The Houghton County board of commissioners held a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2003, in the 5^th 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 Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the minutes as presented of the October 14, 2003 Regular Meeting and the October 24, 2003 Special Meeting. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the agenda with the following amendments: #9 petition for hours and Christmas, #10 Road Commission millage, #11 executive session regarding grievance. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Public Comment None

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve paying the bills as submitted being vouchers # 87214 through #87331 along with the late bills submitted for a total of $91,038.86.

Carried by the following vote.

YES: Jenich, Barrette, Ala, Luoma, Lahti 5.

NO: None 0.

Correspondence None Commissioner Lahti announced that Controller John Kelly was not at the meeting due to leaving earlier in the day because of illness.

Commissioner Luoma reported on the following: The Road Commission lost its maintenance contract with the State for plowing the highways. The Airport new manager Dennis Hext is now on the job. The Law Enforcement Committee met with the Sheriff and was informed they now have an underwater camera that was donated by the families of the people that drowned in Otter Lake. The Sheriff is also looking at the cost of furnishing road patrol for villages in the County.

Commissioner Barrette reported on the following: Torch Lake Public Action Council reviewed progress of all the sites which are either complete or in the final stages, and work on de-listing of all the sites, with the goal to be eliminated as an area of concern. They have comments from the DEQ and the DNR regarding the Remediation Action Plan. There will be a meeting on December 10^th that will review that plan. Torch Lake Sewage Authority now has a completed report from Bruce Rukkila regarding the rate study and a vactor revenue cost analysis. They heard from a developer involving a housing development on the Tamarack City Sands, composed of 32 lots on 7,750 feet of lake frontage. There is concern as to whether the Tamarack City Sewage Pond can handle the sewage for the development. Copper County Mental Health Board at its annual meeting met with the Rice Memorial Trust Board who is a benefactor to the Copper County Mental Health. The 911 meeting was a discussion of concerns and future plans. He attended 4 negotiations sessions for the Western U.P. Health Department.

Commissioner Lahti reported on the following: Had personnel committee meetings for the interviewing for the Controller position. He has met with the Equalization Department and they have a new appraiser. The floor was turned over to the Equalization Director Cheryl Patrick who announced Barbara Mansell is the new Houghton County Appraiser. Barb has replaced John Partanen who left to take the position of Baraga County Equalization Director. Barb has a level one certification and is a doing a good job. Tom Novascone has been assisting on the appraisals which is helping Barb through his experience. Cheryl announced they are printing the winter tax bills and should finalize the 2003 study in about a month. Commissioner Lahti announced they will soon be interviewing applicants for the position of Equalization Assistant vacated by Barbara Mansell. The Health Department was routine and was covered by Commissioner Barrette.

Commissioner Ala reported on the following: Michigan Works there were 7 reappointments to the Work Force Development Board. and one new member, Jack Reed from L= anse. The Partnership for Adult Learning had 59 participants which earned their GED= s. That budget has been cut from $130,000 to $6,087. The program Reality Check, is intended to educate individuals who may be starting a new business. It has received a high rating by the participants. Head Start accepted the proposed operating budget for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2004. Accepted the lowest bids for the necessary insurance coverage for the upcoming year. Hired directors for the new Century 21 Program. Portage Lake Multi Rec has 350 children registered in the Junior Hockey Program. Received and accepted a bid from J V= s Pro Shop to run the hockey shop in the ice arena. The Houghton County Fair Board ended up with a $7,000 loss for the 2003 year. Approved a raise for the office manager. Accepted the resignation of Jim Quinlan who has accepted a new position down state. Appointed John Mattila to replace Jim Quinlan. They now have an up and running web site, www.houghtoncountyfair.com.

Commissioner Jenich reported on the following: Met on personnel issues and meetings regarding the hiring of a Controller and with the Equalization Department. The 911 union negotiations are basically in the review session, he doesn= t foresee any problems. The monthly Directors Report was made available. The report stated the need to extend the Sunset Clause to capture wireless surcharge funding. A resolution was presented proclaiming the Commissioners support of House Bill 4439 and further urging the Michigan Senate to support 911 by extending the Sunset Clause of P.A. 78 of 1999 to December 31, 2006.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to move ahead with support, and approve the 911 resolution as presented. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Insert Resolution

Commissioner Jenich concluded his report with the Main Street Project receiving recognition from the Chamber of Commerce as Business of the Year. A very positive move for the North end.

Dennis Hext, the recently hired Airport Manager who will replace retiring Sandy LaMothe, introduced himself and gave a back round on his past positions and experiences. He stated he is pleased to be here and looking forward to the job.

