- The Breakdown
The Bad River Gaming Commission Meeting
(September 23, 2010)
The Bad River Gaming Commission/Tribal Council Meeting held on Thursday, September 23, 2010
was slated for 10 Agenda items; 5 in Regular Session and 5 in Executive.
Meeting called to order. Roll call taken, Vice-Chairman Lemieux absent.
Moment of Silence observed.
Regular Session:
(1.) Monthly Report: Brian Mayotte - Mr. Mayotte introduced various Department Managers to
present monthly update to Council.
Security; Jace Johnson: Management spoke about a Centralized Intelligence in regard to Casino
Security & Surveillance working with local law enforcement in efforts to keep on the lookout for
people of interest to law enforcement; wanted people, felons, missing persons, etc. It was reported
that these instances are usually reserved for more extreme circumstances. Photos of the people of
interest may be posted in Surveillance and in the Security Booth. Also spoke about ‘mock training’
exercises to help with training protocol and to promote efficiency.
Question by Council as to what type of impact our new Falls Lounge has made with respect to our
Gaming activities. Mr. Johnson stated our new Lounge has opened up our Gaming Floor. There has
been a slight increase in customer ‘cut-offs’. However, the impact has been very minimal.
There was a question as to Mr. Johnson’s statement of Centralized Intelligence. It was explained that
Security & Surveillance’s main goal is not for ‘head hunting’ so much as to the monitoring of Casino
business.
Guest Services; Cheri Pero - Mrs. Pero gave a brief overview of current staff; 6 full time hostesses,
1 is out on maternity leave. They were also given a part-time hostess from the Restaurant.
Mentioned various promotions & prizes. Mrs. Pero also provided Council with a brief summary of
Indian Summer. Total price was $4,500, which included; marketing promotions & travel expenses.
There was a Tribal display with info, pictures, flyers, and our webpage was posted. Things went
good, as we had good, positive feedback.
Smoke Shop: Chris Bell - Gave a brief overview of current staffing; 4 full time employees, 3 at 40
hours/per week, 1 at 32 hrs/per week. Mrs. Bell spoke about inventory times. Stated Mondays were
devoted to inventory; from 12 am - 8 am. Also stated that management is working together very hard
in regard to our new Bad River Gear. Also working on bringing more items (gifts) into the shop in
preparation for Christmas.
There was a discussion regarding shipping and receiving; positions involved; pay rate; etc.
Tribal Member questioned the mark-up price in the Gift Shop, stated the prices seemed kind of high.
Management stated the prices depend on their purchase price.
Vault - New interim manager introduced herself. So far she has overseen one internal audit and one
state audit. She has been cleaning and sorting through paperwork. Also looking to go over policies
with the staff.
Food Service - New manager introduced himself. Stated he has been working at this position for 1.5
weeks. Stated labor cost is up 25%. He is looking to bring this statistic down. Manager spoke of
curbing food waste and cost. Also mentioned we currently have under-priced items on our menu. For
the past week and a half he has been working various positions within food service and absorbing
information.
Tribal Member brought up an incident involving our restaurant. Member stated he recommended our
dining establishment to his friends, who were out of town. Member stated it was a Saturday morning,
approximately 8 am. His friends were told by staff that the restaurant was closed and they would only
be honoring take-out orders. Tribal Member wanted to know why this occurred. Member was
informed there was no wait staff on duty, as they called in ill. Chairman Wiggins stated if something
happens like that with our out of town guests, have them get in touch with management, so they can
be taken care of.
Tribal Member questioned the Casino’s hiring practices. Member felt there is a revolving door and
we keep hiring the same people while others are overlooked. Chairman Wiggins stated our goal is to
employ our Tribal Members while running things from a business perspective. This will be a
challenge to balance this problem.
Tribal Member stated we are so busy tearing each other apart. We lose focus on the good work our
Casino employees do. Member is tired of everyone complaining at every meeting.
Tribal member stated we have a business to run and these meetings are the only platform to voice
these concerns. Further stated he will continue to voice his concerns.
HR Manager - New HR Manager introduced herself (Jan Madosh-Smart). Stated she has been in
her new position for about 1.5 weeks. Currently she is familiarizing herself with our database and file
system. She has been talking with employees and learning the ropes. Now that she is management
she sees things from a different perspective. Management does work very hard. However a lot of
improvements are needed. Mrs. Smart spoke of prioritizing her goals, such as the current hiring
system.
Chairman Wiggins stated fairness, equity, transparency are 'hot button topics'. It will be a 'lofty goal'
looking for better solutions to this.
Mrs. Smart spoke of training and providing employee assistance. One of her goals will be
strengthening employee/management relations.
Mrs. Smart will be focusing on the hiring aspect. Further stated the current lottery system is flawed.
Chairman Wiggins stated our Council passed this measure as a temporary fix and agreed our
system is flawed.
Treasurer Burns stated our 'policies and procedures need to be followed across the board.'
Question raised as to what’s going on with our EAP position. Member informed there is currently no
funding for this position at this time.
Chairman Wiggins stated it is our 'chief drive to employ our people.' However, this will take time. Also
we have our HR working on this process.
Mrs. Smart stated she would be willing to set up interviews if the Council is willing to terminate the
lottery system. Further stated this will not be a difficult task to do.
Motion to end lottery system passed.
Custodial; Julie Stone - Mrs. Stone stated her department is focusing on some deep cleaning as the
fall months descend on us. Currently there are 12 employees on staff; 15 Tribal Members, 1
Caucasian, and one married to Tribal Member. This past week the new Food Service Manager took
over. This was a big relief for Mrs. Stone as she was heading dual departments and put in a great
deal of work. Stated she is excited to get back to focusing on her department. Mrs. Stone also spoke
about her experience at Indian Summer.
Tribal Member would like to know what kind of plan do we currently have for taking care of our
Casino upgrades.
There was a brief discussion on Handicapped Accessibly, especially pertaining to our restrooms.
Management stated they are currently looking into upgrades for; restrooms, carpets & the lodge.
The total cost for the restroom upgrades would be $27,000 for two of our 4 restrooms. The upgrades
include but aren’t limited to; mirrors, flooring, lighting, and counters.
Management is currently reviewing the wish list as they wait for our busy season to end.
(2.) Monthly Report: Moccasin Trail Stores: Joe Bates - Management stated they are currently
working on our cigarette prices. Northwest inventory will be here on the 30th. Mr. Bates addressed
the ongoing temperature problem in the Store. Our maintenance determined it was a bad blower.
This has been repaired and our AC system has been brought to more comfortable levels. Mr. Bates
also spoke about the recent power glitches caused by Bayfield Electric. These problems caused our
system to reboot. Currently management is working on obtaining power boosting equipment.
Currently we have 1 full time interim supervisor. Also added an LTE to full time status and another
LTE to part-time status. Management has also added a scanning clerk to the staff, this position will
ensure and promote proper pricing of Store goods.
Tribal Member questioned if these positions have been budgeted. Member informed by
Management these positions have been budgeted; 50 percent from the Store and 50 percent
budgeted from the Gas Station. Also our Budget is fully balanced to promote a profit at the end of
the year.
Membership wanted to know if the cost for outsourced inventory taking is budgeted. Membership
informed indeed it was. Also informed this inventory is for our end of the year audit. The current
contract is for one month, with option.
Retail Booking position has been reposted.
Tribal Member looking for BP update and also would like a bigger bulletin board for the Store lobby.
Management stated the board does need to be looked at. However we have been working
shorthanded at the Stores. Also in regards to the BP contract... We have received the final credit in
July. If we want out, we still need to buy out the contract.
Baked goods were discussed. Brainstormed possibilities of our own bakery at the Store.
Member would like to compliment the Store’s meat quality.
(3.) Halloween Entertainment Contract: Brian Mayotte - Currently we have an opportunity to
bring Mike Harvey to our casino for our Halloween celebration. Management has presented the
proposal to Council. The total fee for this endeavor will be $5,595. Mike Harvey will be on the air, live
talking about and promoting our Casino. There will be several on air radio ads. Mike Harvey will also
update his site about our Casino with a write up and several pictures. The price for tickets will be $20
in advance and $25 at the door. $800 will be devoted to lodging and meals. The theme for our
celebration will be 50’s and 60’s night. The first place winner will receive $250. The winner of the
twist contest will receive $250 also. There is a 300 ticket maximum capacity. The celebration will be
from 8pm-12am. This has all been run through our Legal Department. There will also be and
autograph session at 8pm.
Motion to approve contract carries.
(4.) Appointment to Fill Vacancy on Election Board: Gina Secord - Chairman Wiggins stated
there are several issues tonight regarding our Election Board. #1. We must fill the vacancy, #2. The
Absentee Ballot information has been posted 5 days late. Also Treasurer Burns indicated there is a
discrepancy concerning the Absentee Ballot Request rules. The rules Council had passed is not the
rules which were posted. The rules which were posted state Absentee Requests must be notarized,
when in fact they do not.
The advice from Tribal Legal Department is the reposting of the original revised posting would be
equal as far as all candidates are concerned and this was Council ruling, so this is a Council
decision. Election Board apologized for the discrepancy and offered a brief explanation of the events
which led up to this. There were two candidates present; Loretta Ford & Thomas Deragon Jr. They
were asked for their stance on this situation. Secretary Ford stated she does not have any problem
with this, as she does not seek any off-res support. Thomas Deragon Jr. was asked for his opinion.
Mr. Deragon indicated he does in fact have a problem with the way things went.
Tribal Council excused the Membership and went into Executive Session.
Meeting went back into Open Session.
Chairman Wiggins stated the Council has discussed the two technicalities; timeframe (5 days late)
and the incorrect wording of our Absentee Ballot Request postings. Chairman further stated 'no
Constitutional rules were violated. However, the election rules have been broken.'
Chairman Wiggins stated during the deliberation Council brainstormed a 7 point system to remedy
this situation and to promote the integrity and preservation of the election.
#1. Motion to replace the Ad Hoc Committee. Motion carried. Council will also need any and all
election documents and information tonight.
#2. Based on the list, Council will also have to appoint a new committee. Resolution read and
carried.
#3. There must be an immediate re-posting of our Election Members
#4. The immediate re-posting of rules, as checked by the Legal Department.
#5. The new Election Board Members will be supplied next week, at the 29th meeting.
#6. There will be an in-service with new members and our Tribal Attorney when they are sworn in.
#7. Ballot requests received by October 3 will be mailed out within ten days.
Motion to change wording of rule number six passes.
(5.) Lease: Marge Lemieux - 1 Residential lease heard and approved
Also Resolutions were read and passed for General Assistance Program Contract and Family
Resource Management Program Funding.
Meeting went into Executive Session.