HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 6/5/2014Tribal Relations Minutes 2014-06-0510
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Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting
11:00am, Thursday, June 5, 2014.
Legendary Waters Resort, Bayfield, WI
Members Present: Nathan Gordon, Beth Meyers, William Bussey
Members Excused: Marvin DeFoe Jr.
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Wade Williams, Betty
Kerr, Darla Montano, Star Ames, Chad Abel, Scott Erickson, Jim Belanger, Tyler Gordon,
Brenda Spurlock, Kathleen Grey, Lynn Basina.
Opening comment was shared by Gordon to review the purpose of the committee. The message
is to work together for the same common goal.
Motion Bussey, Gordon to nominate Meyers as Chair when meetings are held at the Bayfield
County facilities. Motion Bussey to close nominations and to cast a unanimous ballot for
Meyers for Chairperson when the committee meets at the Bayfield County Courthouse facilities.
Motion Carried.
Motion Meyers, Bussey to nominate Gordon to appoint Gordon as Co-Chair of the committee
when the committee meets at the Red Cliff facilities. Motion Carried.
Abeles-Allison explained that Dennis Pocernich is the new County Board Chairman. On county
committees, the item of Public Comment has been added to all agendas. No public comment
received at this time.
Motion Meyers, Bussey to approve minutes of the April 3, 2014 County-Tribal Relations
meeting. Motion Carried.
Memorandum of Understanding: Tribal compact states that once the Tribe reaches the $5
million dollar revenue threshold, then up to $100,000 would be submitted to the county subject
to the compact to be used for services that generally benefit the Red Cliff tribal community.
Return of Lands to the Tribe and Human Services 161 Agreement specific to out of home
placement are two topics that the proposed MOU includes.
Comment from Bussey that the relationship between paragraphs 3 & 5 seem to conflict slightly.
Concern with the option of arbitration, but is supportive of mediation. Question if the law
enforcement pass-through funds are impacted by this agreement.
Conflict resolution should be limited to this specific agreement and related funds. Separate
conflicts should not be tied to the gaming compact.
Program Updates:
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Child Support: Betty Kerr provided an update on the status of the Red Cliff Child Support Office
status. MOU with the county is substantially done. Approximately 98 cases have been identified
that have both parents on the reservation and there is clear jurisdiction. There are approximately
261 cases in the KIDS system (the number of actual kids may be higher). Cases will be
transferred from the county to the tribe once the office is opened.
Garnishments for Red Cliff cases must go through Tribal Court.
County and Tribe will be sitting down to work out wrinkles between the county and tribal Child
Support Offices. The meeting for today was cancelled. Discussion was held about developing a
respectful, strong working relationship going forward to work cooperatively toward the common
goal of serving the best interest of the children.
Forestry: 1-page summary of County activity was provided in the meeting packet by the County
Forest Administrator. Abel reported that he met with Jason Bodine. They identified 1420 acres of
county land within the boundary of the Red Cliff Reservation. Approximately 80 are managed
and available for sale.
Initial focus will be on the north half of the NE ¼, approximately 80 acres.
There may still be some sale timber on the parcel that could be harvested.
Discussion regarding a parcel that Bayfield County desires access to. Anticipated sale on the
property is about $200,000-$250,000. Tribe open to discussing access along with a harvest fee.
County’s goal is to address the tribe’s interest in the lands while also considering the county’s
interest.
Tourism: Scott Erickson, Marketing Manager addressed the topic of snowmobile accessibility to
the Legendary Waters Resort. Tribe is looking at a future permanent trail to accomplish this.
Suggestion made for Erickson and Belanger to meet with the County Tourism Committee and
County Tourism Director.
Detour on Highway 13 for major culvert replacements this summer.
A brief break was observed to partake in a lunch.
Law Enforcement: Darla Montano provided an overview of the intoxicated driver program and
the female residential treatment program. Currently 13 clients in the program.
Star Ames reported on the tribal resource directory to partner with the county resource directory.
Also commented on the Wellbriety program, AA program and relationship group.
Brenda Spurlock reported that they work closely with Darla and Star. Anticipate further
cooperation in programs in the community. Ideas include: programs for young adults, developing
educational programs for at risk young adults through Jeff Meyers. Currently offering classes 3
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nights per week involving treatment, sobriety and intensive physical activity. Gordon mentioned
the Dog Soldier MMA program out of St Paul.
Second program is the co-occurring disorders support group. Working with community members
and the DOC. Mishomis is not currently at max capacity. Funding and space are needed to
expand programming.
Kathleen Grey commented that the jail used to be a place to just lock people up. It has come a
long way in providing programming to change behaviors. Some positive change include: LCO
classes, GED classes, Tutoring, Help with Social Security Cards, etc.
Comment that inmates housed from other counties want to remain in Bayfield County Jail
because of the programming and food, and because they are treated with dignity.
Grey excited about the changes that are happening and about making a difference.
Comment was made to consider cultural awareness.
Future Agenda Items: Forestry, Gaming Compact, Child Support, Economic Development. Next
meeting to be held in Washburn. August 7th at 11:00am.
Meeting adjourned at 12:20pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz