No Bids Received By City For Rowe House Condominiums
By Karen Gould

Some of the tents popping up around Mackinac Island look like umbrellas and others "are substantial," but all are in violation of a city ordinance and don't have city permits, said the Mackinac Island City Council at its Wednesday, July 5, meeting. Council asked the building inspector to contact violators.

"By definition, they are structures and they need to be addressed as any other structure is addressed," said Alderman Mike Hart. He noted they require review by the Planning Commission and must meet requirements for setback from the lot line.

The city received no bids for the two Rowe House condominiums it wants to sell. Proceeds from the sale will help finance renovations at the old medical center building. The two condominiums were offered as a package with a minimum bid of $800,000. The matter was referred back to the Finance Committee.

Now, the condominium association is requesting $16,000 to replace the windows and add a new roof to the building. Council tabled action on the request for two weeks so it can confirm whether the requested funds will cover all the costs, including painting.

In a related matter, old wiring and heaters need to be removed from the old medical center building before the remodeling project begins, and Council approve $2,600 for Alexander Electric of Mackinaw City to do the work.

Until taxes are received, city funds are low, and Council approved a transfer of an additional $70,000 from its capital

outlay account to cover payables. This brings the total transferred from the account to $220,000 since March.

In a letter to Council, City Treasurer Rick Linn said the amount would be repaid by September, following receipt of summer taxes.

Council agreed to send a letter of support for the proposed new county hospital in St. Ignace to U.S. Senators and Congressmen. The request came in a letter from Ronald Mitchell, Mackinac Straits Hospital board chairman, but he did not attend the meeting.

The hospital is preparing its final application for federal funding for the $33 million hospital and expects to learn whether it will receive federal assistance in August.

Council's letter (the draft was provided by the hospital) requests $1 million in federal funds to be used for sewer, road, water, and utilities, but not for the construction of the proposed facility.

No action was taken on a letter from the Hubbard's Annex Homeowners Association (HAHA) regarding construction issues. One is concern about the construction of the Webster house and about possible damage to the road and common Annex property that could result from it.

The other was a request that neighbors be notified by the city about building plans in the neighborhood. The request was prompted by the construction of a new home by Charles Puttkammer. HAHA members said they would appreciate a courtesy notification on construction dates that are approved by the city.

Council took no issue with a proposal by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to transfer a license from Ty & Ling's Place, Inc., on Main Street near Mission Point Resort, to Margaret Horn, or for another proposal to change an address and issue a new Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) license for the Iroquois Hotel. The license will allow the hotel to sell beer and wine for take out.

The city maintenance crew will replace rotting wooden porches on city buildings for $954.03, which is the cost of materials. The purchase was approved by Council.

A public hearing for a change-of-use request for Maple View employee dormitory is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 9, followed by a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing at 6 p.m. Owner Ira Green is seeking approval to convert the structure to condominiums.

Four temporary motor vehicle permits were approved. AT&T required a permit to bury a cable from Silver Birches to Brian Dunnigan's Easterly cottage on the east side of the Island. Two permits were issued to Mission Point Resort for two propane deliveries July 11 and July 25. A third permit was issued to Mission Point Resort for the delivery and removal of portable toilets to the front lawn of the resort for Bayview Yacht Club's Port Huron-toMackinac Island yacht race.

Two temporary trailer permits were issued and one application was tabled during the meeting. Issued were permits for Mission Point Resort to transport two trailers from the Beaver Dock to the resort. One trailer will be used as the office at the yacht race finish line. The second will contain entertainment equipment, including speakers for the race.

Council tabled a request for a permit for East Bluff resident Louis Putz, who wanted to remove "junk" from his residence. Council wants to know what is meant by "junk" and if special removal permits also will be required. Council normally requires trash and construction debris to be taken to the city's solid waste handling facility.

A joint meeting was scheduled for the Planning Commission and City Council with Tom Bailey of the Little Traverse Conservancy, who wants to discuss the preservation of land. The meeting is set for Wednesday, August 23, at 5 p.m.