The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, August 9, 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 Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2005 meeting as presented. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve the agenda with the additions of #6 appoint a Jury Commission member and #7. 800 megahertz radio mike fees. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comments

Marvin Heinonen, Stanton Township Supervisor, was present and asked the Board if Houghton County would be interested in taking over the Agate Beach Park and Houghton Canal Park. He stated Stanton Township is offering the parks to the County free of charge. He explained they are a small township and are not able to keep up with the expenses of running the parks. He stated the expense is approximately $12,000 per year over what they take in. Marvin said the Agate Beach has about 3,000 feet of shoreline and the Canal has about 1 ½ miles of shoreline. MJO received the bid to cover the sands at the Canal Park and it is almost complete. The DEQ has temporarily closed the parks for camping due to a water problem so they are now used for rustic camping and day parks. Commissioner Lahti appointed a committee naming Paul Luoma, Ed Jenich and Eric Forsberg to look into the County accepting the parks.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the bills as presented being voucher # 95218 through # 95317 along with the late bill for a total of $110,706.95.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Ala, Barrette, Luoma, Lahti 5.
NO: None 0.

Correspondence

Commissioner Lahti read various correspondence that was received by the Board.

Reports Standing Committees

Commissioner Luoma reported on the following: Three members on the Houghton County Planning Commission, Susan Burack, Bill Fink and Guy St.Germain, terms have expired and they expressed interest in continuing to serve. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to reappoint the three for another term. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
The Western U.P. Substance Abuse will no longer be taking Medicaid clients due to the loss of funding. Commissioner Luoma stated it will be a loss of approximately $160,000.00 and they anticipate there will be layoffs due to this.
The Houghton County Road Commission is still waiting for a final audit from the state to settle the MDOT contract. They have rebid the Houghton Canal Road project and Payne and Dolan was still the only bidder. Looked at plans from a developer, Secluded Land Company, for the Rice Lake Condominium Project.
The Houghton to Chassell Trail Committee recommendation to the DNR was that the trail be gravel and motorized in the winter.
The Houghton County Airport Committee met and announced the inspections are finished on the storm water infiltration of the sanitary sewer system. They are still leaking 30%. The FAA will renew the lease and make improvements with the instrument landing system. Mesaba set an all time record in June with their number of passengers. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve of the Airport Manager, Dennis Hext to attend a security training and also for Dennis Hext, Eric Forsberg, and Paul Luoma to attend the fall Airport Conference. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Barrette reported on the following: The Copper Country Mental Health purchased eight vehicles with bids going to Bruno’s Motors and Thomas Ford. Union negotiations will start on August 23.
The 911 Advisory Committee met. Training on the 800 megahertz radios is almost completed. The backup answering point at the Sheriff’s office is not complete yet.
Torch Lake Sewage Authority sent letters to the Rural Development and approved letters to be sent to representatives of Congress trying to get grant monies for the sewage system update. A committee was formed to look into meters used to water lawns and the cost and policy to put this in place. Two homes in Tamarack City were not connected to the system and have been reported to the Health Department.
The Board of Public Works met and passed a resolution supporting the Torch Lake Sewage Authority’s request for grant dollars to Rural Development.

Commissioner Jenich reported on the following: The executive committee of WUPPDR met on July 18. The Federal Highway Administration has received the National Scenic Byways Application. Fifty-six applications were received and the announcement will be made in September. They will be the host area for the annual meeting which will be held September 19, in Houghton.
Main Street Calumet has a new downtown directory brochure. Several of the businesses in the downtown area are taking advantage of the facade grants. The 2005 addition of Calumetopoly is now available.
The Commission on Aging will be sponsoring a 911 Camp for senior citizens in conjunction with the TRIAD group and the RSVP on September 21.
The marina amount in sales is down but the revenues are up due to the price of gas.
The Department of Humane Services welcomed their new member Scott Dickson to the board. The board was updated on the renovation of the north tower at the Medical Care Facility. They have hired Hitch Engineering to look at the air handling equipment and ventilation in the dietary department. The professional nurses at the facility will be voting this month on the formation of an independent union.
Commissioner Jenich stated he met with the Controller regarding the County’s revenues and some of the shortfalls they anticipate. Commissioner Jenich said even though the revenues are down, the good news is with the Headlee Roll Back, the County will be looking at a $242,000.00 increase.

Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, stated he is trying to project where we will be with the revenues at the end of the fiscal year, September 30. Eric went through the various departments that will be under their projected revenues. He stated the projected revenues will be short by approximately $120,000.00. Expenses are pretty much in line with what was budgeted. Meetings are scheduled for next week to review the department budgets and requests.

