The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting, on Tuesday April 13, 2004, in the 5th
Floor Conference Room of the Courthouse, City of
Houghton.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Mike
Lahti, at 5 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 Ala, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to accept the minutes as presented of
the March 9, 2004 Regular Meeting / Public Hearing.
Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Ala to approve the agenda with the
following additions. #13 SBC Resolution, #14 Racino
Resolution, #15 Pharmaceutical Resolution and delete #4
Summer Youth Program positions. Carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment
Two representatives from the Copper Country Humane
Society were present and gave an update to the Board
regarding the programs they offer the County and their
new proposed facility. They hope to break ground in June
for the new facility. They are planning to build in the
same area they are now. They have a total of $335,000.00
towards their new facility.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to approve paying the bills as
submitted being voucher # 89137 thru #89266 along with
the late bills submitted for a total of $127,742.71.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Luoma, Barrette, Ala, Lahti 5.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
Commissioner Lahti announced they received a thank
you letter from the family of Rudy Gregorich for flowers
sent.
Reports
Commissioner Luoma reported on the following:
Houghton County airport reviewed proposals from
Designotype and Priceless Car Rental on new projects.
The ALLTEL tower was denied due to the airport height
zoning variance. The fence job is progressing. Mesaba
bookings are up. Met with the airport manager and
discussed ways to increase the Industrial Park revenue.
The Houghton County Road Commission sold the Green
Acres lot to Harris Contracting for $42,000. No bids on
the Toivola site. Received a $20,000 grant to design a
culvert system over the Little Elm River in Toivola.
Keweenaw and Houghton County RC&D received a
report from the nature conservancy and Keweenaw Land
Trust regarding a grant application to purchase a large
amount of property referred to as Beitsy Grise South.
The Planning Commission worked on maps for Elm River,
Duncan, and Laird Townships.
Law Enforcement met and discussed the air handling
and exercise area for the Sheriff Department.
Met with the Supervisor of Stanton Township regarding
the Redridge Dam.
Commissioner Barrette reported on the following:
Copper Country Mental Health regular meeting. They will
have reorganization due to early retirements.
Torch Lake Sewage had bids out for engineering
projects to provide an accurate over view of existing
condition of the waste water treatment and collection
facilities. Engineers will make recommendation for
improvement to meet future needs. There were 5 bids. U.P.
Engineering was awarded the engineering contract for
$14,904, with the project to start immediately.
911 Ad Hoc committee held several meetings and met
with representatives from the Negaunee Dispatch. They
toured the facility and are working on costing out what
it would cost to move to Negaunee, and to see if it will
be feasible. The Ad Hoc committee is a study committee
and the final decision will be made by the Board of
Commissioners.
Commissioner Jenich reported on the following: Main
Street Calumet will release their Calumet Oppoly Game on
May 1st. Two economic surveys on the
community are being prepared by a resource team from the
MEDC in Lansing. A Community Block Party is scheduled
for May 1st., to bring updates on the program
of the Main Street Project. There is a spring clean up
of the downtown area scheduled for April 24th.
Commission on Aging has scheduled their Senior
Heritage Day at the Houghton County Arena on June 9,
from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. It will by a carnival
atmosphere with booths. They are expecting from 300 to
500 to attend.
Keweenaw Industrial Council will meet on April 15 at
the Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center. The presentation
will be by Joel Tuoriniemi, Keweenaw County Road
Commissioner. He will talk about the winterization of
the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and the economic impact that
could have on the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The Houghton / Keweenaw TRIAD Committee have started
their sale of the Locator Beacon Lights. The lights are
to help the elderly or others in the event of an
emergency.
FIA progress is being made in the formation of the
new FIA district, which comprises Keweenaw, Houghton and
Baraga. The Medical Care Facility dinner was attended by
all the Commissioners on March 23 and the Board was
updated on the Phase II project of the renovation at the
facility.
Regarding the County finances, the 2 quarters are in
for review and show that expenses are in line. The
revenue is falling a little short of expectations. A
budget meeting is scheduled for April 21 with the
department heads.
Commissioner Lahti reported on the following: Health
Department held a work session with Guy St Germain, the
manager. He expressed he hopes to receive more funding
for the next year. He stated that A
public health code in Michigan requires that local
county funds be allocated as needed to support the
portion of program costs not met by federal and state
funds and the amount that falls to local funding cannot
be seen as a programs loss but simply as its local
funding requirement@
. A finance meeting is scheduled for April 15, to start
on next years budget.
