The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular / Public Hearing Meeting on Tuesday, October 21,
2008 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, 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.
Commissioner Luoma announced the Public Hearing was
open for the Houghton County ORV Ordinance No. 08-01. He
asked for public comments. Beckie Faulkner from Duncan
Township expressed her concern that recreation will be
restricted if ORV’s are not allowed to use the roads to
access gas stations and trails. Kevin Harju, from the
Houghton County Road Commission was present. He stated
the Road Commission has the authority to restrict 30% of
the primary roads for ORV traffic. ORV’s must travel in
the maintained portion of the roadway, which is not the
shoulder of the road. A discussion followed and
questions were answered. With no further comment or
questions, Commissioner Luoma announce the Public
Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Luoma announced the Public Hearing was
open for the Houghton County Planning Commission
Ordinance No. 08-02. He asked for public comment. There
being none, he announced the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Luoma announced there was an addition to
the agenda of Number 10 under New Business, for GIS
Contracting. A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette
to approve the agenda with the addition. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried with a
voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment – None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to approve
paying the bills submitted of vouchers #109915 thru
#110013 for a total of $151,217.17, along with the late
bills submitted of $3,502.61, for a grand total of
$154,719.78. 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 – None
Reports – Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: The UP Association of County Commissioners
Fall Conference, Houghton County Airport, Local
Emergency Planning Committee, Western UP District Health
Department, and Township Association meeting.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: The Houghton County Planning Commission,
Houghton – Keweenaw Conservation District, Copper
Country Trail Committee, and his attendance at a WUPPDR
– MDOT Rural Transportation Planning meeting.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: Michigan Works, Headstart, The UP Association
of County Commissioners Fall Conference and the Great
Start Program.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Commission on Aging, Houghton County Medical
Care, Keweenaw National Park, WUPPDR meeting, Community
Partnership Program, The Michigan Sheriffs Association
Conference, and Houghton County Finance Committee.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: The UP Association of County Commissioners
Fall Conference, The Houghton County Road Commission,
and the Western UP Substance Abuse.
County Officers
Kathleen Beattie, Houghton County Treasurer, reported
to the Board stating the remaining pieces of property
left from the tax sale were sold on the 10th
at the tax sale in Marquette.
John Pekkala, Houghton County Drain Commissioner,
reported to the Board regarding the Soil Erosion Program
in Houghton County. Mr. Pekkala gave specific numbers of
permits issued, inspections made and additional
inspections required to administer the program. He
reported that the permit fees have generated $6,600 and
it has cost $4,800 to administer the program. He stated
the permit fees are adequately funding the Soil Erosion
Program.
New Business
1. Ordinance No. 08-01, ORV Ordinance. Commissioner
Ala made a motion to approve the Houghton County ORV
Ordinance No. 08-01 as submitted. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion passed by
the following vote.
YES: Ala, Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
2. Ordinance No. 08-02, Planning commission
Ordinance. Commissioner Barrette made a motion to
approve the Houghton County Planning Commission
Ordinance No. 08-02 as submitted. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion passed by
the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: NO 0.
3. Request for financial assistance for purchase of
rescue vehicle. Donald Bausano, Chief of the Calumet
Township Fire Department was present to remind the Board
they were told that they would be next in receiving help
for the funding of a rescue vehicle. Mr. Bausano gave an
estimate of $35,000 for the cost of a rescue vehicle.
They have raised some funds and donations toward the
vehicle. A discussion followed and Eric stated they
could be eligible for a Rural Development grant which
would pay for 40% of the cost. Commissioner Jenich
stated he would like to make some calls and connections.
He would like to see up front what donations can be
raised and what amount the County would be required to
give before making any commitments. He would like to
bring it back to the Board in November or December.
4. Request for change in recognition of 2008
Christmas and New Years Holidays. A motion was made by
Commissioner Barrette and seconded by Commissioner
Jenich to approve the union request to change the days
off for the Christmas and New Year Holiday to December
25, 26 and January 1, 2 to allow 2 four day weekends.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
5. Request for appointment to W.U.P. Planning &
Development Regional Commission. A motion was made by
Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner
Barrette to appoint Dallas Bond to the WUPPDR Commission
to fill Houghton County’s open general public slot. The
motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
6. Resolution for adoption of Benefit Program E. A
motion by Commissioner Jenich was made to approve the
resolution to adopt Benefit Program E Increase for
retirees and beneficiaries in Division 2. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by the
following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
7. Resolution for Indigent Care Agreement. A motion
was made by Commissioner Jenich to approve the Indigent
Care Agreement Resolution as presented. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by
the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
8. Appropriations
a. Western U.P. District Health Department -
$16,392.00. Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve
the appropriation of the budgeted amount of $16,392.00
to the Western U.P. District Health Department. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
b. National Association of Counties dues - $775.00.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to not pay the
appropriation of $775.00 for dues to the National
Association of Counties. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
9. Travel Requests. Commissioner Ala made a motion to
approve the travel request for Dan Kipina. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried
by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
10. GIS Contract. Commissioner Barrette made a motion
to approve the contract with WUPPDR to maintain and
update the current County parcel mapping and the 911
parcel mapping. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays
0.
Public Comment
Commissioner Jenich reminded everyone there will be a
meeting October 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the multi purpose
building in Calumet regarding the Emerald Ash Borer.
Commissioner Pintar made a motion to adjourn. There
being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Patricia Janke, Deputy Clerk
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