Mackinac Island City Council, at its regular meeting Wednesday, January 19, passed a resolution of support for Mackinac Straits Hospital’s new proposed operational millage of 1.2 mills for five years. Mayor Margaret Doud said an information session will be scheduled to discuss the issue, which will be on the May 3 ballot.

The previous five-year millage, which was for 1.4 mills, expired in December.

“This will benefit Island residents with 1) long-term care services, and 2) other services that Mackinac Straits Hospital provides us that we would otherwise have to travel farther to get,” said Mayor Doud.

She said there are at least three Island residents being cared for at the hospital’s long-term care facility now.

The lower proposed millage request reflects the hospital’s improved cash flow with the addition of new sources of revenue such as the CT scan, mammography, and cancer treatment. The hospital, she said, still needs assistance to operate its facility, she said.

It is estimated that 1.2 mills will raise approximately $889,515 when first levied in 2005. None of the funds raised by the millage will go toward the new $33 million state-of-the-art facility the Mackinac Straits Hospital board plans to build on North State Street in St. ignace.

In the November elections, the proposed millage request was voted down by close to 400 votes county-wide. Mackinac Island voted 198-193 in favor of the millage.

Steve Christie Case Dropped

Council was informed via letter by its attorneys, Plunkett and Cooney in Petoskey, that former Island resident Steve Christie’s case against the city will be dismissed, as it has been 30 days from the last hearing and no objections were filed.

Mr. Christie’s request to amend a complaint he filed against the City of Mackinac Island over his rights to use an electric-assist bicycle on the Island without harassment was denied by 11th Circuit Court Judge Charles H. Stark at a hearing in St. Ignace Friday, December 10, 2004.

Though Mr. Christie informed The St. Ignace News he planned to file a new complaint, he has not done so yet, according to Mackinac County clerk’s office.

Mr. Christie asked to amend his June 2002 complaint to rectify his financial losses and dignity, he said.

In his proposed amendment, Mr. Christie, a former owner of Mackinac Island Florist, requested compensatory damages of $500,000 and $5,000,000 in exemplary damages for the alleged “malicious, wanton, and willful conduct that inspired feelings of outrage, humiliation, and indignity” to be paid to him and his family.

Radio Tower Permit Payment Held Up

Council tabled a decision to approve payment of $57 to renew its permit for use of the radio tower at Fort Holmes.

The permit, which expires March 31, allows city officials and emergency response units to use the radio tower on park property for their low-band radio system.

Alderman Jason St. Onge asked the issue be tabled to discuss more about paying the Park Commission, in light of the fact that the city waived a $2,250 contribution fee that the State Park traditionally paid in an annual five-year fire protection agreement.

The fire protection agreement, renewed last year, states the city will provide and maintain fire fighting equipment and a volunteer staff that responds to all calls throughout the Island, including on park property, which is roughly 83 percent of the Island.

In turn, the Park Commission provides snow removal and snow removal equipment from all city-owned streets, and it has a 10-year property lease for the fire department’s Fire Hall No. 2 for $1 a year. The Park Commission also provides diesel fuel for city-owned fire vehicles.

The $2,250 contribution was started in 1943 to cover other fire protection costs, however, with the Park Commission’s budget dwindling each summer, the city agreed to the Park Commission’s plea to waive the fee.

Mr. St. Onge, who was opposed to waiving the contribution, hopes the Park Commission will show its appreciation to the city for these considerations in reviewing the radio tower use permit.

“I know we’re not talking a lot of money here, but it’s a bit discouraging and almost obnoxious to ask for this fee when we waived $2,250 last year for them,” he said.

No state park representative attended the city council meeting.

City Clerk Karen Lennard was instructed by council to write a letter to the Park Commission concerning the issue.

Size of Street Address Numbers Discussed

Council reviewed different sizes of street numbers that will be added to all buildings, structures, and some landmarks this year in accordance with the Island’s street address implementation project.

The project allows Mackinac Island to qualify for Mackinac County’s Enhanced 9-1-1 program.

Council, earlier this winter, approved a new street address resolution that included a map of official street names and now includes address numbers to each building and structure. The resolution states that residents must display address numbers that are no smaller than two inches in height.

Council agreed two-inch numbers may not be large enough for emergency response units to see from a distance and compared samples of different sized-address numbers, from two inches to six inches.

Mayor Doud and council members agreed four-inch numbers would be better, however, no decision was made at the meeting. Mayor Doud said the city may begin instructing residents and businesses to display building address numbers as early as March. To date, property owners have not been notified as to what their numbers will be.

City Contends U.P. Snacks Still In State Law Violation

City attorney Tom Evashevski informed council that Fred Dykstra of U.P. Snacks, a food and beverage vending company in St. Ignace, is still in violation of the state’s beverage container return law, despite Mr. Dykstra’s contention that he is exempted from the law.

Mr. Evashevski explained that Mr. Dykstra’s belief, that he is exempted from the law because he does not charge his clients a deposit, does not apply to vendors, only to bars and restaurants where beverages are consumed on site.

Council agreed that if Mr. Dykstra, or any other vendor on the Island for that matter, continues to operate vending machines on the Island without providing a place for customers to return the containers for a 10¢ deposit, he will be given a citation by local police.

Goodman Recognized by City

Council passed a resolution recognizing George Goodman, an Island resident who is retiring as executive director of the Michigan Municipal League.

Mayor Doud said Mr. Goodman has been supportive of Mackinac Island over the years and the city wanted to extend its appreciation.

Mr. Goodman owns a condominium in the Victorians condominium complex in the Mission district.

Firefighters To Attend National Training Course

Council approved a payment of up to $800 for firefighters Ken Hardy and Joe Gugin to attend a national firefighting training course in Indianapolis in April. The payment will help pay for travel and lodging expenses.