Nextel Tower Approved With Stipulation
By Eric Fish

After weeks of analysis and debate, the Mackinac Island City Council approved the placement of Nextel cellular towers on the Fire Hall in a Wednesday, May 23, meeting, pending a stipulation that would award the city $2,000 if Nextel removes its equipment prior to the expiration of a fiveyear contract.

Nextel has agreed to pay the city $400 a month for the spot.

The Nextel plan, which has been a burning topic in council and committee meetings in past weeks, was negotiated in a Tuesday, May 22, meeting of the Finance Committee.

"I understand the hesitance, and we have seen too many towers going up all over already," Alderman Mike Hart said Wednesday, referring to modern-day facilities being constructed in the heart of Mackinac Island's historic district. "These folks, I think, are really going to try to go way beyond just trying to accommodate."

The towers will be placed on three corners of the Fire Hall and will be painted white, like the building, to blend.

Nextel signals now are beamed over from a tower in Mackinaw City, and reception downtown and in residential areas is spotty, said Ray Fought, the radio frequency design manager for Sprint/Nextel of Michigan. He presented the Finance Committee with several maps that showed increased signal strength with a tower on Market Street. A repeater at Grand Hotel will expand coverage.

Still, the idea of another cellular telephone tower on Mackinac Island has been met with skepticism.

"When you come here, we're taking a step back in time to the 1800s," Alderman Dan Wightman said at Tuesday's Finance Committee meeting. "We can't have this place turning into a giant cell tower."

Nextel will begin erecting the towers Memorial Day weekend and expects to have the service up and running within a week. The towers could also be used as an emergency backup system for the community's police and fire departments.

"This will supply a backup system at a very nominal cost to our city," Police Chief William Lenaghan said Wednesday. "From my perspective, it's going to be able to help public safety tremendously."

Council also directed City Treasurer Rick Linn to borrow funds from Mackinac Island's Capital Outlay account to cover anticipated shortfalls to the General Fund. The Treasurer asked for transfers of up $170,000, to be repaid in September.

A new dray contract with Mackinac Island Service Company for the 2007 season, which will keep the services and rates the same as last year, was approved. The service will cost $17,407 and includes freight and trash service from May 1 to November 1.

Approvals of permits for street cuts were granted to Joe Plaza for a water line at his new home on 3rd Street and Iroquois Hotel to repair a sewer line.

At the request of the Planning Commission, Council will schedule a setback variance request from Lorma Kolatski for the Zoning Board of Appeals. A variance would allow her to construct an open deck at her home on Cadotte Avenue in Harrisonville.

New business licenses were approved for Scoops Ice Cream and Starbucks. Starbucks opened for business Saturday, May 19, and Scoops Ice Cream is under new ownership.

In addition, Council renewed the Hunters Creek business license.

Council approved admission to its fur trade museum, Stuart House, at $1 for adults and 50¢ for children, students, and senior citizens. The city will pay an attendant $7.50 per hour.

Cliff's Painting, Kay Berke, Louis and Marilyn Putz, and Jeff Dupre were granted temporary trailer permits. Cliff's Painting plans to haul tools from the Arnold Dock to the Hamady property on the West Bluff for seasonal work. Ms. Berke is using the trailer for the transportation of a swing set, the Putzs' need to transport objects from their home to St. Ignace, and Mr. Dupre needs the help of a trailer to transport seasonal household goods to the Island.

In related news, three Scout troops were granted temporary trailer permits to transfer food and personal gear for overnight trips. Troop 127 of Lapeer will begin use Monday, May 28 for a five-day period, Troop 114 of Big Rapids will begin use Saturday, June 2 for a nine-day period, and Troop 290 of Grand Rapids will begin its use Saturday, June 9 for a sevenday period.

In addition, Council approved a race sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Thursday, May 31. About 40 runners will race around the Island, starting and ending at Grand Hotel, from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Council has received an offer for a Rowe House condominium, which it has been trying to sell for more than a year, and will make a counter offer to the potential buyer, it was announced.

Kelly Bean, Mayor Margaret Doud's assistant, will attend a public employment law seminar in Traverse City this September.