The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 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.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ala, and seconded
by Commissioner Barrette to approve the minutes of the
October 9, 2007, Regular Meeting. The motion was carried
by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Commissioner Barrette requested an addition be made
to the agenda under New Business, #7. Truck Bids. A
motion was made by Commissioner Ala and seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to approve the agenda with the
addition as requested. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Pubic Comment None
A motion was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded
by Commissioner Pintar to approve paying the bills of
vouchers # 105919 thru # 106028 along with the late
bills presented for a total of $104,640.36. 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: U.P. MAC Conference in Baraga, Houghton
County Memorial Airport, 911 Advisory Committee, and
Copper Country Mental Health.
Commissioner Pintar reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton Keweenaw Soil Conservation District,
U.P. Association of County Commissioners Fall
Conference, The Houghton County Planning Commission, and
The Copper Country Trails Advisory Board.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: Annual meeting of Rice Memorial Foundation,
Michigan Works, Portage Lake Multi Rec., B-H-K Head
Start, and The Houghton County Fair Board.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Keweenaw National Historical Park, Keweenaw
Economic Development Alliance, UPCAP, WUPPDR, Houghton
County Medical Care, Western U.P. District Health,
Houghton County Finance, and Law Enforcement Committee.
Commissioner Luoma reported to the Board on the
following: Houghton County Road Commission.
County Officers Reports
Kathy Beattie stated land owners have been calling
regarding being contacted by a company called Assets
Holdings LLC. They are based out of Scottsdale, Arizona.
They are offering purchase agreements to property
owners. She wanted to worn people to be careful of what
they sign.
Eric Forsberg said they have been negotiating with
unions and things are progressing.
Commissioner Barrette spoke regarding Jack Dueweke,
being involved with a committee representing Region 8
which is the entire U.P. They had an opportunity to
participate in a Public Safety Interoperable
Communications Grant. 1.3 million was given to each of
the regions. The U.P. was one of those regions to
receive that money. It will be used for radios. There
was an additional 9 million available to apply for. The
committee that Jack was on was able to acquire 1.6
million of that 9. It will be used to connect all the
dispatch centers in the U.P. If a problem would arise,
calls would automatically transfer to the next nearest
dispatch center.
New Business
1. Acceptance and awarding of bids for Rural
Development patrol car grant.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to accept the bids
as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays
0.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to award the bid to
Parkway Chevrolet for $21,950.00 for an Impala and to
Signature Ford for $21,520.00 for an Explorer. The total
is $43,470.00. Houghton County’s portion of that is
$19,561.50. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Pintar. The motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Sheriff McLean stated the balance of the grant will
be used for in car video-DVD cameras. Commissioner
Jenich made a motion to approve the purchase and it was
seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by
the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
2. Request for new Houghton County logo. There was a
discussion and it was decided the Board would take the
request under advisement.
3. Apportionment. John Partanen, Houghton County
Equalization Director, was present to go over the
presented 2007 Apportionment Report. Commissioner
Barrette made a motion to approve the 2007 Apportionment
Report as presented. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Ala. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
4. Appropriations
a. Western U.P. Planning & Development Regional
Commission $2,459
b. Copper Country Mental Health $41,126
c. Western U.P. District Health $10,671.50
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve
appropriations to all three listed agencies for the
allocated amounts stating they are all budgeted items.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
5. Benefit Program E. Eric Forsberg explained it has
to be addressed every year regarding the increase of
benefits for the retirees. The Sheriff Unit or Division
2 is every year, the Courthouse Unit or Division 11 is
every other year, and the Non Union Division 10 and
Judges and Comm Division 12 is every other year. He
stated last year it was approved for Division 2 and
Division 11. He is recommending the Board approve
Divisions 2, 10, and 12 this year. Commissioner Ala made
a motion to adopt MERS Benefit Program E for Division 2,
Division 10, and Division 12. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Barrette. The motion was carried by the
following vote.
YES: Ala, Barrette, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
6. Request for resolution – MSHDA P.I.P. Program.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the MSHDA
Property Improvement Program (PIP) Resolution as
presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Pintar. Carried by the following vote.
YES:Jenich, Pintar, Barrette, Ala, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
7. Truck bids. Commissioner Barrette stated they
received three complete bids for the new trucks for the
Airport and Transfer Station. The bids were for a ¾ ton
diesel for the Airport and a ¾ ton regular for the
Transfer Station. The lowest bid of $68,434 for both
trucks was from Parkway Chevrolet. Commissioner Barrette
made a motion to award the bid to Parkway Chevrolet. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Ala. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Pintar, Luoma 5.
NO: None 0.
Public Comment
Phil Musser mentioned that KEDA gave out their annual
awards. There were three Sterling Awards given this
year.
Commissioner Pintar made a motion to adjourn. There
being no objection, the meeting adjourned.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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