The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 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 pm. 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 Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the minutes
as presented of the April 15, 2008 meeting. The motion
was carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Ala to approve the agenda as presented.
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 Ala to approve paying the bills of
voucher #107975 thru #108074 along with the late bills
submitted for a total of $117,494.42. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
Commissioner Luoma mentioned Marquette County’s
support request of Kennecott’s Plan to use the abandoned
Humboldt Mill for refining rock and opposition to the
Right-To-Work Legislation. He said he would like to get
more information before bringing it to the Board.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following. Houghton County Airport, Copper Country
Mental Health, and the 911 Advisory Board.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following. Houghton County Planning Commission, Copper
Country Trail Advisory Committee, Western Upper
Peninsula District Health Dept., and Western U.P.
Michigan Works.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following. Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Headstart, Houghton
County Fair Board, Michigan Works, Portage Lake Multi-Rec,
and Houghton County Medical Control Authority Board.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following. Houghton County Medical Care Facility,
Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, Western Upper
Peninsula Planning & Development Region, Commission on
Aging, Keweenaw National Historic Park, Houghton County
Marina, and Houghton County Finance Committee.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following. Houghton County Road Commission, Western U.P.
Substance Abuse, and he attended the USDA Rural
Development check presentation of grant money for new
vehicles to the local units of government.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg said the County received a notice from
the State that they approved the County’s Deficit
Reduction Plan.
John Partanen, Houghton County Equalization Director,
passed out the Final Assessed and Equalized Value
Reports. He invited any questions. He said the County’s
Reduction Fraction is .9928, and the preliminary millage
rate is 6.0839. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to
approve the reports as presented. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Michael Schira, MSU Extension Director, spoke
regarding a 4H - School voluntary art exchange program
with China. He said 10 youths from Houghton County will
have their work sent to China for display.
John Pekkala, Houghton County Drain Commissioner,
said he passed his recertification for Soil Erosion
Control. He is now able to sign permits.
NEW BUSINESS
1. A motion by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to approve the Resolution to Levy
Summer Property Tax in the Summer of 2008 as submitted.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
2. A motion by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Pintar to approve the resolution submitted
by the Houghton County Tax Allocation Board as presented
and accept the ballot language for Renewal and
Allocation of Operating Millage within the County of
Houghton as presented for the August 5, 2008 Election.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Ala, Pintar, Jenich, Barrette, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
3. A motion by Commissioner Jenich seconded by
Commissioner Ala to proclaim May 15, 2008 as Neil
Isaacson Day in Houghton County.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
4. Appropriations
- U.P. Economic Development Alliance - $500. A
motion by Commissioner
Pintar seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve
Houghton County’s membership to the UPEDA. The motion
carried by the following vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
5. Travel Requests
a. Sue Gassettie – Probate Court
b. U.P. Association of County Commissioners
A motion by Commissioner Jenich seconded by
Commissioner Pintar to approve the travel request as
listed. The motion carried by the following vote. Ayes
5, Nays 0.
Public Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Pintar to adjourn.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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