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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 2/6/2014Tribal Relations Minutes 2014-02-0610 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting 11:00am, Thursday, February 6, 2014. Red Cliff Casino, Red Cliff 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, Dave Ujke (Tribal Attorney), Star Ames, Jan Victorson (BC Emergency Management Director), Todd Norwood, Jake Amas, Mike Overman, Darla Montano. Meeting called to order by Meyers at 10:00am. Motion Meyers, Gordon to approve minutes of the December 5, 2013 County-Tribal Relations meeting with one correction: COLLINS PROPERTY paragraph, should read " Tribe does not control access" as opposed to "does not have jurisdiction". Motion Carried. Reflections: Comments were made by Nathan Gordon, Beth Meyers, Mark Abeles-Allison and Dave Ujak regarding Leo LaFernier’s contributions to the county-tribal relationship. Bayfield County Hazard Mitigation Plan: Victorson reviewed the status of the plan and a brief overview. It was reported that the plan was approved by the Red Cliff Tribal Council this past week. Victorson explained that the Mitigation plan covers all the county and all parties have worked on it for the past 18 months. The plan requires approval by cities, village, county, Red Cliff and the State. Victorson noted that the plan opens the door for applications for mitigation funds. Two examples: courthouse generator and fairgrounds safe room were noted as recent Bayfield County projects. Victorson Highlighted Annex A, which is specific to Red Cliff. Jacob Amas worked on this together with other tribal members. It was Important to FEMA that the example included a detailed description of Red Cliff Operations. Other highlights include: mitigation actions, listing of specific topics, things to do in the future to mitigate emergency situations. Victorson reported that the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is already suggesting updates to the plan although the plan is good for five years. Ujke noted that Wade Williams is the new floodplain administrator for the tribe. Victorson stressed the following: 1. Need disaster feedback within 24 hours. 2. Declaring an emergency can open the door for funding. 3. Importance of having a tribal representative on the LEPC. Propane update: Gov. Walker noted state actions in his weekly address including relaxation of transportation rules allowing for larger loads and efforts to get more propane in through the Tribal Relations Minutes 2014-02-0610 Page 2 of 3 pipeline. Most locals are reporting ability to get propane but at a higher prices. Funding is available through DHS for propane, the medium income qualifier has changed for providing assistance. February is expected to be colder. Good news, people are looking out for one another. Meyers expressed concern about bills that will come due in May for those on natural gas. Encourage friends to turn down their thermostats. CORE, Fair Weather Friends program was recently established partially due to a recent cold weather death. Seven volunteers now are making calls to make sure residents are ok. Tribal Law Enforcement: Mertig noted that the agreement was completed and submitted online. Funding in the amount of $49,349 was received by Red Cliff. Funds went directly to Red Cliff. Mertig noted that the number of Red Cliff calls are way down. Current staffing in Red Cliff includes: 4 FT / certified. Sheriff Susienka and Chief Mertig spoke favorably of the cooperation and communication between the Red Cliff Police Department and the Sheriff's Department. Montano reviewed the new tribal offender program. They will be taking referrals soon and have just hired their first case worker, Star Ames from Bad River. They are working on how referrals will be handled, all will be voluntary. Montano stressed the group’s interest in cooperating and helping existing efforts and said they will assist with case management of those referred. Montano was open to an agreement being made to list this as a diversion program. Agreements could be made to settle a criminal case in lieu of incarceration, focus on high and medium risk. Montano went to Compas training. Someone else does the assessment, Montano will use the Compas evaluation as well. Susienka suggested he would like to see tribal involvement in cultural programs in the jail for tribal inmates. Ames reviewed a Self Awareness program begun in British Colombia for treating alcoholism. Abeles-Allison, Susienka and Montano reported on their participation in the Evidence Based Decision Making (EBDM) training/conference. Mertig reported a 20% reduction in crime over the past three years for adults. Tourism: Mike Overman reported on positive collaboration between Bayfield County and Red Cliff. Marketing efforts including: • 100 commercials, 30 seconds in length, working with winter fest in March in the Superior/ Duluth Market • Building relationships with Cornucopia. • Importance of cultural elements. • Winter tourism, snowmobiling. • Check out the new menu in the Legendary Waters restaurant! Tribal Gaming Update: Ujke reported: Tribal Relations Minutes 2014-02-0610 Page 3 of 3 • MOU done and out of council. • Given to county for review. • While revenue receipts were a net win, they were under the threshold, so no dollars allocated to the County this year. State of the Tribe Address is scheduled for February 13. Forestry: Gordon stated that it is the goal of the tribe to obtain land for future members of the community. Concessions could include a variety of things including purchase agreements, easements, etc. Child Support: Red Cliff has posted for a new Case Manager, Financial Specialist, Receptionist, and attorney. Anticipate start-up at the end of April or May. Close to finishing the MOU with the County. Working on a clause regarding sovereign immunity. Future agenda items to include the standard items as discussed at the last few meetings. Meeting Adjourned at 12:45pm. Suggestion was made to add links to each other’s web sites (County and Tribal Web Sites) Next meeting set for April 3, 2014 at Bayfield County.