A feasibility study to construct a pedestrian bridge over I-75 to link the Father Marquette National Memorial with the state's Welcome Center and Straits State Park will not receive financial support from the City of St. Ignace, the city council decided at its meeting Monday, April 5. A request for $10,000 to help fund the project was turned down, with the city council citing budget priorities, although it did say it supported the concept of the plan.

Moran Township Supervisor Jim Durm asked for assistance as part of a three-party effort among Mackinac County, Moran Township, and the city to raise $30,000 for the feasibility study, which is projected to cost approximately $100,000. The Mackinac County Commission approved $10,000 for the project at its meeting on March 25, and Moran Township will be voting on the issue Wednesday, April 7.

City Manager Eric Dodson said he could not find $10,000 in the city budget for the project and asked council members to “support the idea and plan for the future,” suggesting that the funds for the project might be split up over time.

In response, councilman Tom Della-Moretta proposed a motion to pursue the concept as discussed, but without a financial commitment.

“My concerns are where the money is gong to come from, also,” said Mayor Paul Grondin, adding that he would like to see Council participate in funding the study in the future.

In addition to assessing the pedestrian bridge, the feasibility study would determine the viability of rebuilding the museum history museum that was struck by lightning and burned [March 9, 2000 - corrected from print edition]. The facility was not insured and was never rebuilt.

“When we’re talking about road issues and the priority of things, what happened out there has not been a positive thing for the state, the county, or the area to let that property sit there idly,” said Councilman Don Gustafson. “I believe that if the state had money around, they would probably likewise want to put money into this.”

The project has been the focus of several community groups who see the bridge and site development as an important economic stimulus for the city and township.

In other business, Council passed a resolution agreeing to follow a proposed House Bill that, if passed, would allow municipalities to publish legal notices on designated Web sites instead of local newspapers, which is presently required. The proposed legislation would allow the city to satisfy the requirement by publishing information on a city Web site, the Web site of the official newspaper of the city, or the public, education, and government channel operated by the city.

“This could save a great deal of money for the City of St. Ignace,” said Mr. Dodson of the initiative.

Public notices and city council minutes published in The St. Ignace News are already published on the newspaper's Web site and on the national public notice site, NewzGroup, at no additional charge.

Mr. Dodson also announced the city's credit report by Fitch Ratings, a global rating agency based in New York was given an A- credit rating, which changed its status from last year's negative outlook to stable.

“It reflected some improved financial flexibility,” he said. “They pointed to the water and sewer improvements. Revenue sharing may be dwindling and tax collection may be down,” he said, “but the overall outlook improved.”

Additionally, Mr. Dodson announced that the City's auditors are reviewing its budget this week. Their report to Council is expected to be presented at the first or second meeting in May.

Council approved a taxicab operator's license for Don Howe of St. Ignace, which was recommended by St. Ignace Police Chief Mark Wilk.

The city council went into a closed executive session to plan its collective bargaining strategy with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for a new contract. No agreement was reached, and discussions will continue at Council's next meeting.