Third grade class president Linnie Gustafson (left) and vice president Tara Bunker, of St. Ignace Elementary School, await the start of a St. Ignace City Council meeting Monday, February 16. Their class has been studying local government this year. In the background are councilmen Willie LaLonde (from left) and Merv Wyse and Deputy Clerk Andrea Insley. A succession of winter storms that began in November has drained the funds St. Ignace receives from the state for snow removal on the I- 75 business loop, which also is the city's main thoroughfare, State Street.

"That puts us, obviously in a little pickle," said City Manager Eric Dodson, "because that is our main street."

The city now has applied for emergency snowplowing funds from the state, he told city council members during their Monday afternoon meeting February 16.

LaSalle seniors studying government and third grade students at St. Ignace Elementary School, who have been learning about local government, attended the city council meeting held in the LaSalle High School cafeteria. City department heads also attended the meeting.

LaSalle seniors from Tom Hamel's social studies class and third grade students from Holly Brown's class attend the St. Ignace City Council meeting in the LaSalle High School cafeteria Monday afternoon, February 16. The city's contract with the state, which totals $51,176, runs until October, when a new contract and funding would be offered to the city to plow the state trunkline. This year, the city received $8,195 less than in 2008, which equals a 9.5% drop in annual funding.

With 8.5% of the year complete, the city also has spent 17% of its major streets fund and 14% of its local streets fund. Both overexpenditures are attributed to the plowing in January.

Students also heard an overview of city plans for recreation, painting a water tower, construction of the new bus station, and a proposed new firehall.

Recreation Director Scott Marshall told council and students that new programs are being planned this year, including flag football tournaments and youth wrestling tournaments. Also being considered are roller hockey and roller skating inside Little Bear East Arena this summer.

During the Summer Daze celebration, the recreation department is looking into adding a triathlon, a bicycle race, and swimming or kayaking across Moran Bay.

Electric and heat bills totaling $13,600 at Little Bear East were higher in January, said Councilman Don Gustafson, than in any month he could remember. Edison Sault Electric Company's bill was $5,900 and Semco Energy's gas bill was $7,700.

Mr. Gustafson, who noted January was extremely cold, asked Mr. Marshall what was being done to address the issue.

Mr. Marshall reported that the heat had been reduced by 10 degrees in the arena and in the locker rooms.

"We're trying to conserve as much energy as possible," said Mr. Marshall.

The city has applied to receive funds from the federal economic stimulus package for work including the Portage Street sewer project and an extension to the sewer outfall into Lake Huron near the airport runway, said Mr. Dodson.

Council passed a new resolution in support of the planned Bayside Fireworks. A similar resolution already was passed by council, said Mr. Dodson, and the new one was modified to protect local businesses and gives the authority to control vending during the fireworks to the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce.

Work at the bus station on US-2 and Church Street is a couple of days behind schedule, said Mr. Dodson. The floor has been poured and the interior walls now are being constructed.

The city opened bids for the painting of the Marley Street water tower Wednesday, February 11, and had Dixon Engineering of Lake Odessa, the project engineers and inspectors, review them. Council agreed to Dixon's recommendation and approved hiring LC United Painting Company of Sterling Heights to do the work for $94,000. The city had estimated the project would cost $140,000.

Painting on the outside of the tower will include adding "Welcome to St. Ignace," which will be visible from I-75. Work is expected to begin in May and finish by mid-June.

The tank supplies water to the downtown district and most of the city, said Les Therrian, director of the Department of Public Works. When the work is underway, service to those areas will come from the Evergreen Shores water tower.

Council approved a lot split on North State Street that has two houses on it. The request was made by property owner Beverly Kammers.

The city is seeking the help of State Senator Jason Allen in introducing legislation to obtain property owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation. The property would be used to construct a new St. Ignace firehall. The site is adjacent to I-75, US-2, and near the Mackinac Bridge.

The current firehall downtown on State Street is crowded and some equipment is stored outside and offsite, making it difficult to access in an emergency.

The fire department serves a 236-square-mile area, which includes 92 miles of federal and state highways. The department has reciprocal agreements with all fire departments within the county and in Chippewa and Luce counties. Agreements also include some fire departments in Emmet and Cheboygan counties.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, council answered questions from the students for approximately 20 minutes before adjourning.

Council next meets Monday, March 2, at 8 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.