Wind Turbulence (Episode 2)
How does the MPSC regulate electricity rates?
Wind turbines in the Parnitha Mountains of Greece. Photo by Feri & Tasos on Unsplash
Will the construction of wind turbines in your area reduce your electricity rates? Nobody can really say for certain, because privately-owned electric and gas utility rates are set through a process and ultimately decided by the Michigan Public Service Commission, a group of three appointed individuals.
This podcast tries to explain the process and how resident consumers can get involved.
Featuring interviews with Elise Matz, Vice-Chairperson of the Utility Consumer Participation Board, and Jenn Hill, Secretary of the Citizens Utility Board.
View the MPSC rate making flowchart by clicking here.
Industrial tax abatement district approved, grant money accepted
Hancock City Council, Dec. 15, 2021
Meeting Highlights
Council approves creation of Industrial Development District
To further the development of the business and technology park the city has been planning, the council voted 6-1 in favor of creating a special development district that could mean up to 50% of local taxes will be forgiven for manufacturing businesses that build in the park.
Approval of the district does not guarantee tax abatement for businesses in the district but creates the process for them to apply and bargain with the council to attain that tax abatement.
The council and city manager discussed the district and development of the park with some business developers who attended the public hearing on the matter.
Councilor Will Lytle was the lone vote against the district later in the meeting. Before the vote, he stated that he understood the reason for pursuing the district, but that he felt communities would be better served by not engaging in a “race to the bottom” to attract businesses.
Hancock City Manager report
It was a pretty quiet meeting, really. But the city manager’s report is usually a good way of checking in on the odds and ends going on in the city. This week City Manager Mary Babcock updated the board on the winners of the Hancock Holiday Home Decorating contest, new grant possibilities, and the completed upgrades to the campground bathroom.
Other notes:
The council unanimously approved a 2.75% wage increase for non-union represented city staff.
The council approved acceptance of a $90,000 EGLE grant toward the Hancock Waterfront Shoreline project.
Councilor Rick Freeman Jr. commented on the excellent condition of Quincy Street sidewalks, which is due to a company testing new equipment. City Manager Babcock said the company would also be testing the equipment on some residential streets soon.
Commissioners pursue 2nd bridge, accept first payment from CCMH, approve union agreement and wage increases
Houghton County Commissioners, Dec. 14, 2021
A Freedom of Information Act request has been filed with the county to obtain:
Summary of accounts payable
Draft letter concerning the possibility of a new bridge
Sheriff’s union agreement
Remonumentation documentation
Summary sheet for the wage increase of appointed and elected officials
and the
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.
Songs ring out, Santa Claus visits South Range
A brief photo collection
Santa visited South Range on Sunday afternoon to collect Christmas lists, light the community Christmas tree, and pass out goodie bags for the children.
South Range traditionally hosts a Christmas celebration inside their community hall, but for the second year now, they’ve arranged for outdoor festivities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calumet Theatre loses insurance, working toward new policy
Calumet Village Council, Dec. 7, 2021
Meeting Highlights
Calumet Theatre without insurance coverage, cancels December events
The previous underwriter of the Calumet Theatre has declined to renew the policy, leaving the building without insurance for events. As such, the theatre management was compelled to cancel all of their events for the month.
A lack of insurance is also considered a breach of the theatre lease. Daniel Jamison spoke on behalf of the theatre board. He told the village council that he had contacted a new insurance agency that specializes in covering theaters, and they were working toward a new policy.
Jamison also encouraged the council to issue a letter giving a 45-day notice of termination for the lease if insurance coverage was not obtained. The council concurred and voted to issue the letter.
Other notes:
Councilor Elise Matz was absent from the meeting.
Discussion of the Rules of Procedure was tabled until Councilor Elise Matz can be present.
Most formal committees were not reformed, except for a finance committee, which will consist of Councilor Rob Tarvis, Councilor Andrew Ranville, and President Brian Abramson. Other committee work will continue in the council work sessions.
Councilor Rob Tarvis was reselected as the council’s president pro-tem.
Property rights -- and wrongs
A podcast on short term rental legislation
Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash
House Bill 4722 is “all the rage” right now in local government circles. Having recently passed the House, it threatens to override most local ordinances regarding short-term rentals (broadly defined as a rental lasting under 28 days).
Proponents of the bill say that local ordinances have been stripping the property rights of owners who want to use them for short-term rentals. Others fear that the proliferation of these establishments threatens the security, financial stability, and livability of their neighborhoods.
This podcast includes interviews with Houghton City Manager Eric Waara, who spoke out against the bill at a recent city council meeting; Houghton City Councilor Brian Irizarry, who declined to support a resolution against the bill; and excerpts from a public meeting with Senator Ed McBroom and Representative Greg Markkanen.
