Board Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting/Public Hearing
April 13, 2010

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting / Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in the 5th 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 Pintar stated there were 2 typos in the March 26 special meeting. He made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 9, Regular meeting and the March 26, Special Meetings with the corrections made. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments None

Public Hearing – USDA Rural Development Loan / Grant Applications for:

  1. Tire Service Truck
  2. Road Patrol Vehicle
  3. Road Patrol/Service Truck
  4. Sign Truck
  5. Tractor/Mower
  6. Loader Mounted Snow Blower
  7. Tandem Axel Patrol/Sander Truck

Commissioner Luoma announced that the Public Hearing was open.

Eric stated there are 7 separate grant applications that the County is sponsoring for the Houghton County Road Commission. Kevin Harju was present to answer any questions and thanked the County for sponsoring the grants.

With no further questions, Commissioner Luoma announced that the Public Hearing was closed.

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying the bills submitted of vouchers #121331 thru #121423 for a total of $92,462.20 along with the late bills submitted of $21,972.89 for a grand total of $114,435.09. 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: None discussed

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: His attendance at the MAC Meeting, Copper Country Mental Health, Houghton County Memorial Airport, and the Local Emergency Planning meeting.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: Houghton-Keweenaw Soil Conservation District, Houghton County Planning Commission, and Michigan Works Admin. Board.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: WUPPDR, Houghton County Fair Board, and Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: KEDA, Houghton County Medical Care, MSU 4H U.P. Wide Leaders Meet, his attendance at a Poverty Summit, and Law Enforcement Committee.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Transfer Station, and the Houghton County Road Commission.

County Officers

Kathy Beattie, Houghton County Treasurer, reported that March 31 was the last day to pay taxes due. There are 12 parcels in foreclosure.

New Business

1. Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund – Loan request – Backstreet Café A loan request of $35,000.00 for additional working capital if needed. Commissioner Ala made a motion to approve the recommendation of the HCRLF and support the loan to the Backstreet Café. Commissioner Pintar seconded the motion for further discussion. Questions were raised and a discussion followed. Commissioner Luoma asked for a roll call vote. The motion failed with the following vote.

YES: Ala, Luoma 2.

NO: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar 3.

2. Houghton County September 30, 2009 Audit Report – Anderson Tackman & Co. Mike Grentz was present and went over the audit report. He stated the County is in good shape. He specifically covered the Statement of Net Assets, Statement of Activities, General Fund, a graph report of Cash by Fund Type, General Fund-Fund Balance, General Fund Revenues, and General Fund Expenditures. He covered deficiencies found of: Journal Entry, and Financial Reporting Package. He covered non-compliances of: Budget Violation and Equity Deficits. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to accept the September 30, 2009 Audit Report. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote.

Ayes 5, Nays 0.

3. Proposal for change to Houghton County health insurance plan. Eric Forsberg stated that the County could potentially have an annual savings of an estimated $46,000.00 if they go to a partial self-funding for the health insurance coverage. He explained the increase in co-pays from $30 to $40 for office and chiropractic visits and increase in co-pay to $250.00 for ER visits would be paid by the employee and reimbursed by the County. The cost savings to the County comes through lower premiums on each of the plans used. A motion to approve changing the health insurance plan was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for purchase of MERS service credit. Commissioner Ala made a motion to approve Gregg Audette’s purchase of MERS service credit. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by the following vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

5. Resolution regarding Secondary Road Patrol Funds. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

6. Equalization – John Partanen, Houghton County Equalization Director. Due to information not received a special meeting will be held before the end of the month to equalize.

7. Travel Request

a. Dan Giachino – Friend of Court Office. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the travel request. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment None

There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Ala to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned.

_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman

_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk

[BACK]