The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 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; and Paul Luoma, District 5. Commissioner
Scott Ala, District 4, was absent for roll call, but
arrived later.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded
by Commissioner Jenich to approve the minutes as
submitted for the September 14 Regular Meeting and the
September 21 Annual Meeting. Motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
Commissioner Pintar asked that the addition of
appointment of Planning Commissioners be listed as #5. A
motion was made by Commissioner Barrette to approve the
amended agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays
0.
Public Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to approve
paying the bills of vouchers #123727 thru #123815 for a
total of $107,416.67 along with the late bills submitted
of $40,265.08 for a grand total of $147,681.75. 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 None was brought up.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: The Bridge Outage Committee, Copper Country
Mental Health, Houghton County Memorial Airport, and
U.P. Association of County Commissioners Conference he
attended.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton – Keweenaw Conservation District,
his attendance at the Poverty Conference sponsored by
the Department of Human Services, Houghton County
Planning Commission, Western Upper Peninsula Health
Department, Law Enforcement / Justice Center
presentations, Complete Streets Workshop, U.P.
Association of County Commissioners Conference he
attended, and U.P. State Fair Board.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund, Portage
Lake Multi Rec., Western U.P. Michigan Works, and his
visit to Leelanau County to tour their Justice Area
which included the Courthouse, Jail, Sheriff Department
and 911 Facility.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Commission on Aging, Department of Human
Services, Houghton County Medical Care Facility, Western
Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region, and
Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, and his
attendance at Justice Center presentations.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission, and Houghton
County Transfer Station.
County Officers
Mike Schira, MSU Extension Director, announced that
there will be new commissioner training after the
election, but he didn’t have the schedule. The
commissioners stated they were informed at the U.P.
Association of County Commissioners Conference that it
will be held in Escanaba on December 9.
New Business
1. MERS Benefit E. Commissioner Luoma explained that
incorrect figures were given when the Commissioners were
told that the cost of the Benefit E for the Courthouse
Union and the Sheriff Union was included in the
2010/2011 budget. The cost stated for the Courthouse
Union was $2,160 and the actual Unfunded Accrued
Liability is $39,220. The cost stated for the Elected
and Appointed was $10,980 and the actual Unfunded
Accrued Liability is $200,897. Commissioner Pintar made
a motion to rescind his motion at the September 14, 2010
Meeting to approve paying Benefit E for the Elected and
Appointed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Barrette. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Pintar, Barrette, Jenich, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
It was noted that the County is not obligated to
provide a Benefit E to the Courthouse Union because they
do not meet the minimum funding requirement of 80%.
The cost given at the September 14 meeting for the
Benefit E for the Sheriff Union was $2,580. The actual
Unfunded Accrued Liability is $46,665. It was stated
that the County is contractually obligated to approve
the Benefit E to the Sheriff Union even though the
correct amount was not budgeted. A motion was made by
Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar
to approve paying for the Benefit E for the Sheriff
Union. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
2. IGT Authorizing Resolution. A motion was made by
Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner Ala
to approve the resolution as presented. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
3. Appropriations
a. NACO $775.00. A motion was made by Commissioner
Jenich to approve the appropriation for 2011 National
Association of Counties dues as listed. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the
following vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
4. Travel Request
a. Tracey Stipe - Family Court. A motion was made by
Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner
Barrette to approve the travel request to attend a
Juvenile Probate Register’s Conference 10-28 through
10-30 as listed. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
5. Planning Commission Appointment. Commissioner
Pintar stated both of the people holding the terms that
are expiring have asked to be reappointed. Commissioner
Pintar made a motion to reappoint William Fink and
Barbara LaFex Lewis to the Houghton County Planning
Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays
0.
Public Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala to adjourn.
There being no objection the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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