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Transfer station discussed

Commissioners hold work session

HOUGHTON -- In a regularly scheduled work session Monday, the Houghton County Board of Commissioners agreed to take up reported issues with the county's transfer station at its next regular meeting.

Commissioner Joel Keranen (District 2) said he received complaints from contractors last week about the transfer station being closed through Wednesday. "I don't think, in any way, it reflects on any of the employees of the transfer station," he said. "I think it just affects our services being done up there. I think we do our best, the staff there is just -- we don't have enough."

The county raised rates in accordance to a resolution passed last August, taking affect incrementally each October. Keranen added he did not get any complaints about the rates, just the quality of service.

"We're not serving our constituents," he said. "If we can't turn this around, we can't do it right, then we need to get out of this business immediately and let someone do it who can do it."

Commissioner Glenn Anderson (District 3) wanted to consider a motion on next week's agenda to reimburse contractors who were not able to be served last week during the closure. Anderson said there's a responsibility from the county to retain transfer station workers and keep good relationships with its customers.

"For next Tuesday's meeting, we [should] at least consider a motion to reimburse any contractor who couldn't get served last week," he said. "Other than that, if we want to have somebody make a recommendation, next meeting, to potentially raise the pay, if we think that's going to help recruiting or retention."

Interim Transfer Station Director Tom Bingham was present and gave input on his department’s issues with driver availability. Bingham said he needs competent, reliable labor. "You need someone that has experience," he said. "To put a rookie behind the wheel is not really a good thing in my book."

Commissioner Roy Britz (District 5) said he agrees with those at the meeting regarding addressing the problem. "The transfer station is something that it essential to the county," he said. "We just have to do a better job of managing them and getting the resources that they need to do their job."

The board plans on taking up issues with the county's transfer station on Oct. 13 at its regular session.

In other business, commissioners board reviewed state legislation regulating license plate reader camera systems, such as Flock. The resolution to be brought up at next week’s meeting would restrict sharing information obtained by those means. Commissioner Britz agreed with the proposed resolution but wanted the last paragraph stricken.

"No [automatic license plate reader] system used by or on behalf of any Houghton County government should be available to federal immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE and U.S. Border Patrol, and calls on local officials to include clear, enforceable rules against such access in any ALPR agreement," the proposed resolution reads. The resolution will be on next meeting's agenda, without the quoted language.

"I don't see us moving in the Flock direction any time in the future," Commissioner Anderson said about the resolution.

The county also worked on its publicly funded health insurance agreement. Currently, the county is splitting the premium cost between itself and its employees. According to County Administrator Chelsea Rheault, the premium this year saw a 19.9% increase, meaning the divided total between the two parties would be 9.95%.

Commissioner Britz said the county needs to consult its legal counsel and the employee unions before any action is taken. Commissioner Anderson said he would be comfortable with the current split, but noted the resolution would need four out of five commissioners to pass.

The Board of Commissioners will see three other resolutions on next Tuesday's meeting, including Schoolcraft Township's Lake Level Assessments, the county medical examiner's contract and a resolution in support of state legislation taxing hotels, motels and short-term rentals.

The board will meet next at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Houghton County Courthouse.