TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD INDIAN NATION, MONTANA

Transcription

1 TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD INDIAN NATION, MONTANA Volume 16 Number 3 Held: Council Chambers, Pablo, MT Approved: October 15, 2015 MEMBERS PRESENT: Vernon Finley, Chairman; Carole Lankford, Vice- Chairwoman; James Bing Matt, Secretary; Ronald Trahan; Shelly Fyant; Terry Pitts; and Leonard Gray. MEMBERS ABSENT: Leonard TwoTeeth, Treasurer (Lands Symposium Pendleton, Oregon); Lloyd Irvine (Lands Symposium Pendleton, Oregon); and Patty Stevens. OTHERS PRESENT: Jami Hamel, Policy Analyst; Tom Johnson, Council Support; Bill Kehoe, Sergeant at Arms; and Abby Dupuis, Recording Secretary. The meeting began at 9:13 a.m. No quorum established. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Francis Stanger. Francis Stanger, Tribal Member, discussed his concerns about Forestry clear cutting. It affects the native plants and the wildlife. He talked about the importance of timber to the native people, and he would like Forestry to change their methods. Meat shops are not giving the ribs back to the people, and Francis wants council to investigate that. He wants council to save the reservation from destruction. Helen Camel, Tribal Employee, requested to meet with council in executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Ron Trahan joined the meeting. Council reconvened into regular session. The meeting was called to order at 9:44 a.m. Quorum established. The Tribal Council Meeting Minutes for September 29, 2015 were presented for approval.

2 MOTION by Carole Lankford to approve the Tribal Council Meeting Minutes for September 29, 2015, with corrections. Seconded by Terry Pitts. Carried, 5 for; 2 abstentions (Bing Matt and Vernon Finley). The agenda was presented for approval. MOTION by Terry Pitts to approve the agenda, with changes. Seconded by Carole Lankford. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Chairman Finley discussed a discussion he had with Lissa Peel regarding programs that are missing required reports. A monthly certification is required to go to Accounting to make sure the books are in order. Some reports are required for grants. There are quarterly narrative reports and annual reports required as well. Council will discuss this further when they address the reorganization and strategic plan. Council needs to determine whether or not to continue requiring a quarterly narrative report since those reports are no longer reviewed by the tribal council. Vernon asked Lissa to draft a memo to the department heads that are missing reports and remind them to submit the reports. Council will obtain input from the Accounting Department and Contracts & Grants. It jeopardizes our funding when the programs do not submit the reports that are required by the funding agencies. Council would like to review the reports and assess whether or not those reports are a useful tool. Council will meet with Lissa Peel and Vern Clairmont. Frank Stanger, Chaney Bell and Willie Stevens requested a change of duty for tribal employees to assist with the Traditional Youth Leadership Hunting Camp October 11-17, 2015: Alicia LaRance, Amelia Adams, Sierra Mahseelah, Lawrence Mahseelah, Lorraine Stevens, Carmelita Matt, Willie Stevens, Bob Woodcock, Kelly O Bennick, Frank Stanger, Chaney Bell, Travis Arlee, Allen Pierre, Tom Quequesah, Austin Moran, Rhonda Quequesah, and Jody Perez. Shelly Fyant wanted clarification that none of the employees that are given a change of duty are paid for helping with the camp. Chaney Bell explained that if they were paid, they would take leave. The tribal council was invited to the camp. MOTION by Carole Lankford to grant a change of duty, with supervisor approval, for tribal employees to assist with the Traditional Youth Leadership Hunting Camp October 11-17, 2015: Alicia LaRance, Amelia Adams, Sierra Mahseelah, Lawrence Mahseelah, Lorraine Stevens, Carmelita Matt, Willie Stevens, Bob Woodcock, Kelly O Bennick, Frank Stanger, Chaney Bell, Travis Arlee, Allen Pierre, Tom Quequesah, Austin Moran, Rhonda Quequesah, and Jody Perez. Seconded by Ron Trahan. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Anna Whiting Sorrell, Tribal Health Department, requested authorization to Page 2 of 9

