The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held an
Organizational / Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 15,
2008, in the 5th Floor Conference Room of the
Courthouse, City of Houghton.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Paul
Luoma, at 5:00 p.m. 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 announced that the first item on
the agenda was to elect a Vice Chairman. Commissioner
Luoma called for nominations. Commissioner Pintar
nominated Commissioner Scott Ala. The nomination was
seconded by Commissioner Jenich. Commissioner Luoma
called for additional nominations. There being no
further nominations, Commissioner Luoma asked for a roll
call vote. The nomination of Commissioner Ala as Vice
Chair was carried by the following vote.
YES: Pintar, Jenich, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the minutes of
the December 11, 2007, Regular Meeting. The motion was
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 None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Barrette to approve paying the bills of
vouchers # 106585 thru # 106686 along with the late
bills presented for a total of $149,338.42. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence None
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Copper Country Mental Health, The Houghton
County Airport Committee, and Western Upper Peninsula
Planning & Development Region Meeting (WUPPDR),
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton Keweenaw Soil Conservation District,
Western U.P. Michigan Works Administrative Board, and
Houghton County Planning Commission.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: Michigan Works, Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw
Headstart, and Houghton / Keweenaw County Medical
Authority Control Board.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: WUPPDR, Commission on Aging. Commissioner
Jenich made a motion to send Marie Gagnon a letter in
appreciation for her years of service to the board. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Commissioner
Jenich continued his report of the Houghton County
Medical Care Facility / FIA, Keweenaw Economic
Development Alliance, Keweenaw National Park Advisory
Board, UPCAP, and Houghton County’s 1st
quarter finance report.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission.
County Officers
Mike Schira, MSU Extension Director, said there is an
ongoing project with Advisor Animal Health and the down
state labs to develop a method to wipe out BVD in dairy
and beef cattle. They are looking at our area because of
isolation and will be contacting local cattle owners to
voluntarily work with them to eliminate BVD.
New Business
1. Meeting Dates/Times. Commissioner Barrette made a
motion to have the Regular Meeting each month on the
second Tuesday following the first Monday at 5:00 p.m.
The only month that will be different will be February
which will be held on February 5. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Jenich The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
2. Rules of Order. A motion was made by Commissioner
Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to adopt the
Rules of Order for Houghton County as presented. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
3. Commissioner Committee Appointments.
A. Mental Health: A motion by Commissioner Pintar to
have Commissioner Barrette assigned to the Mental Health
Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
B .District Health: A motion by Commissioner Ala,
seconded by Commissioner Luoma to have Commissioners
Jenich, Pintar, and Barrette assigned to the District
Health Board. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes
5, Nays 0.
C.UPCAP /Others Commissioner Luoma announced that all
other committee appointments will remain the same as was
in 2007.
4. Request for Resolution & Agreement with Osceola
Township regarding flood insurance. Commissioner
Barrette made a motion to approve the agreement. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO:: None 0.
5. Request for easement through Houghton County
Marina from Portage Lake Water and Sewage Authority. Jim
Tercha, representing Portage Lake Water and Sewage and a
representative of U.P. Engineers were present to request
an easement for Franklin Township’s sewage project.
There was a discussion that followed regarding the trees
along the easement site. Commissioner Luoma motioned to
table the request until the February 5 meeting. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
6. Resolution to Amend Houghton County Final 911
Service Plan. Commissioner Ala made a motion to approve
the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by the following
vote.
YES: Ala, Pintar, Jenich, Barrette, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
7.Resolution to Adopt Monthly 911 Surcharge Within
Houghton County. A motion by Commissioner Barrette,
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to adopt the resolution
as presented. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
8. Request for Resolution regarding Prickett
Shoreline Management Plan. A motion by Commissioner
Pintar, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the
resolution as presented. The motion carried by the
following vote.
YES: Pintar, Ala, Jenich, Barrette, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
9. Keweenaw Memorial request for letter of support.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Ala to send a letter of support of Keweenaw
Memorial applying for Federal aid through the USDA Rural
Development Community Facilities Program. The purpose of
the aid is to obtain funding for the purchase of a new
ambulance and required operating equipment. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
10. Appropriations:
a. Western U.P. District Health Department Cigarette
Tax - $12,268.94 Commissioner Jenich made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve payment of
the WUPDH Cigarette Tax appropriation of $12,268.94..
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
b. Western U.P. District Health Department -
$10,671.50
c. U.P. Association of County Commissioners - $174.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Ala to approve paying the budgeted
appropriations of $10,671.50 to the WUPDH and $174.00 to
the U.P. Association of County Commissioners. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5
NO: None 0.
11. Travel Request
a. MAC Conference
b. Houghton County Treasurer’s Office – Kathleen
Beattie
c Houghton County Drain Commissioner – Ray Niemi
d. Friend of Court – Brenda Cadwell
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the
travel requests as listed. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5. Nays 0.
Public Comments – None
Announcements Commissioner Pintar stated that
Congressman Stupak will be speaking at the MAC
Conference.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to adjourn.
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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