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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 1/20/2004Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Study Committee Meeting 10:00am, Tuesday, January 20, 2004 Red Cliff Fire Hall The meeting of the Bayfield County Tribal Studies Committee was called to order at 10:07am, Tuesday, January 20, 2004, at the Red Cliff Fire Hall by acting chairman Ray DePerry. Members Present: Dave Good, Ray DePerry, Phil Gordon, Members Absent: Leo LaFernier, Richard Compton Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Bill Kacvinsky and Kris Kavajecz Motion Regarding Minutes of the November 6, 2003 Tribal Studies Committee Meeting; Motion was made by DePerry, second by Gordon to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2003 meeting. Motion Carried. Memorandum of Understanding: The County Board will review and take action regarding the County/Tribal Memorandum of Understanding regarding Land Issues at their January 22, 2004 board meeting. DePerry reported that the tribe has approved the MOU and an associated Resolution supporting the MOU. A copy of the tribal resolution was provided to the County Administrator for distribution to the county board members. DePerry will attend the County Board meeting. Abeles-Allison asked if the verbiage in item D, page 2 was clear enough. The committee felt that no further clarification was needed. Other Land Issues: Donna Lynk will be asked to provided an update regarding the parcels with fractionalized interest at the next committee meeting. County/Tribal Law Enforcement Agreement Status Report: The County and Tribe have received confirmation of an award of approximately $68,000 for cooperative law enforcement efforts. The agreement outlines that quarterly meetings be held between the tribe and county law enforcement. Both the tribe and county reported that communication between the departments appears to be improving. Representatives from Bayfield County Law Enforcement will participate in the interview and hiring process for new Red Cliff Police Officers. Red Cliff officers will continue to be included in law enforcement training offered through the Sheriff’s Department. Computer technicians are evaluating the possibility of linking Red Cliff Police with the CODY law enforcement software. Abeles-Allison reported that the Criminal Justice Council will be holding five “listening sessions” throughout the county regarding the criminal justice system in the county. One session will be held at the Red Cliff Bingo Hall on March 3, 2004 at 6:00pm. DePerry requested an update on the status of the Enhanced 911 system. The county reported that testing of the system is anticipated to begin by mid February. The committee discussed the educational aspect of the enhanced 911 system and the county was encouraged to utilize the Red Cliff television and newspaper as sources to educate the public. The committee also briefly discussed the surcharges that will be billed on telephone bills. They discussed the fact that they are trying to coordinate the surcharges being billed as soon as enhanced service is available to avoid a large retroactive fee being billed at a later date. Discussion Regarding Development Plans in Red Cliff: DePerry reported that currently, the tribal administration employs approximately 187 tribal members, 50 non-indian persons, and 11 tribal persons from other tribes. The casino currently employs approximately 85 persons, 59 tribal, and 26 non-tribal. In addition, the housing authority employs approximately 15 persons. DePerry reported that the proposed hotel and casino complex would employ from 300 to 350 persons. The existing Bingo Hall and Bar would remain as they currently are. It is anticipated that ground breaking for the hotel will begin in May of 2004, with completion in May of 2005. DePerry also reported that Project Walking Shield will begin in May or June of 2004 and will continue through September or October, to begin again for the same time period in 2005. It is expected that about 60 to 100 military personnel will be on the work site at all times, with 600 to 1000 military personnel rotating in throughout the summer. The committee discussed where the military personnel will be housed during their project. DePerry explained that a planning team will be meeting with the tribe in the next two weeks to work out the details. Good reported that the County Highway Department is investigating the coordination of a road project to overlay Hwy 13 between Red Cliff and Bayfield, which would correspond with the construction of the Hotel and Casino project. DePerry reported that the Marina will remain open in 2004, however, the campground will be closed due to the hotel construction project. DePerry reported that the tribe will be releasing a press release in the near future, which will offer medical care at the Red Cliff Indian Health Clinic to non-tribal members. They anticipate that an additional 150 persons can be served at the clinic. The next meeting was set for Wednesday, March 24 at 10:00am in the Bayfield County Board Room. Motion by DePerry, Second by Gordon to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:00am.