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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 4/21/2016Tribal Relations Minutes 2016-4-2110 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting 9:00am, Thursday, April 21, 2016. Legendary Waters Casino, Bayfield, WI Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Bryan Bainbridge, Nathan Gordon, Brian Goodwin Others Present: Dave Ujke, Brenda Spurlock, Bill Mertig, Krystle Topping, Laura Gordon, Wade Williams, Chris Boyd, Laura Gordon, Jeremy St. Arnold, Jim Schandore, Fred Borg, Jason Bodine, Mark Abeles-Allison Item 1: Called to order at 9:00am by Bainbridge. Goodwin made opening remarks, acknowledging the importance of working together and representing our residents. Gordon asked that the topic of the next joint tribal county board meeting be addressed under item 12. Gordon, Goodwin made the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Item 3: Introductions were made: • Brian Goodwin, District 1 • Jeff Silbert, District 6. • Brian Bainbridge, Tribal Chair • Nathan Gordon, Tribal Vice Chair Item 4: Election of a new co-chair for Bayfield County. Silbert made the motion to nominate Goodwin, seconded by Gordon. Motion carried. Item 5: Gordon made the Motion to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2016 meeting minutes, seconded by Goodwin. Motion carried. Item 6: Bainbridge began the discussion regarding county and tribal lands. Great effort is being made to get the two boards on the same page. Bainbridge noted the success of the recent joint tribal county meeting. Now at a point of some understanding between the County and Tribe. Goal of repatriating lands to the Tribe. Currently 1500 acres of County Lands are on the tribal reservation. • Goodwin noted implications of values regarding land. Conflict of values is important to acknowledge. • Abeles-Allison summarized Ellen Kwiatkowski’s memo regarding recent discussions. • Bodine further discussed current efforts and parameters including county forest law regulations. • Bainbridge noted the importance of the story as well as his interest in making this work for both parties. Tribal Relations Minutes 2016-4-2110 Page 2 of 4 • Bainbridge noted the importance of working together in good faith with the County working to repatriate lands and the tribe commits to assist the county in replacing those lands off the reservation. • Bainbridge noted he still gets positive feedback in having the joint meeting between the two boards demonstrating relationship building. Showing the compromise and agreements are possible. Still cannot forget beginning of the story however. • Silbert noted that he is new to this. He is glad to see this discussion. Noted the importance of taking small steps initially. Perhaps a smaller tract selection with cultural significance is how to start. Silbert noted the importance of stewardship values. • Goodwin spoke to common values in land stewardship. • Ujke spoke to the importance of patience. He stressed the importance of a more recent willingness to address this. Ujke encouraged starting with one parcel as opposed to 1500 acres. • Bodine stated that Stewardship funding might not be available in the future and that the parties could explore both options one parcel and all simultaneously. • Goodwin supported updating the MOU that expired in 2013 and a focus on getting some options / scenarios in place for the respective boards to consider with a focus on “solving” and “eliminating” problems. • Silbert supported starting with the smaller tracts. • Bainbridge noted that current discussions are more serious now and that we can start moving forward. He stated having the MOU in place shows our seriousness. • Ujke asked that revisions to the document be forwarded to him for incorporation. • Goodwin, motion to revisit the MOU to make the former MOU current, seconded by Gordon, Motion carried. • Ujke asked for feedback in the next 30 days. • Bainbridge raised the topic of access management on county lands. • Bodine noted the recent inventory of all county trails and roads. 1200 miles of roads and trails are recognized. Every road and trail was ranked and scored, regarding whether they could accommodate a truck, ATV/UTV, or no motorized used. No funding is available for these roads/trails. Purpose was to prioritize resources. Non-motorized use was not impacted on any of the 1200 miles. 