The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 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 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance the
following commissioners responded to roll call: Edward
Jenich, District 1; Dennis Barrette, District 2; Anton
Pintar, District3; 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 April
10 and April 26 meetings. The motion was carried by a
voice vote. Aye 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette, seconded
by Commissioner Jenich to approve the agenda as
presented. The motion was carried by a voice vote. Ayes
5, Nays 0.
Pubic Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Barrette to approve paying the bills of
vouchers #103551 through #103660 along with the late
bills presented for a total of $155,114.37.
The motion was carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, addressed
a letter from the Michigan Department of Treasury which
deals with Houghton County’s level of financial
distress. The State uses 9 fiscal distress indicators.
Of the 9 indicators they have evaluated Houghton County
scores on 5 of them.
Reports Standing Committees
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Torch Lake Public Action Council, Torch Lake
Sewage Authority, Board of Public Works, and the
Houghton County Airport Committee.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Planning Commission, Houghton
Keweenaw Soil Conservation District, Michigan Works,
Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department, and
MSU Extension Workshop.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: B-H-K Headstart, Houghton County Revolving
Loan Fund, and the Houghton County Fair Board.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Western Upper Peninsula Planning &
Development Region, Department of Human Services /
Medical Care Facility, Main Street Calumet, Keweenaw
National Historic Park, Keweenaw Economic Development
Alliance, and the Commission on Aging.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission, U.P.
Substance Abuse, U.P. R C & D and the U.P. Commissioners
Meeting.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg stated that Stanton Township has now
turned over their Building Permit process to the County.
Houghton County now handles all but the City of Houghton
and Calumet Village. The County has hired a deputy
Building Inspector, Donald Mleko. The position has been
filled in the Equalization Department, but are still
taking applications for the Director Position. Eric said
it was discussed at the last meeting that do to the
State cuts it may come to asking for millage, asking the
people what do you want to save and what do you want to
cut. Eric expressed his displeasure regarding the Copper
Country Speaks article asked the question. "Houghton
County wants to raise its millage to increase its
savings, do you agree or disagree" That is not the case
and he wanted to make it very clear that Houghton County
has no intention on raising millage to increase its
savings. The last announcement is the Marina is now
open.
New Business
Houghton County Audit Report – Mike Grentz, Anderson
Tackman & Co – Mike Grentz gave the September 30, 2006
Audit Report. Mike state the County again received an
unqualified opinion, which means there are no major
problems or issues. Mike went over the report and used
graphs to illustrate General Fund – Fund Balance, Cash
By Fund Type, General Fund Revenues and General Fund
Expenditures. When finished, he answered any questions
asked. A motion to adopt the 2006 Audit Report was made
by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Resolution approving Health Department
Intergovernmental Agreement – Commissioner Barrette made
a motion to adopt the Resolution Approving Health
Department Intergovernmental Agreement. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Pintar.
The motion carried by the following vote:
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Houghton County Planning Commission – Report on UPPCO
Prickett Dam project Commissioner Pintar made a motion
to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission
relative to the Upper Peninsula Power Company Shoreline
Management Plan and a copy be sent to UPPCO. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Jenich.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to adopt the
Resolution Shoreline Management Plan: Prickett
Hydroelectric Project as presented with the review
comment attached from the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Jenich seconded the motion
The motion carried by the following vote:
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to adopt the
Resolution In Support Of E-911 Funding As Proposed By
the ETSC And Introduced In SB 410 And SB 411.
Commissioner Ala seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to adopt the
Resolution regarding transfer of sewage system to Torch
Lake Area Sewage Authority with the amendments as stated
by Attorney James Tercha. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pintar.
The motion carried by the following vote:
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Ala, Luoma 5
NO: None 0
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the
partner agreement as presented for Houghton County to
partner with Copper Country Intermediate School District
in their efforts of request grant funding through the US
Department of Education for Readiness and Emergency
Management for Schools (REMS). The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the list
of names as submitted for the 2007-2008 Houghton County
Housing Rehabilitation Program and adopt the resolution
as presented Regarding Houghton County Housing
Rehabilitation Program. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Barrette.
The motion carried by the following vote:
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Ala made a motion to adopt the
resolution as presented Regarding P.A. 2 (Liquor Tax)
Funds. Commissioner Jenich seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
YES: Ala, Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to adopt the
resolution as presented Imposing 2007 Summer Property
Tax Levy Pursuant To Public Act 357 of 2004, And Notice
Of Certification Of County Allocated Tax Levy.
Commissioner Ala seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the
budgeted appropriations to the following: U.P. RC&C
Council of $300, Western U.P. District Health Department
of $8,291.17, and Commission on Aging of $2,000. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the
travel requests for Sue Kump, Friend of Court and sue
Gassittie, Probate Court. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comments None
Announcements None
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to adjourn. There
being no objection, Commissioner Luoma announced the
meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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