will be undergoing mandatory maintenance on August 14, 2025.
   TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Smith reported that the township has mailed all the summer tax bills to residents. The interest report was submitted for June 2025.
   PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Trustee Florian advised the Planning Commission has approved the Master Plan and will be referring the plan to the township board
   Trustee Florian moved, seconded by Clerk Brown to hold a public hearing on the request from Great Lakes Capital LLC for a PUD Basic Site Plan a 32.59-acre property at 3822 Red Arrow
   Highway. Public hearing to be held July 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
   Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, Pheifer, Peterson, and Stauffer. Nays: None
   SECOND 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 HD – High Density Residential District. Attachment B
   Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, Pheifer, Peterson, and Stauffer. Nays: None
   ENGINEER REPORT: Approvals from the DNR for the Lincoln Township Beach Project are still not available. Testing of several water lines was completed in the Village of Stevensville and were negative for lead. Construction on lift station 14 will start in August and the preliminary review of sewer infrastructure for the Red Arrow Bluffs project was completed.
   MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Bansen provided updates on utility pole removal by AEP. He has been working with residents on un-completed tasks on the John Beers sidewalk project. Public Works Director George Gaunder briefed the board on a potential purchase of a Vactor sewer cleaning truck. The current truck is over twenty-six years old. There has been an increase in park rentals for 2025 at the North Lake and Community Center locations. Several fields are under re-construction at the baseball and softball complex.
   PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: A township resident asked when the Lincoln Township Beach project was going to start. Approvals from the Department of Natural Resources have not been completed. A township resident praised the fire department for their quick response on a fire at their residence. A township resident inquired if the township would pay for a parking pad at their business. Their parking was reduced with the John Beers Road sidewalk project. The township manager reviewed the request with the Building Department and recommended not using township funds for this private property improvement.
   BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Treasure Smith recommended three members of the board narrow down objectives for the Manager before presentation to the full board. Trustee Florian volunteered to participate in the group.
   ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business Supervisor Youngstedt adjourned the meeting at 8:21 PM.