The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 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 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 Ala made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2009 Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment

Sarah Cheney, representing the Pewabic Street Community Garden gave a brief update regarding the projects history, and future plans.

Frank Pentti, Duncan Township Trustee, introduced himself to the Board.

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying the bills submitted of vouchers #111295 thru #111378 for a total of $66,034.22 along with following late bills in the amount of $8,425 for a grand total of $74,459.34. 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

Commissioner Luoma stated he received correspondence from the Copper Country Humane Society. Commissioner Luoma stated that the original service agreement and the proposed agreement differ in the price and the number of days. The old agreement was a maximum holding of 4 days for dogs without collars and 7 days for dogs with collars. The proposed agreement lists holding dogs for 5 days without collars and 8 days for dogs with collars. The rate would increase from $15 to $19 per day. Commissioner Luoma suggested tabling discussion and meeting with the Humane Society, before the County commits to a change in the service agreement.

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Airport, Copper Country Mental Health, and the new State approved rate of $1.10 for 911.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: 2 meetings of the Houghton – Keweenaw Conservation District, and 2 meetings for the Houghton County Planning Commission.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: BHK Headstart, Portage Lake Multi Rec., and Houghton County Fair Board.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: Western U.P. District Health Department, Houghton County Commission on Aging, Houghton County Medical Care Facility, Calumet Twp. Rescue Equipment, Keweenaw National Park, Houghton County Marina, and Houghton County Finances.

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

County Officers

Kathleen Beattie, Houghton County Treasure, said the auditors will include auditing a Land Bank with the County audit at no additional charge. She plans to apply for a State Land Bank for Houghton County.

Kathy spoke on the CDARS Program which is offered now at local banks. The CDARS Network enables you to maximize your FDIC Insurance. This has been approved by the Governor on December 17, 2008. It is considered part of Public Act 20 which the County must follow. This will enable her to get competitive rates.

John Pekkala, Houghton County Drain Commissioner, gave a brief summary of the New Drain Commissioner School he attended.

New Business

1. Emergency Service Coordinator, Jack Dueweke – Request for title transfer. Jack explained that the Calumet Twp. Fire Department agreed to house the decontamination trailer. To insure the trailer, it would make sense to have the trailer title in their name. He requested the County to transfer the title to Calumet Twp. Fire Department. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala, and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to transfer title of the trailer to Calumet Twp. Fire Department. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

2. Drain Commissioner John Pekkala – Request for permit fee adjustment. John stated the DEQ suggests an adequate number of inspections must be conducted to prevent soil erosion. He presented to the Board a revised permit fee adjustment to cover the cost of additional inspections to comply with the DEQ requirements. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette to approve the fees as recommended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

3. Remonumentation Grant – Request for approval. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette to approve the 2009 Survey & Remonumentation Grant and to write a letter expressing the County’s concern of the reduction in funding. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for approval of Runway 7/25 Grant offer and resolution for signature authorization. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar to accept the Grant Offer No. 3-26-0041-3009, "Runway 7/25 (5196’ x100’) Rehabilitation (design and construction)", pending final review by the Airport Committee Chairman. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the resolution as submitted, authorizing the Airport Committee Chairman, Dennis Barrette to sign the FAA Grant Offer Project No. 3-26-0041-3009 on behalf of Houghton County. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

5. Request approval of Wildlife Fence Grant offer and resolution for signature authorization. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to accept the Grant Offer No.3-26-0041-2909, "Improve Wildlife Fence and Gates", pending final review by the Airport Committee Chairman. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the resolution as submitted, authorizing the Airport Committee Chairman, Dennis Barrette, to sign the FAA Grant Offer Project No. 3-26-0041-2909 on behalf of Houghton County. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

6. Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund – Request for loan extension. REL Machine asked for a loan extension to have their loan balloon on December 31, 2009. A motion was made be Commissioner Ala to approve the extension of the REL Machine loan as recommended by the Houghton County Revolving Loan Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to reappoint Fraser Strome to another 3 year term to the Houghton County Revolving Loan Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

7. Request for appropriation

a. UPCAP - $1,100

b. Houghton County Commission on Aging - $2,000

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

8. Travel requests

a. Houghton County Drain Commissioner – John Pekkala

b. Paul Olson – Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office

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

Public Comments

Commissioner Jenich thanked the treasurer, Kathleen Beattie, for staying on top of things and looking at innovative ways to keep the County interest rates up.

Commissioner Luoma stated that between the County Board of Commissioners and the Houghton County Road Commission, they have applied for Federal Stimulus funds totaling $50,000,000.

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

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Paul Luoma, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk