Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 1/25/2018P a g e 1 | 5 Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting Thursday, January 25, 2018 – 10:00 am Legendary Waters Casino Event Room, Bayfield, WI The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Nathan Gordon, Red Cliff Tribal Co- Chair in Rick Peterson’s absent; Jeff Silbert-present; Brian Goodwin, Co-Chair-present. Introductions: were made around the room consisted of the following persons: Mark Abeles- Allison, Barb Flyn, Sara Wartman, Dennis Pocernich, Robert Schierman, Paul Susienka, Jeanine Spuhler, Nikki Revak, Elizabeth Skulan, Jan Victorson, Carrie Linder, Cheryl Hanson, Mary Motiff, Holly Leask, Alana Babineau, Stephanie Defoe-Haskins, George Newago, Judge Anderson, Christopher Boyd, Becky Benton, Justine Rufuss, Gabrielle VanBergen, Dave Ujke, Chad Abel. 1. Designation of Tribal Co-Chair: A motion was made by Silbert/Goodwin to designate Richard Peterson as Tribal Relations Committee as Co-Chair. The motion carried. Public Comment: None. 2. Announcements: Gordon reminded everyone of the “Battling Substance Abuse” event being held for families in our area. The event will be held on February 13th from Noon to 7 p.m. here at the Legendary Waters Event Center. Gordon passed out a flyer for all in attendance. 3. Motion Regarding Minutes of March 2, 2017 County-Tribal Relations Committee Meeting. A motion was made by Goodwin/Silbert to adopt the minutes of the March 2, 2017 County-Tribal Relations Committee. Discussion took place. The motion carried. 4. Committee Co-Chair Comments, Purpose of Committee. Goodwin stated the purpose of this Committee is to identify ways of sharing our resources; through information, ideas and coordination. He briefly outlined how the Committee has been coordinating and collaborating through MOU’s, resolutions and agreements to work together for the better good. 5. County Elected Officials. Sheriff Susienka thanked the Committee for being invited to the meeting. He stated he agrees with Goodwin regarding the cooperation and sharing, and that his office remains committed to this. Susienka stated that the goal is to have a better life when people of both communities leave the jail. They seem to have a better insight than when they arrived. People need support and Bayfield County wants to work with Red Cliff to establish the support they need. We respect your input and ideas and together we can keep the community safe. Judge Anderson stated that 2017 finished with the biggest change in the Court system with a significant reduction in criminal cases since 1994. Anderson gave statistics and stated that we have a new District Attorney who has a new philosophy which is having an impact. He also reported that there is a rise in females being arrested due to the meth and opiate use. This then increases children being placed out of the home which is another impact. These are all new situations and we will see where 2018 takes us. 6. County and Tribal Department Reports: Criminal Justice – Barb Flynn read the Mission Statement of her department and then spoke on treatment alternatives and diversion programs. Flynn spoke on how Justine Rufuss has brought justice, peace and component of women’s’ program to the jail and inmates are utilizing the program and seem to be doing very well. This is a collaborative effort to bring entities together to work for the betterment of people. There is also a collaborative effort in bringing an anger management group within or outside the jail. There will be more information on this coming up. We have also received a Wisconsin Dept. of Justice: Bayfield County Jail Re-entry P a g e 2 | 5 Grant. This Pilot Site Grant will help in designing an evidence based program to reduce recidivism and assist jail inmates to successfully re-enter society. The grant amount is approximately $79.982.00. Justine Rufuss, Red Cliff Family Violence Program, also spoke on the services that the Bayfield County Jail provides, complimenting County programs. There is a Women’s Empowerment Group that will be starting soon. It is a 4-week program and will be through the Bayfield County Criminal Justice Department. There are also plans for a male offender advocate to start working in jails. Planning & Zoning Department Overview - Rob Schierman spoke on the Zoning Ordinance as it pertains to fee simple land and lands not held in trust. We continue to go down this path and we will keep working together to balance public and private lands as well as the resources of Bayfield County. Forestry – Bayfield County Administrator Abeles-Allison stated Jason Bodine, Forest Admin. was not able to attend today’s meeting and spoke on his behalf. He spoke how the Forestry Department is in direct contact with Chad Abel and have talked about many land issues, one key item coming up at January’s County Board of Supervisors’ meeting is the transfer of 80- acres of County Forest Land to the Tribe. Bodine wanted to also inform everyone that there are additional parcels that are being considered for transfer. It is amazing to see how far we have come in the past few years for the lands to go back to the Tribe. Chad Abel also reported that the purchase for an 80-acre parcel near Frog Bay has been finalized. There is also another 80-acres by Sand Bay that will be going to the Board Supervisors on January 30th. This will go through the approval process and then to the DNR for final say. This is already benefitting the County Forest Stewardship Plan. Bayfield County has been able to use the money to purchase new County lands through the Knowles Stewardship Program. Abeles-Allison added a remark made by Attorney Ujke awhile ago… “we just need 1- parcel and when we get one, things will happen.” He was right, things are starting to happen and it is encouraging everyone to come together. Newago brought up discussion at this time regarding how much of an effort is actually being made through title searches to see how the lands were lost in the first place. Ujke responded that this is not an easy task and every effort is being made to look at each parcel individually. In the meanwhile, we are obtaining tribal lands back as we go forward. Goodwin also pointed out that it is at the discretion of the County Board and Tribal Council to initiate. Tourism – Mary Motiff informed the Committee that not many counties have a Tourism Department. It is Motiff’s responsibility to make sure that the Red Cliff area is also promoted. Motiff spoke of the Scenic By-Way and the related council, and how she helps to market this. This designation occurred because of its cultural, nature and other amenities so important to our area. This Council meets 4 times a year and she brought with her a box of maps for distribution. Another area she is involved in is the Lake Superior Circle Tour. This has been stagnant for some time and presently, a group from Canada is trying to get this up and working again. All four seasons are being promoted for this tour. She will be working with Julie Fox from WI Tourism, sending out a notice to everyone in the area to gather their interest promoting in our area through this program. Fox is also coming to Bayfield for the upcoming Apostle Islands Dog Sled Race. Discussion took place on the snowmobile trails and that Legendary Waters has worked with the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance to make sure the trail to the casino is being groomed. Another topic is Story Maps, which Motiff is working closely on with Land Records. Podcasts are also part of the area promotion. Bayfield County has so much to offer and this is a good way to communicate a lot of detail in a way that is easy for people to comprehend; these were started last September. Next month, Chad Abel will be interviewed on Podcast regarding P a g e 3 | 5 Frog Bay on the podcast series. The Ice Caves are not open currently as with the last snow storm, the wind blew out the ice. The Governor’s Conference was briefly discussed. Motiff will be attending this in March. Gordon spoke of NATOW (Native American Tourism of Wisconsin). He mentioned that he and Anton Basina sit on that Council which promotes what we have here in our communities while also reaching out to other communities. A new calendar of events will be updated and there are books and pamphlets available. Gordon reported that Red Cliff is revising their Visitor’s guide which will be a yearly venture and that he and Motiff look forward to working together more. UW-Extension - Abeles-Allison informed the Committee that Mary Pardee, the new UW- Extension Area Director, will be replacing Tim Kane, who will be retiring at the end of the month. There is also a shift of duties within the UW office. Pardee will oversee 4-counties - Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Iron. Jason Fischbach, Bayfield County Ag Agent will be assigned to the State hazelnut initiative in 2018. Matt Cogger will be back filling his time. They will be rehiring Kane’s position in the near future. There will also be a bit of restricting with Jason Fischbach. Fischbach is staying, however the State is having him devote 80% of his time to the Hazelnut Project, which then means that 20% of his time will be bumped to Matt Cogger. Things are happening in this office too. Health - Sara Wartman, Health Director, informed the Committee that there have been many water tests to the Red Cliff area, primarily to get a base line. There has been a push for a community health assessment, which is usually done every 3-5 years. MMC has partnered with us and the last 2 cycles have shown the community prioritizes AODA. Grants have been received for permanent drop offs for sharps containers in Bayfield, Iron River and Washburn, as well as other sites in Ashland and Iron counties. We are trying to reclaim opiate prescriptions to keep the unused drugs out of the homes and taken to a facility where they are incinerated. We are in the process of getting materials out to the public for their information. There has been a big push for more media outreach on the opiate epidemic. A flyer was passed out entitled, “Written Off.” This event will be held at the Visitor’s Center on February 7th at 5:30 pm. Wartman encouraged everyone to attend who wants to know more about what can be done. It talks about how isolated people feel and how difficult it is to seek help. These are our family members we call addicts, but it is a human issue not limited to just one group. Dept. of Human Services - Elizabeth Skulan said she was here today along with her supervisory staff. They see significant increases in children being placed outside the home. They work with the Tribal Child Welfare office where there is much interaction. Skulan stated that if they need, they are a phone call away to help in any way they can. We also have a good relationship with the aging programs and a very good mutual effort all around. Chris Boyd addressed the truancy and gang issues. He is in the process of reaching out to Cheryl Hanson of Bay. Co. DHS on how