The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 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.

A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette 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 Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the agenda with the additions of #10, Special Meeting September 23 and #11, Stillwaters Commercial Rehabilitation District. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments

Scott Sapino a resident of Hubbell addressed the Board with his concerns of a tent being pitched and campfires held on vacant lots next to his property. He filed complaints with the DNR, Sheriff Department, Township Supervisor and the Hubbell Fire Department. It was determined the State holds the last deed recorded on the property and he would have to purchase it from the State. The Treasurer will give him a contact number at the State level to help him start the process.

Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying the bills submitted of vouchers #113832 through #113912 for a total of $105,934.69, along with the late bills of $12,239.43 for a grand total of $118,174.12. 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

Commissioner Luoma brought to the Board’s attention a resolution from Lake County opposing boilerplate language introduced in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Community Health and adopted as Senate Substitute for HB 4436, Section 407 (1) and Section 407 (4) which would be detrimental to Western U.P. Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to write a letter of support of Lake County Resolution #07/22/2009 1206 to our State Senator and Representative. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Reports

Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: The MAC Conference he attended, Copper Country Mental Health, and the Houghton County Airport.

Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the following: Houghton – Keweenaw Conservation District, The Houghton County Planning Commission, U.P. Michigan Works, Western U.P. Health Board, and Copper Country Trail Committee.

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: Houghton County Fair, Portage Lake Multi Rec., and the Houghton County Revolving Loan Board.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: Commission on Aging, Department of Human Services, Houghton County Medical Care Board, KEDA, Houghton County Marina, Houghton County Finance Committee, and the UPCAP meeting.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: The MAC Conference, Houghton County Road Commission, and Houghton County Transfer Station.

County Officers

Eric Forsberg stated a comment was sent regarding the non listing of Houghton and Keweenaw County or any area in the U.P. on the map as being a good location for wind energy.

John Partanen gave the Board a figure of a 7.03 % drop in MLS on residential sales value from last year through June of this year in the Upper Peninsula.

Kathleen Beattie reported with the recent tax sale, the Treasurer’s Office will be able to pay back what is owed to the General Fund from the previous loss.

New Business

1. Camp Kitwin Analysis – Commissioner Jenich summarized the analysis as the County could not afford to run Camp Kitwin if it was converted to a County jail. Commissioner Luoma stated the building is not for sale. The State would lease it. He stated the County would not put money into converting a building it does not own.

2. Request for resolution from Houghton - Keweenaw Conservation District - A motion was made by Commissioner Pinar and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the resolution as submitted, and copies be sent to Governor Grandholm, the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Don Koivisto, State Senator Mike Prusi, and State Representative Mike Lahti. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

3. Request for approval of the County Road Commissioners’ compensation package – A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the compensation package as presented. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for resolution regarding transfer for Medical Care Access Coalition – A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the resolution with the correction of removing Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center as listed. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

5. Correction to Morley recommendation – Eric stated there was a typo made in the Juvenile Court Administrator’s position. The report should have stated that the recommendation was for an increase from an M/P 9 to an M/P 10. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to correct the report as stated. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

6. Setting date for public hearing and adoption of County’s 2009/2010 budget - The date set for that meeting will be September 24, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. in the 5^th Floor Conference Room.

7. Houghton County Department of Veterans Affairs – Keweenaw County contacted Houghton stating they can not have a multi-county Veterans Affairs Office. The millage that they are collecting can not be sent to Houghton County. Keweenaw wants to create their own Veteran’s Affairs Committee. They can use the millage money and they would use our Veteran’s Affairs Officer. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the concept of Keweenaw County using our Veteran’s Affairs Officer and the finance details will be worked out. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

8. Appropriations

a. Copper Country Mental Health - $41,123.00 – A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the budgeted appropriation.

9. Travel Requests

a. Sheryl Ala – Magistrate’s Office

b. U.P. Association of County Commissioners

c. Carol Kreher – County Extension Office

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to approve the travel requests as mentioned above. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

10. Airport Special Meeting – The Special Meeting will be held on September 23, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at MTU Ballroom B. There will be a presentation given regarding the 2 airlines flight proposals. They are looking for community involvement and both Hancock and Houghton City Councils have been asked to attend.

11. Stillwaters Commercial Rehabilitation District – They would like to apply for a Commercial Rehabilitation District exemption on extensive improvements they are proposing. The Calumet Township Board will hold a Public Hearing and take action on the request on September 25, 2009. Eric stated no action has to be taken at this time. We can decide after the Township holds their Public Hearing.

Public Comments None

Announcements None

Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to adjourn. There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.

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Paul Luoma, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk