- The Breakdown
Bad River Gaming Commission Meeting May 27th
The Bad River Gaming Commission/Tribal Council Meeting scheduled for May 27th, was slated for 10
items on the Agenda. 3 items in Regular Session and 7 items to be heard in Executive. 1 item was
moved from Executive to Regular session.
Meeting called to order. Roll call taken, all seven Board Members present.
Moment of silence observed.
Tribal Secretary raised issue as to tonight’s Agenda. Historically meetings involving Gaming have been
labeled as ‘Gaming Commission’ meetings. However in tonight’s case there is also other Enterprise
business to tend to and also some Regular Tribal Council business. Secretary is looking for some
clarification as to how tonight’s meeting should be categorized. Secretary advised the Council is
‘wearing three hats tonight.’
General Session:
1) Head Start - Day Care Playground Bid: Luanne Wiggins - Construction of new playground is
to commence June 7th. Looking for Council directive as to the specific wording of the contract, as the
RFP + contract language contained some discrepancies (RFP provisions and Employee Rights differ in
wording). Resolution read to give the contract to Granger Construction. Contract also to include dollar
amount (not to exceed $18,472) and the hiring preference of Tribal Members. Resolution passed.
Quick note: The Grand Opening Ceremony for the new playground will be held on June 11th.
2) Monthly Report: Brian Mayotte - Gaming Manager Brian Mayotte stated the month of April was
a month of progress and accomplishment. For the month of April we had a gross revenue of
approximately $1,422,572.17. $421,000 plus net revenue. Casino Manager gave a brief summary of
monthly marketing promotions and entertainment venues. Stated the marketing promos are pretty
much the same as last month with minimal changes. The patron head count for the month of April was
27,924. Jackpot totals for the month was $4,000,968. Year to date we had 153 hires. We are currently
down 44 employees from last year. Slots are up 3.72%, Gift Shop is up 9.28%. Gaming Manager
reported a good showing for the American Legion. Direct Mailing Promo had 1,873 participants. Direct
Mail profit of $232,169.
Treasurer Burns Questioned Manager as to why wage cost & overhead wasn’t included in the list of
expenditures.
Casino Manager highlighted a cost explanation in regard to Direct Mail Promotion. The formula was
explained as follows; Approximately $319,000 in expenditures divided by number of days will give the ’
break even cost.’
Manager questioned as to expenditure waste involving vacant rooms.
571 out of 929 rooms were vacant. The expenditures accrue regardless of vacancy.
The meeting went completely sideways for several minutes, as there was a discrepancy with what the
Treasurer was seeing and what the Gaming Manager was reading in the financials. Numbers didn’t
seem to be right and at times things were seemingly borderline nonsensical. Ears were open and eyes
were focused as the Gaming Board attempted to make sense of the huge discrepancies. The situation
seemed to revolve around the Manager’s statement of ‘we did better by $50,000 using last year as a
benchmark.’
Board regained control of the situation and determined the discrepancies were due to the fact that the
Treasurer had figures for just the Casino Enterprise, while the Casino Manager was reading figures for
the entire Complex.
Chairman Wiggins implored the Treasurer to make sure she has things straight because things can get
misconstrued real fast and something like this could blow up, especially with our Nation’s hurtful past
with regard to finances.
Casino Manager continued with the monthly report. Announced another Boxing venue which will cost
$2,000 to bring them in; 25 rooms and 10 meals. Vice-Chairman Lemieux had question as to liability
exposure to the fighters. Tribal Attorney explained all liabilities are assumed by the entertainers,
fighters, artists, etc. Tribal Attorney also advised that we must keep a firm stance in regard to non-
liability.
Casino Manager stated he had researched the possibilities of holding an outdoor venture, but the cost
would be so significant ($40,000) and unreachable at this time.
Tribal Member asked if this is the $40,000 the Council had asked the Judgment Fund Committee for at
a previous meeting.
Chairman Wiggins took this opportunity to address a recent rumor going around. Chairman stated the
BIA was looking to meet with the Council and Judgment Committee on the topic of re-investment
strategies involving Judgment monies. Further stated the Tribal Council did not ask the Judgment Fund
Committee for any money whatsoever.
Tribal Secretary raised issue as to why the new Casino Bar/Lounge was not in service as of date. At
the previous meeting Casino Management had promised Council this task would be completed in time
for Memorial Day weekend.
Casino Manager assumed responsibility and apologized. Chairman Wiggins called for ’all hands on
deck’ to get this completed.
Casino Manager brought up the upcoming 9th anniversary for the C-store. Also made mention of the
new Store Manager, David Bates. Was glad to welcome him aboard and hoped Mr. Bates would bring
some fresh ideas to the table.
Also noted was the pool resurfacing update. Manager stated pool should be completed by the end of
the month.
Treasurer questioned Casino manager about the mural. Heated debate ensued as to where the mural
should be displayed.
Chairman determined this situation could be handled internally.
Some concern raised by Board member as to displaying hamburger sales on Casino Billboard. Casino
Manager stated management is doing everything they can to bring business into the store.
3) Monthly Report: David Bates - New Store Manager gave a brief introduction. Pledged to
improve marketing strategies and to work with the Marketing Specialist to achieve better things. Spoke
of establishing a 2010 Budget for the Store and even touched on the 2011 Budget. Brief discussion
about Internal Controls. Retouched upon some advice from the Auditor. Stated in the past there has
been a 25% price markup and this is essentially what’s affecting the Store’s business.
Explained there was very little funds for operating expenses and its imperative that we generate
revenue. Debt write-off was discussed. Pure Dairy will be written off as they went bankrupt ($80,000).
Casino Management asked if the Casino has stopped supplying matches. Board informed he did, but
has started supplying them again. There is also a current rumor that the Casino will be charging for
their free sodas. This rumor is not true. Casino Manager stated the supply cut involving matches was
just an effort to save cost expense, but sometimes the little things really mean a lot in regard to
patronage.
There was also a rumor afloat the Restaurant has pulled the butter packets supply. This is just a
rumor, as the butter packets are stored in the refrigerator to keep them longer and cut back on waste
control.
Secretary made note she would like to see reports from Kathy Craig (Surveillance) as she hasn‘t
noticed any reports as of late..
4) Pepsi Coke: Proposal Review: Brian Mayotte - Currently reviewing the two vendor proposals
in trying to facilitate the cheapest services. $11,000 for Coke, $10,000 for Pepsi. Coke is cheaper per
gallon, Pepsi does have discounts of service over 5 years. Cash or Discount is the current debate.
A few notes to mention; the current hiring system is under current review, as Community expressed
several strong concerns.
Possible implementation of a lottery system for hiring purposes. Membership stated the needs of our
people should be met first and called for the immediate freezing of all non-member applications. Bottom
line is our people need jobs.
Question raised as to the Assistant Human Resources Manager and the qualifications surrounding this
position. Members wanted to know if this position was posted.
Chairman Wiggins stated the job is being done adequately and the lottery will only be implemented in
the hiring of ’some key staff.’
The meeting went into Executive after a brief break.