The Houghton County Board of Commissioners held a
Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at 5:00 p.m.
in the 5th Floor Conference Room of the
Courthouse, City of Houghton.
The meeting was called to order by the Vice-Chairman,
Scott Ala. After the Pledge of Allegiance the following
commissioners responded to roll call, Edward Jenich,
District 1; Dennis Barrette, District 2; Anton Pintar,
District 3; and Scott Ala, District 4. Commissioner Paul
Luoma, District 5, was absent.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Jenich to approve the June 15,
2010 minutes as presented. The motion carried by a voice
vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded
by Commissioner Jenich to approve the agenda as
presented. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4,
Nays 0.
Public Comment
There were a few local citizens that expressed their
concern as to the location chosen for the new proposed
County Justice Facility, and a request to have the
location inserted in the ballot language.
Chris Tapani was present to request a rotation among
local towing services be done when the Sheriff
Department calls for towing services. He said it is his
third attendance at a Board Meeting and nothing has
changed. He stated it is not fair that there is not a
rotation system used.
Jason Martin was present and stated an accident
victim requested that a vehicle be towed to his auto
body shop and it was denied by the towing company. The
vehicle was towed to an impound yard owned by the towing
service and charged storage. Commissioner Jenich stated
he will address the issue with the Law Enforcement
Committee and see that it is enforced properly.
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve paying
the bills of voucher #122487 thru #122573 for a total of
$61,503.27 along with the late bills submitted of
$7,456.55 for a grand total of $68,959.82. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion
carried by the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala 4.
NO: None 0.
Correspondence
Commissioner Ala stated that he would like to
represent Houghton County on the local college access
network (CAN) board. Its goal is to serve Houghton,
Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties by increasing awareness,
attendance, and success of students from the three
county area in post-secondary education.
Reports Standing Committee
Commissioner Barrette reported to the Board on the
following: He attended a meeting put on by the state to
discuss Michigan Share Public Service Initiative, Local
Emergency Planning, Lift Bridge Planning Group, and
Western U.P. Health Department.
Commissioner Pintar did not have anything to report.
Commissioner Jenich reported to the Board on the
following: Department of Human Services/Medical Care
Facility, Commission on Aging, Department Head Meeting,
UPCAP Meeting, Recycling of Electronic equipment held
July 10, and a request from Glenn Ekdahl, Franklin Twp.
Supervisor, regarding applying for a Community Wide
Assessment Grant for the Brownfield Authority. A motion
was made by Commissioner Jenich and seconded by
Commissioner Pintar to approve Franklin Township’s grant
application. The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4,
Nays 0.
Commissioner Ala reported to the Board on the
following: B-H-K Headstart, Michigan Works, Portage Lake
Multi Rec. and Houghton County Fair Board.
County Officers
Eric Forsberg reported attending a meeting at
Finlandia University regarding holding a Finn Fest in
this area in 2013.
New Business
1. Houghton County Justice Center ballot language.
Commissioner Ala read a letter from Chairman, Paul Luoma
stating his support of putting the question on the
November Ballot. He then opened the floor for public
comment. There were many county residents present to
voice their opinions and concerns. The main concerns
expressed were the number of beds the proposed facility
would have to the proposed residential location.
Questions were raised as to considering other locations
and cost comparison studies. Members of the Justice
Center Planning Committee along with Judge Wisti were
present to help answer questions asked.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pintar and seconded
by Commissioner Barrette to approve the resolution and
language as presented to put the bond proposition on the
November 2, 2010 Election. The motion carried by the
following vote.
YES: Pintar, Barrette, Jenich 3.
NO: Ala 1.
ABSENT: Luoma 1.
2. Houghton County Audit bids. Commissioner Barrette
made a motion to approve the low bid from Bruce Rukkila
for the Houghton County Audit for the 3 year bid
proposal submitted. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pintar. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Ayes 4, Nays 0.
3. Land sale offer. Commissioner Jenich made a motion
to accept the offer of $10,000 for the sale of 29.29
acres of land locked property the County owns in Baraga
County. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar.
The motion carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrette and
seconded by Commissioner Pintar to pass a resolution to
allow the Vice-Chairman, Commissioner Ala to sign the
deed and the purchase agreement for the land sale. The
motion carried by the following vote.
YES: Barrette, Pintar, Jenich, Ala 4.
NO: None 0.
ABSENT: Luoma 1.
4. Request for resolution – UPCAP. Commissioner
Jenich made a motion to approve the resolution for the
U.P. Area Agency On Aging FY 2011 Area Plan/Annual
Implementation Plan as presented. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by
the following vote.
YES: Jenich, Barrette, Pintar, Ala 4.
NO: None 0
ABSENT: Luoma 1.
5. Travel Requests
a. MAC – Summer Conference
b. Kathleen Beattie – County Treasurer’s Conference
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the
travel requests for MAC and Treasurer’s Conference. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Pintar. The motion
carried by a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
- Appropriations
- Michigan Association of counties - $5,343.64
- Western U.P. district Health Department -
$21,640.80
- Western U.P. Planning & Development Regional
Comm. - $2,866.50
Commissioner Jenich made a motion to approve the
three budgeted appropriations as listed. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Barrette. The motion carried by
a voice vote. Ayes 4, Nays 0.
Public Comments None
Commissioner Barrette made a motion to adjourn. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Jenich.
_____________________________________
Paul Luoma, Chairman
_____________________________________
Mary Schoos, Clerk
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