The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday February 17, 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.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the minutes as presented of the January 13, 2004 Regular Board Meeting. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Lahti called for additions to the agenda. Eric Forsberg, Controller asked that the addition of Tom Rosemurgy / leave of absence be added between item 8 and 9 on the agenda. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the agenda with the addition as requested. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Correspondence

Commissioner Lahti addressed a letter that was sent to Valeri Schulze from the Benefit Control Methods which are the people that handle the National Prescription Health Plan. Many people use the plan within Houghton County and the statistics show they have saved an average of 27% on their prescription drugs.

Commissioner Lahti also stated he received a letter from Mike Renier listing numerous complaints. Commissioner Lahti asked the Controller, Eric Forsberg to look into his complaints.

Commissioner Lahti stated he received a thank you letter from the regional directors of the County Extension Directors, thanking the Board for their support regarding the continued State support of the MSU Extension.

Commissioner Lahti said he attended the Houghton City Council Meeting in hopes of having the deed restrictions less constricting on the property the County purchased and are now trying to sell. The property is zoned B3 which is business. The lot purchased has a restricted covenant on it which only allows offices and assisted living housing. He has asked the Prosecutor to look into the situation and determine if the County has any rights if they chose to put a justice building or jail there.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve paying the bills as submitted being vouchers # 88368 through # 88468 along with the late bills for a total of $106,745.98. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment

Tom Rosemurgy was present and the Chair asked if he could be moved up on the agenda and address the Board in the public comment segment. Mr. Rosemurgy stated he applied and was accepted to work as an international police officer in Kosovo through the United Nations. He would be working as a UN Piece Keeper. The contract is for one year. He asked the Board to be granted a 1 year leave of absence and be able to resume his present position when he returned. Commissioner Lahti stated he would turn it over to the Law Enforcement Committee to work with the Sheriff and Undersheriff and come up with a recommendation for the Board at the March meeting.

Reports / Standing Committee

Commissioner Luoma reported on the following: At the MAC Conference he attended a seminar on scrap tires. Cut tires are being used in place of crushed rock for drain fields. It could be feasible for the Transfer Station to collect tires. Also learned about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. It is complicated and seniors may discover they do not have the coverage they thought they had.

UPRC&D gave an update on the future possible superfund sites: Upper entry, Freda/Redridge and Scales Creek.

Houghton County Soil Conservation, heard a report from the Forestry Assistance Program which Houghton County assists. Three projects were completed.

Western Substance Abuse lost 2 providers. They are receiving Medicaid reimbursement but there is no contract.

The Houghton County Airport received their new snow blower. The cost was $376,000. $18,000 was paid by the County through the PFC fund. The PFC fees were raised from $3.50 to $4.00 per ticket. Approved an extension of 6 months for Century 21 for the sale of real estate lots at the airport.

Houghton County Road Commission applied for funding for 3 bridges. Received a verbal report from the DEQ on the stamp sand they use. There was no contamination found, only a high content of copper. They are working out details on last years maintenance contract with the State. Approved hiring two weigh masters for the spring breakup, and three new transportation improvement fund projects which are; an addition to the BSI building at the airport to assist unloading the handicapped, a new hydraulic jack system for Community Action Agency bus garage, and reconstruction of .2 miles of the Bootjack Road in the Village of Lake Linden, along with several county road projects.

Commissioner Barrette reported on the following: Torch Lake Sewage Authority. Traverse Engineering firm was at the meeting. They are working on the O&M Manual which would renew their licensing for the sewage ponds in Lake Linden and Tamarack City/Hubbell. A committee was formed to determine the scope of the new engineering study needed for the future of the Torch Lake Sewage meeting expansion needs.

Western U.P. Health Department audit showed no surprises. The Superior Home Nursing personnel were applauded for not missing any visits during the past months winter storms. Flu season was normal not as predicted. The hospice program is up and running. Approved a two year contract with the Michigan Nurses Association personnel. Approved an emergency response plan. Reorganized the Board and made committee appointments.

Copper Country Mental Health annual report for 2003 was presented. They have a budget of nearly $14,000,000. Service to their consumers was rated high. Three management positions retired resulting in the reorganization of staff and duties.

Attended the MAC Conference and was informed of proposed changes with property tax timing from December to July, and they are looking at alternatives to revenue sharing.

Torch Lake PAC, learned they are soliciting public comments through e-mail regarding the EPA taking the Hubbell/Tamarack City portion of the site off the Superfund list.

A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to adopted the resolution as presented and e-mail it to Brenda Jones the EPA= s Remedial Project Manager. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Jenich reported on the following: Attended the executive and finance meeting of the Western U.P. Planning and Development Region. They accepted their audit for 2003. They have a fund balance of $328,000.

Appointments from the counties of Ontonagon, Keweenaw and Houghton were made to the Superior Revolving Loan Fund group.

The M-28 Visual Enhancement Meeting for the western region will be held in Bruce Crossing on March 3, 2004.

Keweenaw Industrial covered the charter service, North Star Flight Service, from Houghton County Airport to Pontiac Michigan. They are proposing 5 flights per week allowing passengers to leave and return on the same day.

Main Street Calumet the game A Calumetopoly@ is set to go. They sold all the advertising and process on it. It is a positive move for the North End as far as gaining PR. The Restructuring Committee, the MTU School of Business, is doing a marketing survey for the north end with shopper intercepts, telephone surveys, and interviewing businesses as to what is needed. The design committee is looking at the greater usage of Agassiz Park and working with the property owners of the Main Street Grant program. The web page and quarterly news letter are scheduled to start on March 1.

The Keweenaw Academy is closed.

Commission on Ageing has scheduled their Heritage Picnic for June 9, 2004, at the Houghton County Arena. They are planning a carnival atmosphere.

The Triad Group are in the final stages of their project of emergency locator lights. Locator lights are beacon lights to aid emergency vehicles locate the call source thus helping in response time.

Finance committee met in January with department heads of the courthouse. They are in the margin of the 1^st quarter. They plan to set up meetings with the Controller to plan for the up coming budgets.

Commissioner Ala reported on the following: Head Start, they received a letter from Senator Levin= s office congratulating Rod Liimatainen, director, on receiving a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for $217,631.00 for operation. Voted in a new vice-chair, secretary and treasurer for the board.

There will be a local event called the Agate Beach Jamboree which will be held August 7 & 8 at the Stanton Township Park in Toivola. It will be a music festival incorporating arts and crafts, music workshops for all ages, and activities for children.

Attended the MAC Conference learned that most of the counties have Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage and they are predicting a 12 to 15% increases each year for the next 4 years.

MSU Extension Office they will be holding classes on farming/cattle and gardening. They will hold the 2004 U.P. Small Farm Conference in Munising on Saturday, March 6. They have a new program with a VISA volunteer. The first project is a training program for teens interested in volunteering for the elderly. They also plan a youth conservation corps to address local conservation issues.

Commissioner Ala clarified that the PFC (Passenger Facility Charge) that will pay the $18,000 of the new blower at the airport are funds generated from passenger fees.

Houghton County Fair Board organized a committee to develop an emergency plan in case of a tragedy on site. They are looking into acquiring some property for additional parking. Fair events have been decided. Steve Palosarri was awarded the Volunteer Of The Year by the State Fair Board. It is quit an honor. A motion by Commissioner Jenich seconded by Commissioner Ala to send a congratulatory letter to Steve Palosaari for receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Ann Gasperich was present and announced 2 part time workers will be graduating from Finlandia in May and are leaving. Applications can be pickup up through the Michigan Works if anyone is interested. The initial testing will be held February 25. Ann asked if the plowing bill for the 911 center could be paid as the utilities bills are paid and not have to wait to be approved at the Board meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to allow the question to come before the Board. A discussion followed. A roll call vote followed: Motion did not carry.

