July 13, 2006

A meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Transportation Committee was held on Thursday, July 13, 2006 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chairman Postula called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ted Postula, Chairman, Jim Moore, and Richard Timmer

ROAD COMMISSION: Louis MacDonald, Clifford Carr, Don Holt

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Bernie LaJoie, Earl Kay, Dirk Heckman, Derek Myerscough, Dan Gallagher, Roger Graham, Paul Wilson, Kelly Beaune, Recorder

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman Postula called for additions or deletions to the agenda. Hearing none, the agenda was declared approved as presented.

Public Comments

Chairman Postula called for pubic comments. Mr. Myerscough commented on the Road Commission’s current seasonal road policy being a good policy.

Agenda Item: Discussion with Chippewa County Road Commission

The Committee discussed several topics with the Road Commission, seasonal roads being discussed at length, including topics development, working with Townships, public letters received by the Road Commission; seasonal roads receive no snow removal monies. Discussion also included how to accept roads into the County system, as the criteria is too diverse to set a policy for the entire County. Mr. Holt stated that other County’s charge per foot to private individuals or the townships.

MTF revenue was discussed; the majority of MTF revenue pays salary and benefits, to maintain all County roads. The last increase in the amount received from the MTF fund was back in 1993. The cost of fuel along with no increase in the MTF has cost the Road Commission. Staffing is down from 100 to 49.

The group also discussed federal forest road in relation to ATV use, in which the District Ranger does not recognize local or state laws on forest service roads; the Ganhorn subdivision and Arbor Ridge being private.

Discussion also included employee’s salary and benefits, equipment needs and costs, changing the fuel tax, future gravel needs.

Committee Comments

There were no additional committee comments.

Chairperson’s Comments

Chairperson Postula thanked the Road Commission Board member for attending, and updating the Transportation Committee.

Adjourn

Chairman Postula declared the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

__________________________________ __________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder Ted Postula, Committee Chairman