Commissioner Ala reported on the following: Head Start is looking at future cuts in some areas. Due to low enrollment they will be dropping programs in Covington, Pelkie and Stanton. They will be purchasing the old Moyer Building located on the Baraga - Houghton County line. It will be used as a centralized meeting facility.
The Houghton County Fair will be held August 25 through the 28. They hope the new wheelchair entrance will be paved by then. They have purchased new bleachers. Commissioner Ala read a list of events and the days they are scheduled to run.
The Michigan Works approved the 2005 - 2006 Employment Service Plan and it was sent to the State. They also approved the One Stop Center Plan for 2005 - 2006.
The Summer Youth went very well. Houghton County filed 72 youth positions.

Commissioner Lahti reported on the following: Mike stated judging from the condition of the budget now and what we can project for next year it doesn’t look like the County will have to do any cuts.
The Health Department had a change in positions. Guy St. Germain assumed the position of Health Officer and Dr. Shebuski will be the Medical Director.
The Michigan State Housing Authority has monitored Houghton County’s Rental Rehab, which is administered through Northern Consultants Inc., and has approved the management of the grants. MSHDA commended Houghton County for their successful Home Rental Rehab Program.

County Officers

Brian McLean, Houghton County Sheriff, stated they have recently had their live scan equipment installed which was funded with a 90% grant. Criminal agencies soon will have to file their fingerprints electronically.
He stated the Lake Linden fire seems to be under control. He and the Board commended the fire departments, DNR, agencies and businesses that helped and supported the fire fighters.

Kathleen Beattie, Houghton County Treasurer, stated the County is purchasing the 2004 delinquent taxes and sending those payments out to the local units at the end of this week.

Mike Schira, MSU Extension Director, stated that Carol Kreher’s leave of absence starts September 1 and they have the ok to fill that position. There will be a Private Woodland Land Owners Workshop held September 17 in Duncan Township. He stated they have the opportunity to bring Citizen Planner, a program on zoning, to this area. He asked the Board to look at the hand out and get back to him.

New Business

FIA Lease & resolution identifying signatories names and titles - A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Ala, to approve the draft of a lease, (#2331), between Houghton County and the Department of Human Services for space located at 200 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Jenich, to approve the resolution appointing Eric Forsberg, Houghton County Controller, to be the signatory for the above mentioned lease (#2331) between Houghton County and the Department of Human Services.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Jenich, Ala, Luoma, Lahti 5.
NO: None 0.

Special meeting for visit by MAC director - A special meeting will be held by the Houghton County Board of Commissioners on September 28, 2005, at 10:00 A.M., to meet with the MAC director.

Appropriations - A motion by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approved the budgeted appropriation to the Western U.P. District Health Department in the amount of $16,255.75. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Western U.P. Planning & Development Regional Commission request for resolution - A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve a resolution as read by Eric Forsberg regarding Houghton County’s support and participation in the economic development district activities of the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Luoma, Jenich, Ala, Lahti 5.
NO: None 0.

Houghton County Airport committee resolution - Commissioner Lahti stated the resolution presented would be an official action by the County Board giving the Airport Committee means to take action on their own. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve the following Resolution: IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Houghton County Board of Commissioners that, pursuant to authority granted in MCL 259.133, the operation, improvement and maintenance of the Houghton County Airport, and all powers and authority necessary to implement such operation, improvement and maintenance shall be vested in the Houghton County Airport Committee and shall be vested in the Houghton County Airport Committee and that such Committee shall have the authority to authorize and direct the Houghton County Airport Committee Chairman to sign all documents, including contracts and grant agreements, in anyway relating to the operation, improvement and maintenance of the Airport.
Carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Luoma, Barrette, Ala, Lahti 5.
NO: None 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to appoint Mary Sears to the Houghton County Jury Commission for a 6 year term ending April 30, 2011. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Barrette stated that back when the 800 MHZ radios were purchased, each fire department had the choice of getting either a mobile or two portable radios. If they wanted the 2 portables they were required to pay the $200.00 annual mike fee for the second portable. The 911 Committee recommended that the mike fees on the portable radios that were transferred to the first responders be picked up by the County. A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Ala, that the County pay for the mike fees on the radios that were transferred to the first responders from the fire departments. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment

Phil Musser stated the Board approve 3 loans from the RLF. The Michigan House Loan closed today and next week the GS Engineering Loan is scheduled to close. The Anderson Welding loan will be done later due to a six month delay. There is approximately $270,000.00 in funds that can be loaned to qualifying businesses.

Jane Nordberg questioned if the warrantee on the 800 MHZ radios was settled. Commissioner Barrette stated the warrantee will start when ever they were put into service not when they were received by the County.

A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Ala, seconded by Commissioner Luoma. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

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Michael Lahti, Chairman

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Mary Schoos, Clerk