Poor weather is blamed for a reduction in both the number of boaters and the amount of diesel fuel being sold at the St. Ignace Marina this summer. Marina director Eugene Elmer, his report to the St. Ignace City Council Monday, July 20, said transient boating was down 35% in June, compared to last year, and fuel sales were down 42%.

At the meeting, Council passed an ordinance allowing the city to sell bonds to pay for its sewer extension and upgrade project, received a plaque commemorating the city clerks who have served since the town was incorporated, and learned that the new bus station is proceeding within budget.

Mr. Elmer's marina report, which was ordered to be presented monthly by the Council at the last meeting, noted that while diesel fuel sales are down, gasoline sales are up because more smaller boats are out on the water this summer.

Other marinas in northern Michigan, he told Council, are also suffering declines in diesel sales and boat traffic, and chilly weather most likely is the cause, he said. Fewer people will want to be on the water when the weather is cold.

"We had an awful start with weather this year," he said.

Fuel sales could easily turn around with a few large sales, Mr. Elmer added. One boat on July 15 purchased 2,500 gallons of fuel, so a few additional sales of that magnitude could compensate for the losses.

Gas sales are on the rise, unlike diesel fuel, owing to an increase in small boat usage.

"We haven't seen a lot of big boats down there," Mr. Elmer said.

Fuel is about $2 cheaper for smaller boats, Mr. Elmer said, which is why they are sailing more often than larger ones.

Nearly $5,000 has been saved in wages during June, Mr. Elmer reported. The initial goal was to save $5,000 by the end of the year. The elimination of overtime and one position has led to the savings, he told The St. Ignace News.

The marina is receiving partial payments on moorages, which was not on the report.

"We've never had that before," he told the council. We've always had people pay in full. It's the first time we're having people pay piecemeal because they want to be in but they're hurting."

Councilman Tom Della-Moretta that partial moorage payments be noted in future reports.

SRF Ordinance Passed

An ordinance authorizing the sale of junior lien revenue bonds to pay for the city's next sewer extension and improvement project was approved by the council.

The project will be paid through several sources including stimulus money and will cost about $1.4 million Mr. Dodson said, although the ordinance authorizes the sale of up to $2 million in bonds.

Bids for the project will be opened Wednesday, July 22. Mr. Dodson expects the project to begin in the Fall.

Bus Station Update

Paving around the bus station is nearly complete, City Manager Eric Dodson said. The inside of the station is about 98 percent complete, he added, with furniture arriving within a few weeks.

Construction is still within budget, Mr. Dodson said. A tour and ribbon cutting ceremony date will be set in August.

Water Contract For Tribe Reservation Worked On Mr. Dodson and the St. Ignace city attorney are working on a contract to provide water to the housing subdivision of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Negotiations for an agreement with St. Ignace are ongoing, Mr. Dodson said, and Council will be updated when more information is available.

Clerks Honored

Mayor Paul Grondin presented a commemorative plaque listing the names of all the clerks who served St. Ignace to the three most recent clerks. Virginia Olmstead, who became the 16th clerk in 1974, Larry Morris, who was the 18th clerk in 1978, and Renee Vonderwerth, who has been St. Ignace's 19th clerk since 1995 were present at the meeting.

The plaque will be displayed in the clerk's office and updated with each new clerk.