Jim Marks Signs 3-Year Contract as Police Chief for Mackinac Island
By Karen Gould

Jim Marks receives congratulations from Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud. Chief Marks received City Council's approval to command the Mackinac Island Police Department Wednesday, January 2. He had filled the position on a probationary basis since September 2007.

Jim Marks was named the Mackinac Island Chief of Police by city leaders Wednesday, January 2. He has been serving as the interim chief on a probationary basis since September, following the departure of Bill Lenaghan, who moved down state.

City council approved a threeyear contract that becomes effective January 15 and runs to March 31, 2011. Mr. Marks will receive $51,500 this year, with a 6.8% increase next to $55,000. In April 2010, his annual wage will be based upon the percentage change in the Consumers Price Index from February 2009 to February 2010. When he was appointed to the position, his salary was set at $44,000 per year with the understanding his contract would be renegotiated this month.

The contract also includes a $50,000 life insurance policy and health insurance benefits for him and his wife, Nancy. He will earn one sick day for each month he works and receive 15 vacation days a year. He will earn three paid personal leave days a year and three paid bereavement days for an immediate family member.

A contribution to a retirement plan totaling 5% of his gross wages was agreed to for the first year. In 2009, the contribution will increase to 5.5%, and in 2010, it will reach 6%.

In a related matter, Council approved spending $1,600 to allow Chief Marks to attend two downstate training sessions.

Council took no action on a request from Jim Pettit to raise the pay of Department of Public Works employees.

A member of the Board of Public Works, Mr. Pettit made the request during public comment. He reminded Council of a letter he had written earlier and said he will continue to seek better pay for department employees. He asked for Council's support and said he will be bringing up the issue at the January BPW meeting.

"We ought to at least give these people retirement, and we ought to at least give these people wages that are comparable to the people doing the same job on the mainland," said Mr. Pettit.

In a report to Council, Public Works Director Bruce Zimmerman said the Board of Public Works recommends renovation of the Island's wastewater treatment plant to make it mechanically reliable and to add additional capacity. A $9.8 million plan, which is being reviewed by engineers, could begin in three years. The project would add about 350 Residential Equivalent Units (REUs) and, under the current allotment system, handle limited development for another 10 years.

In addition to reserving hookups for undeveloped lots in platted subdivisions, the city is considering placing 150 REUs in escrow for Harrisonville property owners, which are now on septic systems. The city believes the Department of Environmental Quality will someday require those homeowners to connect to the city's sewer lines.

Each REU is equal to the average water use of a family of four, 250 square feet of restaurant space, or 2.8 hotel rooms.

If the renovation is done, the plant's maximum output would increase by 70,000 gallons a day to 990,000 gallons. Keeping the output below one million gallons, said Mr. Zimmerman, would reduce the need to meet additional state testing requirements.

Street pipes would not be replaced, he said, although work is needed at various pumping stations.

The city's accountant, said Mr. Zimmerman, is evaluating the financial cost of the project to determine when rates would be increased. An estimate of the increase is expected when the board meets January 14. The board plans to issue bonds and borrow money to fund the project, and use any funds the department is able to save before the project begins.

Council granted a use permit to Oshawanee, LLC for its property, the Village Inn Restaurant, to allow the front deck to encroach approximately three feet onto the street. The request was made by owner Dennis Cawthorne. The encroachment was discovered when the company submitted remodeling plans to the Planning Commission. The commission approved the project with the stipulation that the city grant a use permit.

The concept of the use permit, said city attorney Tom Evashevski, is that the property owner recognizes the city's ownership and control of it and the city has the right to reclaim the property at any time.

Maverick Construction was allowed 15-day vehicle permit extensions for an excavator and two dump trucks at the Mustang Lounge project, and a 30-day extension for a forklift.

Council sought more information on Maverick's request for a forklift at the Oakwood Condominium project, which the company said it needs to unload windows from a dray.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, at 5 p.m.