The Mackinaw City Planning Commission will be reduced from nine members to seven members following the approval of a new planning commission ordinance by the Mackinaw City Village Council Thursday, December 3. The village council also accepted the donation of the alleyway behind Mackinaw Clothing and approved the purchase of a new fire truck and air packs.

The new ordinance states members of the planning commission cannot hold a position in any other political office. Adopting the new ordinance was excellent timing, Planning Commission Chair Rob Most said, as the ex officio member of the commission was a council member who was up for reappointment on the planning commission October 1, 2009. The planning commission decided they did not want a council member sitting on the planning commission as well, and the ex officio position was eliminated, reducing the commission's membership to eight.

The reduction of the second member is to avoid tie votes. Mr. Most said tie votes could not occur with seven members. Two planning commission terms expire next year, Rosada Mann and Mary Clark, so under the new seven-person commission, only one will be reappointed by the village president and council.

The alley behind the Mackinaw Clothing store in Mackinaw Crossings is being donated by Richard Weick, who sold the clothing store to the Chamberlain family several years ago, Village Manager Jeff Lawson said. The alley is a separate parcel of land and was not included in the sale, but Mr. Weick was not aware of this until he received a tax bill for the property. He decided to donate the land to the village rather than pay taxes on it, Mr. Lawson said.

The village occupies the alley and possesses several utility easements along it. By accepting the donation, Mr. Lawson said, the village would own the area and would not have to negotiate for another easement with property owners if it needed one.

Mr. Lawson said is does not know if the new owners of Mackinaw Clothing were offered the chance to buy the alley.

The purchase of a new fire truck from The Fire Company of Allendale costing $28,107.70 was approved by the village council. The council received three fire truck quotes with The Fire Company being the cheapest. West Shore Fire, also of Allendale, offered a truck for $28,468.74, and W. S. Darley & Co. of Itasca, Illinois, would sell one for $30,125.62.

The council also approved the purchase of air packs, devices that provide oxygen to firefighters, from West Shore company in the amount of $17,994. The Fire Company offered the packs for $19,360.