collaboration can be met with juveniles that they have in common. He will also be touching base with Kim Lawton, District Attorney, as to how we can move children into a positive field. Emergency Management - Jan Victorson, Emergency Mgmt. Director, asked if the Committee and/or Red Cliff wanted to participate in the Hazard Mitigation Planning Session. The next Planning Session will be held on March 1st at 2:30. Victorson also stated that this is the document that determines if Bayfield County gets funding for disasters. Victorson also stated that a grant is being applied for regarding regional firefighters, and EMS. They are hoping to increase radio capability through Wiscom, a state system which give us many capabilities. We are strongly encouraging Red Cliff to participate in this. P a g e 4 | 5 9. Lands Working Initiative - Abeles-Allison stated that we have an existing Memorandum of Understanding which talks about focused areas to work on. On a regular basis Bayfield County will share with Red Cliff, lands that could potentially come back to Bayfield County. He passed out a document to Goodwin which listed delinquent property tax lands. 10. Discussion and Possible Action On The Opiate Crisis. Abeles-Allison updated the Committee about the action that is taking place across the State regarding the opiate crisis. He went over a document that showed that the Wisconsin County Association’s push for litigation with pharmaceutical companies is taking place throughout Wisconsin. Currently, 50 counties have banned together to help address the opioid crisis/epidemic. Bayfield County did sign on to this as a class action suit that addresses the harms that are taking place across the State. Because of the County Board’s action, individual departments of Bayfield County have focused more on the issue in addition to law enforcement with the impact it is having on our communities. Sheriff Susienka stated that this is a lawsuit that the WCA and legal counsel and firms are taking against 2 different drug companies based on their marketing strategies. They are being held accountable for their actions. What will come down perhaps, if there is a settlement, that the individual communities will need to come up with a fund amount that would be dispersible to the community. Boyd commented also on the training that they recently went to which identifies children with suicidal thoughts, depression, etc. 30 individuals attended this training. Ujke stated that Red Cliff is exploring the opioid epidemic as an individual entity. St. Croix is on the Board and many others will also become involved. Goodwin stated to the Committee that he has his own issues and his time is limited, but one issue that has impacted his life is this crisis. He acknowledged the Judge and Sheriff for their efforts in strategy to this health crisis and the focus that has been put on the jails. The County Board recently passed a resolution for AODA issues. This was also added into the Bayfield School District to participate in evaluations of resources and identification to create date to address these health issues. Goodwin discussed with the Committee underlying components he has found through is research which tend to be poverty and unhealthy vegetation. He spoke of how the Tribe and County have been working to create programs and resources to help our communities. We all need to look at this epidemic seriously as he spoke of his own family. The support is needed and we need to take serious measurements with this epidemic. He again thanked everyone for their involvement in the programs that help everyone. Judge Anderson made a comment that statistics look show that meth is the problem, but prescription drugs are a problem and they are coming from a non-threatening source that has always been there, our homes. Wartman also commented that they received a grant that promotes safety and the use of lock bags. These will be distributed throughout the communities. Discussion took place on how the drug companies knew that these pills were addictive, not informing the doctors of such. The doctors prescribed, not aware that they were addicting, and how years later, we have a major problem. The good news is that our problems are less than others because we have taken care of ourselves because we work together with our departments. 11. Superior Days. Abeles-Allison informed everyone that Superior Days will be held on February 20-21, 2018. He explained how the Northern 4-counties get involved with various legislative issues. Youth from our areas are also involved in the deliberation. This year’s 3 topics are PILT (payment in lieu of taxes) increasing from 30¢ to $2.00; Medicaid rates for nursing homes; and local control for water resource protection. P a g e 5 | 5 12. Other Reports: Mining Forum in Minocqua, WI on January 24th, sponsored by the Wisconsin Town’s Association about the mining bill. Act 134 gives the County a 6-month window to be compliant or more restrictive than the State. This will go into effect in July of 2018. Schierman explained more on Act 134. Discussion took place. 13. Future Agenda Items and Next Meeting Date. The next meeting date was set for the month of May. Abeles-Allison will get in touch with Jeanne to coordinate a date. There being no further business to come before the Tribal Relations Committee a motion was made by Goodwin/Silbert to adjourn. The motion carried. The Committee enjoyed a lunch together that was served. Respectfully submitted, Dawn M. Bellile, Deputy County Clerk