The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 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 to approve
the Board meeting minutes as presented for the month of
October. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the
agenda with the addition of #7 Apportionment. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment Kristopher Tapani was present from Big
T Towing. He expressed his concern that he is not
getting called out by the sheriff department when
accidents need towing. He also said Coon’s and Dave’s
Towing have the same complaint. Commissioner Jenich said
he will look into the matter and have the sheriff or
himself get back to him.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying
the bills submitted of vouchers #119412 through #119504
for a total of $60,244.79, along with the late bills of
$35,037.72 for a grand total of $95,282.51. 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: Western Upper Peninsula Health Department,
Houghton County Memorial Airport, and Copper Country
Mental Health.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton Keweenaw Soil Conservation District,
Revolving Loan Fund Committee, Planning Commission,
Copper Country Trail Committee, and attended a meeting
with WUPPDR/MDOT for Rural Transportation Planning.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Fair Board, Portage Lake
Multi Rec., Michigan Works, and MSU Extension Funding.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Keweenaw National Park Advisory Board,
Commission on Aging, Smelter Committee, attended a
ceremony honoring Douglas Houghton and the cancellation
stamp the Houghton Post Office will use in his honor,
Law Enforcement Committee, and met with the Controller
and Department Heads regarding finances.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Transfer Station Committee, Houghton County
Road Commission, and Western U.P. Substance Abuse.
County Officers
John Pekkala, Houghton County Drain Commissioner gave
his annual report.
New Business
1. WUPPDR Annual Community Economic Development
Strategy Resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner
Barrette to adopt the resolution. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ala. Commissioner Pintar stated
he has been assured by Kim Stoker that in the Workforce
Development portion, Michigan Works and Michigan Works
training session programs will be included in the
listings. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
2.Resolution for adoption of MERS COLA adjustment.
Eric informed the Board that they have been approving
this every year for the Sheriff Department and every
other year for the remainder of the County employees. He
was notified by MERS that because they are less than 80%
funded that the adoption of a cost of living adjustment
is considered an increase in benefits and they will no
longer allow this. He was told verbally by the MERS rep.
that because the Sheriff Dept contract does not expire
until the end of 2011 to send it through. A motion was
made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner
Barrette to approve the resolution for the retiree
cost-of-living benefit program for unit 02 Sheriff
Department. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
3. Resolution for purchase of additional years of
service from MERS. Eric stated that Edward Lemler would
like to purchase additional service years. The Board has
to approve the purchase of additional years in order for
this to be done. It is no cost to the County, the
employee pays the full amount. A motion was made by
Commissioner Jenich and seconded by Commissioner Pintar
to approve the resolution to allow Edward Lemler to
purchase additional service years. The motion carried by
the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
4. Re-appointment to Houghton County Planning
Commission. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to re-appoint Guy St.
Germain and Susan Burack to the Houghton County Planning
Commission for 3 year terms ending December 31, 2012.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
5. Appropriations
a. WUPPDR - $2,866.50
b. NACo Dues $775.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Barrette to approve paying the
appropriations as listed. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nay 0.
6. Travel Requests
a. Dennis Lasanen & Ronald Ekdahl – Building
Department. A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and
seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the travel
requests as listed. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
7. Apportionment. John Partanen, Houghton County
Equalization Director, presented the Annual
Appropriation Report for 2009. John explained how the
report is read and how it shows the different taxable
units of government and schools and the amount of
taxable valuations and millages for each unit. A motion
was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by
Commissioner Ala to approve the 2009 Apportionment
Report as presented. The motion carried by the following
vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Public Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich to adjourn.
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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