The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting / Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 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 February 9, 2010 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes, Nays 0.

Commissioner Ala asked that items 1. Interlocal Agreement to Establish the Western U.P. Revolving Loan Fund Consortium, and 2. Interlocal Agreement Resolution of Participants, be taken off of the agenda. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the agenda with taking item 1 and 2 off. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment - None

Commissioner Luoma stated the Public Hearing for the USDA Rural Development Loan/Grant Application for the Transfer Station was open. Commissioner Luoma asked for any discussion or comments. Hearing nothing, Commissioner Luoma announced that the Public Hearing was closed.

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying the bills submitted of vouchers #120919 thru #121004 for a total of $204,436.91 along with the late bills submitted for a grand total of $230,926.35. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Correspondence

Commissioner Luoma said he received a letter regarding a conflict of interest with one of the Houghton County Road Commissioners. Commissioner Luoma said the letter was turned over to the prosecutor. The prosecutor responded saying according to state law, there is no conflict.

Commissioner Pintar questioned the resolution from Alger County objecting to the GEMS Election Management System’s cost to counties that do not utilize the entire programming software. The Board agreed that the contract licensing costs for the GEMS Election Management Systems is an unfunded mandate to maintain the software that the State of Michigan requires. The Board stated a letter should be sent to our representatives in support of this resolution.

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Airport.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: Houghton Keweenaw Soil Conservation Dist., Houghton County Planning Commission, he attended a MSU wind development workshop, and Copper Country Trail National Byway Committee.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: B-H-K Headstart, Michigan Works, Portage Lake Multi Rec., Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: KEDA, Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region, Quincy Smelter, Keweenaw National Park, Houghton County Medical Care, UPCAP, Law Enforcement Committee, and Houghton County Finances.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Road Commission and he toured 3 transfer stations.

County Officers

Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, announced earlier the County will be loosing $60,000 in revenues for mental health transports. The Probate Judge, Fraser Strome, is working on arranging a video conferencing system between Houghton County and Marquette County which will cut back on our transport expenses.

Dennis Hext, Houghton County Airport Manager, said he checked with all the other airports in Michigan and there is a 10 to 20 percent lose of passenger boarding. He stated he is not concerned at the recent lose at the airport.

New Business

1. removed from agenda

2. removed from agenda

3. Request to replace retiring Houghton County Memorial Airport employee. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to replace the retiring Houghton County Memorial Airport employee and advertise for that position when the official retirement paperwork is filed. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for renewal of Public Defenders contract. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the new Public Defenders contract of $93,600 for the 2009-2010 term as submitted. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

5. Resolution regarding USDA Transfer Station Loan. Commissioner Pintar made a motion to approve the resolution as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

6. Request for increase of Houghton County Building Department fees. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to raise the inspection fee from $30 to $40 instead of the proposed $30 to $50. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barrette. A discussion followed and Commissioner Jenich rescinded his motion. Commissioner Barrette rescinded his second to the motion. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to raise the fees as recommended and to keep the sewage project inspections at the same rate they are now. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

7. Resolution regarding contract for Houghton County Memorial Airport contract. A motion by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the resolution, MDOT Contract No. 2008-0303, Fed. Project No. 3-26-0041-2708 Amendment No. 1 as submitted. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

8. Travel Requests

a. U.P. Association of County Commissioners Spring Conference

b. Gerald Juntunen – Houghton County Building Department

9. Appropriations

a. U.P. Association of County Commissioners dues - $174.00

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the travel requests as listed and the appropriations of the U.P. Association of County Commissioners dues. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments

Phil Musser thanked Dennis Hext for arranging for Skywest Airlines and the consultants that attended the last KEDA meeting.

Gerald Gagnon asked to have a copy of the prosecutors letter stating there was no conflict of interest with the board member on the Houghton County Road Commission.

David Mattila asked if the County has to pay for permits when they build the new transfer station. The answer was they are not exempt and will have to pay for the inspections.

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