YES: Ala 1.

NO: Jenich, Barrette, Luoma, Lahti 4.

New Business

Controller Eric Forsberg, was asked to explain Tower Option & Lease listed on the agenda. Eric explained the restricted deed on the property donated by C&H to Houghton County. The terms of the proposed lease with ALLTEL, and the need to purchase the land if the Board would enter into a lease agreement. A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to go ahead with the purchase of the property and with the option of the lease of the land for a tower with ALLTEL with the stipulation the tower has to be built within the perimeters of the airport height restrictions. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Eric Forsberg said the lot behind the new County garage is owned by the County and is currently vacant. The lot is described as lot 3 of Block 2, City of Houghton. The land owner of the property to the North of that has approached the County about selling the property. John Rudak, the gentleman seeking to purchase the property was present. He explained he would like to build a garage on the property. Commissioner Lahti informed Mr. Rudak no decision will be made at this meeting.

Phil Musser was present representing the Revolving Loan Fund Board. He stated there is an investor interested in purchasing the Scott Hotel, if the Keweenaw Food Co-op would relocate and be an anchor tenant. He stated the Revolving Loan Board approved a $7,500 planning grant to Keweenaw Food Co-op to help complete a study and business plan to relocate to the Scott Hotel Building, contingent upon the Keweenaw Food Co-op being able to obtain an additional $10,000 to cover the remaining costs of the study. Phil stated a public hearing will have to be scheduled prior to the Board taking any action. He stated the additional $10,000 should be in place by the next scheduled meeting and a public hearing can be scheduled for the same date.

Phil Musser stated that the Revolving Loan Committee is recommending that Dick Woodbury be reappointed for a 3 year term. The term would be from October 2003 through September 2006. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to reappoint Dick Woodbury to the Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Phil Musser addressed the Board regarding Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance (UPEDA). He asked that the County would again partner with the Keweenaw Industrial Council as it has in the past and again join by submitting the annual membership dues of $1,000. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala for Houghton County to continue as a UPEDA membership for 2004 and pay the $1,000 membership fee. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Phil Musser touched on the proposed charter air service between Houghton County Airport and Pontiac Michigan. He stated there will be 5 flights per week to Pontiac., scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Four of those flights will return on the same day. The 5^th is not a scheduled flight, but a return flight to Pontiac on Friday evening which could be used if there was a passenger need.

Phil Musser spoke briefly on the Houghton County Help Support the Lake Michigan Study, the telecommunication study for internet service. The report has been released. Good data was collected and they know what the needs are. They are encouraging municipalities to have interactive web sites.

Houghton County Medical Care Facility millage renewal. Commissioner Lahti appointed a committee naming Commissioner Barrette, Commissioner Ala, and Controller Forsberg to meet with Mr. Nutini regarding the Houghton County Medical Care Facility millage renewal request and report their recommendation back to the Board. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve the committee appointments. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve the $1,100 appropriation to UPCAP Services and to appoint Commissioner Lahti to the UPCAP Board of Directors and nominate Marie Gagnon to the UPCAP/AAA Advisory Council. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the budgeted appropriations as submitted. Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department $43,750.00, Copper Country Mental Health $41,121.00, U.P. Association of County Commissioners $174.00, and U.P. Resource Conservation and Development Project $325.00. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

There was no response to an ad run requesting applications for a board appointment to the Western U.P. Substance Abuse Services. Commissioner Luoma stated that Marvin Heinonen mentioned he would be interested in being appointed as an at Large member if no one applied.. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to appoint Marvin Heinonen to the Western U.P. Substance Abuse Service Board. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the travel request from Rose Bammert to attend the Friend of the Court Conference February 24 through the 27, 2004. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to go into Closed Session regarding the Union Personnel Issue. 6:05 P.M.

Carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to come out of Closed Session. 6:25 P.M.

Carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Public Comment None

A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma.

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Michael Lahti, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk