The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting / Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 11,
2008, in the 5th Floor Conference Room of the
Courthouse, City of Houghton.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Paul
Luoma, at 5:00 p.m. 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.
At 5:02 p.m., Commissioner Luoma announced the Public
Hearing was open regarding - U.P. Auto Glass Loan. Phil
Musser gave an overview regarding the loan request. He
said the Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund Committee
reviewed the business plan, financial projections, and
credit reports of the applicant. The applicant is
requesting a loan of $27,500. It would be a
participation loan with Houghton County Revolving Loan
Fund’s (HCRLF) amount of $22,500 and Keweenaw Microloan
Initiative’s ( KMI) loan amount of $5,000. The HCRLF
recommends that the loan be approved. At 5:10 p.m.,
Commissioner Luoma announced that the Public Hearing was
closed
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the minutes of
the February 5 and February 13, 2008 meetings. The
motion was carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Pintar to approve the agenda with the
addition of #8 b. Houghton County Commission on Aging
appropriation of $2,000. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Barrette to approve paying the bills of
vouchers #107218 thru #107319 along with the late bills
submitted for a total of $149,018.02. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
Commissioner Luoma stated Raymond Niemi, the Houghton
County Drain Commissioner, sent a letter announcing his
retirement. His last day will be April 30, 2008. Anyone
interested in the position will have to submit a resume
and an appointment will be made to finish the term.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following. 911 Advisory Committee, Michigan Township
Association regarding the mapping project, Upper
Peninsula Economic Development Alliance Meeting, the
Airport Meeting and an Airport conference he attended.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following. Michigan Association of Counties Legislative
Conference, Houghton County Planning Commission, Copper
Country Trails Advisory Committee and Upper Peninsula
Economic Development Alliance Legislative Session.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following. Michigan Works, Houghton County Fair Board,
Head Start and Portage Lake Multi Rec.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following. Western Upper Peninsula Planning &
Development Region, Keweenaw Economic Development
Alliance, Department of Human Service/Houghton County
Medical Care Facility, Western Upper Peninsula District
Health, and UPCAP.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to allocate the
amount of $2,000.00 to the Houghton County Commission on
Aging. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The
motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following. Western U.P. Substance Abuse Coordinating
Agency and the Houghton County Road Commission.
Reports County Officers
Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, said the
auditors have finished and should report at either the
April or May meeting.
New Business
1. James Tercha - update on the transfer tax lawsuit.
Mr. Tercha said he negotiated a settlement subject to
approval by the County Board. The defendants have agreed
to pay the two Counties which are Houghton and Gogebic a
total of $77,000.00. Houghton’s share would be
$50,412.00 and Gogebic’s share would be $26,588.00.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to approve the settlement and
authorize Chairman, Paul Luoma to sign the release of
claims on behalf of Houghton County. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Ala, Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 5.
2. Request for approval of Houghton County Public
Defender’s Contract. A motion by Commissioner Barrette
and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the Houghton
County Public Defender’s Contract as submitted. The
motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
3. Agreement establishing the Upper Peninsula 911
Authority. Eric Forsberg said this was put on the agenda
as an informational item and they are waiting for the
attorney to review this.
4. Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund request for
loan approval. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich
and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the
Houghton County Revolving Loan of $22,500 to U.P. Auto
Glass as stated in the Public Hearing held prior to the
opening of this meeting. The motion carried by the
following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
5. Applications for Houghton County Planning
Commission. Commissioner Pintar made a motion to appoint
Barbara Lewis to serve on the Houghton County Planning
Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
6. Bids for County liability and property insurance.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by
Commissioner Barrette to approve the low bid of
$137,810.00 from Hannula Insurance Agency for Houghton
County liability and property insurance. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
7. National Map Grant – Ken Marshall, WUPPDR. Ken
Marshall, from WUPPDR, gave a video presentation and
reported on the National Map Grant/Interactive Web
Mapping project.
8.Appropriations
a. Copper Country Mental Health - $41,126.00. A
motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by
Commissioner Barrette to approve the second quarter
budgeted appropriation of $41,126.00 to Copper Country
Mental Health.
b. Commission on Aging appropriation. Appropriation
approved with Commissioner Jenich report.
Public Comment
Phil Musser extended an invitation to attend the May
KEDA meeting where they will be featuring three high
schools involved in the 1st robotics program.
They will demonstrate their robots.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to send a letter of
congratulations to the Calumet High School Hockey Team
on winning the State Championship. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to adjourn.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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