Important links:
The official text of HB 4722 as introduced, as passed, and bill history
Record of who voted for and against HB 4722
Coverage of Houghton City Council’s vote against HB 4722
Hancock City Council comments on HB 4722
6th street work delayed, Santa coming to South Range, bonuses coming to employees
South Range Village Council, Dec. 2, 2021
Meeting Highlights
6th Street water work delayed until spring
A representative from Portage Lake Construction attended the meeting to explain problems they are having with replacing an 8-inch water line on 6th Street. Upon excavation, they found that because of the dimensions of the old line and space constraints, they will have to put an above-ground temporary feed to the affected homes to complete the work, which will now need to wait until Spring to avoid freezing pipes.
The council later agreed to explore possibilities for helping two households that seem to have dirty water in the interim, starting with getting water testing done.
2nd Street “lean-to” licensing and discussion
A resident who built an out-building without proper village permitting is working with the council to get it approved before completing work on it. The builder explained the plan for the building to the council, and councilors asked for a site plan and letter of approval from the owner of the neighboring property before they would take a vote on approving the construction.
Fire department welcomes new member, plans for South Range Christmas celebration
The South Range Volunteer Fire Department said goodbye to one member who moved to Toivola but voted to accept a new member who lives within South Range, keeping their number at 17.
The annual Christmas in South Range is planned to be an outdoor event similar to last year, due to the ongoing pandemic. On Sunday, Dec. 12, Santa will arrive at the community hall by fire truck to light the village Christmas tree and Bruce Rundman will present live music. The village council made a $300 donation toward the event.
They’re also planning on replacing some aging fixtures in the fire hall with LED fixtures and bulbs.
Village Council approves Christmas bonuses for village employees
The council unanimously approved Christmas cash bonuses of up to $400 for the village employees. They added the clerk to those receiving bonuses, as it is now a hired position and no longer an elected position.
Other notes:
The DPW is requesting the village council budget for a Hydrant Buddy and a line tracer for maintenance of the water system and locating shutoff valves, respectively.
One village employee is currently out with COVID-19 but does not seem to have transmitted the illness to any coworkers. The council discussed updating the 80 hours of paid leave for employees with COVID-19 to match new, shorter federal guidelines, but no immediate action was taken.
The BP gas station will stop being a BP sometime next year, and the council is working with the owners to make a new arrangement for gas for village vehicles.
The village clerk is arranging a welcome packet with important information for new village residents.
The council is looking into scraping the old garbage truck, which has generated no interest from buyers for the last two months.
The council approved meeting dates for 2022, continuing on the first Thursday of each month.
The council approved the same let-run policy for this winter season as last season.
COVID-19 on the rise
A frank look at the numbers
I don’t want to beat this dead horse, but case rates are high right now. If you’re unvaccinated, it’s more important than ever that you protect yourself by getting the process started.
Even if you are vaccinated, boosters and masking in public is highly recommended by health experts and authorities.
Let’s take a look at some of the numbers.
These are the last two updates from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. Obviously still a solid wall of red, but looking at the numbers tell’s a more nuanced story, too.
Anything over 10% positivity is considered high risk, and Houghton County’s latest statistic shows over 25%, up from 21% last week. Rates are also up in Gogebic and Keweenaw Counties but are trending down in Baraga and Ontonagon Counties.
While a 4% increase in Houghton County may not seem large, looking down the column a little you can spot the case count. Houghton’s has almost doubled in the last week. And now we’re heading into Thanksgiving.
Now let’s look at some of the state’s data.
The state’s COVID-19 Region 8 (that’s the Upper Peninsula), shows there are 70 total adults are in the hospital with COVID-19. There are 63 ICU beds total for adults in the area, and 43 of them are occupied as of Nov. 19. Four of the Region 8 COVID-19 patients are listed as on a ventilator.
Occupancy rates for U.P. hospitals are listed above.
Meanwhile, local schools have seen many COVID-19 cases. Baraga Area Schools reported a new outbreak of 37 cases on Nov. 15. Meanwhile, Hancock Public Schools has an ongoing outbreak of 31 cases in their elementary school (first reported Oct. 27), Lake Linden Hubbell Public Schools has an ongoing outbreak of 21 cases in their high school(first reported Oct. 4), and CLK schools have an outbreak of 29 students in their high school (first reported Oct. 4).
An ongoing outbreak is one that has had additional cases added to it in the last 28 days.
Statewide, we’re seeing a huge spike in cases right now. As high as we’ve seen since the beginning of the pandemic.
Luckily, deaths are not keeping the same pace with infections in this spike, likely owing to the broad use of vaccines.
Think safe, mask in public, get your vaccine. I don’t want to lose any readers.
Running wild
Seven local students learn about nature, life, and themselves from a week on Rabbit Island
Carved wooden spoons and art made by the students on the island.
During August this year, several local high school students traveled to Rabbit Island. The island is in the Keweenaw Bay, just south of Little Traverse Bay, and at only 91 acres, the entire, uninhabited island could fit inside of McLain State Park more than four times.
The Rabbit Island Foundation runs a residency program on the island to host artists, scientists, and conservationists on the island, but each year they also host a week-long program called the Rabbit Island School for high school students to engage closely with nature, too. Andrew Ranville, one of the foundation’s cofounders and a mentor to the students while they’re on the island, said that the program is important because it gives students an opportunity to explore nature and their interests in ways they may not otherwise get in school or at home.
Nicole “Snugs” Thyrion (left) stands next to Claudia Torrey (right) while sharing her experience in front of photos taken during the week on Rabbit Island.
Thursday, the students gathered in the Portage Lake District Library’s community room to share their experiences with friends, family, and the public.
Nicole Thyrion, one of this year’s participating students, earned the island name “Snugs” early in the week. Each person, including the mentors, was given such a nickname during their outing according to their actions or personality. Thyrion was observed snuggled up early in the trip and was thus the first to earn her island name.
Each of the students applied as much as a year in advance to take part in the program. The application process can be competitive and includes an essay portion and a letter of recommendation. Thyrion applied for the 2020 program, but that year was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, the 2021 program was able to proceed.
Photo courtesy of the Rabbit Island Foundation
Thyrion said a lot of what she took back from the island was about self-image.
“I was really self-conscious about, like, how I look and everything,” she said. “On the island, you didn’t have any mirrors.”
The students also left electronics like phones and laptops behind, so there were no cameras for selfies, either. Thyrion also said that her perception of time changed.
“I kind of realized that time doesn’t really matter,” she said.
She said she used to track how much sleep she would get each night, “but on the island, I just slept… when I woke up was when I woke up.”
The first couple of nights, Thryion and another student stayed in a tent in the woods, but when they returned to it one day, it was “infested” with spiders. Then she stayed in a hammock hung near the shore of the island. The students also slept on the rocks by the shore.
Being on the island, Thyrion said that she noticed how social stratification melted away.
“It didn’t matter, like your social status, your school status, any of that,” she said. “On the island, it was just us.”
The communal shelter where the students made and ate meals and gathered for other activities. Photo courtesy of the Rabbit Island Foundation.
Rain “Mudpup” Isaksson particularly enjoyed the spoon carving activity that they learned on the island. Pieces of wood are selected, shaved down with a hatchet, and then carved out with a selection of tools before being sanded smooth.
“Mudpup” earned their name because of how much they enjoyed working and playing in the mud they found on the island. They used it to make various ornaments and objects. And to throw at each other.
When they returned, Isaksson said they was struck by the ever-present noise.
“There were like five TVs, and then all the people walking around,” Isaksson said. “On the island, there was just like, the birds, the wind, and the waves.”
Rain “Mudpup” Isaksson passes what they learned on the island about spoon carving to a young attendee of Thursday night’s presentation.
“Snugs” and “Mudpup” worked together to make sweet potato chili, one of their favorite meals from the trip. They also cooked fresh-caught lake trout over the fire and made popcorn sweetened with maple syrup.
Ryan “Turtle” Dixon took the week on the island as an opportunity to pursue something he’d wanted to for some time—photography. One of the few pieces of electronics they had on the island was a digital Nikon camera that he was able to pick up and use extensively for the first time.
“I learned pretty much everything I know from my experience on the island,” Dixon said.
He said he learned about aperture, ISO, and more on the island and came away from it with some photos that he’s proud of. He spent a lot of time walking around the island and circled it about three times, he said.
Ryan “Turtle” Dixon in front of some of the landscape photos he took on the island. He earned his island name for bringing a lot of turtleneck shirts to the island in his wardrobe.
Ranville, who earned the island name “Bingo” while playing Scrabble with the students on the island, does what he can to let the students lead their own time on the island.
“So we don’t try to be too prescriptive with the mentors offering certain workshops or classes or anything like that,” he said.
The mentors introduce themselves to the students, explain their expertise in art and creative practices, and then try to “tap into what the students want to explore on the island,” Ranville said.
The sweet potato chili they made on the island. Photo courtesy of the Rabbit Island Foundation.
He said he feels lucky to share the island with the students because each time he gets to experience the island with fresh eyes through them.
“It really just opens my eyes to like, the space in a whole new way, and that kind of gives me a fresh perspective,” Ranville said.
Other students attending this year’s Rabbit Island School included Autumn Eles, Kathryn Fay, Makayla Knuutila, and Claudia Torrey. A full list of Rabbit Island alumni can be found on their website.
Supporting partners in the Rabbit Island School are the Portage Lake District Library, Regrid, and the Rabbit Island Foundation has additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Left to right, mentor Andrew “Bingo” Ranville, with the students who participated in the 2021 Rabbit Island School, “Snacks”, “Mudpup”, “Ace”, “Snugs”, “Wellies”, “Scribbles”, and “Turtle”.
