The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, in the 5^th 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.

A motion was made by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2007 meeting. The motion was carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the agenda with the subtraction of item number 2. The motion was carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments None

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve paying the bills of vouchers # 103173 through #103255 along with the late bills presented for a total of $86,456.33.

The motion was carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Correspondence

Commissioner Luoma stated a request was received from Van Buren County asking for support in opposition of Senate Bill 232. He explained if the bill is passed it would transfer supervision of foster children from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to private agencies. There is no cost to Counties when DHS supervises foster children and if supervision would be shifted to private agencies it would be a cost to counties. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to support Van Buren County’s effort in opposition of SB 232.

The motion was carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Standing Committees

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: Copper Country Mental Health, Houghton County Airport, 911 Advisory Board and the Torch Lake Sewage Authority.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: Western U.P. Michigan Works Administration Board, Houghton County Planning Commission, Houghton – Keweenaw Conservation District, and the Western U.P. Board of Health.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: Michigan Works, the Portage Lake Multi Rec., and the Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, the open house at the Veteran’s Facility, Houghton County Medical Care, Main Street Calumet, Keweenaw National Park, and the Department Head Budget Meeting.

Commissioner Luoma appointed a committee of Commissioner Jenich, Commissioner Ala and Controller Eric Forsberg to look at the possible ways of revenue increase,

including a millage increase, if State Funding does not come through.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: Meeting with the City of Houghton regarding the proposed Community Garden Project, Houghton County Transfer Station, attended a public hearing on the future shoreline development of Pricket Dam, the Department of Human Services boiler problem, and the Houghton County Road Commission.

County Officers

Eric Forsberg said the fire at the transfer station caused the station to be closed for a couple of days. He wanted to commend the crew there that worked very hard to get it back up and running in a short time.

New Business

1. Requested change to Houghton County Purchasing Policy. Eric Forsberg said

   Houghton County is the fiduciary for the Region 8 Homeland Security Grant. It is a 1.8 million combined grant that we oversee. Houghton County’s Purchasing Policy must be followed for any purchases made with grant dollars. Houghton County Purchasing Policy calls for bids for anything over $3,000.00. The Region 8 Board approved that Houghton County add language to its purchasing policy allowing purchasing through the pre-approved bid process rather than having to go out on bids for their projects. Eric said he would like to add the following provision to the Houghton County Purchasing Manual under the Competitive Sealed Bid Section: "The bidding process does not need to be followed if the item to be purchased is available through the State of Michigan’s State Contract Pricing Program." A motion by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to add the language to Houghton County Purchasing Manual to state that the Region 8 Homeland Security Grant Funds are not required to follow Houghton County’s Purchasing Policy if purchases are made with pre-approved bids through the State of Michigan’s State Contract Pricing Program. The motion was carried with a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

2. Removed from the agenda.
3. Community Garden – Carolyn Peterson. She was following up with the Board’s

   request of a statement of purpose and a sketch where the garden would be located. The purposed location is the abandoned Pewabic Street right of way. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to allow the garden project to go ahead and get the language into place. The motion was carried with a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

   4. Revolving Loan Fund – Phil Musser. Phil said that Superior National Bank has a buyer for Patrick’s Pub and Pasty and has agreed to pay off the principal portion of the loan in the amount of $8,989 for exchange of the Discharge of Mortgage from Houghton County. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the pay-off amount and agree to the Discharge of Mortgage. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

    

4. Request for special meeting for Equalization Department. The Equalization

   Director requested that the Board schedule a meeting in April to do equalization. The Board will meet at noon on April 26, 2007.

5. Appropriations
   1. Copper Country Mental Health $27,415.82
   2. Western U.P. Substance Abuse Service $80,004.50
   3. Western U.P. Planning & Development Region Commission $2,459.

1. Prosecutor’s Office Paula Olson. A motion was made by Commissioner

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Paul Luoma, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk