The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting / Public Hearings on Tuesday, August 11,
2009, 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; Scott Ala, District 4; and Paul Luoma,
District 5.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Pintar to approve the minutes as presented.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded
by Commissioner Ala to approve the agenda as submitted.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment None
Commissioner Luoma announced the Public Hearing was
open for the USDA Rural Development Grant Application.
Eric Forsberg stated the County applied for 2 grants to
fund the purchase of 2 squad cars. The grants have been
approved. They are for 45% of the purchase price, a
total of $27,000. There being no further comments,
Commissioner Luoma announced the public hearing was
closed.
Commissioner Luoma announced the Pubic Hearing for
the Revolving Loan Fund Application was open. Phil
Musser stated there has been a request for a $50,000
loan to Garritt Willey owner of Kenton Wood Works, for a
saw mill. The mill will create 5 to 7 jobs, there is a
$106,000 equipment collateral and there is a contract
with Robins Sports Flooring. The RLF Board recommends
the Board to approve the loan. There being no further
comments, Commissioner Luoma announced the public
hearing was closed.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying
the bills submitted of vouchers #113408 through #113485
for a total of $93,685.54. along with the late bills of
$43,500.89 for a total of $137,186.43. 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 brought to Board discussion.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Western U.P. Health Department, Copper
Country Mental Health and the Houghton County Airport.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Planning Commission, and the
Copper Country Trail Committee.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: The Revolving Loan Fund Board, B-H-K
Headstart, Portage Lake Multi Rec., and Michigan Works.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: WUPPDR. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to
support the nomination of Frank Stubenrauch for the
Oreste Chiantello Public Service Award. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a
voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Jenich continued his report of the
Houghton County Medical Care Facility, UPCAP is
scheduled to meet on the 14th, Commission on
Aging meets on the 12th, the Law Enforcement
Committee, and Finance Committee.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Western U.P. Substance Abuse, Houghton County
Road Commission, and the Houghton County Transfer
Station.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, stated
negotiation with the Court House Union is expected to
start soon. He has looked at this year’s budget and is
hoping the County will be able to put money into its
fund balance.
Kathy Beattie, Houghton County Treasurer, informed
the Board the Tax Sale Auction will be held at Gogebic
College on Friday, August 14, and the Land Bank has a
Board and they are establishing their Policies and
Procedures.
New Business
1. Request for starting wage for new District Court
Probation Officer. Eric stated it was requested that the
new employee be started at the 1 year rate because the
person hired has 31 years experience. A motion was made
by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner
Jenich to approve of the rate increase. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
2. Request for change in Vital Records fee. A motion
was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by
Commissioner Ala to approve the increase from $8.00 to
$10.00 for the first certified copy of vital records in
the Clerk’s office. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
3. Resolution regarding Community Corrections Grant
application. A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and
seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the
Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Counties Community Corrections
Advisory Board’s efforts to apply for continuing funds
for Fiscal Years 2010 through 2012. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Ala, Pintar, Jenich, Barrette, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
4. Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund application. A
motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Pintar to approve the RLF loan to Kenton
Wood Works as recommended by the RLF Board. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Ala, Pintar, Jenich, Barrette, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
5. Travel Requests
a. John Partanen – Houghton County Equalization
Director.
b. Kathleen Beattie – Houghton County Treasurer
c. Brittany Bulleit – Houghton County Prosecutor’s
Office.
d. Paula Olson – Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to approve the
above listed travel requests. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to adjourn.
There being no objections, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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