HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 9/17/2020Tribal Relations Minutes 2020-09-1710 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting 9:00am, Thursday, September 17, 2020 Virtual Meeting Via Web Ex, hosted by Red Cliff Members Present: Supervisor Jeff Silbert, Supervisor Steve Sandstrom, Vice Chair Nathan Gordon, Chairman Rick Peterson Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Paul Susienka, Wade Williams, Jason Bodine, Kyle Cadotte. Sara Wartman and James Kolross arrived at approximately 10am. Called to order at 9:00am by Chair Peterson Public Comment: None Received Minutes of March 13, 2019: Motion Gordon, Silbert to approve minutes of March 13, 2019 Minutes. Motion Carried, (4-0). Communications Review: Chairman Peterson reported no issues with communications. Noted good responses when speaking with County Administration and Sheriff’s Office. Gordon suggested sending out contact information for the all members of the committee. Abeles-Allison will do this. Gordon noted the Tribe’s new web page with a fresh look. Sandstrom supported the idea of a regular meeting scheduled. He stated his willingness to take issues to the Board from Red Cliff. Silbert supported the idea of more regular meetings. Tribal County Law Enforcement Agreement: Chief Cadotte and Sheriff Susienka spoke positively about their work relationship. Communications and operations are going well. A brief summary of case changes during COVID was shared. While certain drugs have been in short supply, other drugs have filled their place. An increase in domestics was also noted. The Sheriff stressed that Bayfield County is committed to providing the necessary law enforcement for Red Cliff. Chief Cadotte proposed a 2021 County Tribal Law Enforcement Agreement that included a $10,000 contribution to Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office. Committee members supported the recommendations and expressed appreciation that there was a strong working relationship between the County and Tribal law enforcement. Silbert noted that the cooperation was reassuring. Silbert made the motion to recommend to the respective boards that at $10,000 allocation to Bayfield County be made with all remaining funds being allocated to Red Cliff (exact amount of funding not available at this time, seconded by Sandstrom. Motion carried, (4-0). COVID-19 Planning Chair Peterson stressed that it was critical that communities across the county were on the same page and a uniform approach. With 20 new cases in the Red Cliff / Bayfield area and the first Tribal Relations Minutes 2020-09-1710 Page 2 of 3 positive and first death in the county this is an important issue for the area to continue to work on. Gordon and Peterson stressed the need to work together to keep our community safe. Silbert and Sandstrom concurred that this is a very serious issue and uniform response is important for reform to take hold in the county. Sara Wartman, Public Health Officer shared that board decisions and directions have a profound impact. Peterson noted Red Cliff took action on both mass gatherings and mask orders. The group discussed what happens when you start having positives in your work area or immediate family. Peterson concluded that difficult decisions were the right thing to do and that the public will take the lead from their local officials. Wartman noted a strong relationship between County and Tribal Health Officers. Peterson discussed the role Dr. Darling was playing with the Bayfield School COVID-19 Plan. Recess for 15 minutes 10:45: LAND MOU The current MOU for County Lands on the Red Cliff Reservation were reviewed. Jason Bodine, Bayfield County Forester shared information on Bayfield County lands within the Tribal Reservation. As of five years ago approximately 1450 total acres of land were owned by Bayfield County. Since then 380 acres were or are in the process of being deeded back to the Tribe. Silbert stated the County’s interest in returning lands to Red Cliff Tribal Ownership. A variety of transfer means were discussed including the GLRI initiative, Conservancy and other grant opportunities. Silbert and Bodine noted a mix of county owned and county forest owned lands. Specific mention was made of several land locked parcels on the water. Discussion about grant funds and stipulations was touched on and the possible impact on the Tribe’s ability to put lands into Trust. Sandstrom inquired a working group as noted in the agreement. Between now and the next meeting the working group will get together and provide an update on lands and options. Gordon supported continuing ahead with this topic and noted the importance and value of tribal lands to the entire Red Cliff Community. TRIBAL GAMING Senate Bill 886 providing DOT funding for counties with Tribal Reservations and towns adjacent to Reservations was reviewed. The County requested Tribal input prior to submitting a Tribal Relations Minutes 2020-09-1710 Page 3 of 3 resolution of support. The Tribe will review this in greater detail and share input at the next Tribal County Relations Meeting. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the Tribal County Relations meeting was set for Thursday, November 19 at 9am. ADJOURN Silbert made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Sandstrom. Motion carried, 11:33am.