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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 10/26/2022 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, Human Resource Director Paige Terry, Clerk III MINUTES OF THE: Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting 9:00am, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Meeting was held at the Legendary Waters Resort & Casino in Red Cliff, WI Members Present: Supervisor Jeff Silbert, Supervisor Steve Sandstrom, Tribal Chairman Chris Boyd Members Excused: Tribal Vice-Chair Rick Peterson Others Present: Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Assistant Tribal Attorney Wade Williams, Bayfield County Public Health Nurse Holly Weber, Bayfield County Health Director Sara Wartman, Red Cliff Planning Administrator Nicole Boyd, Bayfield County Human Services Director Elizabeth Skulan, Bayfield County Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section Manager Tom Croteau, Bayfield County CCS Intern August Gordon, Bayfield County Planning & Zoning Director Ruth Hulstrom, and Bayfield County Clerk III Paige Terry. Called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Tribal Chair Chris Boyd 2. Introductions: Chris Boyd – Tribal Chair Mark abeles Allison – Bayfield County Administrator Jeff Silbert – Bayfield County Board Supervisor District 6 Nicole Boyd – Red Cliff Planning Administrator August Gordon – Bayfield County DHS CCS Intern Tom Croteau – Bayfield County Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section Manager Elizabeth Skulan – Bayfield County Human Services Director Ruth Hulstrom - Bayfield County Planning & Zoning Director Paige Terry – Clerk III for Bayfield County Administrator and Clerk’s Offices Holly Weber – Bayfield County Public Health Nurse Sara Wartman – Bayfield County Health Director Steve Sandstrom – Bayfield County Board Supervisor District 1 Wade Williams – Red Cliff Assistant Tribal Attorney 3. Public Comment: Silbert offered his congratulations to the tribe on the recent court taxation ruling. congratulate tribe on taxation. Chairman Boyd informed the committee that the decision would not be final until November 14, 2022. 4. Motion to Approve Minutes of July 20, 2022, County-Tribal Relations Committee Meeting: Motion by Silbert, seconded by Sandstrom to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2022, County-Tribal Relations Committee Meeting. Motion carried, 3-0, 1 absent. 5. Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Bayfield County Administrator, Mark Abeles-Allison, explained that the topic was raised at the joint Tribal Council/County Board meeting held in June by a Tribal Council member and the member had asked it to be included on the agenda. Bayfield County Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section Manager, Tom Croteau, gave and overview of the section to the committee and explained that the programs offered are voluntary for those suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues that need more assistance outside of weekly counseling. The Behavioral Health and Community Programs employees specialize in case management and service facilitation. Chairman Boyd asked if there was any overlap between the Red Cliff caseload and the Bayfield County caseload. Croteau replied that, while Red Cliff tribal members are included in the Bayfield County caseload, both entities have their own caseloads. Discussion took place regarding the cooperation between the two entities. The committee discussed the increased need for mental health/substance abuse treatment services. Croteau informed the committee that the Behavioral Health portion of the Bayfield County Human Services Department has recently been moved from the Family Services Section to the Comprehensive Community Services Section and renamed to be the Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section. An overview of the role of the new section was given. Chairman Boyd inquired about the department’s involvement the Treatment Court. Croteau answered stating the department is working to be more reactive towards citizens in need of services and addressing their needs before it becomes and emergency. Bayfield County Health Director, Sara Wartman, asked Croteau to explain how the department receives referrals for citizens in need. Croteau stated that referrals may come from citizens, call ins, or even from other county departments. Chairman Boyd asked if Bayfield County has had any available transitional living places. Croteau explained that the county has also had limited access to transitional living spaces but does have access to some funding that should assist. Discussion took place regarding the department’s involvement with treatment court and the screening limitations experienced by those looking to participate. 9:26 a.m. – The committee took a short recess. 9:32 a.m. – The committee reconvened. Bayfield County Public Health Nurse, Holly Weber, reported that the Health Department has recently learned of two new grant funding opportunities available to schools that focus on peer-based suicide prevention programming. The grants are available through the DPI and Mental Health, WI with each opportunity allowing between $5,000-$10,000 each. Weber explained that these grants are offered separately, and it was possible for a school to be awarded both. The Bayfield County Health Department has experienced a steady number of participants for the Narcan Direct Program and are noticing more individuals taking the training that are using drugs as opposed to those in the community that may respond to an overdose, which aligns with the department’s goal. Weber informed the committee that the department is looking to update the AODA section of the county’s website. Weber explained the purpose of the Never Call Alone help line and reported that Ashland County is looking to install permanent Narcan lockboxes throughout the county. Croteau added that the Bayfield County Courthouse currently has two permanent Narcan lockboxes installed, and he would be able to acquire more should the county desire more. Weber explained that individuals that come in to pick up Narcan after completing training will also be able to indicate if they would like Fentanyl test strips as well and will be receiving a face shield. Discussion took place regarding the dangers of Fentanyl. The Health Department will be receiving excess Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the state and the equipment will be distributed through a number of the DHS programs with any extras being donated to the area’s food shelf. Red Cliff Planning Administrator, Nicole Boyd, reported that the tribe was recently notified of a $900,000 DOJ Grant award to help fund the Mishomis Wellness Center so the effort may continue. Additionally, the tribe’s CCS program received and additional $500,000 in funding that will help expand the existing program. The extra funding will allow the tribe to not only serve existing clients, but also clients that fall into the grey area of service. N. Boyd explained that the tribe is looking to create and implement and universal screening tool, not an assessment, that will help staff identify those that may qualify and/or need services. N. Boyd informed the committee that the Mishomis Wellness Center is currently only available for male clients and serves three clients. The additional funds will allow the Center to serve additional clients. Chairman Boyd informed the committee that the tribe is trying to identify an available resource similar to the Mishomis Wellness Center for the female population. Silbert asked if Bayfield County has utilized the homeless shelter in Ashland. Weber stated that the shelter is always full and has no wait list, but the county tries to use it when they can. Croteau reported that the shelter currently has 30 available units and is looking to expand and include an additional 10 rooms. Weber reported that the Child Advocacy Team is currently searching for a piece of property that would serve as a permanent location for the Child Advocacy Center. Chairman Boyd replied that the tribe recently built a childcare center, but it is not being used. Weber continued by explaining that the property would serve as a neutral location to interview children that are victims of assault so the victims will only need to give their story once time and would not need to be interviewed multiple times. The space would need to include an interview room, a side room, as well as a waiting room. Discussion took place regarding possible locations as well as possible resources. 6. Housing Program and Development Updates: N. Boyd reported that $13 million has been allocated for community housing development and the project is only in the design phase. The tribe is targeting the development of 50 new housing units and has identified the need for additional senior housing. Abeles-Allison agreed stating that the county is also experiencing a severe shortage of senior and workforce housing. Bayfield County approved a housing development for 40-60 units on a property located in the City of Washburn. A review committee selected the proposal submitted by Cinnairre Solutions, but the project is entirely contingent upon receiving state tax credits. Abeles-Allison explained that, should the tax credit application be approved, the project has a 3-year timeline. Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Director, Ruth Hulstrom, reported that the Planning & Zoning Committee recently made changes to the Bayfield County Code of Ordinances pertaining to Multiple Unit Developments (MUDs) regarding exemptions and requirements. Discussion took place regarding the difficulties of establishing MUDs in Bayfield County. Chairman Boyd suggested using the Bayfield County Housing Authority as a model of successful MUD installment as the housing authority currently has multiple units located throughout the county. Wartman reported that the Health Department has purchased software that will allow the department to track which housing units are being utilized for commercial short-term rentals. Chairman Boyd listed several construction projects that are underway on the reservation, including a cultural center, EMS facility, courthouse, a transportation facility, and a wellness center. 7. Discussion Regarding Opioid Settlement; County, Tribal, and State Funds: Bayfield County Human Services Director, Elizabeth Skulan, reported that Bayfield County will be receiving some of the Opioid Settlement funds and that she recently attended a WCA forum to learn about appropriate uses of the funds. Wartman informed the committee that it will not be a large amount of funds and numerous county departments are researching how to best utilize the funds. The committee discussed possible uses for the settlement funds. Skulan asked Abeles-Allison if the County Board had determined the method the funds will be received. Abeles-Allison answered not yet, and the board only made a preliminary decision but a final one has not yet been made. Weber suggested the county hold presentations at multiple town halls to inform the community on the possible uses of the funds and the impacts these uses could have on the community. 8. Tribal County Zoning and Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan Update: Bayfield County Hulstrom reported that Bayfield County has established a Comprehensive Planning Committee that has been meeting monthly since July to word towards updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) has been guiding the committee while it goes through the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan and the committee itself has split up into multiple work groups to each take responsibility of one of the nine Comprehensive Plan elements. Information regarding the committee has been put on the county website and the committee will be asking for public input at a later date. Abeles-Allison explained that the committee is looking to establish compatibility between the county zoning along with the city and tribal zoning along with the municipal land uses. 10:27 a.m. – Steve Sandstrom left the meeting. 10:29 a.m. – The committee took a short recess. 10:36 a.m. – The committee reconvened. 9. Discussion Regarding DOT Thriving Communities Program: Abeles-Allison reviewed the DOT Thriving Communities Program with the committee and stated the topic will be presented at the Bayfield County Executive Committee at their November meeting. Chairman Boyd asked Abeles- Allison to send the tribe a draft Letter of Support for the tribe to review at their November Tribal Council meeting. The committee discussed the Highway 13 Scenic Byway national designation. 10. Other County Tribal Initiatives: Dispatch, EMS, Broadband, Lands: Chairman Boyd reported that Red Cliff is having difficulties constructing their second cell tower which will allow for service to reach out over the lake and closer to the island. N. Boyd stated that the tribe does have the resources to put the necessary equipment on the tower but is experiencing other issues getting the tower in place. Hulstrom asked if the tribe had ordinances pertaining to the citing of cell towers. Assistant Tribal Attorney, Wade Williams, answered that the tribe does have setback requirements, but nothing specific to the citing of cell towers. Abeles-Allison reported that Bayfield and Ashland Counties recently submitted an application for a feasibility study for a consolidated dispatch center. The consolidated dispatch would work out of one center located in the City of Washburn and would have up to five dispatchers working at a time as opposed to the one dispatcher that is normally stationed at each center. Abeles-Allison stated that word on the study should be received by December 2022, but the consolidation is estimated to take two-years. Abeles-Allison continued stating that Bayfield County recently applied for and was approved by the state to establish a Countywide Emergency Medical System that will allow the county to be an emergency provider but not a responder. Creating the countywide entity has allowed Bayfield County to levy supplemental dollars that will be distributed to the nine EMS agencies that service the county. Abeles-Allison explained that the funds are purely supplemental, and the municipalities should not reduce the amount of funds traditionally distributed to these agencies. The committee discussed ordinances pertaining to special events held throughout the county and the number of EMS services that will be available. Abeles-Allison stated that he could not recall any ordinances pertaining to EMS services being present at special events and continued by explaining that the county’s role will be geared towards mass casualty and may play a role in coordinating EMS services at special events. Wartman suggested Bayfield County facilitate mass casualty training for the different EMS agencies. N. Boyd informed the committee that the tribe continues to move forward with the Fiber-to-Home expansion project and the project is currently in the environmental phase. Abeles-Allison asked if the project would introduce new fiber or would involve the existing fiber. N. Boyd explained that new fiber would connect to the existing fiber route and the remainder of the project would go up for bid. 10:58 a.m. – Nicole Boyd left the meeting. Chairman Boyd stated that the project will bring broadband to all homes in the Red Cliff community. The committee discussed the Bayfield Wireless expansion in Bayfield County. Silbert suggested that, in light of the court ruling on native-owned land taxes, the committee brainstorm ideas to assist the local schools that may lose some of the tax dollars and to think of solutions to the current tax delinquent process practiced by the county. Discussion took place regarding the in-rem tax delinquent process that the county currently utilizes. Silbert inquired if there was a list stating which properties were native- owned and which were non-native owned. Williams replied that the state was given the responsibility for creating a list, but he is working with Bayfield County Corporation Counsel towards a solution for Bayfield County. 11. Items for Next Agenda: Items suggested for the next agenda are: a. Discussion Regarding Land Use b. Discussion Regarding Mental Health and Substance Abuse Abeles-Allison informed the committee that UW Extension has been funding a housing educator on a pilot basis and the county is looking to partner with UW Extension to fund an educator for two years that would focus on the housing issues present in the Bayfield County communities. 12. Future Committee Meeting Date and Time: Tentative, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 9:00 AM in the Bayfield County Boardroom. 13. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, motion by Silbert, seconded by Boyd to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried, 2-0. Meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Paige a. terry, Clerk III, Bayfield County Administrator’s & Clerk’s Offices On behalf of the Bayfield County-Tribal Relations Committee PAT