Commissioner Ala reported on the following: Western
Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR)
learned their finances are in good shape. Hired two new
employees. One part time and one full time temporary.
Informed that the state is going to release some
Community Development Block Grant money. John Peck will
look at the feasibility of winterizing the Keweenaw
Mountain Lodge.
Met with the Fair Boards Emergency Planning Group.
The Fair Board is looking to expand the parking lot and
pave it. Will also black top the side extension of the
road that goes up past the ball field. Would like to
have a year round sign made to remind the public where
the fair is located.
Head Start reported their finances are stable.
Received a 1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services for increase availability and
afford ability of quality child care. Bids were open for
a building addition at the Dollar Bay school, a new
elevator and restrooms in the Hancock school, more play
ground equipment and gym equipment, and office
equipment. They are also requesting a permanent
exemption that will allow Head Start children to ride
the public school buses without the mandatory child
restraints systems. They have a new summer program
called Great Expectations which will run from June 14
through August 13. The hours are 7:30 to 5:30, and will
expose children to writing, local history, community
events, field trips and family activities.
The Portage Lake Multi Rec. is looking at an
expansion. Finlandia University has made a generous
offer to pick up a large part of the cost of the
addition and part of the utilities for the expansion
that they will be using. Commissioner Ala turn the floor
over to John Kirk, from U.P. Engineering to explain the
project.
John distributed a copy of the floor plan to the
commissioners. On a larger model he explained the plan.
The addition will be 31' by 193'. It will be a 2 story
addition and they plan to relocate locker and showers.
Dave Wiitanen and Bob Mikesch were also present if
anyone had any further questions regarding the addition.
Dave Wiitanen stated they are in the process of getting
an energy grant for replacing lights, furnace, and
boiler. They said Finlandia has committed $300,000 and
the County will be responsible for the balance. Dave
stated that the County is paying rent for the Michigan
State Extension and 4H fair offices which amount to
approximately $10,000 a year. That rent would be dropped
from the County=
s expenses. A motion by Commissioner Ala, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to put the project out for bids to
see what the cost would be. Carried by the following
vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0, Abstain 1.
County Officers
Janet Gregorich announced that she has been in
contact with both State Representative Brown and State
Senator Prusi both indicated that the ad valorem
delinquent DNR winter taxes will be payed. Janet stated
it is good news and they will be able to distribute
those taxes to the various units.
Dennis Hext, the Airport Manager stated they have
been approved to receive 2 grants. An airport awareness
grant for $22,000, which will be used to promote the
airport. The other is a training grant for $4,000 which
is for crash-fire rescue training. It will be a combined
training held at Sawyer. There are tentative plans for
an Airport Day on June 19. There will be free rides for
kids from 6 to 17 to help promote aviation. They will
also have a motorcycle - car show and a display of the
airport equipment. Later in the summer he hopes to
organize an airport used equipment sale to sell various
things from old office equipment to vehicles.
Dennis stated that in March he met with North West
Airlines in hopes of getting another flight. North West
feels economically there is no need for another flight
now. They informed him that he could go through a grant
to subsidize another flight. The grant is hard to get
because only 1 grant is allowed per state.
Dennis stated that he denied the ALLTEL tower because
it would be constructed in the conical zone. ALLTEL is
planning to appeal the denial in hopes of getting a
variance. The Zoning Board of Appeals would have the
final say. A discussion followed.
Jack Dueweke, Director of OEM stated the County has
been granted money for emergency management equipment.
He will report back when he knows what that money can be
spent on.
Sheriff McLean stated the car that was refurbished is
back.
Carol Kreher, MSU Extension Director, was present and
stated they are having a Leadership Workshop and a
Service Learning Academy. It is geared for ages 12 to
19, and will be held in May.
Dick Taylor from the Houghton County Historical
Museum was listed on the agenda, but was not available.
John Kirk from U.P. Engineering stated the bids for
the sheriff building ventilation and ventilation and air
conditioning were opened and RC Mechanical was the low
bidder of $106,228.00 for the ventilation and
$146,981.00 for the ventilation and air conditioning. A
motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner
Barrette to award the contract to RC Mechanical for
$146,981.00 for the ventilation with air conditioning.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Luoma, Barrette, Jenich, Ala, Lahti 5.
NO: None 0.
There was a discussion regarding raising the travel
reimbursement from 32.5 cents to 37.5 cents a mile when
employees use their personal autos for County business.
