The Rundown
Bad River Tribal CouncIl Meeting July 6, 2011
The Bad River Tribal Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 6, 2011 was slated for 22 agenda items, 16
items were heard in open session. 6 items in Executive Session. One item is moved to Regular Session. Two items
were stricken from Regular Session.
* Roll Call was taken, Loretta Ford absent.
* Moment of Silence observed. Chairman Wiggins took this time to mention the recent violence amongst our
youth.
* Financials:
*The Financial Report for April was presented & read. Motion to approve April’s financial report passed.
*The Financial Report for May was read, however tabled due to indescrepencies.
There was some community concern over the vast number of errors.
Tribal Member would like to know why doesn’t the accounting staff make themselves available at our meetings,
as the reports are their work.
Treasurer Burns felt they should be.
Community members would like to know if the staff will be here at the next meeting.
Chairman Wiggins indicated that Accountant Nemec would definitely be at the next meeting to field any questions.
* Minutes - The minutes for May 4th were tabled. June 1st, June 16th, June 22nd, & June 27th were viewed &
accepted.
* The Agenda was approved as amended. Agenda items (12) & (13) are stricken.
* Monthly Reports were reviewed & accepted.
* Chairman’s Remarks - Chairman Wiggins introduced Kathy Arbuckle as our new Tribal Operations Manager.
Chairman Wiggins took the opportunity to address the community with several concerns. Gave a brief update on
the proposed mining (GTAC). Chairman Wiggins expressed some reserved excitement regarding GTAC’s recent
suspension of operations. Chairman stated he felt this was due in part to the strong “collective effort of Northland
voices”. Stated this may buy us some time while we build up our “war chest”. He further stated that recently there
has been a funding request initiated by Tribal Attorney, Erik Arnold along with Mole Lake. Our funding request is
for approximately 2 million dollars, which will empower us to “beef up our legal team”. Chairman Wiggins stated
there will be 2 new positions being looked at tonight, (Community planner & Sub-Grants Writer).
* 5 Minutes:
Tribal Member is concerned over his treatment regarding his employment with Angelo Lupino, who is the general
contractor for the recent home improvement project here in Odanah. Tribal Member is alleging racism amongst
the ranks & believes he is being treated unfairly.
Chairman Wiggins assured the Tribal Member he is advocating for him & will be discussing things further with the
Project Foreman.
Star Ames announced recent plans for a community cookout in recognition of “Lake Superior Day”. This event will
be on the weekend of July 17th.
Tribal Member would like to know about the Gaming Manager & Human Resources positions.
Council informed Member the interviews are done & they are working to fill these positions.
Member would like to know why previous Gaming Manager was ever let go, as he was later exonerated of his
charges. Member further stated there are a lot of other people working for us & how many of them have tax
warrants.
Tribal Member had some concerns over the FEMA trailer payback plan. Would like to use the recent HIIP monies
the tribe was awarded to fund the transportation costs & pay the tribe back the $7,500 the tribe is requesting.
Tribal Member stated when he applied for HIIP assistance he was told if he was awarded the assistance, he could
use it to pay the tribe back.
Chairman Wiggins stated this would be an allowable cost.
Tribal Member would like to know when she is going to receive her award letter, as she has requested assistance
with her septic system.
Member was informed IHS monies have been pushed back 3 weeks, as the monies have yet to be transferred to
start the projects. Member was assured she would be receiving her letter.
* Regular Agenda:
(1) Newborns: Theresa Couture - Newborns were presented & accepted.
(2) Relinquishments: Theresa Couture - Relinquishments were heard & accepted.
(3) Appointments to Enrollment Committee: Tony Butler - Motion by Council to accept recommendations of
committee & accept & appoint: Barb Smart, Fran Wylie, & Wyvern Kinney to the Enrollment Committee.
There were some bylaw revisions discussed.
One more concern was brought up & that was the relinquished Chair-seat. Committee was advised by Council to
hold a Caucus at the next enrollment meeting & bring their results back to Tribal Council.
(4) Ambulance Committee: Luis Salas - Looking for Council approval for the development of an Ambulance
Committee to help structure & develop our own ambulance emergency services for our community. The Red Cliff
Band has donated an ambulance to us. The ambulance has 140,000 miles & has thorough service records per
state standards.
The reasoning for a committee is feasibility. This would curb the necessity of the Tribal Council, Township, &
Housing Board having to meet every time regarding ambulance issues.
Council stated the Executive Director can assist in the organizational structuring of this & bring back before
Council for approval.
Motion to approve passed.