Jerry Taylor, representing the Houghton County Planning Commission was present. He gave a brief update of what has been happening the past 2 years. First they were involved in training sessions, then compiling information from each of the townships as to their existing land uses. They have contracted with the GEM center at MTU who has compiled that information into a GIS program and the print on display is a result of that. He explained it was of existing land uses and not a plan but an inventory. They held 3 public meetings across Houghton County, one in Chassell, Lake Linden, and Alston to get input on their area needs. The next step is to take that information, compile it and start to put together a plan. A discussion followed and the Board thanked Jerry for attending.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to renew the contract with Attorney Joseph Zeleznik as Houghton County Public Defender. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the resolution as presented to sell the Airpark property as described in the resolution as a portion of lot 27 of the Plat of the Houghton County Airpark, to Great Lakes Plastics Corporation for the sum of $10,642.50. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Insert Resolution

Val Schulze explained the Benefit E Program stating it is an increase for the current retirees. According to contract it has to be adopted each year for the Sheriff Department and the Courthouse employees every odd year. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve the Benefit E Program, Traditional E 2%, for all retirees and beneficiaries.

Carried by the following vote.

YES: Luoma, Ala, Jenich, Barrette, Lahti 5.

NO: None 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to again join NACO for the term January 1, 2004 thru December 31, 2004 and pay the dues of $717.00. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Barrette explained the DPW Superfund Site. He stated that if the County writes a letter asking to be given the fence surrounding the Superfund Site they could own it at no charge except the cost to maintain the fence. He explained there are 6 owners of property adjacent to the Superfund Site. By acquiring the fence it would eliminate ingress and egress at the Tamarack City Sands where the lagoons are. A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Ala to write the letter to acquire ownership of the fencing. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to go ahead with the $2,500 dues for Houghton County to be a member of the Keweenaw Industrial Council, and the money be taken out of the Industrial Fund. It was stated it is a budgeted item. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to approve the travel request for Brach Schnabel, Harbor Master to attend the MBIA 2003 Recreational Boating Conference at Mt Pleasant, MI December 2 to 5. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Petition for Christmas and New Years vacation. Commissioner Lahti asked Val to explain the petition. The petition asked that the holiday time off be changed from the day before Christmas and New Years to be changed to the day after Christmas and New Years. Also in the petition was the request for the Courthouse to close 2 hours earlier on Wednesday December 24 with people taking vacation time. In discussion the Commissioners stated they would take the position that those 2 hours (closing early) would have to be taken as vacation or personal leave. A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the petition and change the hours for Christmas and New Years. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

A motion by Commissioner Luoma, seconded by Commissioner Barrette to approve the Road Commission Millage request to be put on the ballot in the 2004 election. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Commissioner Lahti made a statement that they are moving along on putting the former high school property up for sale. They have an appraisal just under $100,000. John Kelly will be putting that out for bids to Realtors for listing.

Phil Musser was present and stated in October there was a public hearing on Calumet Main Street moneys that was approved. Paper work was submitted and oked. He had an invoice from Main Street and asked if the Board would want to approve it with bills of this meeting or wait until the December. A motion by Commissioner Jenich, seconded by Commissioner Ala to approve payment of the $5,000 that was allocated from the Houghton County Revolving Loan Fund. Carried by a voice vote. Ayes 5, Nays 0.

Phil Musser said there is a lot of interest in the Calumet Main Street Project. Phil also stated there is a new president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, he was formally the head of Economic Development for the State of Ohio and also worked for a coalition of regional communities around the Cleveland area. He will coming up here in January or February for a visit.

Commissioner Lahti announced there will be a special meeting on Friday at noon to approve and publically announce the new Controller.

A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Ala to go into executive session regarding a union grievance on the FIA janitor position. 6:00 P.M.

Carried by the following vote.

YES: Barrette, Ala, Jenich, Luoma, Lahti 5.

NO: None 0.

A motion by Commissioner Barrette, seconded by Commissioner Luoma to come out of executive session. 6:10 P.M.

Carried by the following vote.

YES: Barrette, Luoma, Jenich, Ala, Lahti 5.

NO: None 0.

Commissioner Lahti stated they are signing the letter of agreement that was negotiated by the Board and agreed on at the last meeting. They will make it clear that it is a temporary full time position. That position would be low in seniority. In the case of funding cuts, that position would be the most exposed.

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

_______________________________ _____________________________

Michael Lahti, Chairman Mary Schoos, Clerk