Houghton County will seek RFPs for a survey of two county properties. In the past year, Houghton County has sought various ways to expand revenue and grow efficiency within the county’s budget. The board’s efforts, led by commissioner Joel Keranen, proposed last night completing a survey and appraisal of the Houghton County Marina, and a survey and business evaluation for the Houghton County Medical Care Facility (Canal View). Keranen noted after speaking with Marina Harbormaster Jeff Goulette, determined there is a need for an accurate survey since a nearby property was sold some years ago.
house there that I think was a road condition house that was sold years back. There seemed to be, I don’t think we have an exact, you know, kind of know where the fence line is but such so I think it would move us to, don’t think an appraisal has been done, but to get an accurate survey. Mr. Collette was in favor of that to get an accurate decision for that. And also just appraisal to see what the grain is worth. – Joel Keranen, Commissioner Houghton County
Commissioner Glenn Anderson noted the county would become responsible for paying off loans related to DNR grant projects in order to sell the Marina property. He expects Goulette will deliver a list of project loans the marina still has in the books to the committee soon. Anderson shared in his 35-year public service career with any time a public property is sold; the former owner (Houghton County) would become responsible for paying remaining balances on grant loans for DNR related projects.
Houghton County also met with Canal View Director Adam Laplander to discuss the need for a survey and evaluation. Commissioner Anderson added to Keranen’s report, Laplander expressed support for the initiative.
at least for the medical care facility, they would use their medical care facility funds. Obviously the marina or the transfer station would be the county’s funds, our operation funds. – Glenn Anderson, Commissioner Houghton County
We have the transfer station, think, Chelsea. – Joel Keranen, Commissioner Houghton County
We have a great one. – Tom Tikkanen Chairman, Houghton County Board of Commissioners
Right, that’s within the past couple years. – Joel Keranen, Commissioner Houghton County
It’s couple years old. – Tom Tikkanen, Chairman, Houghton County Board of Commissioners
Laplander told Keranen he estimated the survey, and evaluation would cost about 6,500 dollars. Keranen did not have an estimate for how much an appraisal for the marina would cost and motioned to have the county collect requests for proposals to complete the work.
Equalization Department Director Jakob Djref provided an annual apportionment report and discussed the county’s GIS survey contract with the commission. Djref says Houghton County’s GIS mapping and panel operations are contracted through Houghton Engineering has limitations. He provided proposed contract details to the board, showing Houghton Engineering’s plan to provide existing services for website hosting and a proposal from Schnieder Geospatial for website hosting as well as parcel maintenance services. Djref noted the large dollar figure difference between the proposals and plans to seek a formal RFP process to collect options the equalization department may consider for GIS services. He will return to the Houghton County Board of Commissioners with a field of potential contractors. County departments, municipalities, and developers often use GIS parcel maps to locate potential project sites as well as tracks parcel ownership, providing public access to valuation and other parcel data.
Houghton County will support the Houghton-Keweenaw Emergency Response Trailer for 2,000 dollars. Joe Schneller, who built the trailer and has used personal funds to support the mobile response unit for over 17 years, shared with the board of commissioners that the rising cost of healthcare supplies for emergency response continues to increase. He requested the board to provide 2,000 dollars to support the trailer’s purchase of medical supplies. The Emergency Response trailer is stored at the Houghton County Memorial Airport and has been used in response to various multi-vehicle accidents, search and rescue operations, and is contracted as the emergency response unit for the airport.
And I’m at a point now where I’d like to see if I can get a vote on some support of some way to help financially with this for supplies that are needed. That expire, such as hot packs, cold packs and so forth. That’s pretty much about it. I hate to ask you guys, but it’s like I’m at that point now after so many years that I must see if I can get something to help with this. – Joe Schneller, Houghton-Keweenaw Emergency Response Trailer
Some may know of the Schneller for another emergency response project he led in Keweenaw County. In 2021, he completed installing back country trail makers at quarter mile distances. The signs provide those in an emergency and first responders with identifiers for locating a scene in the backcountry. In September it was reported that 60 of 65 signs were stolen or vandalized. Schneller and the Keweenaw county sheriff have led fundraising efforts to replace those signs and install new ones as soon as possible.
Houghton County will expect to sign a new contract for public defenders with Tri County Public Defenders today. Last night the board accepted a new contract with the firm with an amendments requested by Keweenaw County prosecutor Chuck Miller and with corrected dates. The Board hopes to sign off on the updated documents today, in order for Keweenaw County and Baraga County to accept the tri county defenders’ contact before the end of October. Tri County has continued to represent indigent accused individuals while negotiating a new contract with Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties. The existing contract expired on October 1st, 2025.
Planning for a new jail will pick back up where the board of commissioners left off in August. After voters decided not to approve a 1.6 millage rate to fund construction of a new jail facility and justice center, with some sheriff office and court operations on site. The board of commissioners reopened committees on the existing jail facility and for the new jail site on Sharon Avenue. On Friday, the Sharon Avenue committee will come together to informally tour the existing building.
The clerk is still going be out of town, but we’re going to meet with her later to accommodate that. And as it’s posted, it is open to the public. Anybody who wants to join us at 10 a.m. to walk through the building and just see what it looks like. We’re not going to make decisions. We’re not going to have much discussion. It’s just an informal walk through to see what the building looks like for the group of the committee that’s participating in this task. – Roy Britz, Vice Chairman, Houghton County
A committee on the jail facility will also meet soon. Commission Chairman Tom Tikkanen reported the committee received three recommendations from the Houghton County Republic Party and expects to receive recommendations from the Houghton County Democrats soon to fill out the committee’s membership. They will also join Houghton County Building Department Directo Todd LaRouex, League of Women Voters vice president faith Morrison.
Jared Hrykas, who is a planner and engineer who has been uh involved with all the previous staffers has agreed to and we’re asking him actually to chair that committee. – Tom Tikkanen, Chairman, Houghton County Board of Commissioners
Last night’s Houghton County board of commissioners meeting was the first held at its new time and location. Chairman Tikkanen thanked the 12th Circuit Court for allowing the board to meet in the courtroom, and for help with connecting with attendees online. The meeting saw larger attendance than at previous meetings that were held at 3 pm in the 5th floor commissioners room. Between 15 and 20 people attended the commission meeting in person, and seven others joined via zoom. Houghton County will continue to negotiate technical challenges to make sure people online and in-person can hear all comments and discussion.
