MAYOR FORMS COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT SILVER BIRCHES ISSUE, OPTS OUT OF APPRAISING MAIN DOCK The Mackinac Island City Council met today for its regularly scheduled meeting at 5pm in City Hall on Market Street. The Meeting was called to order at 5pm by Mayor Doud and roll call indicated all members present. Minutes were approved as were bills and payroll. The Clerk reported that 30 letters were received by her office this week in regard to the issue at Silver Birches. The Clerk reported that 8 letter were in opposition to re-zoning the property, while 22 letters were in favor of re-zoning. Mayor’s Assistant Frazier gave a report on Committee meetings that were held, one of which was to look at the proposals to set up the Police Department, Fire Department, and City Hall on emergency generator so that in the case of an outage, the respective offices and departments could continue to operate. The Council recommended putting the work and parts out for bid. Mrs. Frazier also reported on the Public Safety Committee meeting in regards to Cloverland Electric staffing. At that meeting, Cloverland CEO Dan Dasho reported that Cloverland has decided that it will in fact replace the on-Island repair crew as they retire. In old business, Attorney Jennifer Schafer was to address the Council on behalf of the Ware family who are seeking a change in zoning for their Silver Birches project. Before she address Council, Mayor Doud spoke and said that in light of the ongoing work and changes needed that she felt it was best served if she appointed a committee to try to find a reasonable and viable solution for all parties. She thanked the Planning Commission for their work, but felt that a committee made up of herself, two Councilmen, and two Planning Commissioners could perhaps find a fair and balanced solution to bring back to Council as opposed to drawn out back and forth and potential litigation. Mayor Doud appointed St. Onge and Hoppenrath from the Council and Strauss and Dufina from the Planning Commission to be a part of this special committee. The Council voted to approve the idea. After this, Attorney Schafer addressed the Council and notified them that yet another scaled back plan had been presented. She then asked to yield her time to Liz Ware’s father. Mr. Ware spoke about the progress going on at the property and how the foundations at the Main Lodge were coming along, and that soon, the front porches would be removed for foundation work, and then restored. Mr. Ware mentioned that saving the property was the first priority of the Ware family, and that ultimately turning a profit, if any, would be minimal considering the money currently and yet to go into the project. The Council waived the fee for renting the Community Hall for a meeting to be held in regard to the Enbridge underwater pipeline on September 4. I didn’t catch the time but I am sure Susan will fill that in. The proposed liquor control ordinance was sent back to committee as there was some discussion about the proposed change in times for the noise ordinance to kick in, and several Councilmen had questions on the ability to enforce certain parts of the ordinance. The Council decided to withdraw its intent to have the Arnold Main Dock appraised and just now have the Coal Dock appraised. Citing that if needed, they could always do the other, but that currently, the Council was only interested in the Coal Dock. The Council approved a special motor vehicle permit for Belonga Plumbing to repair a broken sewer line near Oakwood Condos. Council thanked Nancy May for her work and photos for the new City website. In other new business Alderman St. Onge asked Alderman Moskwa (Chair of the DPW) if the DPW had measures in place to address misuse of public garbage cans. St. Onge stated that last week in the course of few minutes he witnessed two different residents in the Mission area taking their household garbage to the city street-cans. Mr. Moskwa mentioned that it is an ongoing battle with certain residents who are cheating the system and putting their household garbage in the street-cans. Mayor Doud made mention of the passing today of former school teacher and retired MIFD Firefighter, Dan Seeley. All agreed it was shocking and great loss to the community. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40. I had a few things to wrap up in town and headed home. For dinner, in honor of my departed former teacher, firefighter and friend, Dan Seeley, I made spaghetti sauce. But I made it Seeley style. And by Seeley style I mean I just threw stuff into the pot until it looked right. Those who knew Seeley and watched him cook know that he never measured any ingredients, he just grabbed them, threw them in the pot and it always turned out great, as he was a marvelous cook. Well, mine turned out good (in my opinion) and in true Seeley style, I helped myself to some extra garlic bread and I toasted to a great man who was loved by most and will be missed by all. God Bless Mr. Seeley, God Bless.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:32:22 +0000
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