The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held an
Organizational / Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 12,
2010, at 5:00 p.m. in the 5th Floor
Conference Room of the Courthouse, City of Houghton.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Paul
Luoma. After the Pledge of Allegiance the following
commissioners responded to roll call. Edward Jenich,
District 1; Dennis Barrette, District 2; Anton Pintar,
District 3; Scott Ala, District 4; and Paul Luoma,
District 5.
Commissioner Luoma stated the first order of business
was to elect a Vice – Chairman. Commissioner Pintar
nominated Commissioner Ala. Commissioner Luoma called
for further nominations. With no further nominations,
Commissioner Barrette made a motion that nominations be
closed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar.
The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion that the minutes
of the December 2, 2009 Special Meeting along with the
December 13, 2009 Regular Meeting be approved as
presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded
by Commissioner Ala to approve the agenda as presented.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment
Barbara Manninen from Atlantic Mine was present with
concerns regarding the building of a new Transfer
Station off of Erickson Drive, and how it may impact the
church she is a member of, which is located on Erickson
Drive. Commissioner Luoma said the site plan was not
complete yet to answer some of her questions. Eric asked
her to leave her name and address with him and he would
forward information to her as the development is
completed.
Larry Corrigan addressed the Board with his concern
of two separate incidences. The Board advised him they
have no control over small businesses or judicial
rulings.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying
the bills submitted of vouchers #120222 through #120296
for a total of $38,364.82 along with the late bills of
$39,631.17 for a grand total of $77,995.99. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the
Resolution To Oppose The MiWater Ballot Initiative as
presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Jenich. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Ala made a motion to adopt a Snowmobile
Advisory Committee Resolution which mirrors the Mackinac
County’s resolution sent in correspondence. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Ala, Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Western U.P. Health Department, Local
Emergency Planning, and Houghton County Memorial Airport
Board.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: the Michigan Works Administrative Board.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: WUPPDR meeting.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Commission on Aging, and Department of Human
Services. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to appoint
Marvin Heinonen, the recommended candidate by the
interviewing board, to fill the partial term expiring
October 31, 2010 created by the death of Scott Dickson.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Jenich continued his report with the
Medical Care Facility. Commissioner Jenich made a motion
to approve the request for a millage renewal by the
Houghton County Medical Care Facility to be placed on
the August 2010 ballot. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following
vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Jenich reported on the Quincy Smelter,
the Law Enforcement Committee, and Houghton County
Finances.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission.
County officers
Eric Forsberg stated he was notified by the Treasury
of the amount of State Revenue Sharing the County will
receive. He stated it is in line as to what was
budgeted. He was notified by the Sheriff that this is
the last year the County will be reimbursed for Mental
Health transports.
Jack Dueweke said there are communications problems
with the snowmobile groomer up North. El-Com has offered
to supply mobile radios for the groomers and have
started installing them.
Dennis Hext stated the local travel agency, Travel
Leaders, has volunteered to assist passengers with
problems with the Delta to United transition. They are
able to go into both systems and have helped passengers
return to CMX that were diverted to other airports .
New Business
1. Meeting dates and times. The commissioners
reviewed the scheduled dates for the 2010 meetings and
no changes were made.
2. Rules of Order. Commissioner Jenich made a motion
to adopt the Rules or Order as presented. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 5. Nays 0.
3. Commissioner Committee Appointments.
a. Mental Health - Commissioner Ala made a motion to
appoint Commissioner Barrette to represent the County on
the Mental Health Board. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
b. District Health – Commissioner Ala made a motion
to appoint Commissioners Jenich, Barrette, and Pintar to
represent Houghton County on the District Health Board.
c. UPCAP/ others – Commissioner Luoma stated the
remaining appoints will remain the same as the previous
year.
4. Jon Midkiff, U.S. Census Bureau – Overview of
Census process. Mr. Midkiff informed the Board of the
importance of an accurate count for the 2010 Census. It
could mean thousands of dollars of Federal Funding for
communities. Each individual counted is estimated at
$1,200 per year and if missed, it would be a $12,000
loss for the 10 year period. He urges people looking for
work to contact the Michigan Works and sign up for the
testing. He said the jobs are temporary but pay well.
5. Guy St. Germain, Western U.P. District Health
Department – Update. Mr. St. Germain gave an informative
presentation of the structure, the services provided,
and the funding source and expenses of the 5 County
District Health Department.
6. Houghton County Department of Veteran’s Affairs –
Appointment of 3 Board members. Commissioner Ala made a
motion to appoint, Christopher Bates, Joseph Battisfore,
and Glenn Tapio to serve on the Veteran’s Affairs Board.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The
motion carried by voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
7. Houghton County Department of Human Services –
Appointment of Board member. Accomplished during
reports.
8. Houghton County Medical Care Facility – Millage
renewal request. Accomplished during reports.
9. Proposed amendment to Planning Commission
Ordinance. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the amendment
to the Planning Commission Ordinance as presented. The
motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Pintar, Jenich, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
10. Houghton County Remonumentation Program Contract.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Barrette to renew the Houghton County
Remonumentation Program Contract. The motion carried by
a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
11. Resolution in support of the Final Report of the
Legislative Commission on Statutory Mandates, December
2009. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to adopt the resolution
as presented. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
12. Appropriations:
- Western U.P. Substance Abuse Service
Coordinating Agency - $21,952.50
- Western U.P. District Health Department -
$21,640.80
- Copper Country Mental Health - $41,120.33
- UPEDA - $500.00 Membership Fee
- UPCAP - $1,100.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Barrette to approve the appropriations
as listed above. The motion carried by the following
vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
13. Travel Request
a. Houghton County Treasurer’s Office – Kathleen
Beattie
b. Houghton County Drain Commissioner – John Pekala
c. Houghton County Friend of Court – Dan Giachino
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the
travel requests as listed above. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment
Phil Musser stated that the Board approved a loan to
Kenton Woodworks. They are now producing products and
started paying back on their loan.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to adjourn. There
being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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