- The Rundown
April 8th Special Tribal Council Meeting
The Bad River Tribal Council Special Meeting was scheduled April 8th was slated for 18 items on the
Agenda. 16 Items in Regular Session and 2 Items in Executive. Added to the Agenda was; (2)Big Drum
Request: Jan Madosh-Smart and (1)Tribal member Request: Salena Rosin. Bob Houle (Human Resources):
Accounting interviews was added. SMDC Agreement Resolution: Erick Arnold (Tribal Attorney) was moved to
Executive Session. Agenda Item #1. Underage Drinking Ordinance: JoAnn Barylski was removed from the
Agenda.
Call To Order: Eldred Corbine informed Council he will be tardy, Peter Lemieux was excused.
Moment Of Silence: Chairman Wiggins asked for moment of silence and spoke briefly on the passing of
Tribal Elder, Beany Lemieux.
Financials for December and January were tabled again.
Motion to accept the Agenda as amended made and passed.
Tribal Member Request: Salena Rosen - Tribal Member, currently enrolled at UWS, is seeking $1,200
Donation to help fund 10 day Music Studies Trip to Costa Rica. Council instructed Education Coordinator to
assist Member in possibly facilitating funding through Education Program. Education Coordinator will report
back on Council’s request status.
Big Drum Request: Jan Madosh-Smart - Tribal Members seek Tribal support and funding for 5 to 6 day
travel in the first week of May to reacquire Drum which was taken to Kansas, Nebraska back in the 20th
Century as our Drums were being dismantled at that time by the Government (BIA). Members are holding
Community Meeting April 17 at the Bad River Housing Authority (12 PM), during which time, Community
discussions will take place in regard to feelings and responsibilities that come with the task of reclaiming
commitment of Big Drum. The Big Drum Homecoming is still in the infant stage, as more dialogue is needed
between the two Communities. Expense for the trip is still undetermined. Time is a crucial factor and there has
been very little time given for preparation. However, Presenters have already taken the initiative and began
the Spiritual process by handing out a Tobacco Offering to the Bad River people in various locations
throughout the Community.
Possible ways to facilitate donations were discussed. Chairman Wiggins suggested asking Housing
Committee for possible monetary donation. Another suggestion was asking Town of Sanborn for donation.
There was also suggestion to place Donation Cans in strategic places throughout the Community. Attending
Members and Council brainstormed several other various possible Donation sources; Pow-wow Committee,
Judgment Fund, Lunchtime Food Sales, etc.
Chairman Wiggins stated this sounds like a very powerful thing for our people and mentioned Joe Corbine’s
efforts to reignite the Drum Group for our Native students at the High School and the connection it had with
this and what these kinds of things would mean to our Community. It was the Tribal Chairman’s perspective
to hold off on a plan of action until the April 17 Community Meeting to get a better idea of what exactly will be
needed as far as Travel Costs and Needs, which will give the Administration a little more time explore what
resources would be available to help this journey out.
Traffic Safety Signs: Becky Lemieux - Public Prevention Coalition Received $5,000 Grant (Northern
Native American Health Alliance). Looking for Council approval to utilize Grant Money to erect 2 Road Signs,
1 mile East and West of Community advising motorists of Pedestrian traffic. Discussion update on the
Pedestrian Path. Bid Packet will be going out soon. Also discussed traffic reduction ordinance in the works.
Discussion on DOT Erection Ordinance Guidelines. Also discussed was the contents of signs. For instance;
Welcome to Bad River, followed by Tribal Logo, and pedestrian advisement. Other ideas involved having the
signs in English and our Native Language.
ANA-SEDS Grant Resolution: Hope Miller - Seeking Council Resolution to submit Grant for up to
approximately $100,000 to help strengthen three main areas of development Tribe-wide; (1)Leadership Skills
Revision, (2)Regulatory Documents, and (3)Technology. Grant would help fund goals such as; Constitutional
Reform Committee, Digitalization of Government Documents, etc. Discussion on ways Grant may be
applicable in helping our Government build solid foundations for various Departments within our Government
Infrastructure. Resolution read and approved.