3 hire Niya Billedeaux to fill the Elmo Clinic Nurse position on a three year employment contract. She was the only applicant. MOTION by Carole Lankford to authorize the hire of Niya Billedeaux to fill the Elmo Clinic Nurse position on a three year employment contract, due to no tribal member applicants. Seconded by Bing Matt. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Anna Whiting Sorrell, Tribal Health Department, requested approval of a consultant contract with Tony Fisher to work on the electronic health records in the RPMS system for prescriptions. The contract amount would not exceed $20,000. Council directed that Anna have the contract reviewed by Contracts & Grants and then present back. Ryan Rusche and Shane Morigeau, Legal Department, gave an update on the Michel vs. Tribal Education Department lawsuit. The court ruled in favor of the Tribes and the case was dismissed. Ryan Rusche, Legal Department, gave a report on an upcoming meeting with congressional staff in Washington, DC next week. ******** Break ******** Jason Smith, Director of Indian Affairs; General Bob Sparring; and Sundi West, Director of Military Affairs; gave an overview of the Montana National Guard program and invited council to the All Nations Forum on October 20, Ron, Bing and Carole will attend the forum. Jason informed council of a meeting to discuss tribes revenue sharing agreements on October 21. He spoke to Ryan Rusche about this. The CSKT may want to have someone at the meeting to discuss the alcohol revenue sharing agreement. Jim Durglo, Tribal Forestry, followed up on a meeting with the Forest Service on the 28 th. There is a catered lunch scheduled. Jim wanted to know if Sharon would be arranging that luncheon, or if Forestry needed to do that. Council directed Jim to let Sharon know what is needed. Jim Durglo and Tony Incashola, Jr., Tribal Forestry, requested spending authority in fiscal year 2016 for the Green House account 3801 in the amount of $450,000; and the Paid Projects account 3805 in the amount of $500,000. MOTION by Carole Lankford to grant spending authority in fiscal year 2016 for the Green House account 3801 in the amount of $450,000. Seconded by Bing Matt. Carried, unanimous (7 present). MOTION by Carole Lankford to grant spending authority in fiscal Page 3 of 9

4 year 2016 for the Paid Projects account 3805 in the amount of $500,000. Seconded by Ron Trahan. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Council informed Jim Durglo that Francis Stanger came in this morning to express concerns about the Forestry practices. Jim Durglo responded that Forestry will reach out to Francis and attempt to include him more. Forestry will offer to take Francis on a fieldtrip and explain to him why they do the work they do. Jim Durglo and CT Camel, Tribal Forestry, requested approval of a resolution approving the Flathead Agency Wildfire Prevention Plan for Council requested that CT them a copy of the plan. MOTION by Terry Pitts to approve by resolution the Flathead Agency Wildfire Prevention Plan for Seconded by Bing Matt. Carried, 7 for; 0 opposed; 0 not voting. RESOLUTION RESOLUTION APPROVING FLATHEAD AGENCY WILDFIRE PREVENTION PLAN BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES THAT: WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have established a Forestry Department, as a part of its responsibility in managing the Reservation resources, has presented to the Tribal Council a plan of management for the forested lands and the associated resources compatible with the goals and objectives of all associated Reservation resources, and WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have established the Division of Fire which has the responsibility to manage a full service fire management program involved with initial attack suppression through extended attack the Tribal Forestry Department, and WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire, as a part of its responsibility in managing the Reservation resources, has presented to Tribal Council a plan of fire management on the Reservation lands and the associated resources compatible with the goals and objectives of all associated Reservation resources, and WHEREAS, the goals and objectives of the forest management plan and fire management plan appear to be in the best interest of the Tribes and the proposals for carrying out these objectives appear to us to be reasonable and Page 4 of 9

5 sound, and WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have established the Flathead Indian Reservation Wildfire Prevention Program which has the responsibility for education about the prevention of human-caused fires, and WHEREAS, the Flathead Agency Wildfire Prevention Program, as a part of its responsibility in managing the Reservation resources, has presented to Tribal Council a plan of management for Wildfire Prevention on the Reservation lands and the associated resources compatible with the goals and objectives of all associated Reservation resources, and WHEREAS, the Tribes recognize other influences governing fire management are Code of Federal Regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Act, and all mutual aid and cooperative agreements, and WHEREAS, the forested lands and the natural resources associated with these lands are of primary social, cultural, and economic importance to the members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes recognize their role in the broader community, because fire doesn't recognize management boundaries, and WHEREAS, the goals and objectives of the wildfire prevention plan appear to be in the best interest of the Tribes and the proposals for carrying out these objectives appear to us to reasonable and sound, and WHEREAS, the plan will be revised and updated as needed, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes hereby approves the Flathead Agency Wildfire Prevention Plan and authorizes the Chairman of the Tribal Council to sign the plan on behalf of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. CT Camel, Tribal Forestry, gave a report on the fire season. There were 44 person-caused fires and 28 lightning-caused fires. approval to hire Shawna Adams on a contract to be a personal home caregiver for Evelyn Hernandez. MOTION by Leonard Gray to authorize the hire of Shawna Adams on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Evelyn Hernandez. Seconded by Ron Trahan. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Page 5 of 9

