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:
- Tire Service Truck
- Road Patrol Vehicle
- Road Patrol/Service Truck
- Sign Truck
- Tractor/Mower
- Loader Mounted Snow Blower
- 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
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