The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 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 Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the minutes
as presented of the September 15, Regular Meeting and
the Special Meetings held on September 23, September 24,
and September 30. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar 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
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying
the bills submitted of vouchers #119069 through #119145
for a total of $72,070.34, along with the late bills of
$5,683.30 for a grand total of $77,753.64. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence none
Reports
Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: Copper Country Mental Health/Great Lakes
Mental Health Conference, the 911 Advisory Board, the
Houghton County Airport, the Veterans Affairs Office,
and he attended the U.P. Association of County
Commissioners Conference.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: The Copper Country Trail Committee, and the
Western U.P. Michigan Works Administration Board.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: Western Upper Peninsula Planning and
Development Region, the Houghton County Revolving Loan
Fund, B-H-K Headstart, and the Portage Lake Multi Rec.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Medical Care, Keweenaw
Economic Development Alliance, he attended a poverty
summit, UPCAP will meet on Oct. 15, National Park work
sessions, and the Western U.P. Health Dept.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission and met with
the Court House Union to start new contract.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg announced that he thought the County
would do well with the budget that was passed for the
County Jail Reimbursement Program, but found out the
Governor vetoed the whole program, so he doesn’t know
where the County stands now.
Kathy Beattie said the Tax Sale will be held in
Marquette on October 19. The Land Bank met and the Land
Bank is interested in purchasing one of the tax
foreclosure properties. She would like the County to
purchase the property and sell it to the Land Bank to
keep it off the Tax Sale. A motion was made by
Commissioner Ala to purchase parcel #31-001-700-033 for
the minimum bid of $900.00 dollars and sell it to the
Land Bank for the same amount. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Dennis Hext stated there have been a lot of questions
about the air service and as to when the DOT will make
their decision. He said they are supposed to make their
decision by October 15.
New Business
1. Board of Canvassers election. Mary Schoos stated
the Republican and Democratic parties have each
submitted 3 names to allow the Commissioners to elect
one candidate for each party to the Board of Canvassers.
She asked the Commissioners to vote on the ballots they
were given. The names submitted by the Republican Party
were Janell Huuki, Marge Nyman, and Francis Lide. The
names submitted by the Democratic Party were Clarence
McDonald, Rick Kasprzak, and Carol Kurz.
2. AARA Grant Application. Kim Stoker from WUPPDR was
present to ask Houghton County to be the sponsor on a
grant application for some American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (AARA) funds. The grant if received
would fund a feasibility study regarding linking the
U.P. with a telecommunication network. It is geared to
save travel time and cost. A motion was made by
Commissioner Barrette to allow the Chairman, Paul Luoma
to sign any documents necessary to apply for the grant
to do the feasibility study. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Jenich. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
3. Ambulance bids. Eric stated that the grant
application went through Houghton County for the
purchase of a new ambulance. There were 3 bids
submitted. Holden & Holden, Ltd for $112,979.00, Rolland
Specialty Vehicles and Products Inc. for $121,511.00 and
Pomasl Fire Equipment for $119,985.00. The purchaser,
Mercy EMS, Gerald Primeau, has asked if the Board would
approve the lowest bid. It has to then go onto Rural
Development for their approval. A motion was made by
Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar
to approve the low bid from Holden & Holden of
$112,979.00. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
4. Houghton County Land Bank request. Commissioner
Luoma stated this was taken care of at the time of
County Officers Reports.
5. Employee grievance – County Board step. The
attorneys asked that they be put last on the agenda for
the convenience of others.
6. Appropriations
a. Coordinating Agency – ½ Liquor Tax - $35,153.50
b. ICA (Health Department) - $34,852.20
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Barrette to approve the appropriations
as listed above. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to go into closed
session for the employee grievance. The motion carried
by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to come out of closed session. The
motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Ala, Jenich, Barrette Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
A discussion was held and Commissioner Pintar stated
he felt termination was too strict a penalty for the
action. Commissioner Ala agreed with Commissioner Pintar.
Commissioner Pintar made a motion to rescind the
termination and the employee be reinstated. It was added
with an appropriate penalty other than termination, to
be worked out between Ms. Kump and her supervisor. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. Discussion
followed. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Pintar, Ala, Jenich, Barrette, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Dave Mechlin stated he understood that Mr. Forsberg
has a letter from the Judge. Mr. Forsberg said he has
not opened the letter, but understands that the Judge’s
final decision is not to take Ms. Kump back. If the
Board is to take her back, they will have to create a
position for her. Mr. Forsberg stated the Court is its
own employer, the County is allowed the process in our
employee policy but it is the Judge’s final say.
Mary Schoos stated in the tally of the Board of
Canvassers vote, Clarence McDonald and Marge Nyman were
elected.
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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