The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 15, 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, Dennis Barrette,
District 2; Anton Pintar, District 3; Scott Ala,
District 4; and Paul Luoma, District 5. Commissioner
Edward Jenich, District 1 was absent.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the
minutes of the May 11, 2010 Regular Meeting. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried
by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
Eric Forsberg asked that the agenda include the
addition of WUPPDR with the Energy Efficient Community
Block Grant. Commissioner Luoma said it will be included
under #7. Commissioner Barrette asked that a proposed
resolution for a snowmobile ORV trail sticker program be
added to the agenda. Commissioner Luoma stated that
would be added to the agenda under item #8. Commissioner
Ala made a motion to approve the agenda with the
requested additions. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 4, Nays 0.
Public Comment none
Eric Forsberg stated Commissioner Jenich was in
earlier and recommended approval of paying the bills of
voucher # 122012 through 122110 for a total of
$108,027.20, along with the late bills submitted of
$9,234.21 for a grand total of $117,261.41. Commissioner
Barrette made a motion to approve paying the bills as
read. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The
motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Ala, Pintar, Luoma 4.
NO: None 0
ABSENT: Jenich 1.
Correspondence Commissioner Luoma stated there was
numerous correspondence but was for information only, no
action is needed.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Memorial Airport, Mental
Health Board, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee
/ Bridge Emergency Planning Committee.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton – Keweenaw Conservation District,
Upper Peninsula Resource and Development Council,
Houghton County Planning Commission, Western Upper
Peninsula Health Board, and Law Enforcement Justice
Center Committee.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: B-H-K Headstart, Michigan Works, Portage Lake
Multi Rec, and The Houghton County Fair Board.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission, and Western
Upper Peninsula Substance Abuse.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg made an announcement saying on July 13
and 14, NACO will have a film crew here filming 6 one
minute videos about the County. It will be put on the
County website. It will be a welcome to people looking
to relocate in the County.
New Business
1. Houghton County Justice Center Study Committee –
Results of Study. Bill Fink, Barry Fink and Truman
Obermeyer gave a presentation on the findings of the
Justice Center Study with a power point demonstration
which included the committee’s findings and a projected
sketch of the building that would house the Justice
Center.
2. Request of Initiative Award. Mary Schoos,
requested to be considered for an Initiative Award due
to saving the County thousands of dollars. The
correction in the County not including health insurance
opt-out payments as reportable wages to MERS has
resulted in a refund of approximately $90,000 and future
saving of thousands of dollars annually. A motion was
made by Commissioner Pintar to award the maximum amount
of $500 for the initiative request. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by
a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
3. Houghton County Land Bank Authority – Board
appointment. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette
and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to appoint James
Hainault to the Houghton County Land Bank Authority. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
4. Resolution for County Operating Millage. John
Partanen, Houghton County Equalization Director, stated
last year the County operating millage was set at 6.3
mills per thousand dollars of assessed value. He further
explained that using the formulas mandated by the state
and calculating our millage reduction fraction the new
millage rate is 6.2666 mills per thousand dollars of
taxable value. Commissioner Pintar made a motion to
adopt the Resolution setting the 2010 operating rate for
the County at 6.2666 mills as presented. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by
the following vote.
YES: Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 4.
NO: None 0.
ABSENT: Jenich 1.
5. Travel Requests. A motion was made by Commissioner
Ala and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve
mileage and 2 nights at a Purple Ribbon Level 2 for
James Gale to represent Houghton County as Chairman of
the U.P. State Fair. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 4, Nays 0.
Eric Forsberg stated he received a late request from
the Head of The Friend of the Court, asking for a travel
request for Dan Giachino. He said there was no amount
stated. Eric said he would stipulate that based on if it
doesn’t exceed the current budgeted amount for travel
for that department it could be approved.
a. Judge Strome – Houghton County Probate Court
b. John Partanen – Equalization Department
c. Brenda Cadwell – Houghton County Friend of Court
d. Dan Giachino – Friend of the Court.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
6. Appropriations
a. Michigan Township Association - $336.00
b. Copper Country Mental Health - $82,247.46
Commissioner Ala made a motion to approve the
appropriations as listed. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 4, Nays 0.
7. WUPPDR – EECBG Kim Stoker from WUPPDR stated the
County was awarded an Energy Efficiency Conservation
Block Grant for $165,000 to do a study for UP Link,
which is video conferencing across the Upper Peninsula.
WUPPDR is administering the grant for the County. He
stated they only received one bid. He is recommending
that the Board approve the bid of $152,000 to Exeratec.
They will still negotiate the travel budget.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the bid
to Exeratec. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
8. Snowmobile ORV Resolution. Robert Black was
present and asked the Board for support of the
resolution to allow snowmobiles to cross state lines
without having to purchase a separate state sticker in
neighboring counties. Commissioner Ala made a motion to
support the resolution. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by the
following vote.
YES: Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 4.
NO: None 0.
ABSENT: Jenich 1.
Public Comment Robert Black introduced himself and
stated he is running for 110th District State
Representative.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to adjourn.
There being no objection the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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