The St. Ignace City Council will begin receiving a monthly written report focusing on financial status of the public marina at its second meeting of the month beginning May 15, said marina director Gene Elmer. These reports have been previously requested by the council to better solve the marina's ongoing budget deficit.

One position has been eliminated this year, wages have been frozen for current employees, purchases are being restricted to essentials, and other ways to reduce expenses are being looked at, said Mr. Elmer.

"That's where we can save money," he said of reducing the marina's expenditures. "I'm going to focus on cutting expenses every year to make up the deficit."

When compared to the same time last year, operating expenses are down 10%, income is only up 0.04 %, and more fuel has been purchased to date .

Last year, $56,000 was spent for hourly employees' wages. This year, $48,500 is budgeted, although Mr. Elmer said he expects the actual expense to be lower.

All reports presented to the council this year will compare 2009 revenues and expenses to the those from 2008.

The city does not tally the number or sizes of boats staying at the marina on a monthly basis. Mr. Elmer says he only keeps track of the moorage revenue.

Public Hearings Planned

for Bike Lanes, Taxi Company

St. Ignace residents have been invited to voice their comments on the proposed lane reduction on Business Loop I-75 to make room for a bicycle lane during the city council's 8 p.m. Monday, June 15, meeting in council chambers.

If adopted, the resolution would reduce the city's main street from four to three traffic lanes from Marquette Street on the south side to the northern city limit at Evergreen Shores. This would make room for a northbound and a southbound bicycle lane on either side of the street.

A public hearing will also be held June 15 to consider approving a license for Chippewa Cab Company of Mt. Pleasant to operate a taxi business in the city. The hearing is meant to probe public necessity and interest into adding another taxi company before the city council takes action on the request.

Chippewa Cab operates taxi service in Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Petoskey, Traverse City, Mt. Pleasant, and Gaylord, and hopes to add one taxi vehicle to start with in St. Ignace.

Company representative Alberta McBride said she often moors at the city marina and has observed a need for additional taxi service in the city.

Some council members disagreed, noting that they have never heard any complaints about unreasonably long wait times for cabs. St. Ignace is now served by Straits Taxi, which is locally owned.

"In the past, we've had trouble keeping any cabs at all," said Councilman Paul Fullerton.

The two public hearings will occur back-to-back during the council's next meeting June 15.

Wind Energy Ordinance

To Be Revised

Several revisions to the wind energy ordinance recommended by the St. Ignace Planning Commission were discussed and approved by council members during the meeting.

If passed, the ordinance would regulate both large and small wind energy facilities with St. Ignace city limits. The language is a combination of the existing ordinance and new regulations from neighboring communities, including Manistee.

The ordinance allows for wind turbines to be constructed in any zone with approval of the council and lays out several design, setback, noise, environmental impact, a safety requirements. For instance, each structure must be set back from the nearest inhabited structure at least 1.25 times its height and from rightof ways and property lines 1.1 times its height.

These restrictions are meant to make large windmills difficult to construct in small-lot neighborhoods.

"It would be almost impossible in a small residential lot type neighborhood," said City Manager Eric Dodson.

Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors as well as typos like Manistee County in place of Mackinac were some of the changes the council approved for the ordinance.

Concerns were voiced about any potential windmills interfering with airport operations by Mr. Fullerton, who is also the county airport manager.

Mr. Dodson said a section within the ordinance does require that any constructed windmill meet all FAA regulations.

The council will consider the final revision of the ordinance for approval on its Monday, June 15 meeting.

Zoning Appeal Granted

to Animal Shelter

Mackinac Animal Aid Association will be constructing a 192- square-foot addition on the west side of the Mackinac County Animal Shelter at 980 Cheeseman Road, having received a zoning variance by the St. Ignace Zoning Board of Appeals.

The original zoning permit was denied because the addition would not meet the 25-foot setback requirement from the west lot line. The variance will allow the setback to be two feet from the lot line.

A letter from County Commissioner Calvin McPhee supported the addition, and neighbor Cheboygan Cement has told the city it has no objection to the proposed addition.

Construction will likely begin on the 8-foot-by-24-foot addition as soon as next week, and the animal welfare group hopes to finish the project in June, said George Ford, president of Mackinac County Animal Aid Association. The shelter is operated by Mackinac County.

Mr. Ford said one room in the addition will serve as a private office and one room will be a play room for cats when their cages are being cleaned.

Wine, Beer Tasting Event

Approved

Attendees will again get the chance to taste wine and beer and hear live music on Tuesdays in July and August.

The city council approved a special events resolution to allow the "Live at the Pavilion" wine and beer tastings to continue this year on the following dates: July 7, 14, 21, and 28, and August 4, 11, 18, and 25.

The events will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Pavillion mall on State Street.