City Council To Accept Bids for Two Condo Units
By Karen Gould

Sale of two city owned condominiums at Rowe Apartments is back on the table with Mackinac Island City Council unanimously agreeing to accept sealed bids for the two units until Wednesday, July 5. The two condominiums will be sold as a package, $800,000 was set as the minimum bid price, and a $5,000 deposit is required with each bid. Council's move at its May 24 meeting follows February's postponement of the sale and carries the stipulation that current lease agreements be honored.

Unit 2, which houses two police officers, will be available for occupancy November 1. Unit 1 will be available May 1, 2007, when the lease expires. It is being used by Police Lieutenant Pete and Cindy Komblevitz.

The Rowe condominiums are behind Harbor View Inn near Ste. Anne's Church.

Funds generated from the sale of the condominiums will be used to finance the remodeling of the old medical center building into additional housing for the police department.

In another matter, council approved a bond refunding ordinance for the Department of Public Works for bonds first issued in 1999. Those bonds were a consolidation from the original construction of the water treatment plant and sewer system and improvement costs later made to the facilities.

Current lower interests over 1999 rates would allow the city to realize approximately $230,000 in savings over the life of the bonds, but if the city does not save at least four percent interest for the new bonds, then it will not proceed.

The sewer system was built in 1970 and the water treatment facility was built in 1985.

Traffic Control Ordinance 295 was amended to restrict horse travel on French Lane. Council formalized the amendment, which prohibits all horses on the 10-foot-wide road except those entering from Squires Lane. From Squires Lane, horses only will be allowed to turn left toward Main Street.

The annual agreement with the Mackinac Island Service Company was approved by council for $17,407, which is a three percent increase over last year. The agreement, which runs from May 1 to November 1, calls for the daily pickup of all city

trash containers and trash from the city restrooms and behind Community Hall. The Service Company also will remove and dispose of all manure collected from city street sweeping and removal of all recyclable materials at city drop-off sites. The agreement includes hauling all city freight and supplies for city divisions, including public works, cemetery, library, Stuart House, and Community Hall.

Seven on-Island business licenses were approved and five off-Island licenses also received Council's approval. Also, one new business license for Ty and Leo's Place in the Mission, which will replace Ty and Ling's Place was approved.

Grand Hotel donated $5,000 for the Island's Four of July fireworks display.

Council agreed to spend $189 for a 38-inch lawn sweep which can be towed behind the riding lawnmower. It will be used to clean up cemetery grounds. Council also agreed to spend more than $1,400 for a new computer for the treasurer's office.

At a price not to exceed $1,000, council agreed to hire Belonga Plumbing and Heating of St. Ignace for plumbing work at Turtle Park.

A temporary motor vehicle permit was issued to Grand Hotel for a Detroit area television station's news van to transmit live from the Detroit Regional Chamber meeting at the hotel. The permit came with the stipulation that the vehicle be moved during early morning hours, before daily tourists arrive on the Island. It will be parked in the Tea Garden.

Two "Fun Run" requests were approve for Grand Hotel, one for the Detroit Regional Chamber Thursday, June 1, and a second for the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Thursday, June 29.

Two trailer permits were approved for Boy Scout Troop #127 of Lapeer to transport the troop's gear.

Patty and Brian Schoenborn were granted a trailer permit to move personal items from the Island. The trailer use is not to exceed two nights and must be hidden from public view, agreed council members.

Black Jack's of Indian River was granted a trailer permit to bring Las Vegas equipment to Mission Point Resort June 15, with the stipulation that the Beaver Dock be used.

Ralph Leino was granted a trailer permit to transport household goods to Leino Condos with the stipulation that the trailer would not be left on the street while it is being unloaded.

Atrailer permit was granted to Jeff Dupre to transport household items. A stipulation was applied to the permit that the trailer does not remain at the residence for more than 24 hours.

Atrailer permit was granted to Gerald Horn to remove debris from his property in the village.

Council next meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, on the second floor of Community Hall.