HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 3/13/20191
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 March 13th, 2019 – 10:00 a.m.
Bayfield County Courthouse, Annex Building
Rick Peterson, Tribal Council Chair Nathan Gordon, Tribal Council Vice-Chair
Jeffrey Silbert, Bay. Co. Supervisor George Newago, Bay. Co. Supervisor
1. Call to Order;
The Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee was called to order at 10:08 a.m. by George
Newago. A roll call was taken by George Newago, as follows, present: Chairman 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; Bayfield County Sheriff- Paul Susienka; Red Cliff Police Chief- Kyle Cadotte; Red Cliff
Tribal Attorney- Wade Williams; Bayfield County Veteran Service Officer- Kevin Johnson; UW-
Extension Educator- Kellie Pederson; UW-Extension Area Director- Mary Pardee; Bayfield
County Criminal Justice Coordinator- Barb Flynn; Bayfield County Health Director- Sara
Wartman; Mike Soulier; District Attorney- Kimberly Lawton; Bayfield County Judge- Anderson;
Jail Administrator- Kathleen Haiden.
2. Public Comment;
Mike Soulier shared concerns regarding complaint process, sovereign immunity, involvement of
Federal Marshall, racial profiling, collusion, Accountability forum.
3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the December 5th, 2018 County-Tribal Relations Committee
Meeting;
A motion was made by Gordon, Silbert to approve the minutes of the December 5th, 2018 County
Tribal Relations Committee meeting. No edits or corrections. Motion carried.
4. Kevin Johnson, Bayfield County Veteran Service Officer Update;
Veterans Service Officer Johnson provided information about his position and the role he plays
in Bayfield County. Informing veterans of their benefits. Service-connected disability and
compensation. Veterans Service Officer Johnson does outreach to Red Cliff once a month and by
appointment. Johnson hosted the 2017 CVSO-Wisconsin Spring Conference and incorporated
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many Red Cliff veterans and tribal members throughout the conference. VA regional office in
Milwaukee did a visit to Red Cliff in June 2018. Johnson participated in this event. Tribal
Veteran Service Office, Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe is Ashley Poch. Poch and Johnson have
different positions and different focuses. TVSO focuses more on community engagement and
leadership within the veteran community. CVSOA-Wisconsin proposed logo change. 72 counties
11 tribes = 83 strong. Implementing vs proposed? There has been success in helping veteran
inmates. From the jail cell to in-patient VA hospital. Healthcare- Red Cliff Healthcare Center.
Veterans Choice vs Community Care. Question regarding President signing a bill. Should make
improvements per Johnson. Johnson was congratulated and thanked for his work and dedication
with the Red Cliff Tribal community and all veterans throughout Bayfield County. New van for
veteran transport. VFW has 70 members, not all are Tribal members. 2017 Resolution in
appreciation of Ojibwe Veterans. Travel for funeral, color guard responsibilities, 4th of July, etc.
Poch and Shawn were also thanked for their work.
5. Introduction of Kellie Pederson, UW-Extension Educator, Community Development and
Mary Pardee, Area Extension Director discussing programming partnerships and summer
intern possibilities;
Area Extension Director Mary Pardee represents Douglas, Ashland, Bayfield and Iron Counties.
Pardee provided an overview of Extension activities throughout the program areas in Bayfield
County.
6. County Tribal Efforts to Reintegrate Inmates into the Community after Jail; Paul
Susienka, Bayfield County Sheriff and Barb Flynn, Bayfield County Criminal Justice
Coordinator;
Sheriff Susienka and Criminal Justice Coordinator Barb Flynn informed the committee about:
employment, housing and addiction issues in Bayfield County. He shared information on new
programming in the jail and the numerous partnerships and programs in place. He noted only
through continued effort will things get better, issues are not going to go away on their own.
The County offers Re-entry programs that help make us all better and stronger. The Sheriff
shared 2018 Jail Statistics showing of the 676 inmates, 45% were Native. Chairman Peterson
wants to see progress with program objectives and goals being met.
7. County Tribal Law Enforcement Agreement, Paul Susienka; Kyle Cadotte, Red Cliff Police
Chief;
County Board approved the 2019 Tribal County at 100% distribution to Red Cliff after a special
meeting in late 2018.
8. Tribal County Health Report, Opioid and Meth Epidemic/Crisis Update, Sara Wartman,
Bayfield County Health Director;
Bayfield County Health Director Sara Wartman introduced herself. Wartman gave information
about the numerous efforts that the Bayfield County Health Department is taking including
collaborations with Red Cliff. In addition to the opioid and meth epidemic, the Health
Department is working on water testing, lymes diseases. The Department is working on
Improving infrastructure grants, living healthier lives.
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9. Strengthening Communication Methods;
The Committee discussed meeting every couple of months, learning from the dialogue and
maintaining an open door of communication.
10. Discussion and Possible Action Regard Working Lands Initiative;
A review of the Working Lands MOU was made noting the purpose was to “Agree to keep close
contact with each other” and to share information.
11. Reports:
a. Bayfield County Mining Ordinance;
Bayfield County Zoning Department has been working on the Bayfield County Mining
Ordinance. Both entities have a common interest in the environment. The tribe is opposed
to any mine.
b. Cervid Study Committee;
County created Cervid Study Committee, chaired by Fred Strand, working on report and
recommendation to the full board.
c. Employment: Promoting County and Tribal Job Vacancies;
Sharing of job vacancies was suggested to help fill positions.
12. Future Agenda Items and Date and Time of Next Meeting;
It was decided to meet Wednesday June 12th, 2019 10:00 a.m. . 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.
13. Adjournment.
There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee,
the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Peterson at 12:34 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