(5) Ad Hoc Committee Selection and Resolution: Resolution No. 7-4-11 439: The members of the Ad Hoc
Committee were approved: Tammy D’Aquisto, Joyce Lemieux, & Charlie Wiggins.
Motion to have rules back by the 27th passed.
(6) Clinic Change Orders: Deb Tutor - Mrs. Tutor is looking for Council Approval of the change orders
regarding the construction specifications for our new clinic. She is presenting these tonight in lieu of the new tax
credits. Mrs. Tutor stated these change orders were discussed at the last working session. There are 3 “big ones”
that previously were overlooked due to lack of money that she will be presenting tonight. (1). Gray Box - (office
space, back of clinic) (2). Pavement - (back parking lot) (3). Concrete Slab - (for M.R.I. or C.T or any other kind of
mobile services). Also added on by Mrs. Tutor was some finish exterior stone work. Mrs. Tutor further stated they
were able to “whittle away” $700,000 of the extra costs. Mrs. Tutor was unsure of the total cost of the change
orders & borrowed a calculator from the audience. Mrs. Tutor announced the figure to be at $86,961. However,
she stated she didn’t subtract the $45,000 in credit. The figures accuracy was put to question, as Members felt
the cost should be more. Mrs. Tutor stated in fact, the stone work was already completed but she just needs to
get the change order done & approved tonight. Motion to approve change orders passed.
Mrs. Tutor also presented the FFE (furniture, fixtures, equipment) contract (DSGW) tonight which needs approval.
The original contract price was $30,000 of which they came down to $21,900. DSGW has also agreed to do the
interior design at the Casino Lodge. This figure ($21,900) is just the service cost, figure doesn’t include the actual
furniture, fixtures, equipment. Mrs. Tutor stated we do have a budget of $250,000 for this. It was brought to Mrs.
Tutor’s attention the actual contract read, “not to exceed $275,000”. Mrs. Tutor assured Council she didn’t believe
we would come anywhere near spending or exceeding the $250,000 amount, as there is quite a bit of furniture
from the other clinic which will be transferable. Also included in the original plans was an elaborate shelving
system for files which could ultimately be left out. Motion to approve the FFE Contract for a budget of no more
than $250,000. Motion carries.
(7) Clinic - New Positions, Billing, Dental, CHS: Deb Tutor - Motion to approve (1) new Billing Specialist, (1)
new Dentist, (1) new limited-term (6mo.) CHS made & passed.
(8) Request - Indigenous Games Committee: Parent Committee - Presenter summarized fundraiser activities
& gave a projected outline of estimated costs. Looking for financial assistance for approximately $2,000.
Chairman Wiggins stated there may be funding available through programs such as Healthy Lifestyles. Chairman
indicated this matter could be handled internally.
(9) Wild Rice Committee: Naomi Tillison/Jessica Soine - Presenters are prepared with recommendations &
resolution regarding the formulation of a Wild Rice Committee. Presenters did ask Committee Members from last
year their interest in participating this year as well. List presented with names of previous members whom
expressed interest. Those names are as follows: Ron Rufus; Dana Jackson; Hilary Butler; Woody Denomie;
Bazier Couture; Bob Powless; Myron Burns; Ben Connors; John Denomie, Alternates: Charlie Ashmund, Tom O’
connor. Resolution #440 read & passed.
(11) Water Quality Standards Update: Naomi Tillison - Looking for Council to adopt (by resolution)
Water Quality Standards and to give permission to submit Water Quality Standards & Responsiveness Document
to the Environmental Protection Agency. Resolution read & passed.
(12) Representation re: Environmental Impact: Erick Arnold - Attorney Arnold is seeking Council resolution
to approve the co-counsel fee agreement with Stoddard Law Office & contract for legal services with Midwest
Environmental Advocates Inc. Resolution read & passed.
(13) Representation re: Class 1 Redesignation Statement: Erick Arnold - Attorney Arnold is looking for
Council to approve letter of representation (legal counsel) regarding Godfrey and Kahn. This firm has a long &
successful history representing tribes. Resolution read & passed.
(14) Representation re: Federal Markets Tax Credit Program: Erick Arnold - Looking for Council’s approval
to acquire the legal services of Ginsberg Jacobs LLC regarding the Federal Tax Market Credits. Resolution read
& passed.
(15) Doula Policies & Position Description Review: Andrea Manzer - Looking to approve policies &
procedures for program. This program consists of onsight workers educating pregnant women to ensure quality of
life for mother & child. Motion to approve passed.