The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting / Public Hearing on Tuesday, September
14, 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; 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 the August
10, 2010 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 Jenich to approve the agenda
with the addition of #8 Appointment of Substitute
Magistrate. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
Public Comment None
Public Hearing – Homebuyer, Purchase, Rehabilitation
Program Grant application
Commissioner Luoma announced the Public Hearing was
open. Lori Hauswirth from WUPPDR was present and
explained they would like to apply for a grant for
Houghton County through MSHDA for $150,000. The grant is
a Homebuyer Purchase/Rehabilitation Program (HPR) and
would be targeted for the Cities of Hancock and Houghton
with adjacent locations. These funds would allow
Houghton County to help eligible applicants become
homeowners by providing down payment assistance and
moderate rehabilitation assistance. The maximum
assistance is $37,500 which could include funding toward
the down payment and rehabilitation. The estimate is the
grant would help approximately 6 applicants achieve an
affordable mortgage. With no further questions,
Commissioner Luoma announced the public hearing was
closed. Lori gave a brief update of the current MSHDA
program.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to approve
paying the bills of vouchers # 123378 thru # 123484 for
a total of $106,236.53 along with the late bills
submitted of $2,507.15 for a grand total of $108,743.68.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The
motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
Commissioner Barrette brought up a memo from Edward
Fisher regarding U.P. Power proposed rate increase of
17%. He made a motion to send a letter opposing the rate
increase to Michigan Public Service Commission,
Representative Lahti, and U.S. Representative Stupak.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Bridge Planning Group, Houghton County
Memorial Airport Committee, Copper Country Mental
Health, Western Upper Peninsula Board of Health, and an
update on the Rice Lake weeds that were brought up at
the August meeting.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton – Keweenaw Conservation District,
Houghton County Planning Commission, and Western U.P.
Michigan Works Administrative Board.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: BHK Headstart Board, Portage Lake Multi Rec.,
and the Houghton County Fair Board.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: UPCAP meeting, Western U.P. Poverty
Initiative / Human Services Board, Justice Center
Committee, Commission on Aging, Keweenaw National Park
Board, KETA meeting.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, reported
to the Board on the MAC Summer Conference he attended.
Brian McLean, Houghton County Sheriff, reported on
the Stanley Cup that is visiting the Houghton – Hancock
area.
Kathleen Beattie, Houghton County Treasurer, informed
the Board on the new procedure for DNR property PILT
payments. The local units are required to submit to the
County by December 1, annually, a single statement
itemizing the adjusted value, adjusted millage rate and
payment for each individual DNR parcel. The County then
forwards the statements received to the Treasury by
December 15. The County has to have a designee
responsible for compiling the local unit DNR/PILT
statements and she volunteered to be the designee.
New Business
1. MERS Benefit E. Eric explained that the County is
contractually obligated to give the benefit each year to
the Deputies Union and every other year to the
Courthouse Union. The cost for the Deputies Union and
the Courthouse Union has been included into the
2010/2011 budget because it is in their contracts. The
cost to give the Benefit E to the appointed and elected
officials would be $10,980 and has not been budgeted
for. It will be up to the Commissioner to vote on
whether to grant this benefit or not. A motion was made
by Commissioner Pintar and seconded by Commissioner
Barrette to approve the Benefit E to the elected and
appointed retirees. A discussion followed. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
2. Loan Resolution – Houghton County Transfer
Station. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the Loan
Resolution as presented. The motion carried by the
following vote.
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
3. Date for a budget hearing. The Board decided to
set the date and time of September 21 at 3:00 p.m. to
schedule the budget hearing meeting.
4. Opening on Houghton County Planning Commission.
Commissioner Pintar made a motion to place an ad
announcing the opening and stating the qualification
requirements. The deadline would be November 1 for
applications. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Barrette. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
Commissioner Pintar made a motion the Board go on
record commending Bruce Peterson and send him a letter
thanking him for serving 7 years on the Houghton County
Planning Commission, his many years of service to the
Natural Resources Conservation Service and the
Conservation District, and his appointment of Supervisor
to Portage Township. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
5. Homebuyer, Purchase, Rehabilitation Program Grant
Resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette
to approve the resolution having WUPPDR apply for the
Homebuyer, Purchase, Rehabilitation Program Grant on
behalf of Houghton County. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following
vote.
YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
6. Appropriations
a. W.U.P.S.A.S.C.A - $36,079.50
b. Copper Country Mental Health - $41,127.21
c. Houghton County Commission on Aging - $2,000.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Ala to approve the budgeted
appropriations as listed. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
7. Travel Requests
a. U.P. Association of County Commissioners Fall
Conference
b. Paula Olson – Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the travel
request as listed. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
8. Appoint a substitute magistrate. Sheryl Ala stated
that Judge Wisti appointed Jennifer Kelly to be a
substituted magistrate. As required by statute this
appointment requires approval by the County Board.
Sheryl stated there would be no increase in her pay. A
motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by
Commissioner Barrette to approve the appointment. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment None
Commissioner Ala made a motion to adjourn. There
being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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