WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP

TRUSTEE INTERVIEWS AND REGULAR MEETING

NOVEMBER 25,2025 – 6:00 PM

APPROVED

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Supervisor Shaw with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present: Shaw, Rumsey, Barnhart-Smith, Myers, Gardner, and Pray

Absent: None

Vacant Position: Trustee (formerly held by VanElls)

Several Trustee interviews were held, and the regular meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm

Rumsey moved, and Gardner seconded to amend the agenda to add Closed Session, after Hear Public Present on any subject, to consult with Township’s attorney regarding pending litigation in connection with Green Peak Industries, Inc. Motion Carried (6-0).

Pray moved, and Myers seconded approving the amended agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

Rumsey moved, and Myers seconded approving the Consent Agenda minutes of the previous meeting as written. Motion Carried (6-0).

Reports:

Sheriff’s Report:  Significant runs since last meeting.

Planning Commission:  No meeting has been held since the last meeting

Sewer Board: 1) The budget should be ready very soon. 2) The Board had a meeting with Interstate Capitol regarding their plans.

Emergency Service Department: Chief Miller reported: 1) Significant runs since the last meeting.  2) 2025 Totals as to date were 1118 EMS and 390 Fire, down 103 EMS and 23 Fire. 3) We will be reviewing a slight increase in fees, which would be the first adjustment since 2018. 4) Discussed the increasing wait times for patient offloading at emergency rooms. Sparrow Hospital is implementing a new phone tree system, and the department will monitor whether it helps reduce delays. If wait times do not improve, there may be further discussion regarding billing the hospital for prolonged off-load times. 5) Discussed the possibility of adding a 5% late fee after 30 days.

Assessor/Preston Community Services: 1) The Board of Review will be meeting on December 9, 2024, at 9 AM.

Public Service Department: 1) The yearly total for the cemetery was nine burials and eighteen cremations. 2) Kyle spoke on Terry Hill and the work he has been doing in the cemeteries, restoring the monuments. Barnhart-Smith moved, and Rumsey seconded recognizing Terry Hill for their dedicated volunteer work maintaining the township cemeteries. Motion Carried (6-0). Kyle presented Mr. Hill with a plaque in appreciation of his service.

Supervisor’s Report: 1) Has been busy working on several zoning requests. 2) Had the meeting held with Eaton County, the Eaton County Treasurer, Chris Patterson, Interstate Capital, and their attorneys regarding the property located at the corner of Lansing Road and Pinch Highway. During the meeting, we discussed the property's current status, outstanding issues, the possibility of a Brownfield TIF, and the following steps to move forward. Each party provided updates from their perspective, and we reviewed available options to address concerns about the site.

Public Officials: Heard

Other Reports & Announcements:  None

Hear Public Present for Agenda Items: Dairus Reynnet, Eaton County Treasurer, spoke in support of appointing Kern Slucter as the interim Trustee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Stacy VanElls. He expressed confidence in Kern’s qualifications and stated that Kern would be a strong addition to the Board.

New Business:

Barnhart-Smith made a motion, and Rumsey seconded to authorize the Clerk to explore the possibility of obtaining bonds for the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief in an amount consistent with the bonding levels required for other Township officials, and to incorporate this bonding requirement in addition to the existing bonds held by the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, and Supervisor. The final bond amounts for the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief shall be determined in accordance with standard bonding guidelines and in consultation with the Township’s insurance and bonding providers.

Motion Carried (6-0).

Barnhart-Smith moved, and Gardner seconded, to approve the updated Windsor Charter Township Cemetery Rules as presented to the Board, with said rules to take effect immediately upon adoption and to supersede all previously approved cemetery rules and regulations.
Motion Carried (6-0).

Barnhart-Smith moved, and Myers seconded the Windsor Charter Township Board's adoption of the Code of Conduct Policy as presented amended, effective immediately, and to be incorporated into the Township’s official policies and procedures. Motion Carried (6-0).

Unfinished Business:

Barnhart-Smith moved, and Gardner seconded, that the Windsor Charter Township Board appoint Kern Slucter as an interim Trustee, effective December 1, 2025, with the term continuing through December 1, 2026, to fill the vacant seat until the next regular election cycle.

Roll Call:

Ayes: (4) Rumsey, Barnhart-Smith, Gardner, and Pray

Nays: (2) Shaw, Myers

Absent:  0

Motion Carried (4-2).

Rumsey offered, and Barnhart-Smith seconded the adoption of the 2026 Budget: The General Fund Budget for a total appropriation of $3,112,431.00; Building Department of $117,370.00; Public Improvement appropriation of $0.00; Street Lights for a total appropriation of $86,566.00, Fire Hydrants for a total appropriation of $14,555.00; River Rock Landing $1,000.00 expenditures.

Yeas:  Myers, Gardner, Barnhart-Smith, Shaw, Rumsey, and Pray

Nays:  None

2026 Budget Adopted.

Shaw moved, and Barnhart-Smith seconded, to authorize the Public Safety Committee to continue exploring police protection options, including liability insurance and potential negotiation on behalf of the Township. Motion Carried (6-0).

Beth Shaw, Chris Patterson of Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC, and LEAP made a presentation on Tax Increment Financing, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, TIF Agreements.

Hear Public Present on any subject: Public comment heard.

Shaw moved and Barnhart-Smith seconded to enter closed session to discuss legal opinion regarding litigation strategy in connection with Green Peak Industries v Windsor Charter Township. A closed session is appropriate because an open meeting would have a detrimental impact on the Township's position.

Roll Call was taken: Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 Absent: 0

Motion Carried unanimously.

Township Board went into closed session at 8:46 pm.

Shaw moved and Barnhart-Smith seconded to come out of closed session.

Roll Call was taken: Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 Absent: 0

Motion Carried unanimously.

The Township Board came out of closed session at 10:54 pm.

With no further business, Supervisor Shaw adjourned the meeting at 10:55 pm.

                                                                                     Meredith Barnhart-Smith

                                                                                    Windsor Charter Township Clerk