GOCAA to continue managing grant

By TOM LAVENTURE

tlaventure@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved an administrative agreement with the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency to manage a Michigan Community Development Block Grant.

The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate the administration and implementation of the Gogebic County Housing Rehabilitation program and income collected under the program. The Michigan Economic Housing Development Corporation is the authorizing agency, the county is the local unit of government and Community Action is the grant manager.

“There’s a lot of paperwork and it’s better that it stays with them,” said Joe Bonovetz, commissioner. “They do that stuff and have been doing it.”

The commissioners approved a resolution to honor Jim Saari, the former director of Western Upper Peninsula Manpower. The commissioners recommended a plaque and a possible in-person or virtual presentation for Saari, who was said to be helpful in the county’s quest to get the state to pay its share of the pension owed to the county retirement system, according to Gerry Pelissero, county clerk of court and register of deeds.

At the recommendation of the personnel committee, the commissioners approved the reappointment of Roy D’Antonio and John Matonich to the Gogebic County Road Commission. The two are reappointed to a six-year term on the five-member board. 

The commissioners approved a personnel committee request to reappoint Dan Adams to another three-year term on the county board for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

The commissioners approved a pay grade increase for the accounts processor and payroll clerk position from a Pay Grade 7 to a Pay Grade 8.

The commissioners did not approve a Gogebic County Fair Board request to advertise an expiring board position to be filled as it was understood the outgoing board member intends to reapply. The commissioners said that prior ads did not produce candidates and said to continue posting the notice on the fair website and social media.

In other business, the county commission approved a rescheduling of the Nov. 25 regular meeting date to Tuesday, Nov. 24, because of Thanksgiving Day on that Thursday. The finance committee hearing will be moved up to 3 p.m., followed by the full commission meeting at 3:30 p.m.