The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, in the 5th Floor Conference Room of the Courthouse, City of Houghton.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mike Lahti, 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; Michael Lahti, District 3; Scott Ala, District 4; and Paul Luoma, District 5.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2005 Regular Meeting as presented. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Luoma requested additions to the agenda of #4 T-Hangers and #5 Avis Rental. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the agenda as amended. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments: none

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the bills as presented being voucher number 93761 through 93855 along with the late bills submitted for a total of $125,348.59.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Luoma, Lahti; 5.
NO: None; 0.

Correspondence: Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, stated he received a request from Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (U.P.S.E.T.) asking for Houghton County’s support by passing a resolution in support of U.P.S.E.T. President Bush announced cutting the Byrne Grant which funds their program. A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to go on record by adopting a resolution in support of the U.P.S.E.T. Team in the U.P.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Luoma, Jenich, Ala, Lahti; 5.
NO: None; 0.

Reports: Standing Committees

Commissioner Luoma reported on the following: The Houghton County Road Commission advertised for bids on their summer projects and approved job changes within the office due to recent retirements.
The Tri-County Community Corrections Advisory Board is in need of filling 2 vacancies. The Board unanimously approved nominating David Gemignani to fill the position of criminal defense attorney and Brad Salmen was nominated to represent the media. These nominations must be approved by the Houghton County Board of Commissioners. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the nominations and appoint David Gemignani and Brad Salmen. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
The airport is working on a new lease for 25 years with the Keweenaw Research Center (K.R.C.) and they have a proposal for a new snack shop in the terminal building. The airport will apply for a small communities air service grant. The airport received a check for 1.3 million to fund numerous projects and the purchase of 172 acres of land for mitigation purposes.
The Transfer Station set up a pay scale and work schedule for accepting scrap metal and appliances.
The D & R Trail Committee will meet at 7:00 P.M. on April 19 in Chassell.

Commissioner Barrette reported on the following: He attended a Local Emergency Planning meeting where they discussed possibilities of starting an emergency operation center.
Torch Lake Sewage Authority reviewed the need for a part-time accountant or to use their auditors as an accounting branch. They approved a resolution to sign the documents needed for an application to Rural Development to fund a 3.6 million dollar project.
The Board of Public Works met and approved a rate increase for the Torch Lake Sewage Authority customers.
Commissioner Barrette attended meetings involving 911 with the local law enforcement and EMT, and will be meeting with representatives from the fire departments next week.
The (new) 911 Committee will meet at noon, April 27 at the old 911 center in Laurium.
The Community Mental Health Board met and reviewed funding cuts and resources for 2005. They had a presentation on their customer survey results which were excellent.

Commissioner Jenich reported on the following: The Department of Human Services will hold their annual commissioners and county officials dinner on April 20 at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility.
The Medical Care Facility Board approved the low bid of $1,630.00 from Reinhart Foods for the new dinnerware for the facility. The Board approved the renovation in the amount of $39,209.00 for elevator number 3.
The Keweenaw Industrial Council will meet on April 13, with a presentation from Roger Woods regarding a tri-county wage survey.
Main Street Calumet continues to move along with facade grants, the Oak Street renovation project, and the Calumetopoly Historic Building display.
The Houghton County Marina received confirmation from the Michigan State Waterways for the grant application that was approved at the March meeting.
The Commission on Aging met and scheduled the Community Heritage Day for June 7 at the Houghton County Arena.
TRIAD held a meeting and discussed the possibility of a Senior 911 Camp, to be held September 20 at the Houghton County Arena. They would invite representatives from local law enforcement, fire departments, EMS 1st responders, Red Cross and, the Coast Guard.
WUPPDR had a reorganization meeting of their finance committee. The group met to discuss the upgrade of their pension program. The committee agreed there will be a one-time contribution of $25,000.00 towards the pension plan and the remainder will be paid by each employee. Commissioner Jenich said WUPPDR requested Houghton County’s support of a resolution adopting the Copper Country Trail Corridor Management Plan and the nomination of the Copper Country Trail as a National Scenic Byway. The Copper Country Trail is a 40 mile stretch of US-41 from the Portage Lake Lift Bridge through Copper Harbor. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to adopt the resolution as presented in support of the Copper Country Trail.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Luoma, Barrette, Ala, Lahti; 5.
NO: None; 0.

Commissioner Ala reported on the following: Michigan Works announced they accepted a bid from Northern Employment Training Specialist Corporation to handle the Summer Youth Program. They received a request to write a proposal for grant money to train youth to teach the elderly in the use of computers and the use of the internet.
Portage Lake Multi Rec. is looking for an energy grant and they have received their energy assessment report. They received bids to replace the hot water boiler and the heating boiler. They are anticipating starting Phase II of the renovation project this summer. A resolution was passed stating a 3% fee will be charged to all past due bills. The old plexiglass will be sold at ½ the original cost to interested parties.
The Houghton County Fair will be held August 25th through the 28th. Commissioner Ala read a list of events that will be at the fair.

Commissioner Lahti reported on the following: Michigan Works will sponsor a nurses aid training program. A Certified Nurse Instructor will teach instructors to train nurses aids. A meeting will be held in June.
The Health Department announced that the Home Health Care is doing well and at present has 211 patients. The Health Department received a good audit report. There will be an Electronics Recycling Program handled through the RSVP on May 14. It will be at Kevin’s Self Storage on US-41 North of Hancock from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Commissioner Luoma gave an update on Houghton County’s Prescription Drug Program. The savings to the residents that have purchased the program for last year was 30%.
Dennis Hext, Houghton County Airport Manager, said the airport will be applying for a $600,000.00 Small Community Air Service Grant. The money will be used to improve air service for this area. They hope to get a non-stop flight to Detroit. The State of Michigan agreed to contribute $80,000.00, and the County will contribute $50,000.00. All money combined will be used to subsidize the flight if it is needed. If the flight pays for itself the money will not be touched. Dennis was confident that the survey performed showed the need for a direct flight to Detroit.

Houghton County Treasurer, Kathy Beattie, stated there were 8 Delinquent Tax Sale Properties recorded to the State for Houghton County.

Tom Novascone, Houghton County Equalization Director, asked the Board to set a meeting date for the County’s Equalization. The Board set Friday, April 22 at noon as the Equalization date. Tom stated the presentation for the BSA software for Equalization and the Treasurer’s Department is tentatively scheduled for the 3rd or 4th of May.

Jack Dueweke, Houghton County Emergency Management Director and 911 Coordinator, stated he has attended meetings with Law Enforcement and EMS 1st Responders in regards to the 911 service and Negaunee dispatch. The meetings have been constructive and things are going well.

Michael Schira, MSU Extension Director, stated there is a fruit tree pruning workshop scheduled for this Saturday in Liminga. There will be an in-service training opportunity in Baraga on May 11 and 12 that all the staff will attend. They have partnered with 3 other U.P. Counties for a hands-on community based art project. It will be displayed in Houghton during Bridgefest.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the list of names presented by the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Regional Commission to receive lifetime deferred loan funds under the Houghton County Housing Rehabilitation Program, 2005-2006, along with a list of extra names for possible Lifetime Loan Assistance. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to require a security deposit of $300.00 to be placed on the waiting list for T-Hangers at the airport. The deposit would be applied towards rent when a hanger is available. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to lease a stall in Building #7 to Avis for the amount of $338.00 a month. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments

Commissioner Jenich announced there are 2 students in the audience representing the Calumet High School Economics Class.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to adjourn. There being no objection to the motion, the meeting was adjourned.



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Michael Lahti, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk