City Signs Tower Warranty
Approves and Promotes Marshall in Recreation Dept.
By Karen Gould

St. Ignace proclaims July 26 and 27 Relay for Life Days and event volunteers receive a plaque in recognition for their work to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The plaque was presented July 7, at the City Council meeting. Pictured are (from left) City Manager Eric Dodson, Jackie Soblaskey, Sherrill Soblaskey, and Mayor Paul Grondin.

A five-year warranty on the 100,000-gallon Evergreen Shores water tower and a one-year warranty on interior and exterior paint were approved by the St. Ignace City Council Monday, July 7. The two warranties, effective July 1, are with Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors of Kentucky, and settle a long dispute over the tower, which cracked in a March 2007 wind storm after the tower was raised 26 feet. Phoenix purchased Pittsburgh Tank and Tower, which made the failed tower modifications.

Council also approved a $29,000 employment and benefits package and a new job title for Scott Marshall. Mr. Marshall, who was hired last month as the city's recreation programs coordinator, was named the city's new recreation director Monday evening. Based on the recommendation of City Manager Eric Dodson, council agreed to forego a planned six-month probationary period before the title of director was to be offered.

"I think he is exceeding all expectations," Mr. Dodson said.

The goal of the new director, said Mr. Dodson, will be to offer recreational programs and events for all age groups.

One new event, St. Ignace Summer Daze, already is being planned for August 8 and 9, which will offer activities for all ages, including three-on-three basketball, a 5K race, baseball tournaments, water races at the city pool, and a washer horse shoe tournament. The events are scheduled to take place at various spots around town.

Next year, the community-wide summer celebration will take place the second weekend in July, Mr. Dodson said.

The St. Ignace Area Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization which helped build the bowling alley and the nine-hole St. Ignace Golf Course, has been dissolved, wrote the organization's secretary, Prentiss M. Brown, Jr., in a letter to the city. Remaining assets of about $30,000, he said, will be transferred to the city as a gift to be earmarked for the expansion of the St. Ignace Golf Course to 18 holes.

Mr. Brown, who also is the city's attorney, attended the meeting.

"There's no question," he said, "that an 18-hole golf course on the most beautiful view of the Great Lakes is going to be a great thing for this community."

The corporation was organized in 1963, building the bowling alley was its first project. Through the years, the corporation has given the city $175,000. Little Bear East Community Center received $125,000, and $50,000 was given to the library.

Two public hearings will be held at the next city council meeting, Monday, July 21. Under public discussion will be leasing a portion of city property at Dock #3 to Arnold Transit Company. The company would use the area for transporting freight to and from Mackinac Island. Council will consider a resolution for the lease following the public hearing.

A second public hearing came at the request of Fred Paquin, who attended the meeting. His family is in the process of purchasing the bowling alley on the corner of Ferry Lane and Bertrand Street. Mr. Paquin asked the city to abandon the clear vision corner at the site. The site he is proposing the city abandon equals 1,639 square feet of land and resembles a triangle with sides of approximately 64 feet by 65 feet by 75 feet.

Now gravel, Mr. Paquin said, his family would like to pave the bowling alley parking lot and include the corner section. If abandoned by the city, the property would become a part of the bowling alley parcel.

The clear vision corner was established when Ferry Lane was considered a state highway linking US-2 to Dock 3, which was a terminal used by ferry boats that linked the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

Following the public hearing, council would consider a resolution to vacate the piece of land.

Council also took the opportunity to note its appreciation for work Mr. Paquin did for the city while he was on the board of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He lost his seat as an area representative to Pat Rickley in tribal elections held in June.

Council approved a request to hold the annual Sidewalk Sale Days downtown Saturday, July 12, and for Arts Dockside August 30 and 31 at the City Marina.

Based on a recommendation from the insurance committee, council is renewing its insurance program with Tom Spencer, the city's insurance consultant with Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA) at a cost of $87,640, which is $3 less than last year. As part of being in the MMRMA pool, the city receives a dividend, which this year will be approximately $36,000. The city also will purchase a policy that provides $75,000 in coverage for sewer backups. The policy costs $3,844 and has no deductible. The backups, said Mr. Dodson, cost the city about $3,000 to $12,000 annually.

A

proclamation was offered to

Relay For Life volunteers Sherill Soblaskey and Jackie Soblaskey, who attended the meeting. Also recognized in the proclamation were Kathy Marshall, Melissa Matson, and Donna Pope. The fundraising event, which is set for July 26 and 27 at LaSalle High School, benefits the American Cancer Society. About 80 new cases of cancer are projected for the county this year.

A proclamation also was offered to retiring Coast Guard Senior Chief Jeffrey Mallory, who did not attend the meeting.

Election inspectors proposed by City Clerk Renee Vonderwerth were approved and include Republicans Laurie Steiner, Jean Sterk, William Paul, and Bonnie Flinn and Democrats Judy Massey, Barb Wilkins, and Susan Shuler. Mrs. Sterk will chair the board.

The city did not receive any bids for its 1991 5-yard dump truck and now will advertise the truck in nearby communities. The city is asking a minimum of $12,000 on the truck, which has an underbody plow and 57,000 miles.

City Council next meets Monday, July 21, at 8 p.m.