Late Fee Added to Applications
By Ryan Schlehuber

Businesses on Mackinac Island that submit late applications for a new or renewed business license may be assessed a penalty, under a new city regulation that was passed at a regular city council meeting, Wednesday, February 2.

In an effort to urge the more than 275 businesses on the Island to turn in their business license applications before the May 1 deadline, Council agreed to charge $10 to any businesses that are late. Another $10 will be added to the fee with each month that goes by before the application is turned in.

Mayor Margaret Doud said the new late fee is a small reminder to businesses. She said the fee is a result of last year, when licenses were reviewed and approved well into the summer season.

Such fees charged by the city must be only to recover expenses spent in the administration of the licensing, and City Attorney Tom Evashevski, in a letter, said the $10 would be reasonable.

“It is my opinion,” stated Mr. Evashevski, “that an increased fee would be legally justifiable from the standpoint that it takes more time of the clerk and all the department heads to devote attention to the single, or small number of license applications, than it would be to review all of them at once.”

The city’s annual business license review meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 18, at 5 p.m.

Council tabled Sunset Forest Association President Bart Huthwaite’s request for permission to build a bicycle rack and a small shelter on city property at the west end of Mackinac Island Airport. The issue will be reviewed by the city’s Public Grounds Committee.

The request was made last year, said Mayor Doud, but Council has been awaiting committee review.

Mayor Doud announced she sent congratulatory letters to Mackinac County Sheriff Scott Strait, State Representative Gary McDowell, and 1/Lt. Curtis Robertson on their new positions.

Mackinac State Historic Parks Director Phil Porter, via a letter, informed Council that the Mackinac Island Airport will be under maintenance June 7 through June 9 this year to seal surface cracks on paved areas. He said the airport will be closed for one day, June 7, to repair the runway.

Mayor Doud said the Mackinac Island State Park Commission researched the date to be sure it did not conflict with any major events happening on the Island on June 7. She said the annual Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce conference will have just ended, so the date is satisfactory to the city.

Council welcomed Kelly Bean to the city staff. She was hired as Mayor Doud’s assistant January 25 and will work part-time in former City Administrator and Police Chief Larry Jones’ office at City Hall.