The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting / Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in the 5^th Floor Conference Room of the Courthouse, City of Houghton.

The meeting was called to order by the County Clerk. 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.

The Clerk announced that the first order of business was to elect a chairman. Commissioner Pintar nominated Paul Luoma. The Clerk called 3 times for further nominations. There being no further nominations, the Clerk asked for a motion to close nominations. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to close nominations and one unanimous vote be cast for Commissioner Luoma to be elected Chairman. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0. The Clerk announced that Mr. Luoma was elected Chairman and the meeting was turned over to Commissioner Luoma.

Commissioner Luoma stated that his intent is to keep all the committees the same.

Commissioner Luoma announced that nominations were open to elect a Vice Chairman. Commissioner Pintar nominated Scott Ala. Commissioner Luoma called 3 times for further nominations. There being no further nominations, Commissioner Luoma asked for a roll call vote. Commissioner Ala was elected Vice Chairman with the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Commissioner Barrette moved that the minutes of the December 9, 2008 meeting be approved as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. Motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Pintar asked that the agenda include the request for funding from Portage Health. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to accept the agenda with the addition. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment None

Commissioner Luoma announced that the Public Hearing for the MSHDA Housing Rehabilitation Grant Application was open. Lori Hauswirth from Western U.P. Planning & Development Region stated the public hearing is for comment on the 2009 – 2011 Houghton County Housing Application for Single Family Rehabilitation in the amount of $200,000.00. The match requirement is 25% which is homeowner contributions. She said it will be a 2 ½ year program. They are expecting to do 7 to 8 homes with the grant. The floor was open for questions. There being no questions, Commissioner Luoma announced that the Public Hearing was closed.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to approve paying the bills submitted of vouchers #110849 thru #110943 for a total of $88,522.20, along with the late bills submitted for a total of $113,784.99. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Correspondence

Commissioner Luoma spoke on a press release from UPPCO, regarding selling acreage around the Prickett Dam.

A letter was received from Rosalie King, Iron County Board of Commissioners. She is seeking support to serve as the person-at-large on the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors. Commissioner Ala made a motion to send a letter supporting Rosalie King. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Airport Committee and Copper Country Mental Health.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: Houghton-Keweenaw Soil Conservation District and Houghton County Planning Commission.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: Michigan Works, B-H-K Head Start, WUPPDR, and a local business, Keweenaw Scrap Metal.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: U.P.C.A.P., Community Corrections, Houghton County Medical Care Facility, WUPPDR, Keweenaw National Park, Calumet Twp. Rescue Sled Committee, Main Street Calumet, Met with Sheriff and Undersheriff regarding the patrol car accident, and KEDA will meet on the 14^th with a presentation from Portage Health.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Road Commission.

County Officers

Kathleen Beattie said that at this time it would not be feasible for Houghton County to set up a Land Bank Authority. The cost of the County’s audit would increase $3,000 annually.

New Business

1. Meeting Dates/Times. The Board meetings will be held at 5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday following the first Monday each month except for February. The February meeting will be held on the 17^th. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the dates and times of the 2009 meetings. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried with a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

2. Rules of Order. Under Number 18, Commissioner Barrette suggested to change the order of business to comply with how the agenda order is now. The order is, 1. Call to order, 2. Pledge of Allegiance, 3. Roll call., with the rest following in the same order. Another change was under Number 3, Other Committees, to strike #6 Torch Lake Sewage Authority and replace it with Park and Recreation Committee. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette to adopt Rules of Order with the amendments. 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 Barrette

b. District Health – Commissioners Jenich, Barrette, and Pintar

c. UPCAP – Commissioner Jenich

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich that the Commissioners accept the appointments as stated above. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Patrol car bids – USDA grant. Eric stated 3 bids were received. A Rural Development grant will cover 40% and the County is responsible for the remaining 60%. The low bid was from Signature Ford. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to accept the bid of $25,525.00 from Signature Ford. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nay 0.

5. Request to replace damaged patrol car. Brian McLean stated they received 2 bids to replace the damaged car with an already built vehicle. The low bid of $28,000.00 was from Copper Country Ford. Commissioner Pintar made a motion to purchase the Ford Expedition from Copper Country Ford. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

6. Resolution regarding MSHDA Housing Rehabilitation Grant. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the resolution and to go ahead with the Grant Application. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala.

The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

7. Resolution regarding Houghton County Department of Veteran’s Affairs road sign. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the resolution as submitted to allow the sign to be posted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar.

The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

8. Request for funding of software updates (an unbudgeted item) Commissioner Barrette made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the purchase of the BS&A software upgrade for the Equalization Department and Treasurer’s Office. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

9. Request for approval of 2007 Homeland Security Grant Inter-Local Agreements. Eric explained that Houghton County was elected to be the fiduciary for Region 8 for the 2007 Homeland Security Grant Program. Houghton County is required to complete all paperwork for the grant. For the County’s effort, Houghton is reimbursed for time and costs. Commissioner Ala made a motion to approve a resolution to allow the Houghton County Controller to enter into Inter-Local Agreements with the other counties in Region 8. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar.

The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

10. ADA/504 Coordinator Appointment for Airport. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to appoint Dennis Hext, Houghton County Airport Manager, as Houghton County’s ADA/504 Coordinator. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

11. Appropriations:

a. Copper Country Mental Health - $41,120.41

b. Western U.P. Planning & Development Region - $2,866.50

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the appropriations as listed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

12. Travel Request

a. MAC Conference

b. Friend of the Court – Brenda Cadwell

c. Drain Commissioner – John Pekkala

d. Treasurer – Kathleen Beattie

A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the 4 travel requests as listed. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

13.Portage Health request for funding. Commissioner Luoma stated he received a letter from Portage Health and Dr. Nulf requesting reimbursement for certification of a Volunteer Death Investigator. No action was taken.

Public Comments None

A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to adjourn. There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.

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Paul Luoma, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk