With the worst of an already very mild winter behind them, the Leelanau County Road Commission is starting street sweeping, repairing equipment and vehicles, and restocking materials, according to staff reports at their April 2 public meeting.
According to the road commissions fleet and facilities manager, Tim Trudell, they only have minor repairs and maintenance scheduled at their two garages in Suttons Bay and Maple City. The break in the weather allowed the road commission to deliver two plow trucks to the dealer for upfitting.
Meanwhile, road commission Manager Director Brendan Mullane told the road commissioners that they have already restocked their barns with salt in preparation for any remaining snow and for the next winter season. Trudell also mentioned in his report that the salt building at the Suttons Bay garage is due to be repaired this week.
In his report to the board, Mullane also said that work on the bridge on County Road 651 over Victoria Creek north of Cedar started April 1. Once the project is completed, the bridge will be strong enough to lift load restrictions. But for an anticipated two-week duration, temporary traffic control signals will guide vehicles through this important intersection.
Mullane also reported that the Traverse Transportation Coordinating Initiative (TTCI) – of which the road commission is a voting member – approved their new bylaws at the April 1 meeting. TTCI is a metropolitan planning organization initiated in 2023 after the 2020 Census found that local municipalities were qualified to receive additional state and federal funds as an “urbanized area.”
The Elmwood Township Board is hoping that TTCI will fund up to $1 million towards a multiuse trail off Cherry Bend Road going from the township offices to the M-22 intersection. Mullane said in his report that he met with Elmwood Township officials two weeks ago to go over the proposed trail location.
Mullane also congratulated road commission employee John Schaub on his retirement after 34 years of “outstanding public service.” Schaub’s last day with the county road commission is scheduled for April 5.
Starting with last week’s meeting the Leelanau County Road Commission switched to the meeting start time of 9 a.m. Throughout the remainder of the year, the meeting begins at 1 p.m. Per the schedule on their website, the road commissioners will meet in the morning every first and third Tuesday of the month at the garage on 10550 E. Eckerle Road in Suttons Bay through November 19, at which point they’ll switch back to afternoon meetings.
With no new or old items on the agenda, the road commission meeting adjourned after staff reports, but following last week’s short meeting, the road commissioners met to hold a work session to discuss strategic planning.