Controller Eric Forsberg stated the 37.5 cent a mile is
the 2004 Standard Mileage Rates set by the Internal
Revenue Service. Eric proposed that Houghton County go
with what the IRS rate is. If it goes down so would the
County. If it goes up the County rate would follow. A
motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma for the County mileage rate to follow
the Internal Revenue Service rate and change
accordingly. At present it is 37.5 cents a mile.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Luoma, Jenich 3.
NO: Lahti, Ala 2.
Commissioner Barrette explained the 911 Ad Hoc
committee has asked that three additional people be
added to the committee to help with the study of the 800
megahertz radios needed if the 911 were to move to
Negaunee for dispatching. A motion by Commissioner
Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to have
Chairman, Commissioner Lahti appoint Jim Lemler, Laurium
Police Chief, Dan Sarazin, North County Fire Group
Leader, and Doug Streiter, South County Fire Group
Leader to the 911 Ad Hoc Board. Carried by the following
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Eric Forsberg stated the sale of for Lot 3, Block 2,
City of Houghton was advertised for bids. The minimum
value set by the Equalization Director was $2,520. There
were 3 bids on the lot which were due today. The bids
were $2,600 from John Rudak, $4,010 from Karyn Ruohonen,
and $5,000 from William and Mary Ann Predebon. A motion
by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to
approve the bid of $5,000 to the Predebon=
s. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion to approve the budgeted appropriation of
$43,750 to Western Upper Peninsula District Health
Department was made by Commissioner Ala, and seconded by
Commissioner Luoma. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to approve the budgeted appropriation
of $2,459 to Western Upper Peninsula Planning &
Development. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Ala to approve the annual $2,000 to Copper
Country Veteran=
s Association. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Barrette to approve the travel requests for
the commissioners to attend the U.P. Association of
County Commissioner=
s Spring Conference, Tracy Stipe to attend a Court
Managers Conference, and Sue Gassittie to attend a
Probate Register=
s Conference. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to appoint Del Harma to the Houghton
County Tax Allocation Board. Carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Ala, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to approve the Houghton County
Memorial Airport grant application MDOT Contract No.
2004-0184 for ARFF Training - AM720. Carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0. This is a $4,000 training grant.
A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to approve the resolution to support
the application and implementation of the Help America
Vote Act of 2002, Michigan Election Law and Public act
91 of 2002 and participate in the grant application and
authorize the County Clerk to be the Grant Manager and
sign the grant agreement on behalf of Houghton County.
Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Tom Novascone, Houghton County Equalization Director
explained that each year the County adopts the assessed
values that have been sent in by the assessors. The
County takes the assessments and either accepts them,
adds to them or subtracts from them. Tom explained the
process to the Board. Tom explained that the Board must
adopt each type of property separately to equalize by
class.
A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to accept the equalization as
presented by the Equalization Department for
Agricultural Property within Houghton County. Carried by
a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Motion by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner
Barrette to accept the equalization as presented by the
Equalization Department for Commercial Property within
Houghton County. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays
0.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to accept the equalization as
presented by the Equalization Department for Industrial
Property within Houghton County. Carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to accept the equalization as
presented by the Equalization Department for Residential
Property within Houghton County. Carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by
Commissioner Ala to accept the equalization as presented
by the Equalization Department for Timber-Cutover
Property within Houghton County. Carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Barrette to accept the equalization as
presented by the Equalization Department for Personal
Property within Houghton County. Carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Tom stated the new Equalized Valuation for Houghton
County is 737,949,016 which is up 6% from last year. The
Taxable Valuation is 529,147,552 which is up 5% from
last year.
A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to adopt a resolution opposing
SBC/Ameritech intent to discontinue Intralata Toll
Service to the customers of Ontonagon County and Midway
Telephone Companies. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by
Commissioner Jenich to adopt a resolution against the
Racino legislation. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5,
Nays 0.
A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by
Commissioner Luoma to adopt the Resolution to support
the Consumer Prescription Protection Legislation as
presented. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Public Comment
Phil Musser invited the Commissioners to a breakfast
meeting at Keweenaw Memorial regarding the Keweenaw
Mountain Lodge renovation and winterization. The
presentation will be by Joel Tuoriniemi.
Virginia Dwyer was present and spoke regarding the
mold in the corrections area at the sheriff department.
There was a discussion that followed. A solution that
came up was to have R C Mechanical show the maintenance
staff at the court house how to clean the air unit so it
can be done frequently. This will be done until the new
units are installed.
Commissioner Jenich stated there are 2 students from
Calumet High School Government class in attendance.
A motion to adjourn by Commissioner Luoma, was
seconded by Commissioner Jenich. Carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
______________________________
Michael Lahti, Chairman
_________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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