Island City Council Amends New Cart Ordinance
By Karen Gould

The city’s new cart ordinance that took effect on Wednesday, June 1, already has an amendment, but only because of an inadvertent deletion, said City Attorney Tom Evashevski. The ordinance bans the use of luggage carts by pedestrians on city streets, but a key element was omitted when it was adopted, 4-3, earlier this month. Council passed the amendment to Ordinance No. 425 at its meeting Wednesday, May 25.

The Operation of Luggage Carts amendment states, “Luggage carts shall not be allowed or used on city streets or sidewalks except as provided in Section 66-253(B) herein.”

Section 66-253(B) allows luggage carts to be pulled behind a licensed dray.

The vote on the original ordinance ended in a 3-3 tie among council members, and Mayor Margaret Doud cast the deciding vote to adopt it.

Lingering sentiment against the ordinance was apparent during the vote on the amendment, with Aldermen Frank Bloswick and Armin Porter voting against the amendment, as they did the original ordinance on May 11. Alderman Dan Wightman, who voted against the ordinance, voted for the amendment last Wednesday.

Mr. Bloswick said he voted no on the ordinance and was not going to vote yes for the amendment.

Added Mr. Porter: “I didn’t like the ordinance in the first place and I didn’t like the amendment either.”

Mr. Wightman said, “I passed it at the council level as opposed to having the mayor break another tie vote. We knew it would pass, anyway.”

The new ordinance restricts the use of luggage carts. The four-feet by six-feet carts that are used by the ferry services to haul luggage and other items to and from the mainland, can only be used on city streets if it is hitched to a horse-drawn vehicle like a taxi, dray, or shuttle. The carts can no longer be hand-pushed on city streets.

In other business, the Council approved business licenses for on-Island, off-Island, and new businesses, and discussed the decommissioning of a fire truck.

The following on-Island business licenses were issued: Bayview Yacht Club at Mission Point Resort, Bayview Bed and Breakfast, BeDour Construction, Chateau Lorraine, Three Brothers Sarducci, Professor Harry’s at the Chippewa Hotel, Pink Pony, Lilac House, Mackinac Island Florist, Bayview Gift Shop, Mustang Lounge, Pine Cottage, Rose Gazebo, Chippewa Hotel, and Mr. B’s.

Off-Island businesses approved by council were Consolidate Electric, Bella e Dolce Cake Decorating, and Mike Willey.

New business licenses approved include: Weber’s Floral, Mackinac Marketplace at the Murray Hotel, Magic Fashion, Mackinac Island Kayaking at Mission Point Resort, and Lakeshore Outfitters at the Murray Hotel.

Fire Chief Bradley requested Engine #2, commonly known as Southfield truck, be decommissioned. Since the truck originally came from the Mackinac Island State Park, Council decided to discuss the matter with the park commission before proceeding.

The next city council meeting will be Wednesday, June 8 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.