The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 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 February 17, 2009 Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Ala requested an addition to the agenda of #7 Appointments to the Revolving Loan Fund Board. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. 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 #11569 thru # 111630 for a total of $63,539.71 along with the late bills in the amount of $173,859.22 for a total of $237,398.93. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Correspondence None mentioned

Reports Standing Committee

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

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: The Copper Country Trail Committee, and the Michigan Works Administrative Board.

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

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: The Houghton County Medical Care Facility, Keweenaw National Park, Houghton County Finances, and the UPCAP meeting

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: The Houghton County Road Commission.

Reports County Officers None

New Business

1. Western U.P. Health Care Access Coalition – Request for resolution. A motion by Commissioner Barrette was made to approve the resolution as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

2. Request for increase in salary for Prosecuting Attorney position. Eric Forsberg stated that the personnel committee met and has agreed to increase the salary of the Prosecuting Attorney position from $75,399 to $87,500 as requested by Judge Goodman. The Judge will have to appoint a Prosecuting Attorney to fill the vacated position with the appointment of Fraser Strome to Houghton County Probate Judge. Commissioner Barrette made a motion that the rate of pay be changed as stated. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

3. Request for change to retirees health insurance option. Eric stated there are 2 health plans available to retired employees. Option 1, costing $2,141.31 a month per couple and option 2, costing $1,996.71. There are 2 retirees on option 2 and none on option 1. He would like to switch out the current option 1 for Community Blue 14 Plan, currently costing $967.17 per month. He is not able to do that without the authority from the Board and it can not be done except at the time that the next retiree wishes to join that plan. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to give the controller the authority to switch the plans if a new retiree wishes to enroll in the Community Blue 14 Plan. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for renewal of Indigent Criminal Defense Contract. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to renew Houghton County Indigent Criminal Defense Contract as presented with Dave Gemignani. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

5.Request for Appropriations.

a. UPRC&D Council $300.00.

b. U.P. Association of County Commissioners - $174.00

c. Copper Country Mental Health - $41,124.00

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

Commissioner Luoma appointed Commissioner Pintar to be an alternate on the UPRC&D Committee.

6. Travel requests

a. Gerald Juntunen & Ron Ekdahl – Houghton County Building Department. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the travel requests as listed. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

7. Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund Board. Commissioner Ala made a motion to appoint Nicholas Daavettila to fill the vacated position of Fraser Strome with his appointment to Houghton County Probate Judge. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment

Phil Musser stated on April 7 there will be a networking event with Mike Prusi & Mike Lahti and the commissioners are invited. He stated there is a large construction schedule for 2009 in the Copper Country totaling $95,000,000. There is an economic uptake with the local manufacturing and engineering companies doing well.

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

_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman

_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk