Houghton County pays $1.2 million to unknown recipients

Agenda and documents

Meeting Highlights

$1,284,077.59 paid to unknown entities

The county commissioners again paid more than a million dollars worth of monthly bills without offering any information to taxpayers about where that money is going. Past Freedom of Information Act requests filed by Copper Beacon for pertinent documents have been denied without legal justification.

Commissioners skip discussion on wind turbine PILT agreement

The board did not discuss the Payment In Lieu of Taxes agreement sent to them by Circle Power regarding the Scotia Wind project. It starts on page 2 of the documents packet if you’re interested in reviewing it.

2nd Portage Waterway crossing task force update

Commissioner Tom Tikkanen reported that the task force must seek a feasibility study to move forward with planning a second crossing of some kind. They’re seeking funding from the state to fund that study.

Tikkanen said he’s hopeful that the funding will be available for the project because of recent state and federal commitments to funding infrastructure updates and improvements.

Sheriff’s patrol cars may be further delayed by bridge protest

Commissioner Roy Britz reported that the county sheriff’s department is growing frustrated with the high mileage of their patrol cars causing breakdowns and maintenance issues. The board has approved the purchase of seven new cars, some as long as two years ago, but none have clear delivery dates yet. Britz said the most recent news is that blockages on the Ambassador Bridge caused by protestors may further delay the patrol cars.

Britz reported that County Administrator Elizabeth Bjorn would work with the sheriff’s department to see if there were options for quicker delivery.

Commissioners discuss opioid settlement agreement

While exact amounts were not publicly discussed, Commissioner Tom Tikkanen said the settlement would amount to about $40,000 to $50,000 a year. They took no action on the agreement.

FOIA appeals denied again, continues opaque financial practices

The board of commissioners denied an appeal of two FOIA requests lodged by Copper Beacon based on an “off the record” written memorandum offered by the county administrator. County Administrator Elizabeth Bjorn stated aloud that the first request, for the county check register, was “granted in part”, but the county’s response letter does not contain those words.

Commissioner Tom Tikkanen stated that some of these records (the check register) are available on the second floor of the county building for inspection, and said that members of the general public can come and “make an abstract or memorandum”, but did not mention whether they could make copies. Michigan FOIA law expressly states that the requestor has a right to receive copies in their desired format.

Bjorn stated she did not want the documents shared online because of sensitive or private information contained within the check register. However, FOIA law states that members of the general public can request copies of public documents and that the government body has an obligation to redact any private information before supplying those copies. The cost of time invested in redaction can be charged to the requester. The county has made no such request for funds of Copper Beacon.

FOIA appeal denied, Zoom attendance reinstated for public, opioid settlement moved forward

Agenda and documents

Meeting Highlights

Chairperson Al Koskela was not present at this meeting.

Approval of bills

The board unanimously approved the payment of $1,094,926.50 in monthly bills to unknown persons and companies. (The check register or other summary of bills paid is one document Copper Beacon has been unable to regularly obtain.)

Jennifer Kelly’s comments on the conclusion of Matthew Smith’s trial

You’ve probably heard about the case by now, which involved a late-night phone call made to County Clerk Jennifer Kelly during 2020. The sentencing was earlier this week, and Kelly said she feels safe for the first time in almost two years.

Opioid settlement approved

The draft settlement is in the documents posted above. While no estimated dollar amount was shared with the board, County Administrator Elizabeth Bjorn said the settlement would be “sizeable”, and paid out over a set period of time.

Bjorn told Commissioner Glenn Anderson that she would potentially have a rough dollar amount at the next meeting.

Board approves two union contracts

The commissioners voted to approve proposed contracts with the airport employees union and the AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) without any discussion.

Open Meetings Act rules are designed to allow for closed-door negotiations with unions and can be used to also keep unapproved drafts from the public. These contracts should be made public once they have been ratified by all of the involved parties.

Return to using Zoom for interaction with the public, county officers

At the request of a constituent, the commissioners agreed they should restart facilitating the public attending and interacting in the meetings via Zoom. They cited COVID-19 precautions and hazardous winter driving over Houghton’s geographic area as reasons for wanting to return to using Zoom. The commissioners are still expected to meet in person.

During 2020 and 2021, the county used Zoom regularly and still has the necessary equipment and software.

The constituent’s letter is available in the document packet linked above.

1988 rules of order renewed with small change

The board renewed the rules of order that it has used since 1988, with one alteration. The original rules held that the chairperson was to be chosen each year, but the new rules hold a new chairperson is only selected in January of odd years.

Copper Beacon FOIA appeal denied

I briefly addressed my appeal to the FOIA request denial during the early public comment session. I prefer the written word to speaking, but you can hear my comment to the board here in the video.

During new business, the council referred to my appeal letter, which was part of the council packet (but not shared with the public), and then voted unanimously to deny the appeal with no discussion of the points therein.

You can read my appeal letter, the original request, and the county administrator’s denial at the link below.

FOIA request, response, appeal

Commissioners pursue 2nd bridge, accept first payment from CCMH, approve union agreement and wage increases

Agenda and partial documents

A Freedom of Information Act request has been filed with the county to obtain:

1. Summary of accounts payable

2. Draft letter concerning the possibility of a new bridge

3. Sheriff’s union agreement

4. Remonumentation documentation

5. Summary sheet for the wage increase of appointed and elected officials

and the

1. Quarterly budget amendments

Meeting Highlights

Bridge “steering committee” formed, seeking feasibility study, letter drafted

County Administrator Elizabeth Bjorn drafted a letter about the funding for a new bridge crossing the Portage Lake waterway. Commissioners Glenn Anderson and Tom Tikkanen are taking the lead on reviewing this letter. The two commissioners also met with several people from KEDA, MDOT, local city managers, and Michigan Tech to discuss the possibility of pursuing a second bridge. They concluded that a feasibility study is a necessary first step. They also highlighted that other waterway crossings such as a tunnel or tube are also possible.

Counties receive first-ever reimbursement for transport from CCMH

Through an agreement that Councilor Tom Tikkanen credited Chairperson Al Koskela for reaching with Copper Country Community Health, the county has received a $46,500 check for the transportation of mental health patients by the county sheriff.

Houghton County considers terms of opioid crisis settlement

If all other involved counties agree, the case will not go to court. Commissioner Glenn Anderson said that the dollar amount of the settlement has not been confirmed yet and that he hopes to learn more specifics at an upcoming meeting.

Commissioners agree to unknown Sheriff’s union agreement

With no public discussion or available draft, the county commissioners voted unanimously to approve an unknown pending agreement. Later in the meeting, in response to a question from County Treasurer Lisa Mattila during public comment, it was revealed that the agreement was part of a third-year reopener, for a $3 per hour raise for 2023, the last year of the deal.

Remonumentation application and progress

In the ongoing effort to place new, modern monuments for establishing property boundaries, the commissioners heard from the remonumentation program representative. The effort has been ongoing since the 1990s, and the representative estimates the county is roughly 30% done. Funding for the effort is tied to property deed registration fees and a state grant calculation.

Commissioners approve raises for appointed and elected county officials

The commissioners voted to approve a wage increase for the appointed and elected offices that is equal to the courthouse union. Administrator Elizabeth Bjorn referred the commissioners to a summary sheet that was not available to the public but said that the raise would be $0.80 an hour for 2022, $0.60 in 2023, and $0.50 in 2024.

Other notes:

The U.S. Coast Guard “explicitly said no” to keeping the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in the down position during morning and evening rush hours.

Tikkanen reports that the DNR expects the trail between Dollar Bay and Lake Linden should be complete by this time next year.

The Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund has awarded $300,000 to developing the Houghton-Douglas Falls park.

The heating system in the Sheriff’s Department has failed and is expected to take a few weeks to replace.

The commission accepted the sole bid, for $1,000 and cost of removal from the facility, on the cardboard compactor at the county transfer station.

Two members of the CCMH board resigned and were replaced by the board.