City Fixes Sewer Line, Mulls Museum Offer
By Ryan Schlehuber

John Campbell

Hopes of holding off repairs to the eight-inch sewer line along Portage Road until 2009 were dashed when a 10-foot section of the line collapsed between Second Street and Third Street Tuesday, March 27, costing the City of St. Ignace an estimated $10,000 in repairs, which included cleaning fees for one residence. The section was replaced with new pipe, but the city must continue to monitor the rest of the weak sewage line on Portage closely.

Les Therrian, the director of the city's Department of Public Works (DPW), explained to City Council at a meeting Monday, April 2, that the DPW discovered how bad the sewage lines on Portage Road were in 2000, when a water main was installed along the road. Crews knew the 80-year-old line needed repairing, he said, but hoped repairs could wait until the DPW begins its $5.5 million upgrade in 2009.

The line has been partially broken for almost two months, but it was still pumping, somewhat, said Mr. Therrian, so the DPW nursed it, bypassing it through the winter. When the ground thawed, shifting rocks and gravel, the line collapsed.

The cost will be absorbed by the city because it has no flooding or back-up insurance, owing to the high premium costs, said Mr. Therrian.

"It's clear that any cuts to the big project should not be Portage Road," said City Manager Eric Dodson.

The city paid for cleaning at one home, where backed-up sewage damaged the floor, walls, and personal items. Mr. Therrian said other than that, sewage was contained and rerouted to a nearby manhole during repairs.

"You're going to see cleaning bills, bills for purchase of new drywall, and clothes cleaning bills," said Mr. Dodson to Council.

Traffic was rerouted to side streets during repairs, which were completed in one day. Mr. Therrian said the section of paved road that was cut will be repaved this summer.

Belonga Excavating was hired by the city to dig the 16-foot-deep by 200-foot-long hole and refill it. Mr. Dodson said bidding for the project was done quickly owing to the necessity in doing the repairs in a timely fashion. Two local contractors submitted bids.

"We needed to get it done quickly because the owner didn't want to deal with the mess for long," said Mr. Dodson.

Mr. Dodson said after the meeting that the city's budget has money in its contingencies fund to cover the costs.

"Les has been doing this for a long time and he prepares his budget to deal with at least one line break a year," said Mr. Dodson.

There are still other sections of the line that are in bad shape, but, said Mr. Dodson, the DPW will continue to monitor the lines and check manholes until the lines are fixed in 2009.

A public hearing for the proposed wastewater system improvements will be held at City Hall Monday, May 7, at 7 p.m.

Fort de Buade Museum

Council directed Mr. Dodson to write a letter to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to accept $700,000 ($118,000 each year for the next six years) from the tribe to purchase the Fort de Buade Museum, which houses a collection of historic artifacts from the late Dr. Donald Benson. The letter will include some stipulations, however.

"I plan to make the letter very [general] and state that we'll accept it as long as the individual concerns with the tribe, Michilimackinac Historical Society, and the city are met," said Mr. Dodson.

The Fort de Buade Committee, comprised of representatives from each group, met March 28 and outlined a number of concerns, most of which were raised back in January.

"Will it cost the taxpayers money? Will the tribe provide funding each year or jerk it out from us in the third year? Is the building in stable condition? Does it need a roof? How will it be operated? How will it be funded in the short-term and long-term? These are some good questions that need to be answered if we are to do this," said Mr. Dodson.

Council has done little to address the concerns since the tribe originally offered the money January 15. At a meeting February 5, Council voted to investigate further.

The tribe offered the money for the purchase of the building and contents at the request of the Michilimackinac Historical Society, which said the collection has historical and cultural significance to the area and should not be lost to private antique collectors outside the area.

Councilwoman Susan Tamlyn- Massaway said the museum would be an economic asset to the city and could be expanded to an arts center.

"We need a plan that grows it into a business to ensure its success," said Mr. Dodson, referring to the museum.

The city wants an escape clause with the tribe, he said, in case the tribe stops its payments along the way.

Council agreed soil must be tested at the property to meet environmental safety regulations. The building was once an auto repair garage.

No other action on the offer was taken, however, nor did Council discuss how it plans to get answers to the questions it has raised.

Proclamations

Mayor Grondin was busy handing out proclamations during the meeting, recognizing City Clerk Reneé Vonderwerth as Michigan Rural Water Association's Clerk of the Year, recognizing the Cedarville Trojans boys basketball team's Class D state title accomplishments, and recognizing John Campbell's retirement from the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Mrs. Vonderwerth was named Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Rural Water Association during its annual conference in Traverse City March 22. She was recognized for her work in helping secure more than $10 million in federal funding over the last 15 years, helping organize community events, and being an active community member.

She has served as the clerk for 12 years and is a fitness instructor in the community and a member of the St. Ignace Public Library Board. She was also president of the library's building committee and is an auxiliary city police officer.

Mrs. Vonderwerth attended the association conference with her husband, Mark, and several city employees.

Trojans Assistant Coach Kurt Duncan and four of the five senior players from Cedarville High School were on hand to receive Council's recognition. The Trojans defeated Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian, 77-74, in the state Class D championship March 24. It was the only team left undefeated through the season, going 26-0 overall. The Trojans also set a state championship game record, making 11 three-point shots, breaking the former record of 10.

Council will send a plaque to Mr. Campbell for serving as director of the EUP Regional Planning and Development Commission since 1973.

Mr. Campbell helped secure local, state, and federal money to assist communities with infrastructure development, including helping to redevelop Kincheloe Air Force Base into a prison after the Air Force moved out in the late 1970s.

The St. Ignace Fish Feast was granted special event status by Council, at the request of the Chamber of Commerce.

The event will be part of the 50th birthday celebration of the Mackinac Bridge. The Fish Feast will be held from July 26 to July 30 to coincide with other events coordinated by Michigan Department of Transportation.

Mayor Grondin's request to dissolve the sign ordinance ad-hoc committee was approved by Council. Now that the revisions to the sign ordinance are in the hands of city attorney Prentiss Brown Jr., the committee is no longer needed, said Mayor Grondin.

The committee met once and discussed revisions for two hours March 15. Council has yet to agree to the recommendations from the committee, as it waits for Mr. Brown's report. Mr. Brown was absent from Monday's meeting.

Several city officials attended a state legislative conference in Lansing last week, learning about possible state funding cuts that may affect the city, said Mr. Dodson. Mr. Dodson was accompanied by Willie LaLonde, Mrs. Tamlyn- Massaway, Mayor Grondin, and Mrs. Vonderwerth.