Midland County public meetings in 2025
6 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Midland County Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular meeting on December 18, 2025. The commission will consider three new business items: a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, EGLE approval for dredging, a boat launch and dock, and approval of the 2026 meeting schedule. Other agenda items are routine calls, agenda and minutes approvals, public comment, and park/project updates.
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant
- EGLE permitting approved for dredging, boat launch and dock
- Approval of 2026 Park Commission meeting dates and times
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Midland County Parks & Recreation Commission will consider several agenda items, including routine approvals of the agenda and minutes, a public comment period, and updates on park projects. New business includes electing a nominating committee, closing out Phase I of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail refurbishment, updating the 2026-2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and changing the December 2026 meeting date.
- Election of Nominating Committee
- Phase I Pere Marquette Rail Trail Refurbishment Close Out
- 2026-2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan update
- December 2026 Meeting Date Change
The commission approved the agenda and October minutes by unanimous voice vote. It established an election nominating committee, postponed the 2026‑2030 Master Plan update to late summer 2026, and changed the December meeting to Dec 18 at 11:15 am, also by unanimous voice vote. The Pere Marquette Rail Trail Phase I reimbursement of $50,598.87 was submitted for final closure. The meeting adjourned unanimously.
- Agenda approved (unanimous voice vote)
- October 1, 2025 minutes approved (unanimous voice vote)
- Election nominating committee established (by‑law)
- Master Plan update postponed to late summer 2026
- December 2025 meeting moved to Dec 18 at 11:15 am (unanimous voice vote)
- Pere Marquette Rail Trail Phase I reimbursement of $50,598.87 submitted
- Meeting adjourned (unanimous voice vote)
Parks and Recreation Commission
The commission will review updates on park projects and discuss hunting incidents at River Trails Heritage Park. The body will also consider an emergency bin profile and a donation request from Heinz Tree Service.
- Hunting incidents at River Trails Heritage Park
- Heinz Tree Service donation request
- Emergency Bin Profile
- Flood Wall and Rain Garden profiles
- Postponement of Mission Statement and Proposed Park Fees
The commission approved the agenda and the September 3 meeting minutes by unanimous voice vote. It authorized construction of emergency sand‑and‑stone bins at Sanford Lake Park, and approved publishing a notice prohibiting hunting at River Trails Park, both unanimously. The director approved the Chippewa Nature Center as the recipient of the kayak/paddle‑shack assets. No other substantive actions were taken.
- Approved agenda (unanimous voice vote)
- Approved September 3 minutes (unanimous voice vote)
- Approved construction of 25" x 30' emergency sand‑and‑stone bins at Sanford Lake Park (unanimous)
- Approved publishing notice prohibiting hunting at River Trails Park (unanimous)
- Approved Chippewa Nature Center as recipient of kayak/paddle‑shack assets
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Midland County Parks & Recreation Commission will meet on September 3, 2025 to review unfinished business and consider several new motions. Items include a review of the commission’s mission statement, a proposed flood‑wall and rain‑garden addition, and the deletion of the paddle shack. New business items include an executive committee budget report, a beach dredging agreement, applications for the Sesquicentennial/Park‑a‑Palooza and Lighting the Bridge events, and a proposal to establish park fees for 2026.
- Mission Statement Review (motion requested)
- Flood Wall and Rain Gardens Addition (motion requested)
- Paddle Shack Deletion (motion requested)
- Beach Dredging Agreement (motion requested)
- Proposed 2026 Park Fees (motion requested)
The commission moved forward with a beach dredging agreement for Sanford Lake Park at an estimated cost of $185,000 (±10%). It also authorized the director to research disposal options for the Kayak Paddle Shack items. Several items, including the mission statement review, flood‑wall and rain‑garden drawings, and the 2026 park‑fee proposal, were tabled for the October 1 meeting.
- Approved beach dredging agreement for Sanford Lake Park, $185,000 +/-10% (unanimous voice vote)
- Authorized Director to research disposal method for Kayak Paddle Shack items (7-1 vote)
- Recommended submitting Parks & Recreation budget to County Commission Board (unanimous voice vote)
- Approved Sesquicentennial/Park-a-Palooza event application (unanimous voice vote)
- Approved Lighting the Rail Trail Bridge event application (unanimous voice vote)
- Tabled mission statement review for October 1, 2025 meeting
- Tabled flood wall and rain gardens drawing review for October 1, 2025 meeting
- Tabled proposed 2026 park fees for October 1, 2025 meeting
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Midland County Parks & Recreation Commission will discuss several project updates, including the SLP/Dam construction, flood wall and rain gardens, and a new kayak/paddle shack. Unfinished business includes a splash pad update and a review of the mission statement. The meeting also schedules an Executive Committee budget meeting.
- SLP/Dam construction update (information)
- Flood wall and rain gardens update (information)
- Kayak/Paddle Shack update (information)
- Splash pad update (unfinished business)
- Schedule Executive Committee budget meeting
The commission unanimously approved the meeting agenda. It also approved the July 9, 2025 minutes. The meeting was then adjourned by unanimous voice vote.
- Approved agenda (unanimous voice vote)
- Approved July 9, 2025 minutes (unanimous voice vote)
- Adjourned meeting (unanimous voice vote)
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission will review updates on park projects, including a splash‑pad mechanical‑room repair and a proposed kayak launch in Lee Township. Commissioners will consider the resignation of John Schmude and discuss the adoption of a revised mission statement. The 2026 budget will also be presented for consideration.
- John Schmude resignation
- Splash pad mechanical room update
- Lee Township kayak launch proposal update
- Discussion/Adoption of Mission Statement
- 2026 Budget submitted
The commission appointed Patrick Clark as interim director effective July 1, following John Schmude’s resignation. A resolution thanking Schmude for his service was adopted unanimously. The 2026 budget was submitted to the county finance office. The meeting agenda and May 7 minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.
- Patrick Clark appointed interim director (unanimous voice vote)
- Resolution thanking former director John Schmude passed (unanimous voice vote)
- Agenda approved (unanimous voice vote)
- May 7, 2025 minutes approved (unanimous voice vote)
- 2026 budget submitted to Midland County Finance Office
- Mower sold to Gateway MFG for $1,300, proceeds to General Fund