Marquette County Board Of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.

Room 231, Henry A. Skewis Annex, Marquette, Michigan 49855

1. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN DEROCHA
   • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
   • Regular Meeting Minutes held on October 21, 2025
4. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
5. PUBLIC COMMENT (5 minutes per person)
6. REVIEW OF CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS:
   • Total Expenditures paid via check & EFT Transfers for the period October 17, 2025 through October 30, 2025 were $1,160,222.43; and biweekly payroll for the period ending October 25, 2025 was $900,144.90.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. PRIVILEGED COMMENT a. Undersheriff Larson with October Stats
9. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS a. DNR Road Inventory Review 2025 Summary
10. ACTION ITEMS: a. K.I. Sawyer Wastewater Aeration Building Construction Contract b. Air Traffic Control Tower Upgrades Recommendation c. Passenger Boarding Bridge Construction Administrative Agreement d. 3rd Quarter Budget Amendment e. Civil Counsel Interim Service Agreement 2nd Amendment
11. LATE ADDITIONS: a.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minutes per person)
13. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS, STAFF COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
14. CLOSED SESSION
15. ADJOURNMENT

Marquette County Board Of Commissioners Regular Meeting

October 21, 2025 – 6:00 P.M. –

COMMISSIONERS ROOM 231, HENRY A. SKEWIS ANNEX, MARQUETTE, MI 49855.

1. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRPERSON JOSEPH DEROCHA AT 6:00 P.M.
   • Pledge of Allegiance
   • Roll Call: Present: Comm. Admini, Comm. LaLonde, Comm. Alholm, Comm. Nordeen and Chairperson Derocha. Absent: Comm. Numinen
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Board Action: Comm. Alholm moved to approve the agenda as presented. Second by Comm. LaLonde. Motion adopted. (5-0)
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Board action: Comm. Nordeen moved to approve the minutes from the Annual Meeting held on October 14, 2025 as presented. Second by Comm. Alholm. Motion adopted (5-0)
4. PROCLAMATION, PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
5. PUBLIC COMMENT:
   • Jeff Chiodi, Marquette County Conservation District spoke about the upcoming budget cuts and how it will affect their office.
   • Margaret Brumm, Marquette, reported to the board how the local food pantries are struggling and there is a projected increase for food assistance in our community, starting November 1, 2025, due to budget cuts.

With no further public comment to come before the board this portion of the meeting is concluded.

1. REVIEW OF CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS:
   • Board action: Comm. Alholm moved to approve Total Expenditures paid via check & EFT Transfers for the period of October 10, 2025 through October 16, 2025 were $848,361.41; biweekly payroll for the period ending October 11, 2025 was $870,932.98. Second by Comm. LaLonde. Motion adopted (5-0)
2. PUBLIC HEARING
3. PRIVILEGED COMMENT
4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

ACTION ITEMS: a. CCI Trail Easement Duane DuRay, County Administrator, was present to explain that Marquette County has been working with Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CCI) to formalize an easement agreement covering approximately 300 miles of motorized and non-motorized trail corridors across more than 10,000+ acres of property. This easement represents a generous donation by CCI, ensuring that these vital recreation assets are legally protected for the long-term benefit of residents, visitors, and future generations.
Board action: Comm. Nordeen made a motion to pre-approve the tentatively agreed-upon easement agreement as presented, contingent upon incorporation of map exhibits and final review by Marquette County Civil Counsel of the trail alignment maps, exhibits, and the easement agreement. Second by Comm. Admini. A roll call vote was taken: Ayes: Comm. Nordeen, Comm. Admini, Comm. LaLonde, Comm. Alholm, and Chairperson Derocha. Nays: None. Motion adopted (5-0)

1. Argonics Lease Amendment David Erhart, Airport Manager, was present to explain the following: For many years, Argonics, Inc. has operated a polyurethane manufacturing operation on airport property. Over those years, Argonics has continued to work with airport staff to implement building improvements and has made a further commitment to the area by relocating its Colorado operation and merging it with the operation here. Staff is seeking for the Marquette County Board of Commissioners to consider approving the execution of a lease agreement extension between Marquette County and Argonics, Inc. The lease amendment would continue the agreement between the County and the Tenant on similar terms.

Lease Particulars:

• Lease terms – The term of the Lease is extended by five years (May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2030).
• Second 5-year extension of five allowed 5-year extensions
• Rent – Building 727, Parcels AL-48, B9-B – $15,162.04 per month ($2.44/sq ft)
  • Parcel AL-46 $205.18 per month ($2,462.16 per acre per annum)
• The lease rate shall have an escalator of 2% annually.

Board action: Comm. LaLonde moved to approve the terms established in the signed Letter of Intent, direct Staff to draft a lease amendment between the County of Marquette and Argonics Inc., and authorize Chairman Derocha to execute the lease. Second by Comm. Alholm. Motion adopted (5-0)

1. Aerostar Lease Amendment David Erhart, Airport Manager, explained the United States Air Force (USAF) continues to investigate contamination issues stemming from their previous operations in and around the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. Over the last four years Aerostar SES, LLC. has been contracted by the USAF to provide engineering services related to this task and have been leasing building 416 to operate out of while conducting their site investigations. The ongoing operation will require extending the lease for an additional 2 years

Lease Particulars:

• Lease terms – The term of the Lease is extended by two years (August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2027).
• The rental rate shall be $2.90 per square foot per annum (based on 1080 square feet), for a rent revenue of $3,132.00 the first year (August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026) resulting in a payment of $261.00 per month.
• The lease rate shall have an escalator of 5% annually.
• All other terms and conditions of the Lease dated September 15, 2021 remain in effect.

Board action: Comm. Nordeen moved to approve the terms established in the signed Letter of Intent, direct Staff to draft a lease amendment between the County of Marquette and Aerostar SES, LLC and authorize Chairman Derocha to execute the lease. Second by Comm. LaLonde. Motion adopted (5-0)

2028. DHS Board Appointment Board action: Comm. Alholm moved to approve Caroline Bridges, to the Department of Human Services Board, for a 3-year term ending October 31, 2028. Second by Comm. LaLonde. Motion adopted (5-0)

1. LATE ADDITIONS
2. PUBLIC COMMENT: With no public comment to come before the board this portion of the meeting is concluded.
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS, STAFF COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

• Comm. LaLonde informed the board of a can drive hosted by the United Way, staring soon.
• Comm. Nordeen stated that Cliff’s is looking at rare earth mineral mining in our area, and there may be a possibility the Eagle Mine will not pursue the last body of nickel and copper.
• Christina Nestor, Civil Counsel thanked the board for allowing her to cover for Alex Berger at tonight’s meeting.
• Cory Beth Grigg, Chief Deputy Clerk reminded everyone about the upcoming election on November 4, 2025.
• Chairperson Derocha thanked Cliff’s and Gabe Johnson who worked diligently on the CCI Trail Easement.

1. CLOSED SESSION
2. ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:19 p.m.