HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 10/24/2002Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Study Committee Meeting
1:00pm, Thursday, October 24, 2002 Bayfield County Annex Conference
Room
The meeting of the Bayfield County Tribal Studies Committee was called to order at 1:00pm,
Thursday, October 24, 2002, at the Bayfield County Annex Building East Conference Room.
Members present: Dave Good, Ray DePerry, Phil Gordon, Dick Compton and Leo
LaFernier.
Others Present: Donna Lynk, Mark Abeles-Allison, William Kacvinsky, Paul Susienka and Kris
Kavajecz
No chairman or vice-chairman was elected for this committee. It was mutually agreed that when
the meeting is held at the County complex, David Good would serve as chairman, and that Ray
DePerry would serve as chairman when the committee meets in Red Cliff. Dave Good was not
present at the beginning of the meeting, so Dick Compton called the meeting to order at 1:05pm.
Abeles-Allison provided a verbal recap of the August 15, 2002 meeting. Printed minutes will be
presented at the December meeting for review and approval of the committee.
The committee agreed to review item number 4 on the agenda while awaiting the arrival of
Donna Lynk.
Discussion regarding Tribal Domestic Abuse Program:
Susienka explained that there is an existing group, which works collectively to provide consistent
information and documentation regarding domestic abuse. The CCR program “Coordinated
Community Response”, is comprised of Judge, District Attorney, Victim/Witness Coordinator,
CASDA, Law Enforcement Agencies, Tribal Representatives, Public Defenders, etc. Susienka
explained that he is under the impression that the tribe may be developing a separate process for
handling domestic abuse cases and that there is concern that the work, which has encouraged
consistency throughout the county with regard to domestic abuse, may be compromised.
DePerry stated that he would investigate this issue further with tribal representatives.
Discussion regarding Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Tribe and
Bayfield County:
Abeles-Allison explained that the law enforcement agreement between the Tribe and Bayfield
County is about to expire and that the Tribal Studies Committee is a good forum to review the
document and recommend revisions for the upcoming agreement deadline. Deperry encouraged
a review of the goals and specific accountability listed in the agreement.
David Good arrived at this point, 1:35pm.
Discussion centered around developing specific program goals, criteria and expectations for each
entity. Compton suggested a quarterly review of the items listed in the contract to ensure
accountability. Susienka explained that the main concern on the part of the County is the
timliness and accessibility of case reports.
A brief discussion regarding the CODY software and potential capability of municipal law
enforcement to share the software was held. DePerry, Abeles-Allison, Sheriff Follis, and Chief
Bresette will meet on Nov 7 to further discuss current communication and interaction between
the departments.
Review and Update on Tribal Land Issues:
Abeles-Allison explained that there are four (4) categories of land to be discussed: 1)Large
Parcels-Lands currently owned by Bayfield county, but are located within Tribal boundaries and
contain in excess of 4 acres of property 2) Small parcels-Lands owned by Bayfield County, but
are located within Tribal boundaries and contain under four acres of property. 3) Parcels of
Tribal Land that the County may have a fractional interest in due to Non-Native American heirs.
And 4) the Cecilia Deperry Property, which is currently taxed by Bayfield County.
After brief discussion, a Motion was made by Good, Second by DePerry to transfer the 6.75
acres, as identified in a handout previously distributed, to the Tribe, pending approval of the
Land Sales Committee and the County Board. Motion Carried.
The large parcels will be evaluated individually.
Lynk stated that she has received a tax bill for the Cecilia DePerry property. The committee
discussed how they should proceed with this particular property. It was suggested that the Tribe
have an appraisal completed on this property and that the county consider selling the parcel to
the Tribe, less the taxes already paid on the property. It was further suggested that this topic be
added to the next Land Sales Committee meeting for review.
Lynk is researching the list of fractional parcels which she presented at earlier meetings. It has
been determined that several of the parcels are fully retained by the Tribe and that the County
does NOT have a fractional interest. Lynk will continue to investigate the remaining parcels on
the list. She explained that Perri Shuga did research for her on several small parcels and that the
information was forwarded from Shuga to Clerk Tom Gordon for his review.
Abeles-Allison was asked to investigate the possibility of transferring the Cecilia DePerry
property to the Tribe.
Discussion of any other tribe or county issues that may benefit the other organization:
David Good questioned why the County retained mineral rights to the property which is now
used for the Cemetary. Abeles-Allison will investigate further and report back at the next
meeting.
The next meeting will be December 19 at the Red Cliff Tribal Council Center at 1:00pm.
Motion by DePerry, second by Gordon to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at
2:35pm.