MACKINAC ISLAND, MI -- Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud tells 7&4 News Shepler's franchise application has been accepted, and Shepler's and Northern Ferry Company will both be able to provide service to the Island.
The city approved Northern Ferry's franchise application last Wednesday, and gave Shepler's until 5pm Friday to accept the city's terms.
The city claimed Shepler's had two non-conforming items on their first application. The first non-conforming item was a cover letter sent with Shepler’s application which could be interpreted as changing the terms and conditions of the official ferry boat application form, and the second non-conforming aspect of Shepler’s application was an addendum to its schedule of ticket prices that was in conflict with the requirements of the City Ordinance.
Shepler's removed those two items from their franchise application. The city wanted these items removed because they wanted the two companies to be treated exactly the same.
This afternoon prior to 5:00 p.m., Shepler’s provided written acknowledgment that it had removed the two objectionable terms.
The City’s position is that both ferry boat companies are required to file with the City a schedule of ticket prices for various categories of customers and every customer is entitled to pay the price specified on the schedule of prices without any discrimination. Both ferry boat companies have now filed nondiscriminatory ticket price schedules.
Under the City Ordinance, the ticket price schedules are in effect until a ferry boat company requests and receives approval from the City Council to change the ticket price schedule. Shepler’s has requested permission to make two changes in its already-filed schedule of ticket prices and the City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, April 11, 2011 to consider that request.
Mayor Margaret Doud stated, “as of approximately 4:00 p.m. today, both ferry boat companies have satisfied the requirements for a franchise and both have franchises to operate ferry boats to and from the City of Mackinac Island. Now we are looking forward to a great season in welcoming everyone back to Mackinac Island.”
