The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular / Public Hearing Meeting on Tuesday, August 10,
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: Edward Jenich,
District 1; Dennis Barrette, District 2; Anton Pintar,
District 3; and Paul Luoma, District 5. Commissioner
Scott Ala, District 4, was absent.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the minutes
of the July 13, 2010 meeting as presented. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the agenda as
presented. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4,
Nays 0.
A concerned individual addressed the Board with a
problem he had with the assessor of Torch Lake Township
uncapping his property when it was not sold. He stated
he received a tax bill and paid it. After it was paid,
the assessor uncapped it. Commissioner Barrette stated
he would be contacting the Township.
Commissioner Luoma stated the Public Hearing for the
USDA Rural Development Grant Application by the Houghton
County Road Commission was open. Kevin Harju, Houghton
County Road Commission Engineer, was present and stated
there are additional funds available and they would like
to apply for funding for a sander/dump truck. Houghton
County would be the sponsor as they were for the
previous grant applications in April of this year. Mr.
Harju asked if there were any questions. Commissioner
Luoma announced the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying
the bills of vouchers #122758 thru #122816 for a total
of $36,441.52 along with the late bills submitted of
$113,369.13 for a grand total of $149,810.65. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Luoma 4.
NO: None
ABSENT: Ala 1.
Correspondence
Eric Forsberg stated that he put in correspondence he
received today regarding the Lake Linden Village
returning 40 acres of property that the County deeded to
them on a restricted deed. The assessor has put it on
the tax rolls now and they do not want to pay taxes on
it. Eric recommended that it be listed with a realtor.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Copper Country Mental Health, Houghton County
Memorial Airport, and the Bridge Committee.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Copper Country National Byway Committee,
Houghton County Planning Commission, Western Upper
Peninsula Health Board, and the Law Enforcement
Committee / Criminal Justice Center Committee.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Advisory Commission for the National Park,
Department of Human Services / Houghton County Medical
Care, Justice Center Committee, and he brought in a
display of invasive weeds from the Rice Lake.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Western U.P. Substance Abuse, a position
change request in District Court was referred to the
Personnel Committee, and he announced the National Guard
Reunion will be held Saturday August 14th in
Baraga.
County Officers
Dennis Hext stated the low bid for the road
construction project at the airport was Moyle for
$536,000.00.
New Business
1. Louisa Wills – Houghton County Department of Human
Services. Ms Wills was present to talk about the support
network that has formed to help individuals overcome
barriers keeping them in a poverty state. She invited
the commissioners to attend a conference being held
September 16th, at the Rozsa Center. The
guest speaker is Dr. Donna Beegle and the theme is
"Navigating Toward Prosperity, A Community Mobilization
Conference".
2. Memorandum of Understanding – Copper Country
Trails National Byway Committee. A motion was made by
Commissioner Pintar and seconded by Commissioner Jenich
to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between
Houghton County and the Copper Country Trails National
Byway Committee as presented. The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
3. Houghton County Airpark land sale offer and
resolution. Commissioner Barrette stated the Airport
Committee made a recommendation that the County Board
approve the sale. A motion was made by Commissioner
Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve
the sale of Lot 7 at the Airpark to Michigan
Technological University for the price of $23,200.
The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Luoma 4.
NO: None 0.
ABSENT: Ala 1.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the
resolution, authorizing the Chairman, Paul Luoma, to
sign the purchase agreement and deed for the sale of Lot
7 of the Houghton County Airpark to Michigan
Technological University.
The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Luoma 4.
NO: None 0.
ABSENT: Ala 1.
4. Travel Requests
a. George Newman – Houghton County Friend of Court –
3 requests
b. Daniel Giachino – Houghton County Friend of Court
c. U.P. Association of County Commissioners Fall
Conference
d. Sheryl Ala – Houghton County Magistrate
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Pintar to approve the travel requests as
listed. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays
0.
Public Comment
Phil Musser was present and invited the Commissioners
to a breakfast with Senator Carl Levin to be held
Friday, August 20th at 7:00 a.m. at the
Sheldon Grill in Houghton with a discussion to follow at
8:00 a.m.
Announcements
Eric Forsberg introduced a guest of the 4H exchange
program from Japan. He stated as part of the program she
is required to attend a local governmental unit meeting.
Commissioner Pintar made a motion to adjourn. There
being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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