July 14, 2026

DUNDEE TOWNSHIP

JULY 14, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

A Regular Meeting of the Dundee Township Board was held Tuesday July 14, 2026. Supervisor Charter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All present recited The Pledge of Allegiance.

Present were Trustees: Alana Horkey, Ken Jaworski, Timothy Miles, Gary Lazette, Supervisor Ronald Charter, Clerk Karla Ziesmer, and Treasurer Lisa Ost. Clerk Ziesmer did roll call.

  • Treasurer Ost moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Trustee Horkey seconded. Motion carried.
  • Trustee Jaworski moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes held on of June 9, 2026, and waive the reading of such. Treasurer Ost seconded. Motion carried.
  • Treasurer Ost moved to approve the May 2026 Treasurer’s report. Trustee Lazette seconded. Motion carried.
  • Treasurer Ost moved to place correspondence on file and waive the reading of such. Trustee Lazette seconded. Motion carried

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Road Commission Letter
  • Net 123 Letter

PUBLIC COMMENT:

  • Micaela Bogi reported the Data Center Ordinance Public Workshop has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2026, following the Monroe County Fair. Public notices and newspaper information will be prepared.
  • Nancy VanDevelde addressed the Board regarding adoption of a township ordinance restricting the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in township business except where legally permitted, emphasizing transparency in government.

OFFICIAL REPORTS

LIBRARY:  Jennifer Grundnoski reported: June circulation totaled 2,609 items, an 8% increase over June 2025. Summer programming attendance exceeded 3,200 participants through the end of June. Summer Reading Program continues through August 29 for children, teens, and adults. Library programming remains active throughout the summer. Demolition of the neighboring building is expected to begin, with minimal impact to library operations.

ASSESSING: Board of Review is scheduled for July 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT: No report at this time

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Progress continues on specifications for the new fire engine bid. Modifications are being made to qualify for a shorter estimated delivery timeline of approximately 1½–2 years.

TREASURER LISA OST: Summer tax bills have been mailed and encouraged residents to contact the office if they had not received theirs. July Planning Commission meeting was canceled due to pending legal review of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) ordinance language. The Master Plan Survey remains available, with paper copies distributed throughout the community. Next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2026.

TRUSTEE GARY LAZETTE: No report at this time.

CLERK KARLA ZIESMER: Absentee ballots for the August 4 election were mailed June 26. There will be nine days of Early voting, available at Raisinville Township Hall. Township office will be open Saturday August 1, 2026, before Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for voter registration.

TRUSTEE TIM MILES: Discussed recent litigation involving noise from a data center in Dowagiac and emphasized the importance of strong ordinance standards regarding sound mitigation and buffering.

TRUSTEE KEN JAWORSKI: Reported cemetery operations continue without issues, tree removal has been completed along Brewer Road, and reminded residents an unclaimed trail camera remains at the Township Hall.

TRUSTEE ALANA HORKEY: Complimented the Library on its successful children’s programming.

SUPERVISOR CHARTER: Thanked Township staff, Planning Commission members, and volunteers for their continued work on township projects, including the Data Center and BESS ordinances.

OLD BUSINESS: None at this time

NEW BUSINESS:

  • MCOP Donation Request: The Board discussed the annual donation request from MCOP. No action was taken.
  • Website Maintenance Proposals: The Board reviewed proposals from Holly Vallade and Maumee Print & Technology for website maintenance. Trustee Miles moved to approve Holly Vallade for website management, contingent upon confirmation that she can provide full website support and maintenance beyond content updates. Trustee Horkey seconded. Motion carried.
  • Parking Lot Maintenance: The Board reviewed proposals to replace gravel in the rear parking lot. Following discussion, the Board agreed to postpone the project while obtaining pricing for heavy-duty entrance mats to determine whether they would adequately resolve gravel being tracked into the building. No formal motion was made; item tabled for additional information.

Additional board comments: Discussion was held regarding potential property tax abatements for future data center developments and possible alternatives such as Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements. No action was taken.

Treasurer Ost moved to pay bills dated June 22, 2026, in the amount of $301,349.56. Trustee Horkey seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer Ost moved to pay bills dated July 9, 2026, in the amount of $22,229.61. Trustee Horkey seconded. Motion carried.

Trustee Lazette moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m. Treasurer Ost seconded. Motion carried.

The next Regular Township meeting will be July 28, 2026, at 7:00 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karla Ziesmer

Dundee Township Clerk

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Attested:                                                

Ronald Charter                                                                                    

Dundee Township Supervisor                                        

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