Pending proof that the St. Ignace Firehawks hockey team is a nonprofit corporation registered with the state, City Council approved a lease with the team for use of a locker room at Little Bear East Arena. The decision was reached during council's Monday, May 19, meeting.

City Attorney Prentiss M. Brown Jr. said he had checked the Web site of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, and found no listing for the organization. Following an assurance from team manager Paula Goudreau that the registration process is complete, council approved the agreement.

The local hockey organization has sought use of the room to meet their growing needs.

Once the lease is signed, the Firehawks would pay the city $500 to use the locker room. The lease would run from October 1 to March 1.

Councilman Willie LaLonde asked about the status of funding totaling $6,800 to help pay for the materials to construct a new fitness room at the arena. Planned construction of the room recently eased the debate over leasing the locker room to the hockey team, as the team and fitness groups both say they need the space.

The funding is coming from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and has been approved by its board, said City Manager Eric Dodson. The grants are expected to be made May 31.

Work on the Evergreen Shores water tower is nearing completion. The painting will be finished this week. The paint work then must be inspected and the tower X-rayed by Dixon Engineering, which is handling the inspection work.

Bill Dixon, of Dixon Engineering, is expected to address council in June regarding the tower. He will discuss the inspection and warranty issues. Council is expected to enact a resolution to accept the tower work.

For more than a year, the city has been working with Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors, formerly Pittsburgh Tank and Tower, to complete repairs on the 100,000- gallon tank and tower.

The 150-foot tower was damaged by high winds Thursday, March 1, 2007, less than a year after a 28-foot extension was added to the structure.

The city will participate with Rogers City for the annual Mayor Exchange Day. Rogers City had suggested Mayor Paul Grondin visit their town June 3, and their mayor, Beach Hall, visit St. Ignace June 5. The dates conflict with the Michigan Municipal League's District meeting in Baraga, so the city now will seek new dates for the exchange with Rogers City.

Council members indicated their interest in meeting with the Rogers City mayor and officials. The town, said council, has a comparable population to St. Ignace, similar issues, and it is a waterfront community with a marina.

Council welcomed the city's new Deputy Clerk Andrea Insley, who has been in the position a week. She was appointed to the job by Clerk Renee Vonderwerth.

The prison work crew from the Kinross Correctional Facility, said Mr. Dodson, began work last week. The city has a contract with the Department of Public Works within the Michigan Department of Corrections for use of the crew. The contract calls for staffing of no more than 10 prisoners and no fewer than five inmates. The crew is working 10 hours a day, four days each week.

The contract calls for the city to pay the state $30 a month per prisoner for an eight-hour day. For 10- hour work days, the city pays the state $37.50 per month per prisoner.

The state raised its per-month price from last year, when it charged $15 per month.

Installing city banners and new flags on light poles along State Street in the downtown district is one of the first projects the crew has worked on this year.

Council approved a July 4th fireworks display permit with Wolverine Fireworks Display of Kawkawlin on behalf of Kundis Fireworks Display Shows of Sebewaing. In March, the City renewed its $7,500-per-year, fiveyear contract with Kundis Fireworks. The display will be set up at the Mill Slip July 4, with a rain date set of July 5.

City Council next meets Monday, June 2, at 8 p.m. in Council Chambers in City Hall on State Street.