The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 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, 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 of August 12,
2008 Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried by
a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the agenda as
presented. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
Public Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Ala to approve paying the bills of
voucher #109406 thru #109480 for a total of $116,604.01
along with the late bills submitted of $43,524.00 for a
grand total of $160,128.01. The motion carried by the
following vote:
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
A letter was given to the Board with the invitation
from Sheriff Brian McLean to attend the Michigan
Sheriffs’ Association fall conference banquet where he
will be sworn in as the 2009 President of the Michigan
Sheriffs’ Association Board of Directors.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Airport, The Committee to
up-grade the Morley Study for elected and appointed
officials, the MAC Conference with sessions on Michigan
Trash, Farm Bill, GIS, and 2010 Census, The Western
Upper Peninsula District Health Department, Copper
Country Mental Health, and 911 mic fees.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District,
Houghton County Planning Commission, Western
U.P.Michigan Works Summer Youth, Copper Country Trail
Committee, and WUPPDR. – MDOT summit.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: Mac Conference with sessions on Land Use,
Area Agencies On Aging, and Meth. Labs, BHK Headstart,
Houghton County Fair Board, Portage Lake Multi Rec., and
Michigan Works.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: KEDA, Houghton County Medical Care Facility,
WUPPDR, Commission on Aging, Law Enforcement, and
Keweenaw National Park.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to re-appoint
Gerald Erva to the Houghton County Department of Human
Services Board (DHS). The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Barrette. The motion passed with a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, announced
that the suit filed against the State of Michigan to
recover Houghton County’s fiduciary fees for the Region
8 Homeland Security money has been resolved.
Mary Schoos announced that Tapestry and Laredo are
now up and running in the Register of Deeds office and
it is hoped that it will bring in extra revenue to that
office.
Kathleen Beattie announced that they netted
approximately $15,000.00 on the tax sale in August.
There are 5 properties left to sell and the next sale is
scheduled for October 10th in Marquette.
New Business
1. John Hill, U.S. Department of Agriculture –
Presentation regarding the Emerald Ash Borer. John Hill
spoke to the Board and also had a slide presentation on
the Emerald Ash Borer. He is the Regional Supervisor for
Regions 1 & 2 which encompasses 33 counties. He gave a
very interesting presentation and ended it stating as of
late this afternoon, September 9, 2008, Houghton and
Keweenaw Counties are now on the quarantine list. All
hardwood firewood movement to outside of Houghton and
Keweenaw Counties is now restricted unless it is in 4
ft. lengths. Businesses that will be moving any hardwood
will have to obtain compliance agreements with the
Michigan Department of Agriculture. He ended his
presentation answering any questions.
2. Draft of Houghton County Planning Commission
Ordinance of 2008 (For discussion only) Commissioner
Pintar went over the changes that have been made since
the last meeting. He will email Eric the final version
of the Ordinance. A public hearing will be held before
the Ordinance is adopted.
3.Request for approval of Intergovernmental Agreement
for W.U.P Health Department. Commissioner Barrette
stated that this is a re-approval of what was done in
the past. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to
re-approve the 5 county Intergovernmental Agreement and
Resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by the following
vote.
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
4. Auditor’s Consideration of Fraud letter. Eric
stated that it is on the agenda so it is noted that all
the Commissioners read this letter.
5. Scheduling of special meeting and public hearing
for County 2008/09 budget. Eric also said it was noted
that the November meeting falls on Veterans Day and that
meeting should be rescheduled. It was decided that
September 23, 2008 at noon would be scheduled for the
public hearing for the County 2008/09 budget. The
November Regular Board meeting will be scheduled for
Monday November 10, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
6 Appropriations
a. Copper Counry Mental Health - $41,117.
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve the
Copper Country Mental Health Appropriation. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried
by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
7. Travel Requests
a. Paula Olson – Prosecutor’s Office
b. Marcia Houle – Prosecutor’s Office
c. UPACC Fall Conference
d. Val Schulze, Tracy Smith, Pat Janke, Lisa Mattila
– County financial software workshop.
e. Sheryl Ala – 97th District Court
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve all the
travel requests as listed. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment
Phil Musser gave an update on Keweenaw Scrap – Tire.
He said a new manufacturing company has moved into the
former Hubbell Ice Skating Rink. They purchased the
building and land. They will be producing specialized
welding rods. He is also working with a company who may
move in, a wood products company. He gave updates on
other economic developments within the area.
Commissioner Pintar made a motion to adjourn.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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