HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 12/5/20181
Bayfield County Administrator
117 E 5th Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891
Ph: 715-373-6181 Fax: 715-373-6153
Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator
Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant
MINUTES OF THE:
Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee
Wednesday December 5th, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
Legendary Waters Meeting Room, Red Cliff, WI
1. Call to Order;
The Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee was called to order at 10:05 a.m. by Chairman Rick
Peterson. A roll call was taken by Chairman Rick Peterson, as follows, present: Rick Peterson, Nathan
Gordon, Jeffrey Silbert, George Newago. None absent. Total: 4 present, 0 absent. A quorum was present
to conduct business.
Also present were: Bayfield County Administrator-Mark Abeles-Allison; Clerk III-Allison Radke; Red
Cliff Biologist- Chad Abel; Bayfield County Sheriff- Paul Susienka; Red Cliff Police Chief- Kyle
Cadotte; Red Cliff Tribal Attorney- Wade Williams.
2. Public Comment; No public comment was received.
3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the May 17th, 2018 County-Tribal Relations Committee Meeting;
A motion was made by Silbert, Gordon to approve the minutes of the May 17th, 2018 County Tribal
Relations Committee meeting. No edits or corrections. Motion carried.
4. Strengthening Communication Methods;
Comments were received from Committee members regarding more effective and frequent
communication. Ideas were suggested such as meeting more frequently and calling special meetings
when necessary. There was a suggestion of sharing names and phone numbers between the Bayfield
County Board and the Tribal Council. It was concluded that strengthening communication is an urgent
and very important topic.
5. Reports:
a. Law Enforcement Report;
Red Cliff Police Chief Kyle Cadotte led a discussion regarding current challenges and successes
of Red Cliff Law Enforcement. There was a focus on discussing the meth epidemic and related
ideas, suggestions, and challenges. Bayfield County Sheriff Paul Susienka reported on the many
efforts and challenges that Bayfield County faces. He noted the ongoing cooperation and
collaboration between County and Tribal Law Enforcement. In the conversations, it was
contributed that the concerns are not a tribal issue, but a human issue.
b. Forestry Report;
2
Bayfield County Administrator Abeles-Allison reported on behalf of Forestry and Parks
Director-Jason Bodine. Bayfield County Forests sales have declined over the last several years
resulting in reduced proceeds retained by the county. It was reported that revenues are
anticipated to be $1 million less in 2019. There is a timber sale in Red Cliff that has been
pending for many years and is going through the Project Application and Compliance (PAC)
review process but is stuck at present.
c. Hydro Atlas Presentation;
County Administrator Abeles-Allison gave a presentation about the hydro atlas project in concert
with the Wisconsin Geologic and History Survey. The project was facilitated by the Departments
of Land Records and Health in gathering and entering well data for the analysis. The information
can be used for planning purposes and it will be available to municipalities. It was described as a
great resource for land use planning and local water resources.
6. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Working Lands Initiative;
County Administrator Abeles-Allison gave information regarding the Working Lands Initiative
including outstanding taxes on fee properties within the Red Cliff Reservation. It was noted this is a
standing agenda item, designed to encourage dialogue between the tribe and county regarding land on
the reservation. A copy of the MOU was reviewed.
7. Superior Days 2019 Topics, February 12 and 13;
County Administrator Abeles-Allison explained some of the topics and issues that will be addressed at
Superior Days. One of the topics will be Medicaid reimbursements and seasonal housing needs. Other
issues raised included seasonal unemployment and unemployment filling requirements in tourism driven
economies with seasonal employment.
8. Future Agenda Items and Date and Time of Next Meeting;
It was decided to meet in the first 2 weeks of March. The date will be determined through
communication. Suggested agenda items included: open communication, unemployment issues,
Wisconsin Counties Association, Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s), and potential
mining Resolutions.
8. Adjournment.
There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee, the
meeting was adjourned by Chair Peterson at 12:15 p.m.
Motion by Newago, Gordon to adjourn the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee meeting.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Allison Radke
Allison Radke, Clerk III
Bayfield County Clerk’s Office