75% of miles are open to ATV, 50% open to trucks. This plan was approved and implemented three years ago. Signage is still underway (about 60% done, started south and working north). This is on the access management plan tab. Item 7: Treatment Alternatives and Diversions Grant. • Spurlock presented an overview of the two grants, funding a full time deputy sheriff position in the county, collaborating with Ashland County for the past 5 years. It is up for a rewrite this year. This is a competitive grant, Spurlock noted that it would be good to reapply and discuss what a new grant might look like. The grant is due on June 30. Current plans are to re-apply using the two county model. Tribal Relations Minutes 2016-4-2110 Page 3 of 4 • Mertig noted the importance of the program especially from a treatment perspective. Mertig supports the TAD program. • Bourg noted the increase in meth related cases and the impact of meth addiction on our community. Long term incarceration is a method used to treat but alternatives to incarceration are also available with a mix between incarceration and treatment. Bourg stressed working together with Red Cliff on treatment programs. He stressed knowing about tribal treatment options to assist tribal members. Meth is driving increases in both physical assaults and burglaries in the county. Meth users are often first time offenders, placing first time offenders in jail with more hard core offenders is not a best practice. • Mertig noted the increase of both incidents and investigations over the past five years. • Bainbridge has encouraged Red Cliff Human Services cooperation with Bayfield County. He supports a stronger partnership with the County. • Goodwin noted the importance of reference to tribal, county, state laws and core functions which ensures improved efficiency and effectiveness as it relates to the “wrap around” for individuals. Further stressed holistic approach using all resources available moving towards a strength based approach. • Mertig stressed need for in house treatment facility for people of this region as opposed to long hauls to far away locations. • Goodwin stressed aftercare options. We are strong in comprehensive programs but need the glue to hold our resources, policies and practices together. • Topping raised co-occurring themes and how important seamless delivery of services is critical. We need to look at the cross jurisdictional referral process / how can county policy be matched with Red Cliff Policy. • Bainbridge noted that future partnerships will drive additional cooperative grants like the Re-Entry program grant. • Goodwin raised the role of cultural factors in prevention, intervention and treatment. • Spurlock recommended a joint meeting after the grant training meeting on May 3, 2016. Noted focus on medium and high risk need individuals. Bainbridge questioned if this was ideal and asked for some talking points on this issues for upcoming discussions with DOJ. • A joint resolution was recommended for both bodies on the TAD program. Mark, Brenda and Bill to draft and share. • Gordon noted a community forum in Ashland to discuss drugs in our community. • Gordon asked to discuss the unit rate issue with Mishomis House. Item 8: Spurlock reviewed the Stepping Up Initiative Resolution. The purpose of this is to partner with organizations within the community to develop a strategy to reduce the number of people in jail with mental illnesses. Bayfield County is the seventh County in Wisconsin to join this effort. Spurlock noted the importance of holding criminals accountable and to treat those individuals with co-occurring disorders be treated accordingly. The Stepping Up resolution puts Bayfield County in a position to apply for additional grant funding for important county programs. Bourg reviewed the process used for dealing with individuals with mental illness as they become involved in the criminal justice system. Mertig noted the new behavioral health unit in Red Cliff and the potential for voluntary commitments. Bainbridge urged the county to look to Red Cliff as a treatment provider. Silbert made the motion for the committee to support the Stepping Up Initiative, seconded by Gordon. Motion carried. Tribal Relations Minutes 2016-4-2110 Page 4 of 4 Item 9. Spurlock shared information on a Bureau of Justice Assistant grant for a 2-3 year grant for collaborative mental health crisis funding. It is Brenda’s hope to put an application together for a May 17 deadline. It would be between Ashland, Bayfield and North Lakes. Bainbridge noted that the Red Cliff Health Center should be considered as well as a partner. Alternatively, an application between Bayfield County and Red Cliff could be another option. Gordon made the motion to support the initiative with as many partners as possible, seconded by Goodwin. Motion carried. Item 10: Red Cliff will have a drum and dance performance at the Fair, August 11-15. Gordon noted Red Cliff Days, Sept 1-5. Red Cliff is working with Bayfield County Tourism to promote the event. Item 11. The next meeting will be held June 16: 9am, in Washburn. BRIAN/NATHAN ADJOURN. 11:56.