Mackinaw City Village Council trustees appointed Richard Perlick to fill the late James Alford's seat Thursday, November 5. Trustees also plowed through a series of ordinance readings, approved the purchase of a new ambulance defibrillator, and approved an agreement with Arnold Line on the maintenance of playground equipment.

Village President Jeff Hingston opened the council meeting with a moment of silence for Mr. Alford, who passed away unexpectedly October 18. Later during the meeting Mr. Perlick was nominated by the president to fill the remainder of Mr. Alford's term, which the council unanimously approved.

Village President Jeff Hingston described the new trustee as a "good allaround guy and eager to jump in." Mr. Perlick is a retired 19-year grocery store owner, a past member of the Burt Township School Board, a member of St. Anthony's parish council, and an ambassador of the Greater Mackinaw City Area Chamber of Commerce. His first meeting as a Mackinaw City trustee will be Thursday, November 19.

Council members ran through the first readings of amendments to the sewer use, parking, and disorderly conduct ordinances. The sewer ordinance addition incorporates the fats, oils, and grease policy, which will affect commercial businesses such as restaurants. Under the policy food service businesses will be required to have equipment to separate oils, fats, and grease from water when it enters the drain. The village has seen sewer back-up liability claims because of grease gumming up sewer lines, leading to the amendment.

The amendment to the parking ordinance increases the fine from $25 for parking in a handicapped space to $100. It also restricts parking overnight in downtown Mackinaw City.

The disorderly conduct amendment adds language for certain acts to be considered as disorderly. Ignoring the order of a police officer, Village Manager Jeff Lawson told The St. Ignace News, will be considered as disorderly, for example. The ordinance was revised as part of a standard review, and not because of a surge of such occurrences, he added.

The ordinance changes will be read a second time at a future meeting. The purchase of a HeartStart defibrillator for $22,068 was approved by the council. It will replace the village's other defibrillator, purchased in 1995.

The council approved an agreement making the village responsible for the maintenance of playground equipment near Arnold Line. The equipment had fallen into disrepair, but it was uncertain whether the village was responsible for the upkeep or Arnold Line, Mr. Lawson said. The agreement will enable the village to maintain and upgrade the items. Planning Commission member Rosada Mann said some of the equipment was loose or had bees nests inside at one time, making the approval a prudent decision.