The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 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, District5.

Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2010 Regular Meeting and the April 29, 2010 Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Pintar made a motion to approve the agenda with eliminating item #2. Copper Country Trail National Byway Committee – Memorandum of Understanding. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment None

Correspondence Commissioner Luoma stated the correspondence received was informational only.

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: He attended the U.P. MAC Conference.

Commissioner Barrette made a motion to sponsor the U.P. State Fair Authority with a donation of $1,000.00. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 1.

Commissioner Barrette continued his report to the Board: Western U.P. Health Department, Houghton County Memorial Airport, Copper Country Mental Health, A letter from Steve Karpiak regarding a backup plan if anything would happen to the Bridge, and the U.P. 911 Authority Meeting.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Planning Commission, Copper Country Trail National Byway Committee, and he attended the UPACC Conference.

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

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: KEDA will meet May 12, 2010, UPCAP, Poverty Summit, Keweenaw National Park, Quincy Smelter Project, Houghton County Medical Care Facility, Commission on Aging, and Houghton County Finances, and Law Enforcement.

Commissioner Jenich stated there were two guests, Truman Obermeyer and Barry Fink who would like to address the Board on the New Justice Center. They stated they are co-chairs on the Justice Center Development Committee and the study has been going well. They will present a thorough report at the June meeting. They had a meeting for input from the neighborhood residents to address their concerns.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: He attended the U.P. Commissioners Conference, Houghton County Transfer Station, and the Houghton County Road Commission.

County Officers

Eric Forsberg stated the Probate Judge informed him that the system is up and running for remote hearings between here and Marquette. It will be a large savings in attorney fees and transportation.

New Business

1. Mike Schira – MSU Extension update. Mike Schira stated that MSU is restructuring and reorganizing. He introduced Mike Erdman the new District Director to explain the new structuring and changes.

2. Removed from the agenda.

3. Request for letter of support – Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District. Evan McDonald, Chair of the Pilgrim River Watershed Project and Gina Nicholas, Chair of the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District were present to ask the Board for a letter of support for the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to send a letter of support for the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District’s grant application to the Michigan Coastal Management Program for funding to prepare a management plan for the Pilgrim River Watershed Project. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for resolution – League of Women Voters of the Copper Country. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the resolution as submitted.

The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

5. Resolution Imposing 2010 Summer Property Tax Levy. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar.

The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

6. Travel Requests

a. Ron Ekdahl – Houghton County Building Department

b. Sue Gassitte – Houghton County Probate Court

c. Kathleen Beattie – Michigan Municipal Treasurer’s Association

d. Kathleen Beattie – Land Bank Conference

e. Kathleen Beattie – U.P. County Treasurers Meeting

f. Kathleen Beattie & John Partanen – Brownfield Redevelopment Conference

A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve all travel requests as listed. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Appropriations

1. Western U.P. Substance Abuse Services Coordinating Agency - $28,125.00
2. Western U.P. District Health Department - $21,640.80
3. Western U.P. Planning & Development Regional Commission - $2,866.50

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

Public Comments

Phil Musser gave an update on the Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund with LaSalle Technology Group and Kenton Wood Works.

Commissioner Pintar made a motion to adjourn. There being no objections, the meeting was adjourned.

_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman

_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk