Mackinac Island city officials are adding up the many projects they want to complete by the time summer tourists arrive. Many of the projects consist of improving the aesthetics of the downtown area and other parts of the Island, but other initiatives involve tightening ordinances, such as the motor vehicle ban.

Raising the use of motor vehicles $25 across the board and restricting the use of some heavy motor vehicles on city roads were two measures agreed upon at the City Streets Committee meeting Thursday, February 17.

Fees for all construction or special motor vehicles used within the city limits, except for golf carts used on golf courses, will be charged $25 more than last year. The raised fees are consistent with what the Mackinac Island State Park Commission charges. The city had not reviewed or raised motor vehicle fees since 2001.

The city and Mackinac Island State Park Commission do not charge a fee for snowmobiles, motorized wheelchairs, and electric assisted bicycles, although it is required that users display a permit.

Attending the meeting were the Mayor Margaret Doud, city council members Armand “Smi” Horn, Jason St. Onge, and Dan Wightman, City Streets Administrator Dennis Dombroski, and Kelly Bean, the new assistant to the mayor.

Many heavy motor vehicles used primarily for construction and hauling materials were put under scrutiny by the committee. City officials discussed how heavy vehicles, such as cement mixing trucks and tractor trailers hauling sections of modular homes, are damaging roads.

Mr. Dombroski said the paved roads on the Island are not designed for heavy weight, like normal Michigan roads are. He said the Michigan Department of Transportation, which maintains M-185, the state highway that encircles the Island, is realizing that even the daily wear and tear of horses and carriages are making an impact on the low grade asphalt used on the Island.

The committee discussed limiting the weight of material hauled as well as weight of the vehicles. City officials also discussed the possibility of charging contractors or property owners for the use of police escorts, which are required for all heavy vehicle transports.

Another idea city officials discussed was to limit the maximum width of modular homes transported on Island roads. Mr. Dombroski said limiting these sections to only 14 feet in width (they vary in length, but can be up to 80 feet long) would eliminate most destruction of trees when making a tighter turn. He said trees are often damaged or cut down to get a modular home section around a corner.

Road repair is needed on Cadotte Avenue between the corner of Cadotte and Market Street up the street to the French Outpost. Mr. Dombroski said the project would include removing and replacing the top layer of the road to smooth it.

Also, Mr. St. Onge said the city should require utility companies like Edison Sault Electric to acquire a temporary motor vehicle use permit for liability purposes.

City officials also stressed the importance of keeping tabs on smaller seasonal utility tractors some residents use around the yard. Apparently, some residents have used the tractors for other purposes.

Mr. Wightman is working on replacing all of the city’s 120 street lights and globes and has been dealing with a supplier in Charlevoix.

The committee is looking into Sunset Forest Association’s request to allow it to build a small shelter and a bicycle rack on city property at the west end of the airport, near Forest Way Road. Many workers and residents in the area use the small piece of property for bicycle and cart parking and the association’s plan is to make the area more orderly and sheltered.