On the agenda: Erie August 18, 2026 Regular meeting — data center (Aug 18)

Erie Township Board
Regular Meeting
Erie, Michigan
August 18, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Erie Township Board was held Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at
the Erie Township Hall, 2065 Erie Rd. Erie, Michigan. Supervisor Michael Grodi called
the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The roll was called, and the Pledge of Allegiance
recited. Danny Taylor offered an opening prayer.
Supervisor Michael Grodi - Present
Treasurer Jennifer Mishka – Present
Clerk Kimberly Cousino – Present
Trustee Manny Evola - Present
Trustee Steve Mishka - Absent
B. APPROVE AGENDA
K. Cousino moved, supported by M. Evola, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion
carried.
C. RECOMMENDED ACTION
1) Minutes Approval of July 14 2026, Regular Meeting, July 17, 2026 Special
Meeting
2) Building Report; July 2026
3) Treasurer’s Report, July 2026
4) Revenue and Expense Report, July 2026
5) Police and Fire Reports; July 2026
K. Cousino moved, supported by M. Evola, to approve the consent agenda items 1-5
waving the reading. Motion carried.
D. CORRESPONDENCE:
1. DTE
2. Michigan Gas Utilities

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Erie Township Board – Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

K. Cousino moved, supported by J. Mishka, to approve correspondence items 1-2,
waiving the reading. Motion carried.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Diane La Plante thank the fire departments for their service and for their response to the
recent house fire in Erie.
Sam from Monroe County, stated no data centers in Erie.
E. BUSINESS:
1) Bills Approval:
J. Mishka moved, supported by K. Cousino, to approve checks #39310 - #39387 from
accounts payable including payroll, ACH, and EFT in the amount of $215,412.84 and
checks #1812 - #1813 in the amount of $870.00 from trust and agency account. Roll
called; J. Mishka – yes, M. Evola – yes, M. Grodi – yes, K. Cousino – yes. Motion
carried.
2) Accept the Presentation of Phase 1 Wastewater System Updates Project;
Preliminary Engineering Report and post accordingly:
Supervisor Grodi explained the wastewater systems and drinking water systems update
projects were completed for Ottawa Shores and funded by a grant. These preliminary
engineering reports are a necessary step in extending sewer and city water infrastructure
to the Ottawa Shores and Lost Peninsula communities and to apply for funding. A
presentation of both reports was given to the Ottawa Shores Community and Lost
Peninsula Marina; both entities are in favor of extending the utilities to the area. The
preliminary engineering reports are posted on the Erie Township website and are
available during regular township hall business hours.
K. Cousino moved, supported by J. Mishka, to accept the presentation of phase 1
wastewater system updates project preliminary engineering reports and to post
accordingly. Motion carried.
3) Accept the Presentation of Phase 1 Drinking Water Systems Updates Project;
Preliminary Engineering Report and post accordingly:
M. Evola moved, supported by K. Cousino, to accept the presentation of phase 1 drinking
water system updates project preliminary engineering reports and to post accordingly.
Motion carried.

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Erie Township Board – Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

4) Employee prescription reimbursement:
J. Mishka moved, supported by K. Cousino to allow prescription reimbursement up to
$1,200 per year for eligible employees enrolled in Medicare. Roll called; J. Mishka – yes,
M. Evola – yes, M. Grodi – yes, K. Cousino – yes. Motion carried.
5) Appointment to Park Commission:
K. Cousino moved, supported by J. Mishka, to forward submitted resumes to the park
commission to review and offer interviews to the applicants, and make a recommendation
to the township board in two weeks. Motion carried.
6) Schedule public hearings for the special assessment renewals of Morin Point
West, Petee’s Colony, and Morin Point East:
K. Cousino moved, supported by M. Evola, to schedule the public hearings for Morin
Point East, Morin Point West, and Petee’s Colony Special Assessment Districts for
September 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried.
7) Budget Amendments:
K. Cousino moved, supported by J. Mishka to approve the budget amendments as
presented. Roll called; J. Mishka – yes, M. Evola – yes, M. Grodi – yes, K. Cousino –
yes. Motion carried.
8. Michigan Strategic Fund award; $8.5 million Michigan Ready Sites grant for
sanitary sewer extension:
Supervisor Grodi explained that Erie Township has been awarded $8.5 million from the
Michigan Ready Sites grant program to continue the sewer line installation along S. Dixie
Hwy.
9) Streetlight Special Assessment:
K. Cousino moved, supported by J. Mishka, to keep the streetlight assessment fees the
same as they currently are for the 2026 winter tax collection. Motion carried.
10) Resignation of Trustee Steve Mishka:
M. Evola moved, supported by K. Cousino to accept the resignation of Steve Mishka
with regrets. Motion carried.

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Erie Township Board – Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

11) Appoint Steve Mishka to Zoning Board of Appeals:
M. Evola moved, supported by K. Cousino, to appoint Steve Mishka to the Zoning Board
of Appeals. Roll called; J. Mishka – abstain, M. Evola – yes, M. Grodi – yes, K. Cousino
– yes. Motion carried.
12) Morin Point Fire Department request to purchase a Ranger Crew SP570:
Morin Point Fire Assistant Chief Bill Murphy presented their request to purchase a
Ranger Crew SP570. Discussion was held.
K. Cousino moved, supported by J. Mishka, to table the request from Morin Point Fire
Department. Motion carried.
PUBLIC AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENT:
Charlie Reau, Richard Cousino, and Denise Benore spoke in opposition to the Master
Plan map and is not in favor of sewers, shared concerns about damage to tiles in the area.
Clerk Kim Cousino thanked Steve Mishka for his years of service as trustee.
Supervisor Mike Grodi provided an update on the current sewer line expansion project;
explained that re-zoning requests of property is initiated by the property owners, public
hearing held by the planning commission, and then a recommendation to the township
board.

ADJOURNMENT:
K. Cousino moved, supported by J. Mishka to adjourn at 5:42 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

Kimberly Cousino
Clerk

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Erie Township Board – Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026