LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Synopsis September 9, 2025
THE REGULAR MEETING of the Lincoln Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order on September 9, 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.
ADJUST AGENDA: Clerk Brown requested the revised Employee Handbook and Sewer Rate Study be added to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: A resident informed the board that the County Drain Commissioner has removed logs from his property and they were pleased with the results. Also, the resident suggested if the logs were removed from the creek you could kayak to the St. Joseph River.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Treasurer Smith, to approve the consent agenda. Unanimous voice vote by present board members.
- Approval of minutes of the August 12, 2025 regular board meeting.
- Approve the 8/14/25 and 9/10/25 bills from the following funds. A total of $$504,828.26 of bills were paid during this time period.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Supervisor Youngstedt completed the sidewalk survey and identified over 100 panels that need replacement. Approximately 300 fire hydrants have been painted.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Brown reported the book balances ending August 31, 2025. The revenue and expenditure reports for August were submitted to the board. Members of the election commission need to be appointed to complete the approval of election inspectors, establish pay rates, and the date for the public accuracy test.
ELECTION COMMISSION APPOINTMENT: MOTION CARRIED Clerk Brown moved, seconded by Trustee Florian to appoint Trustees Pheifer and Stauffer members of the Election Commission.
Voice Vote: Ayes: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Nays: None
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Smith reported that the September 15th is the last day for summer tax collection. Trash passes will be available on October 13, 2025.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Trustee Florian advised the Planning Commission has
received the draft Solar Ordinance and will be taking the necessary steps for approval. Trustee Florian moved a second reading of the Master Plan if necessary.
Voice Vote: Ayes: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Nays: None
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Distributed to the board with 387 calls for service in August 2025.
FIRE REPORT: Distributed to board with 221 calls in 2025. During August the Department responded to three fires and two animal rescues.
PARKS REPORT: The township will notify residents by social media and the website when the splash pad will be closed.
ENGINEER REPORT: Construction has started on lift station 14 with underground drilling taking place. Also, the location of the potential restrooms was being evaluated. Rough estimates on sidewalk panels in need of repair could be in the $60-$70,000 range.
RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR FUNDING MDOT TAP GRANT: #25-14 MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer, seconded by Trustee Pheifer, a Resolution to apply to the Michigan Department of Transportation for a grant from the Transportation Alternatives Program. The grant request is for $620,000 with a 25% match. This grant would be applied to the Roosevelt Road non-motorized path. Attachment A
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasurer Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, Pheifer, Peterson, and Stauffer. Nays: None
MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Bansen recommended the board approve a five-year rate study on the sewer rates. He also recommended the township provide a letter of support for the Village of Stevensville to obtain a grant and construct a bridge over Hickory Creek. The manager provided updates on the post office removing trees at the west end of their property. Ordinance compliance on a property on Bonny Bruce was partially completed. Township policy was developed for E-Bike and other electric modes of transportation. The manager provided data on a sewer rate modification request from Green Courte Residential Holdings.
SEWER RATE STUDY: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Trustee Florian to authorize the township manager to complete the contract for the five-year sewer rate study.
Voice Vote: Passed by unanimous voice vote.
HICKORY CREEK LETTER OF SUPPORT: MOTION CARRIED Supervisor Youngstedt moved, seconded by Trustee Florian to authorize the township manager to author a letter supporting the Village of Stevensville grant application. The grant application is for a bridge connecting several parcels along Hickory Creek for recreational usage.
Voice Vote: Passed by unanimous voice vote.
SEWER BILL MODIFICATION: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Clerk Brown to modify a sewer bill for Green Courte Residential Holdings. No sewage treatment was completed on the water that discharged with a leak. Bill reduced to $10,409.30.
Voice Vote: Ayes: Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Pheifer, Peterson, Florian and Stauffer. Nays: Treasurer Smith
EARNED SICK TIME POLICY: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Florian moved, seconded by Trustee Pheifer to approve the Earned Sick Time Policy for inclusion in the employee handbook.
Voice Vote: Passed by unanimous voice vote.
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK: MOTION CARRIED Clerk Brown moved, seconded by Trustee Florian to approve the Employee Handbook for distribution to all township employees.
Voice Vote: Passed by unanimous voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT: Supervisor Youngstedt adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM.
Michael A. Brown, Clerk