HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 12/5/2013Tribal Relations Minutes 2013-12-0510
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Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting
10:00am, Thursday, December 5, 2013.
Bayfield County Annex, Emergency Operations Center, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Nathan Gordon, Beth Meyers
Members Excused: William Bussey, Marvin DeFoe.
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Bill Mertig (Red Cliff
Police Chief), Sheriff Paul Susienka, Bonnie Chivers (Bayfield County Child Support) , Jason
Bodine (County Forest Administrator), Dave Ujke (Tribal Attorney), Betty Kerr (Child Support),
Lynne Basina (Red Cliff Human Services Director), Chad Abel (Tribal Forester), Brenda
Spurlock (Criminal Justice Coordinator), Mary Motiff (County Tourism Director)
Meeting called to order by Meyers at 10:00am.
Minutes of September 25, 2013: Motion Gordon, Meyers to approve the minutes of the
September 25, 2013County-Tribal Relations Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Discussion on Child Support: Chivers reported that the most recent meeting between Red Cliff
and the County went well. Red Cliff is still on schedule to open their agency in April 2014.
Estimated 122 cases to be transferred from the county. Red Cliff will be taking a more wholistic
approach with cases.
Forestry: Discussed access to a parcel of county forest within tribal boundaries. Bodine reported
that in 2008 there were discussions on an alternate access route to this property. Handouts were
provided, which outlined the properties being discussed. Bodine requesting a dialogue
regarding this parcel. Ujke explained that the tribe does not have jurisdiction over the parcel that
is in trust with the Charles Collins Sr family. The tribe could negotiate access through the other
parcel, which is under their jurisdiction. To start the process, the county will need to make a
formal request to the tribe.
43 acres to be harvested on Big Sand Bay Road. Process beginning in the next couple of days.
Bodine inquired about the tribes interest in purchasing county forest land once the land has been
managed. Ujke reported that the tribe has a top priority of acquiring property within the tribal
boundaries. Bodine explained the process for withdrawing land from the Managed County Forest
Law designation. There are approximately 1420 acres of county forest within the tribal
boundaries. About 1100 are manageable.
This item to be placed as a standing item on the County-Tribal Relations agenda.
Tribal Gaming Proceeds: Ujke reported that the tribe has met the income threshold requiring
them to make payments to the state. The tribe has a provision in their compact with the state
which allows the tribe to send the first $100,000 to the county rather than the state if the tribe and
county enter into an MOU for this purpose. Tribe would like to see progress on the elimination
Tribal Relations Minutes 2013-12-0510
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of the cap on the 161 agreement and the acquisition of lands within the tribal boundaries.
Current estimate of gaming proceeds to come to the county in 2014 is $7500. Ujke has drafted
an MOU for the tribe to consider and will forward to the county when it has been reviewed. This
item to be placed on the next agenda.
Criminal Justice Update/Prisoner Re-Entry: Spurlock reported on the treatment court, which has
operated since 2011. High Risk/High Needs offenders, expanded to include veterans and
domestic violence offenders. This year’s grant will include a domestic violence/family
component (rather than just the offender).
Spurlock reported on programs currently being offered to offenders. Red Cliff will be hiring a re-
entry case manager within the next 30 days. Sheriff asked for clarification on what the process
will be for referrals to the Tribal Prisoner Re-Entry initiative.
Abeles-Allison reported on the 2-county meeting on the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion
(TAD) program that is a collaborative effort of the two counties.
Joint Marketing Efforts: Motiff reported that she has had more conversations with the current
marketing staff in Red Cliff in the last 6 months than have taken place in the past 6 years.
Collaborative marketing efforts have included: badger sportsman magazine feature article,
Bayfield County Visitor Guide, KBJR Winter Promotion. Abeles-Allison mentioned the DNR
trail easement program for the tribe to look into.
Communications Update: Abeles-Allison asked for input on the level of communications
between the county and tribe. The municipal newsletter provided by the county was reviewed.
County web site is being re-designed and will be more user friendly with even more information.
Suggestion to make sure there is a link to the tribal web site from the county web site.
Law Enforcement Update: Susienka reported that the county-tribal law enforcement agreement
was signed and forwarded to the state. Communications seem to be fine….no complaints.
Next meeting date: Tentatively set for Thursday, February 6, 11:00am at Legendary Waters
Resort to include lunch.
Meeting adjourned at 11:36am.