Photo courtesy of the Rabbit Island Foundation
No councilor chosen, decision goes to the public in May
Houghton City Council, Nov. 18, 2021
Meeting highlights
Resolution opposing state-level “Airbnb” legislation
City Manager Eric Waara said that after extensive conversations with other interested parties, he calls House Bill 4722 “just bad legislation”. The bill would override most local regulations of short-term rental units, often referred to as Airbnbs. Houghton and Hancock both recently passed ordinances that would be wiped out by the legislation.
“We’ve got to do everything within our power to make sure that this hopefully never gets to the governor’s desk,” Waara said.
He said there are “forces at work in Lansing that just want to ram this through”. The bill is moving forward despite widespread opposition among municipalities across the state.
Waara said Sen. Ed McBroom hadn’t returned his phone calls on the issue, and Rep. Greg Markkanen has already voted in favor of the bill.
The council voted in favor of the resolution opposing HB 4722.
New councilmember Q&A and selection process
The process started with a brief explanation from the city manager followed by some discussion and comments from a couple of the interested candidates. The candidates’ letters of interest and other information can be found in the meeting documents link above.
Nomination process review
City Manager Waara explained the nomination and voting process. Any number of nominations can be made by the councilors, and each required a supporting vote to be advanced to the voting rounds. Once nominations were closed, each nominated candidate is voted on in the order they are nominated. Councilors can vote for as many candidates as they want. If no winner is found, the vote can be repeated up to two more times.
Brad Baltensperger, Philip Buck Foltz, Robyn Johnson, Jennifer Rachels, Michael Salmi, Sally Ann Snyder, Norma Veurink and Craig Waddell all submitted letters of interest in the position.
Of the eight interested candidates, six received initial nominations, and five received support and advanced to the vote. Waddell, Rachels, Johnson, Baltensperger and Veurink were the candidates who moved forward.
Initial vote
All five candidates tied with three supporting votes.
During the discussion that followed the first vote, Councilors Joan Suits and Robert Megowen, whose votes countered each other, both highlighted what they were looking for in the candidates. Megowen specifically supported the candidacy of Baltensperger.
Councilor Brian Irizarry noted that Johnson was the only candidate that had votes outside the 3-person blocks that voted for and against the other candidates.
Councilor Jan Cole spoke in favor of Rachels.
Rachels, Baltensperger, Johnson, and Waddell rose and advocated for themselves as candidates.
The second vote
The second vote furnished the same results. Several councilors expressed that they would not be altering their votes for a third round.
Some of the councilors offered comments, including about the risk of operating for six months with only six members on the council and how they may deadlock on other issues.
Baltensperger returned to the floor and expressed interest in why three of the councilors voted so adamantly against him based on the limited—if any—conversation they had with him. He also pointed out the uniqueness of the voting pattern for Johnson, and that perhaps they should give that greater consideration considering the deadlocked position of the board.
Waddell confirmed with Clerk Ann Vollrath that the cost to taxpayers to run a special election would be about $7,000. He suggested he’d be willing to withdraw his nomination but didn’t. As the councilors can vote yes for any number of candidates, it would not benefit another candidate to withdraw.
Johnson echoed Waddell’s sentiments about possibly withdrawing in favor of the other qualified candidates but settled instead for simply endorsing Baltensperger.
Councilor Needham made some comments about why he favored Baltensperger and expressed frustration with the format of the selection process.
Rachels rose and briefly spoke about the local housing crisis and her desire to bring her knowledge and experience about the issue to the council.
The third vote
Once again, the council offered the same vote, tying all the candidates with three supporting and three against.
The council then quickly adjourned.
A city election will be held on May 3, 2022, to choose a new councilor. Clerk Vollrath will be preparing nominating petitions that should be ready by January.
Other notes
A family-friendly winter triathlon event is in development, possibly to be in Kestner Park. Details are to be determined.
The enforcement hearing for 915 College Avenue proceeded uneventfully. The city will act to demolish the building in 30 days if the owner doesn’t take action before then. Costs of the demolition will be recouped through an insurance escrow and possibly a tax lien on the property.
DPW employees have been taking advantage of the mild start to winter to hang Christmas decorations and take their leave to go hunting.
Kevin Maki is retiring as the manager of the Dee Stadium.
The Firestation sign at the corner of Sharon Avenue and M-26 has an MDOT billboard permit but is still in violation of the city sign ordinance. City Manager Eric Waara continues to work on addressing the issue.
The police department is investigating options for eliminating unnecessary access points to M-26 in the commercial district. It’s an effort to reduce injury-causing accidents that happen at intersections not controlled by signal lights on that stretch of road.
Editor’s note: I’d like to make a motion that the council get new, quieter chairs.