Bad River Tribal Council Special Meeting:
After several variations of the public meeting announcements, the Council meeting
was held at the Chief Blackbird Center at 4:30pm. The agenda was changed and the
Casino portion of the meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at
2:30pm at the Casino Convention Center. Vice Chairman Peter Lemieux chaired the
meeting. With the exception of Chairman Bigboy, all the other council members
were present.
Prior to accepting the monthly reports, Council member Edith Leoso questioned
whether the Council changed the Tribe's Organizational Chart as Marge Lemieux
(works with Tribe's leases) has been submitting her reports as if she were appointed
as a department head. Council Members clarified that there was no Council action
changing the Organizational Chart nor action changing the reporting format. Marge
Lemieux was reminded by Leoso that she should be submitting her reports to her
supervisor.
Theresa Couture, Enrollment Office, presented the newborn members list and the
names of members relinquishing membership. The newborns were approved by
resolution and the relinquishment list of names was also accepted.
The Health Clinic Contract was deleted from the agenda.
Kathy (Bender) Ashmun and Heidi Burns gave an update on the Domestic Violence
Grant. It was explained that Heidi Burns applied for a grant and the Tribe was
awarded $400,000.00 to have much needed shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
The Tribe accepted the grant that stipulated that the Tribe would have a designated
shelter site. At that time the Wake House was identified as a probable, or at least, a
temporary site. Heidi Burns read a letter from the funding source that stated that
until they receive the FY2006 Audit Report, no money could be drawn down. She
explained that the project was into the seventh month and they needed to show
some progress. With only five months left of the project, she needed to show some
work was accomplished. Treasurer Lemieux interjected that the FY2006 Audit was
completed and would be sent out on Monday, 3/9/09 (at the Wednesday meeting he
said it would be sent out on 3/6/09). Vice Chair Peter Lemieux and council member
Bonita Greene began to argue that Heidi Burns should have found a site other than
the Wake House because the structure was in disrepair and they felt it shouldn't be
used because of the liability risks. Peter Lemieux accused the presenters of not
doing anything about the situation until now. Heidi Burns explained that she has
been trying to get on the agenda since October and each month was told, "next
month". Kathy Ashmun explained that this project was much needed and the tribe
accepted the grant and they needed to show some progress toward the program
goals. She requested that the program's office be moved into the Wake House and
the program funds could be charged for rent. She said that the target date for
opening the doors for victims was August of 2009. She said they needed to start
preliminary work before the shelter could be operational. She expressed great
concern that the program is at the risk of losing the $400,000.00 grant and this would
affect the Tribe's eligibility to obtain future grants. Still, Bonita Greene and Peter
Lemieux argued they shouldn't be using the Wake House because of it's poor
condition and liability risks. It was pointed out that the Wake House currently has two
exsisting Tribal offices in use there and the building is used by Tribal members for
parties and gatherings, so why wasn't concern for liability already established?
Kathy Ashmun suggested that the two offices there, switch with the program so that
at least they could report that they have established program offices for the shelter.
Peter Lemieux argued that the Judgement Fund Committee owns the building as the
membership voted to use the judgement funds to purchase the land and house.
Heated discussion ensued as members began to question the council's position in
supporting this much needed program service. Members pointed out that the
Judgement Committee doesn't own the wake House, the Tribe does. Initially, the
Wake House was utilized for wake and funeral ceremonies. However, due to the
small size most members used the Community Center or the Community Room in
the new Housing Building for such events. Kathy Ashmun's words verbatim were, "I
am begging you, this is a much needed service in our community." She told the
Council that they accepted the grant with the provision of having a site. This program
will employ two new positions for the tribe and generate revenue for the Tribe
through the program's rent and space costs. She said the actual location of the wake
House had the advantage of emergency response time. Again, more discussion on
location sites. When asked about the Bad River Housing Authority having anything
suitable, it is said that Mary Maday (Bad River Housing Director) told them no. The
Council finally agreed to allow limited office space for the program with the
stipulation that no clients would be sheltered there until they could find another site
or ensure that the Wake House does not pose a liability risk.
The Council passed resolutions for loans with Associated Bank in the amounts of
$1,325,000.00 and another for $1,255,778.15. Discussions followed concerning
revolving credit loan/letter of credit and other loans the Tribe has. Treasurer Bernard
Lemieux promised to give information on all Certificates of Deposits and identify all
those that have been collateralized for loans. Members requested information to
include identifying where the monies were obtained from and what the loans were
acquired for. There was some debate on a $4.4 million dollar loan and the mortgaging
of 30,000 acres of tribal land. The council was reminded that the mortgaging of ANY
tribal land is prohibited per the Constitution and Charter.
Sandy Bender attempted again to have the Council approve the Repatriation
Committee Policy. It was on the agenda at the Wednesday, 3/4/09 regular Council
meeting. It was tabled because Susan Aasen (Tribal Attorney) said that legal didn't
have enough time to review the policy and had questions. It was pointed out that the
Repatriation Committee had researched and worked extensively on this policy for
over two years and provided all of the information for the Tribe's legal department to
review and had already addressed the concerns that attorney Aasen mentioned.
Aasen requested that the issue be tabled until this meeting to give them time to
review the committee's policy, giving assurances that it would be done before this
meeting. The council received a memo from Aasen stating that Erik Arnold still didn't
have time to review the policy and was asking for council to table the issue. Sandy
Bender requested to be allowed to present the policy and answer any questions.
She gave the Council a copy of a review by a respected attorney. The Committee
requested review of the policy by another attorney because of problems
encountered in seeking/working with our Tribal legal services. The council tabled
approving the policy until a Tribal Legal Department review is complete. Some
members expressed concern that Tribal attorney Aasen has political motives in
hindering the hard work of this committee.
The Economic Stimulus Proposal was prepared and presented by Dean Dovolis,
from DJR Architecture Inc. All construction will be by Energy Star Construction. All
buildings will be geothermal and solar. Total proposal amount is for $80,000,000.00.
This list of projects include:
1. Cardiovascular and rehabilitation center
2. Transit
3. Community Center/Youth
4. Fire/Police and safety building
5. Low income housing revitalisation
6. Headstart/Daycare Social services facility
7. Domestic Violence Shelter
8. Roads
9. Water and Sewer/Sanitary Treatment Plant
10. Tribal Administration Renovation
11. Bio Waste Energy Regional Industrial Park
12. Tribal Employment Initiative Budget
The Council then went into executive session to discuss:
1. Beloit Project Update
2. Amnicon
3. Tax Issue
Despite the fact that members continue to question why the Council is meeting in
executive session on issues that membership has a constitutional right to hear in
open session, the Council has not given any response. There are too many
informal/closed meetings. What are they hiding and why? Its time that members are
made aware of how the elected officials respond to their constituents and the
disrespect shown to any members that have questions or concerns. Vice chairman
Peter Lemieux calls these members "The Peanut Gallery". Ask him why!!!
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