The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular / Organizational Meeting on Tuesday January 13, 2004, in the 5^th Floor Conference Room of the Courthouse, City of Houghton.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Mike Lahti, at 5 P.M.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, the following commissioners responded to roll call: Edward Jenich, District 1; Dennis Barrette, District 2; Michael Lahti, District 3; Scott Ala, District 4; and Paul Luoma, District 5.

Commissioner Lahti called for nominations to elect a Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Jenich nominated Commissioner Luoma as Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Barrette seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, Commissioner Jenich moved that nominations be closed and the clerk cast one unanimous vote for Commissioner Luoma for Vice-Chairman of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the minutes as presented of the December 9, 2003 Regular Board Meeting. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve the agenda as presented. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Lahti introduced Thomas Novascone, the new Houghton County Equalization Director. Tom thanked the Board, gave a brief back round of his equalization experiences and stated he is looking forward to serving Houghton County.

Phil Musser was present and stated David Hollister, the appointed head of the newly created Department of Labor and Economic Growth will be coming for a luncheon tomorrow. Phil stated his position is one of the more powerful state departmental positions that has been created. The MEDC and other agencies report to him.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve paying the bills as submitted being vouchers # 87983 through # 88103 along with the late bills for a total of $99, 548.77.

Carried by the following vote.

YES: Jenich, Luoma, Barrette, Ala, Lahti 5.

NO: None 0.

Correspondence

Commissioner Lahti stated there is a new Insurance Commissioner, Linda Waters. Her letter states there is an umbrella organization now that covers both insurance and financial services. Information is available off the link and michigan.gov.

Commissioner Luoma reported on the following: The Planning Commission is making changes to the planning map product and are just about finished. They have set up committees to handle the problems and suggestions when presented.

The Tri County Corrections announced no cuts or new financing. There is an increase in the cost for prisoner help. The fee per prisoner has gone from $8.00 to $10.00 per day.

The Road Commission is working on finalizing last years State Maintenance contracts. They have received funds for 2 safety projects. They are the Kujansuu Corner on the Tapiola Road and the Bootjack - Jacobsville Road intersection by the Dreamland Hotel. They will be scheduled for 2004.

Commissioner Barrette reported on the following: The Board of Public Works and Torch Lake Sewage Authority meetings. The Sewage Authority recommended a rate increase and the Board of Public Works agreed and approved an increase from $2.45 to $3.00 per 1,000 gallons.

Copper County Mental Health had a good audit from Anderson - Tachman. It is reported they are in good financial condition now, but due to the state cuts, must find more efficient and economical ways to operate.

Local Emergency Planning announced that through Senator Levin= s initiative, over the last 1 2 to 2 years, Houghton County has received 1.4 million. Most of this has gone to the Torch Lake, Hubbell and Tamarrack area to alleviate their flooding problem.

Commissioner Ala reported on the following: At the Airport meeting, the Emergency Service Agreement was signed. The new modem heaters are installed in the hangers and are working well. The runway and security fence projects are coming along well.

The BHK Head Start reviewed the Blue Cross - Blue Shield increase, announced the hiring of an assistant teacher in South Range and hired a married couple who are school teachers to head up the new monitoring program.

At the WUPPDR meeting they announced things are in place for plotting out the Counties of Gogebic and Ontonagon for 2004. They have finished the zoning project in Hancock and have it mapped out, they are completing a traffic count for MDOT, have approved the purchase of the Hellman Transportation Building and approved the staff compensation package.

Commissioner Jenich reported on the following: The Keweenaw Academy held their last meeting. The scheduled closing day is February 6, 2004.

Main Street Calumet will be the topic of the Copper Country Today radio program with Dick Storm on the 25^th of January.

The Commission on Aging met and discussed their senior celebration. They are now looking at having 2 celebrations each year. They are planning to hold one in June and another in the fall.

The 911 union contract has been ratified as of January 4, 2004. The House Bill 4439 passed and the cell phone revenue will continue through December 31, 2006. Commissioner Jenich made a recommendation that the Board accept and approve the contract with SBC for the acquisition, installation and training of Power MAP Software to support the delivery of Phase II. He explained the Grant amount is $27,230 and the contract is for $20,600. Monitors will have to be purchased and will be reimbursed at $500 each for 2. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the contract with SBC for a total cost not to exceed $20,600. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

The FIA Board announced a survey to all the residents of North Houghton County explaining the effects of A transparent county lines@ , giving them an option of using the Keweenaw office instead of coming into the Houghton office. The subject of forming a district office is back on the table. It is expected that this would be cost effective and result in more efficient customer service.

The Medical Care Facility is in the process of looking at their millage and are requesting the Board of Commissioners to authorize a renewal of their current millage allocation of 3.0 mills. They are looking at the renewal for 10 years. Their current millage will expire in 2004. Commissioner Jenich has a history packet of their revenues and expenditures for the Board to review and advised taking this up at the next regular scheduled meeting.

Commissioner Lahti reported on the following: The Health Department did not meet.

There were personnel meetings.

The City of Houghton is having a public meeting January 14 where the changing of the restrictive use of the old Houghton High School lot will be addressed.

Dennis Hext the Houghton County Airport Manager was present. Mesaba is back on track and the services at the airport were not interrupted too badly. He did pursue the possibility of getting another airline to come in with the threat of the strike, and hopes to continue along that line. They are scheduled to get their Oshkosh snow blower at the end of the month. There are snow blower companies at the airport testing their equipment and he wanted to explain it has nothing to do with the airport, or the airport snow removal.

Carol Kreher, acting County Extension Director was present and thanked the Board for their support and adoption of the resolution at the December meeting. Carol introduced Audrey Chamberlain who is the new extension office Vista worker.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala to hold the Regular scheduled Houghton County Commissioner Board meetings on the 2^nd Tuesday following the 1^st Monday of each month at 5:00 P.M. with the exception of the February meeting. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to adopt the previous Rules of Order for the 2004 board meetings. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to nominate Commissioner Barrette to serve on the Copper Country Mental Health Board. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed and the clerk cast one unanimous vote for Commissioner Barrette. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala to nominate Commissioners Barrette, Lahti, and Jenich to serve on the Western U.P. District Health Board. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed and the clerk cast one unanimous vote for Commissioners Barrette, Lahti, and Jenich. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commission Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the travel request to enable the commissioners to attend the MAC conference held in Lansing on the 9 and 10 of February. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to change the February meeting date to February 17, 2004 at 5:00 P.M. to allow the commissioners to attend the MAC Conference. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to transfer the tobacco tax money in the amount of $15,289.00 received from the Michigan Health & Safety Fund to the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Ann Gasperich, Houghton County= s 911 Director, was present and stated the 911 Union ratified their contract. Commissioner Jenich made a recommendation that the Board approve the contract. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to accept the 911 Union contract as ratified. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments None

Announcements None

A motion by Commissioner Luoma that the meeting be adjourned. There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.

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Michael Lahti, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk