Mackinaw City will sell $700,000 in bonds to fund scheduled capital improvements and equipment. The money will be used to make necessary repairs and upgrades to infrastructure, including road improvement to North Huron Street and the purchase of a new ambulance and new pumper truck for the fire department.

Council voted 6-1 to issue a bond of up to $700,000, with Village President Ron Wallin voicing

his opposition of the village taking on so much debt during the recession.

"I believe this is the wrong time to be going into debt," he told his colleagues. "Sometimes we want things we can't afford. The village has the ability to save money, but that didn't pass on the budget level. I think this is the wrong thing to do at the wrong time."

None of the board members responded to his remarks.

The bond will defray costs for improvements to North Huron Street, such as street reconstruction, storm sewer and drainage improvements, placement of bituminous pavement, curb and gutter maintenance, and streetscape construction.

Purchase of a pumper will cost between $300,000 to $320,000. It will replace a 1984 pumper as the primary service vehicle, said Village Manager Jeff Lawson after the meeting. The new ambulance, estimated to cost $120,000, will replace a 1995 vehicle that will be taken out of service.

The village's newest fire vehicle is a 1995 tanker, while its newest ambulance is a 2001 model.

Parcel Sale to Shepler's Closer

to Completion

Council approved a private sale ordinance, required by state general village act, which will facilitate the sale of 4.349 acres of municipal property on Trails End Road, near the wastewater treatment plant, to Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry for boat storage. Council also rezoned the property from municipal to manufacturing research on the recommended by the Planning Commission.

The sale, when approved, will be for $68,507.

About 50 acres out of 160 acres of village property in that area is available to be used for development projects, such as light industry, Mr. Lawson said after the meeting.

Farmer's Market Relocates; New Barbecue Event Added

Val Willis, owner of The Butcher's Shoppe on Nicolet Street, will be relocating a farmer's market from Conklin Park to the front lawn of her new store. The market held Sundays in the summer.

She said visitors and vendors will be accommodated with parking by using space behind her store and possibly nearby parking lots, once she secures approval from neighboring businesses.

Ms. Willis is expecting as many as 13 vendors to participate, but if the event grows to a point she can no longer accommodate the market, she will approach Council again to relocate the event to a public venue.

"I just would like to move the farmer's market to my store so I can operate my business and oversee the farmer's market," said Ms. Willis, a certified market master. She added that vendors and visitors will be better accommodated by her store, which will provide toilet facilities and shelter in inclement weather.

She will also be allowed to hold "backyard barbecues" at her butcher shop, providing outdoor food and musical entertainment on Saturdays.

Trustee Jeff Hingston advised her to also seek permission from neighboring businesses to use their parking lots for this event, just as she will for the farmer's market.

Council allowed the Zoo de Mackinac Bicycle Bash to relocate its finish line from Mackinac Bay Trading Company to Dixie's Saloon. Event coordinators will also be permitted to hang two banners at the restaurant for the event.

Dixie Saloon representative Chris Brown said he will provide ample parking for the bicyclists, who will be riding 51 miles from Boyne Highlands Saturday, May 16.

Appointments of Village

Officials Postponed for Review

Annual appointments for the village's department heads, attorney, harbor master, and manager were postponed to Council's next regular meeting, Thursday, May 7, a suggestion made by Trustee James Alford to allow council members time to review appointments.

Trustee Jeff Hingston supported the suggestion, however, he added, "I'd like to remind the board that we have all kinds of time to discuss with the village manager any issues we may have. We can go to him any time we have a question about a position or issue."

Mr. Lawson explained the appointments are required by the village's charter as part of its annual organization and are not for renewing or adjusting any employment contracts.

Consumer Complaint Policy

Forms Updated

An updated version of the village's consumer complaint policy form was approved by Council. Complaints will be addressed by local police and the state Attorney General's office.

Mr. Lawson said these particular complaints address issues like price gouging, for example, and not quality of service, which can be addressed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Consumer Complaint policy forms are available at the village hall or at the Mackinaw City Police Department.

Council Purchases New Copy

Machine

Council approved the purchase of a new copier machine that will cost the village $1,868, replacing an 11-year-old copier that is demanding more and more maintenance and repairs. The village will receive a $5,990 trade allowance for the new $7,858 copier.