The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, in the 5^th 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 Pintar, and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the minutes of the September 9, Regular Meeting, the September 20, Special Meeting, and the September 26, Public Hearing / Annual Meeting. The motion was carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette to approve the agenda with the addition of #9, GPS training for Roy Britz. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich. The motion was carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve paying the bills of vouchers # 105482 thru #105558 along with the late bills presented for a total of $66,271.38. The motion carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

Public Comments None

Correspondence

Commissioner Luoma asked if the Board had a chance to review the correspondence in their packets.

Reports Standing Committee

Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the following: The Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting, an airport conference he attended with the Airport Manager and the Controller, and a meeting he attended with the Equalization Director and Torch Lake Township and their assessors.

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

Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the following: Portage Lake Multi Rec., The Houghton – Keweenaw Medical Control Authority Board, and Michigan Works.

Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the following: Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR), Commission on Aging, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), Department of Human Services / Medical Care Facility, Keweenaw National Historic Park, the Finance Committee, and the MAC Legislative Update regarding Michigan proposed budget cuts.

Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the following: The Houghton County Road Commission.

County Officers

Sheriff, Brian McLean, thanked and commended the responders at the scene of the recent tour boat tragedy.

Dennis Hext, Houghton County Airport Manager, gave an update of the Small Community Air Service Grant.

New Business

1. Request for resolution – Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar to adopt The Preservation of Abandoned Railroad Grade Corridors Resolution as presented.

The motion was carried by the following vote.

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

NO: None 0.

2. Request for re-appointment to Department of Veteran’s Affairs. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Ala to re-appoint Robert Jeannotte to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Board. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

3. MAC Dental Discount Program. Commissioner Pintar made a motion to approve entering into an agreement with Benefit Control Methods to enable Houghton County residents to participate in the MAC Dental Discount Program. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

4. Request for appointment to Board of Canvassers. The Democratic and Republican Chairs each submitted three candidates to fill their party’s position on the expiring 4 year terms of the Board of Canvassers. The commissioners voted the prepared ballots. The votes were tallied by the Clerk. Mary Wiitanen received the most votes for the Democratic position and Craig Brewer received the most votes for the Republican position.

5. Request for purchase of detective’s vehicle. Sheriff McLean spoke regarding the condition of the existing vehicle. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve purchasing a used vehicle for the detective’s use. The motion was carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

6. Request for re-appointment to Houghton County Department of Human Services. A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Barrette to re-appoint Scott Dickson to the Houghton County Department of Human Services. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

7. Request to hire part-time position for Equalization Department. Commissioner Barrette and John Partanen, Equalization Director, spoke of the need for additional help within the department. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to approve hiring a part-time position for the Equalization Department. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

8. Request for loan approval from Houghton County Revolving Fund Committee. Phil Musser spoke regarding the additional loan amount of $25,000 to Endres Machining Innovations (EMI). KEDA has approved an additional $25,000 to their loan and the Revolving Loan Board recommended the additional loan. A motion by Commissioner Ala was made to approve the additional $25,000 from the Houghton County RLF to Endres Machining for a total of $105,000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

9. GPS Training for Roy Britz. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the GPS training for the 911 Director. The motion was 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.

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Paul Luoma, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk