Following a successful summer with more than 12,000 visitors to the Stuart House Museum, volunteers there have asked the Mackinac Island City Council to consider a plan hire a second employee, paint the lower level of the building, improve air flow on the main floor, and obtain more displays from wood carver Dale Gensman this year. Council discussed the plan at its meeting Wednesday, February 27, and sent it to the Finance Committee for review.

Rejuvenated last year by volunteers led by Candi Smith, the cityowned Stuart House Museum on Market Street ended the year with $8,931. The building once served as the clerk's quarters of John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company and the home of agent Robert Stuart. Today, the museum tells the story of the Island's key role in fur trading. Previously, Mackinac Island Carriage Tours operated it under a three-year contract with the city.

The volunteers asked for donations from visitors, rather than charging an entrance fee, and through their efforts raised $17,427.25.

Expenses were $8,496.24, including the salary of one employee, Sylvia Perault.

"I think it was absolutely amazing and remarkable the amount of money you took in," said Mayor Doud. "I think you should be commended."

The operations plan includes a request for a $30 salary increase for Mrs. Perault, to $330 a week. Last season she was paid $7.50 per hour for a 40-hour week.

"I don't think any of us sitting here had any question that Sylvia wouldn't be back," said Mayor Doud. "We want Sylvia back. She does an excellent job and has her heart there. People like to talk to her because she is an Islander."

The plan suggests Mrs. Perault be given authority to make decisions on hours of operation requests a second employee, if volunteers are not able to fill in when needed. The museum volunteers, states the plan, also would like a committee established to work with wood carver Dale Gensman, who has contributed replicas of Island buildings to the museum. The plan calls for obtaining more of the replicas. Removing a wall that blocks the view of the back door and adding a screen door to the back entrance would increase air flow on the main floor. A new brochure, states the plan, is needed for the museum. The plan requests volunteers be gathered to scrape and paint the lower level of the building.

Last April, Council approved seeking bids to paint the north and west outside walls of the building, although the project never moved forward.

During Wednesday's meeting, Mayor Doud praised the group's efforts.

An annual payment of $15,000 from the Coca Cola Bottling Company to support operations at Mackinac Island Medical Center was approved by Council.

The payment allows the company to claim Coke is the official soft drink on the Island. One year remains under the agreement.

A temporary motor vehicle permit for Richard Coates for a tractor was renewed for 30 days.

Alderman Jason St. Onge said he had talked with Mr. Coates. Unable to remove the tractor from the Island with no boats running, Mr. Coates sought the renewal to follow city policy.

Alderman Armin Porter reminded Council the permit already had been renewed several times, and he said this should be the last renewal approved.

Two temporary motor vehicle permits were renewed until March 15 for Rob Fraser of Maverick Construction for a forklift and crane for work at the Mustang.

Council placed on file five letters from the Department of Environmental Quality. The letters acknowledge that applications to dredge in the harbor near the docks had been withdrawn. Those withdrawing the dredging request were Doug Yoder of Lindale, Georgia, Bob Benser of Mackinac Island, Union Terminal Piers of Mackinac Island, Star Line Ferry of St. Ignace, and Ann and John Dennany of Gaylord.

Council agreed to make three purchases, including buying its telephone system for $1,341.50, as the city's lease was up, a laptop computer for the fire department for no more than $1,050, and no more than $1,000 for a new computer for City Clerk Karen Lennard.

A maintenance agreement was approved for a copy machine with Williams Office Equipment in Cheboygan for an annual fee of $2,160.

Council went into executive session for 30 minutes with city attorney Tom Evashevski to receive an update on ongoing litigation involving the Annex property owned by Len and Sue Webster. No decisions or actions were taken.