To prevent a monopoly in the bicycle rental business, the City of Mackinac Island has limited the number of licenses one person can own to 24% of the total licenses issued. At a meeting Wednesday, December 17, Council approved a recommendation by its Ordinance Committee to implement the cap, which is also intended to allow transfer of licenses from owner to owner with Council's consent, and allow Council to continue to control where bicycles are being rented.

The Ordinance Committee, which met earlier this month, recommended Council choose a cap percentage between 20% and 24%. Councilman Armin Porter, one of the members of the committee who suggested keeping the cap at 20%, spoke first on the topic Wednesday and decided 24% was efficient; the other council members agreed.

Council issued 1,330 bicycle licenses among 13 rental businesses this year.

A commercial bicycle license, issued through the city, costs $20 a year. With 1,330 licenses issued this year, the city is collecting $26,600 from bicycle licenses, which is placed in the city's general fund.

Commercial bicycle licenses are issued each April, and the city holds a public hearing if new licenses are requested. Council bases its decision on whether the number of commercial licenses meet the needs of the public, local traffic conditions, and the catch-all term, "health, safety, and welfare of the general public."

Ryba Bicycle Rental, which holds 395 licenses, just under 30% of the total, is exempt from the cap.

Sandra and Debra Orr, owners of Orr Kids Bicycle Shop, suggested the ordinance stipulate rental bicycle trailers "should not exceed manufacturer's recommended weight load," instead of limiting it to not more than two young children.

The Orrs also would like Council to provide more than 10 days notice of bicycle license distribution.

City attorney Tom Evashevski was directed by Council after the meeting to add the weight limit recommendation to the amendment, but was not told to extend the notice time frame.

Language in the amendment about the limitations on a bicycle trailer will include both manufacturer's weight limitations and a limit on the number of children allowed in one cart, which was already in the amendment.

Mayor Margaret Doud assured Tom Pfeiffelmann, co-owner with Gwen Baker of Island Bicycle Rental, that his company's request to transfer 100 licenses to Arnold Transit's Lakeside Bike Rental and 100 to Ira Green will be addressed at Council's next meeting Monday, December 29, which was changed from its usual Wednesday meeting because of New Year's Eve.

Council will work with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Coast Guard to certify Mackinac Island as compliant with the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Code. This will allow the Island port to continue to welcome cruise ships in for the 2009 season, part of a new Homeland Security requirement by the U.S. government, Mayor Doud explained.

A firm named Travel Dynamics is expected to operate a cruise ship between Duluth, Minnesota, and Toronto, Ontario, making several stops in between, including Houghton and Mackinac Island.

Council filed a letter asking local ports to meet the new standards, and will send the information to Bob Brown of Arnold Transit Company, which moors incoming cruise ships at its Island dock.

Council, at the suggestion of City Treasurer Rick Linn, agreed to pay off the remaining debt for the 1996 construction of the fire hall on Market Street, with the last payment being $75,000.

The payment is due this June and would have required an interest payment of $1,856 that Council now can avoid. Mr. Linn explained the city could pay it off now, considering collection of summer taxes is completed.

Council's last monthly interest payment for December will be $309.38.

Brian and Joe Murray, property owners on Main Street next to Ste. Anne's rectory, asked Council in a letter to change the way the city plows the area to avoid damaging their fence.

Mayor Doud said there are only so many places snow can be piled up away from the street.

"Sometimes fences do get damaged, but snow piles up and it comes down to the people's health and welfare" of maintaining safe and clean streets, said Mayor Doud.

The letter was placed on file.

Council directed its Streets and Sidewalks Committee to review Jack and Terri Armstrong's request for a temporary motor vehicle permit to use a lawn tractor to plow snow at their British Landing home. He received a permit to use the tractor to mow the lawn, but the permit expired in November and must be renewed for use in the winter.

Council questioned why the Armstrongs need a motorized vehicle to remove the snow, but agreed a committee could more thoroughly review the request.

Robin Dorman, a member of the audience, asked the city to consider having Santa Claus arrive at the annual Christmas Bazaar on a horse and sleigh, which he feels is more suitable to the Island than a fire truck.

Motor vehicles have been banned from the Island since 1898, however, emergency vehicles are allowed year-around, as are utility and construction vehicles, and snowmobiles during the winter.

"It's just a small suggestion, but to promote the Island's horse culture, it would seem better to bring Santa on horse and sleigh instead of a fire engine," said Mr. Dorman.

Aldermen Jason St. Onge, a firefighter, and Armand "Smi" Horn, a former fire chief, believe using the fire truck honors the firefighters, who began the tradition years ago.

Council agreed to allow Santa's motorized mode of transportation to continue.

Richard Coates was given a temporary motor vehicle permit for use of a backhoe at his Sandalwood home to remove a tree that blew down during a recent storm.

Council scheduled a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for 4:30 p.m. January 28, to review Craig and Paula Starkweather's request for alterations to their Spring Street home, as the project calls for reassessment of lot coverage.