The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 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 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 Barrette made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2010 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. 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 None

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying the bills submitted of vouchers #120562 through #120637 for a total of $67,439.80 along with the late bills of $23,662.37 for a grand total of $91,102.17. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by the following vote.

YES: Jenich, Barrette Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5

NO: None 0.

Correspondence

There was a question on a letter from State Senator Michael Prusi regarding Houghton County being awarded an Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant. Eric explained that the grant was applied for by WUPPDR through Houghton County.

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: Copper Country Mental Health, Houghton County Airport, and Western U.P. Health Dept.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: Copper Country Trail National Byway Committee, Houghton County Planning Commission, Houghton – Keweenaw Soil Conservation District, and the Michigan Works Administrative Board.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: He attended numerous meetings regarding the Regional RLF, B-H-K Headstart, Portage Lake Multi Rec, and the Houghton County Fair Board.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: KEDA, Medical Care Facility, Commission on Aging, the National Park, Quincy Smelter, the Law Enforcement Committee, and a Houghton County Finance Meeting. He announced the coming of the Rural Health Care Services and the clinic will be called Quincy Hill Community Health Center.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Transfer Station, Western U.P. Substance Abuse, and Houghton County Road Commission.

Commissioner Luoma stated he will not be seeking re-election.

County Officers

Eric Forsberg stated he has met with the Bond Attorney and will meet with Rural Development to finalize the paperwork for the new Transfer Station.

Carol Kreher from the MSU Extension Office was present and invited the commissioners to the U.P. Leader Meet Banquet to be held on April 9. She said there will be about 150 4H and Team Leaders attending.

New Business

1. Houghton County Road Commission – Request for approval of Commissioners benefits. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the request with the change of mileage from 50.5 cents a mile to 50 cents a mile. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

2. Awarding of bids for sheriff’s patrol cars. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to accept the bid of $52,700 for 2 Ford Crown Victoria cars from Copper Country Ford. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

3. Request for approval of Houghton County Courthouse Union Contract. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the Courthouse Union Contract as negotiated. Motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for pay raise for Houghton County Appointed/Elected positions. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the raises for the appointed and elected that are listed in the handout. Motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 1.

5. Engineering services agreement. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the contract for Traverse Engineering Services for the new Solid Waste Transfer Station. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

6. Interlocal Agreement to establish the Western U.P. Revolving Loan Fund Consortium. Tabled

7. Interlocal Agreement Resolution of Participants. Tabled

8. Resolution of Intent to Transfer Revolving Loan Fund. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the Resolution of Intent to Transfer DBG-Capitalized Revolving Loan Fund to a Western Upper Peninsula Regional Revolving Loan Fund. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

9. Travel Requests

a. MAC Conference

b. Brenda Cadwell-Friend of Court Office

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

10. Appropriations

a. U.P. RC&D Council - $300.

b. Western U.P. District Health Department - $21,640.80

c. Western U.P. Planning & Development Regional Commission - $2,866.50

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

Public Comment

Dave Mattila raised a question regarding the union contract and the appointed and elected wage increase. Eric answered his questions.

Kim Stoker from WUPPDR was present and stated they applied on behalf of Houghton County for an Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program. He asked if the Chair would sign the Grant Agreement when they receive it. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to have the Chair sign, or Vice-Chair sign in the Chairs absence, the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Agreement. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Phil Musser was presented and reminded the Commissioner that the Parade of Confections will be held on February 11, at the Lake Shore Center. They will auction off 13 incredible desserts with the proceeds for the Community Arts Center.

Commissioner Pintar made a motion to adjourn. There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.

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Paul Luoma, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk