The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting / Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 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, District 5.

Commissioner Pintar requested a correction in the spelling of Jim Gale’s name of the June 9, 2009 meeting minutes. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the minutes with the correction. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment None.

Public Hearing – Truth in Taxation

Commissioner Luoma announced that the Public Hearing was open.

John Partanen, Houghton County’s Equalization Director announced that this is the annual Truth and Taxation Hearing that the County holds. John stated that the increase in dollars as stated in the Resolution that is presented to be passed is $331,742. John stated the 2008 renewal of voted Allocated Millage rate of 6.3 multiplied by the reduction fraction of 1 yield a 6.3 millage rate. This is an increase of .21261 over last year’s millage rate. There being no questions, Commissioner Luoma announced the Public Hearing was closed.

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying the bills submitted of vouchers #113035 through #113131for a total of $72,034.07 along with the late bills of $8,770.09 for a total of $80,804.16. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Correspondence Nothing reported to the Board.

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: A meeting on a possible Brown Field situation with the developer. They are waiting for an estimated environmental cleanup to proceed. A local Emergency Planning meeting, a 911 Advisory Board meeting, and the Houghton County Memorial Airport.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: He attended a Health Care Forum for community leaders, and the Copper Country Trail Committee meeting.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: Michigan Works, WUPPDR, Keweenaw Family Resource Center, Headstart, and the Houghton County Fair.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: Western U.P. Health Department, National Park work session, UPCAP 2 day workshop, Law Enforcement, Houghton County Medical Care Facility, and Department Head Budget meetings.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Road Commission, Western U.P. Substance Abuse, a meeting with Representative Lahti regarding the Hamar Creek issue in Chassell and the possibility of Camp Kitwin being acquired by the County, and the Houghton County Transfer Station

County Officers

Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, stated the County applied for a Neighborhood Stabilization Grant and was turned down.

New Business

1. UPCAP request for resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the resolution as presented. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

2. Request for an accelerated starting wage for new District Court Clerk. Eric explained the starting rate of the District Court Position would be a pay cut for the new hire. The proposed rate would be in line with her current wage. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the starting wage request as presented of 1 year of T-09 for new hire Jennifer Kelly. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

3. Selection of four members of Houghton County Land Bank. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich, and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to appoint the four applicants that applied: Dennis Barrette, John Haeussler, Bill Bingham, and William Hodges to the Houghton County Land Bank Authority Board. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Truth and Taxation Resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the resolution as presented. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

5. Appropriations

a. Western U.P. District Health Department - $9,989.85

b. Copper Country Mental Health - $41,124.00

c. WUPPDR - $2,866.50

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to approve the budgeted appropriations as listed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

6. Travel requests.

a. Eric Forsberg – Energy Efficiency Block Grant Workshop. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the travel request. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment

Dave Mattila questioned the Board if they are willing to apply for a grant for another Emergency Agency as the County applied for the USDA Rural Development Grant on behalf of Mercy EMS Inc. for the purchase of a new ambulance.

Commissioner Luoma announced there will be a special meeting held Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will start at the Courthouse, go into Executive Session for a tour of Camp Kitwin, and resume back to the Courthouse to adjourn.

Commissioner Ala made a motion to adjourn. There being no objection, the meeting adjourned.

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Paul Luoma, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk