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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 12/18/2023 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 8:30am, Monday, December 18, 2023 Meeting was held at the Legendary Waters Resort & Casino in Red Cliff, WI Members Present: Tribal Chairwoman Nicole Boyd, Supervisor Jeff Silbert, Supervisor Steve Sandstrom, Tribal Vice-Chair Rick Peterson (arrived late) Members Excused: Others Present: UW Extension Community Development Educator Kellie Pederson, Bayfield County Public Health Nurse Holly Weber, Bayfield County Humans Services Director Elizabeth Skulan, Bayfield County Clerk Lynn Divine, Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Bayfield County Sheriff Tony Williams, Bayfield County Chief Deputy Andy Runice, Assistant Tribal Attorney Wade Williams, and Bayfield County Clerk III Paige Terry. Called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Tribal Chairwoman Nicole Boyd. Introductions: Nicole Boyd – Red Cliff Tribal Council Chairwoman Mary Motiff – Bayfield County Tourism Director Alana Babineau – Tribal Administration Liaison Jess Hall – Red Cliff Tribal Police Chief Paige Terry – Clerk for the Bayfield County Clerk’s and Administrator’s Offices Bob Anderson – Bayfield County Highway Commissioner Mark Abeles-Allison – Bayfield County Administrator Steve Sandstrom - Bayfield County Board Supervisor, District 1 Holly Weber – Bayfield County Public Health Nurse Diane Erickson – Red Cliff Public Health Services Administrator Kim Lawton – Bayfield County District Attorney Wade Williams – Red Cliff Assistant Tribal Attorney Jeff Silbert - Bayfield County Board Supervisor, District 6 Minutes of September 20, 2023, County-Tribal Relations Committee Meeting: Motion by Sandstrom, seconded by Silbert to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2023, County-Tribal Relations Committee Meeting. Motion carried, 3-0, 1 absent. Public Comment: None. Tribal-County Law Enforcement Agreement, 2025 DOJ Grant Timeline and County / Tribal Law Enforcement Topics: Chairwoman Boyd informed the committee that a settlement has been reached regarding the agreement and stated that Bayfield County will receive $5,000 in funds with Red Cliff being named as the grant recipient that will receive all remaining funds. Red Cliff Police Chief, Jess Hall, reported that the Red Cliff Police Department is now fully staff but explained that the three of the officers are within one year of being post-academy and one officer has left to attend evidence technician training. Abeles-Allison asked Hall if Red Cliff had a formal training program for new officers or if there was any way that the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office could assist with officer training. Hall replied that the department used to have a formal training program, but it has not been active for years; however, the department’s Sergeant recently finished training to become a field training officer so the department would like to implement a field training program in the future. Bayfield County District Attorney, Kim Lawton, informed the committee that her office will be holding quarterly meetings with the Red Cliff Police Department and will be offering monthly trainings for new officers. 9:13 a.m. – Red Cliff Tribal Council Vice-Chair Rick Peterson joined the meeting. Discussion took place regarding the interdepartmental cooperation between Red Cliff and Bayfield County. Sandstrom encouraged the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office and Red Cliff Police Department to work to strengthen the relationship between the two offices. Question was raised on the responsibility of holding discussion regarding the Tribal-County Law Enforcement Agreement. The committee agreed that the agreement discussions should be the responsibility of the Tribal-County Relations Committee and that the committee will be responsible for reaching a final recommendation for the agreement which will be forwarded to both the Bayfield County Board and Red Cliff Tribal Council for final approval. Chairwoman Boyd suggested that the 2025 Tribal-County Law Enforcement Agreement be added to future agendas as a standing item and that an evaluation of the current agreement be added as a report. Chairwoman Boyd suggested that Lawton assist with preparing the annual report for the 2025 agreement. Motion by Sandstrom, seconded by Boyd to have a final Tribal-County Law Enforcement Agreement ready by August 20, 2023, and that the Tribal-County Relations Committee will be the body responsible for handling the agreement negotiations. Motion carried, 4-0. County-Tribal Tourism: Bayfield County Tourism Director, Mary Motiff, reported that she recently attended the Destinations Wisconsin Conference and stated that she was very pleased to find that Dimitri Morris was present to represent Legendary Waters and the Red Cliff Tribe. Motiff stated that she recently met Jeff Anderson, the new Northwest Travel Development Specialist with Travel Wisconsin. The Executive Director of the Ashwabay Alliance met with Motiff and expressed some ideas regarding the alliance and stated they are looking to make a formal announcement regarding their five-year plan. The Apostle Highways Snowmobile Club is in the process of being resurrected and Motiff stated that she would like to ensure that there is good communication between the Alliance and Bayfield County and Red Cliff. Chairwoman Boyd suggested that Motiff meet with Dimitri Morris at Legendary Waters to discuss marketing. 9:45 a.m. – Tribal Council Member, David Curran, joined the meeting. Chairwoman Boyd stated that the tribe does not have a formal Scenic Byway representative, instead the tribe relies on relationships with other councils and committees. In June 2024, Red Cliff will be hosting the Native American Tourism Conference at Legendary Waters. Motiff questioned if the tribe could use the event to bring attention to Frog Bay as the first Native American National Park. Motiff reviewed the variety of publications that the Bayfield County Tourism Department utilizes. Abeles- Allison asked if there were any opportunities for Bayfield County Tourism to collaborate with Red Cliff. Motiff replied that the department has used several tactics to collaborate with Red Cliff in the past, which have been successful. Chairwoman Boyd asked for an update on the cruise ship tours. Motiff replied that the Viking Cruise Ship will not be visiting the area this year, but a new French cruise ship is set to visit Summer 2024. 9:58 a.m. – Mary Motiff left the meeting. Roads/Transportation Update: Chairwoman Boyd provided a report prepared by Transportation Supervisor, Jeff Benton, to the committee and explained that the Tribal Council has allocated approximately $4 million to pave the remaining the gravel roads on the reservation. The tribe’s highway department has been historically understaffed which Chairwoman Boyd explained has contributed to the lack of coordination with the Bayfield County Highway Department on snow and ice control on the roads. Red Clif has received WI DOT funding for installing two flashing pedestrian crosswalk signs for two locations, one by Peterson’s Market and the other by Legendary Waters. Receive dot funding for installing flashing pedestrian crosswalk signs for two locations, one by Peterson’s Mark and the other by Legendary Waters. The repaving of Blueberry Road is a high priority project that will include adding rumble strips to the roads and replacing the culvert under the road. Red Cliff is working with a trails committee to develop trail routes that students may utilize to travel to educational facilities throughout Red Cliff and the City of Bayfield. Although Red Cliff has acquired two electric buses for public transportation, Chairwoman Boyd explained that the buses will not go into transit until the new transportation is completed. Bayfield County Highway Commissioner, Bob Anderson, informed the committee that the department is currently looking to apply for a countywide trail planning grant due to the lack of pedestrian and bike facilities on county roads. Previously Bayfield County has applied for a RAISE grant a few times but has not received funding. Anderson reviewed the RAISE grant project with the committee and stated that the county will once again be seeking funding. In 2024, the Bayfield County Highway Department will be focused on the Bayfield Street project in the City of Washburn which is estimated to be a 4-year project. Anderson reported that the state is anticipating designated a heavy truck detour route through Red Cliff for the duration of the project.t The state department does not have large reconstruction projects planned for 2024. Chairwoman Boyd asked if a temporary stop light could be installed at the end of Bradum Road while Blueberry Road is repaved as Bradum will serve as the detour route. Anderson replied that he will come up with a solution for the road. RAISE Grant Letter of Support, County Highway A and N, Iron River and Barnes: Chairwoman Boyd stated that she does not believe that Red Cliff will be applying for RAISE Grant funding, and she sees no issues with Red Cliff providing a letter of support to Bayfield County. Updated Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan: Sandstrom reported that the Bayfield County Board adopted the updated Comprehensive Plan back in October and reviewed a few of the highlighted changes that were made which included the mention of a zero-carbon emission goal and the specific mention of Red Cliff in the Intergovernmental Cooperation section. Abeles-Allison explained that the update plan includes an implementation section that lists each of the specific goals and actions to achieve the goals, which are broken down by department. Timelines are also included for achieving goals. Chairwoman Boyd reported that Red Cliff has also adopted their own comprehensive plan which is housed in the planning department. Red Cliff is not yet ready to move towards sustainability goals. Chairwoman Boyd stated that the tribe is waiting for news on a state grant that would allow the tribe to install a microgrid for the health and transportation facilities. Sandstrom raised concern regarding the proposed cell tower on Turner Road, stating that he has had numerous phone calls and emails from citizens opposing the development. Sandstrom explained that a developer is required to contact neighboring reservations and stated that the developer has not yet done so. Extensive discussion took place regarding the proposed cell tower in the Town of Russell. Chairwoman Boyd informed the committee that discussions are taking place at a national level regarding allowing tribal emergency disaster declarations to be independent from presidential declarations. Abeles-Allison explained that the Bayfield County Board Chair does have the authority to authorize declarations for certain situations. Mental Health / Substance Abuse / Opioid Settlement Fund Plans: Red Cliff Public Health Services Administrator, Diane Erickson, reviewed a prepared report regarding health collaborations and strategies with the committee which highlighted several strategies to handle respiratory illness vaccines & testing, overall wellness, communicable disease surveillance, and several behavioral health topics. Erickson reported that the Red Cliff Health Clinic lost nearly all nursing staff following the COVID-19 pandemic and the clinic is currently in the process of rebuilding its public health capacity. Bryon Dailey has moved back to the Public Health Department from the Administration Office. Bayfield County Public Health Nurse, Holly Weber, highlighted a few accomplishments of the Health Department since the last meeting which included collaboration with the Bayfield School District’s Wellness Committee to determine wellness priorities, the Wellness on Wheels Program that held 56 clinics over the summer, Weber’s reintegration into the AODA prevention group facilitated by Red Cliff, and identifying strategies to reduce and prevent vaping within the reservation. Weber stated that holding a community education event for fentanyl and vaping is one of the department’s priorities. Erickson stated that Red Cliff has been focusing on the wrap-around care program and is working on integrating services provided by neighboring facilitators with services provided by the program. The program currently has 33 clients, 80% of which are self-referred. Funds received from the Opioid Settlement will be used to strengthen the Five Pillars of Prevention with a focus on the wrap-around program. Red Cliff has identified a need to strengthen current re-entry services and Erickson stated there is a desire to build a program that would incorporate a care and peer specialist. Chairwoman stressed the abundance of youth mental health issues on the reservation especially those that lead to suicidal attempts. The committee agreed that the overall lack of behavioral health doctors in the area is a problem that needs addressing. 11:12 a.m. – Peterson left the meeting. Weber informed the committee that Bayfield County will be using the opioid settlement funds to focus on prevention programming in schools throughout the county. The program will not focus solely on one substance or issue but will cover a wide variety of topics. Weber explained that the department is looking to contract with CESA 12 to provide an instructor that will go to each school to teach the program so school staff does not become overburdened. Erickson explained the No Wrong Door plan to the committee and stated that an All Doors training is scheduled for January 16, 2024. Weber spoke on the two public health vending machines that Bayfield County will be acquiring and reviewed the supplies they will provide and stated that one machine will be placed in Red Cliff. Lawton asked if there was a way that law enforcement would not be aware of who is using the machines, so residents do not avoid using the machine due to fear of being arrested. Discussion took place regarding the anonymity of using the machines and the committee agreed that law enforcement officers should not use the machine locations as a way to stake out potential drug users so they may be arrested. Curran asked if the services are available for veterans. Weber stated that the veteran’s office informs her of any clients that may come in in need of the services. Weber informed the committee that Sports Hollow offers a service where the business will hold onto a veteran’s firearm if they are experiencing a mental health crisis at no charge until the veteran feels they are well enough to retrieve it. Hall reviewed her report with the board which highlighted the juvenile behavior/mental health crises on the reservation. Tribal Council Member, David Curran, asked if there was any way to catch truancy earlier before it becomes a major problem and to verify if the school IEPs are up to date for those kids that are falling behind on schoolwork. Hall stated that those problems are out of the Police Department’s realm but stated that she will reach out to partner facilitators regarding the subject. Drug use and trafficking was identified as another area of concern in Red Cliff. Joint Board Meeting: The committee agreed to postpone scheduling a joint meeting until after the spring election. Pigeon Lake Property: Abeles-Allison gave a history of the property to the committee and explained that the state would be willing to grant access to the property for a one-year term so the county could conduct a feasibility study. Abeles-Allison encouraged the tribe to reach out to him if they had any interest in the property. Chairwoman Boyd said that she will raise the topic with tribal department staff so the tribe can analyze any potential cultural significance in the property. Chairwoman Boyd stated that the tribe would like to participate in developing an RFP with Bayfield County for a feasibility study. Reports: a. Consolidated Dispatch Comprehensive Plan Collaborations: Abeles-Allison reported that Ashland and Bayfield Counties continue to work together on the consolidation. Both dispatch centers have previously been staffed at minimal levels and the consolidation should allow the new center to be staffed with two employees at all times which would allow staff to provide medical response to calls. Abeles-Allison informed the committee that a grant was recently awarded that would allow the consolidated dispatch to move towards an updated CAD system that is utilized more commonly throughout Wisconsin. b. Lands on Reservation and Tax Delinquencies: Abeles-Allison informed the committee that the Tribal Lands MOU states that Bayfield County and Red Cliff should be in regular communications regarding properties that are delinquent in taxes to avoid the property defaulting back to the county. In the past, the county has paid the property taxes on delinquent parcels, but the recent court ruling has removed parcels on tribal land from the tax roll. Therefore, the county is in the process of trying to recoup lost funds for these parcels and to determine how to keep track of these parcels. c. Artesian Well Study: Abeles-Allison reported that an Artesian Well Study inspected approximately 50 wells and Bayfield County is now in the process of researching drafting an ordinance that may protect the wells to ensure that they continue to flow in the future. Chairwoman Boyd reported that the Treaty Natural Resources Administrator has left, and the tribe will be holding one interview for the position on January 1, 2024, with the hopes that the future employee can contribute to the artesian well discussion as any discussion regarding water will likely be an emotional subject for the tribal community. Proposed Next Meeting Time and Date: February 19, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Sandstrom, seconded by Boyd to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried, 3-0, 1 absent. Meeting adjourned at 12:08 p.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