6 approval to hire Serena Crow Foot on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Leo Mitchell. MOTION by Bing Matt to authorize the hire of Serena Crow Foot on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Leo Mitchell. Seconded by Ron Trahan. Carried, unanimous (7 present). approval to hire Becky DePoe on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bob DePoe. MOTION by Terry Pitts to authorize the hire of Becky DePoe on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bob DePoe. Seconded by Leonard Gray. Carried, 6 for; 1 abstention (Carole Lankford). approval to hire Shadow Devereaux on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Amy DePoe. MOTION by Shelly Fyant to authorize the hire of Shadow Devereaux on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Amy DePoe. Seconded by Terry Pitts. Carried, 6 for; 1 abstention (Carole Lankford). approval to hire Ciera Doherty on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bob Oliver. MOTION by Ron Trahan to authorize the hire of Ciera Doherty on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bob Oliver. Seconded by Bing Matt. Carried, unanimous (7 present). approval to hire Terry Ewing on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Lloyd Ewing. MOTION by Ron Trahan to authorize the hire of Terry Ewing on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Lloyd Ewing. Seconded by Shelly Fyant. Carried, unanimous (7 present). approval to hire Eva Green on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Eva Boyd. MOTION by Leonard Gray to authorize the hire of Eva Green on a Page 6 of 9

7 contract as a personal home caregiver for Eva Boyd. Seconded by Bing Matt. Carried, unanimous (7 present). approval to hire Theodore Miller on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Patsy Miller. MOTION by Carole Lankford to authorize the hire of Theodore Miller on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Patsy Miller. Seconded by Ron Trahan. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Kelly Whitworth requested approval to hire Darlene Oliver on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bob Oliver. Bob only gets caregiver services for up to 40 hours per week. Ciera and Darlene share the 40 hours. MOTION by Bing Matt to authorize the hire of Darlene Oliver on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bob Oliver. Seconded by Ron Trahan. Carried, unanimous (7 present). approval to hire Robyn Richardson on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bonnie Wetzel. MOTION by Ron Trahan to authorize the hire of Robyn Richardson on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bonnie Wetzel. Seconded by Carole Lankford. Carried, unanimous (7 present). approval to hire April Salois on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bear Salois. MOTION by Shelly Fyant to authorize the hire of April Salois on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Bear Salois. Seconded by Carole Lankford. Carried, unanimous (7 present). approval to hire Adam Schwarz on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Jean Schwarz. MOTION by Terry Pitts to authorize the hire of Adam Schwarz on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Jean Schwarz. Seconded by Bing Matt. Carried, 5 for; 2 abstentions (Carole Lankford and Ron Trahan). approval to hire Savannah Smith on a contract as a personal home caregiver Page 7 of 9

8 for Delorah Liberty. MOTION by Terry Pitts to authorize the hire of Savannah Smith on a contract as a personal home caregiver for Delorah Liberty. Seconded by Carole Lankford. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Kelly Whitworth, Department of Human Resources Development, met with council in executive session to discuss personal home caregiver background checks. Arlene Templer, Department of Human Resources Development, joined the discussion. Council reconvened into regular session. ******** Lunch ******** Michelanne Stasso, Tribal Member, requested that she be allowed to assume responsibility of the Blue Bay campground and all buildings. She had three options for Blue Bay to operate as a year-round business: (1) operate as a tribal enterprise with potential for self-sufficiency within the next five years. (2) As a campground and as a service for homeless tribal youth, persons transitioning back to the community from treatment or jail for shelter and employment onsite to learn a skill and learn to earn their keep. (3) Allow present system to remain the same and let Blue Bay run itself. She has done the necessary research and has a plan to deal with the bats and bed bugs. Council had no problem with Micheleanne working with the Wildland Recreation Program. The water system needs upgraded. The NRD staff previously reported to council that the buildings needed to be burned down due to the bed bug infestation. A feasibility study needs to be done. Brian Lipscomb, Energy Keepers, Inc., requested concurrence to proceed with setting a date for legislators on various committees to come to an open house to view operations of the dam. It was scheduled for October 28. Brian Lipscomb, Energy Keepers, Inc.; and Rob McDonald, Communications; discussed a letter regarding the payment in lieu of taxes issue. Rhonda Swaney and Stu Levit, Legal Department, joined the discussion. Council will meet with the Lake County Commissioners on Thursday. Chairman Finley received an about an art collection that will go up for auction with a company in New York. If the Tribes are interested they will need to send someone to the auction that knows about our art to be able to identify the items and bid on the items. Vernon thought about sending Steve Allard. Vernon will gather additional information. Ron Trahan left the meeting. Page 8 of 9

9 Rob McDonald, Communications, informed council that a group is coming here next week and wanted to know if the Tribes would like to meet with them. Rob will obtain legal advice on how best to proceed and report back to council. Leonard Gray received an from Carolee Wenderoth requesting direction on legal review and how to proceed. He wants to make sure all bases are covered. More specific direction is needed. Legal will not do anything until there is council action directing it. Shelly Fyant has specifics she can bring back on Thursday. Council will discuss again on Thursday then. MOTION by Carole Lankford to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Terry Pitts. Carried, unanimous (6 present Ron Trahan out of the room). Council adjourned at 3:00 p.m., and is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, October 8, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES /sgnd/ James V. Matt Tribal Secretary Page 9 of 9