Solid Waste Management Grant Resolution: Hope Miller - Seeking Resolution to submit Grant for
$500,000 to help fund the expansion of Waste Facility. This Grant would improve current Waste Management
Infrastructure and improve Waste Facility Operations. Resolution to submit Grant read and passed.
Bid Selection for Pond Liner: Tim Wilson - Looking for Council to approve Bid selection in regard to the
installation of a new pond liner for Grow Out Pond. Presenter stated last year’s Bids came back well over and
beyond estimated amount. Received additional funding to cover remaining costs. Currently we have received
3 Bid packets, of those, the previous Contractor (Yunker Plastics) original installer of the pond liner, was
selected. A portion of the old pond liner will be utilized in the construction of our Community Skating Rink. The
new liner will be installed directly over the existing liner. Motion to accept selection made and passed.
Using OTC to Mark Hatchery Fish: Tim Wilson - Looking for Council approval to mark Hatchery stock fish
with chemical agent, Oxycycline. OTC is a member of the Tetracycline antibiotics group. This agent will
chemically mark hatchery stock fish at the base of the head (spine) and will enable a determination as to the
impact our Hatchery has in regard to the fish population. Right now, Hatchery is only looking to treat walleye
and yellow perch fingerlings. Lengthy discussion on consumer safety. Presenter stated agent will remain in
treated fish for 21 days and is also approved by the FDA for human consumption. Discussion on educating
Community via, newsletters and brochures. Ecological concerns were voiced. Presenter stated agent is eco-
friendly. Questions as to disposal methods of OTC treated water were raised. Presenter stated treated water
will be kept in holding tanks and pumped into tankers and trucked to water treatment facility with the rest of
the wastewater. Cost of disposal was also addressed. Presenter stated costs will be minimal. Resolution for
approval read and passed.
* Tribal Request: Salena Rosen Update - Education Coordinator was able to facilitate funding for Costa
Rica Trip in the amount of $1,000. Consensus vote to fund remaining $300 passed.
Head Start Community Assessment 2009-10: Luanne Wiggins - Looking for Council to accept Head
Start Assessment. Assessment is the culmination of collective gathering of Community Data on issues such
as; Community Pride, Dental, Tobacco Reduction and Prevention. The Data was compiled through Census
info, Housing info, and Internet. The info gathered will be used to inform and educate Community and Head
Start. Motion to accept Assessment made and passed.
Head Start Self-Assessment Results 2009-10: Luanne Wiggins - Looking for Council to accept Internal
Assessment of Head Start Program which is a requirement guideline for continued funding. Assessment will
be utilized to help Head Start develop an overall plan of improvement through identification of strengths and
weaknesses from an operational standpoint. Presenter stated some weaknesses were student’s knowledge of
science studies and lack of tracking system from a budgeting standpoint. Motion to accept assessment
passed.
Head Start Budget 2010-11: Luanne Wiggins - Budget reviewed by Tribal Council. Wage Increases and
Salary Caps were discussed briefly. Wage Comparisons were collected from surrounding Head Start
Programs and Community Day Care. Chairman stated there is no official Salary Cap in place so there will be
wage increases appropriated this year. However, Administration is working on Salary Cap. Possible ways to
deal with Salary Caps and wage increases discussed. Possibility of issuing bonus check instead of wage
increases discussed. Matching Dollar Figure by Tribe discussed; some of that figure is through non-monetary
services provided through Tribe. Motion to approve Head Start Budget for 2010-2011 made and passed.
Leases: Marge Lemieux - Two new Tribal Member leases and one Member lease relinquishment was
presented. Resolutions read and approved.
Council Meeting Format: Cheryl Cloud-Westlund - Tribal Operations Manager presented Draft of
proposed New Council Meeting Format. Looking for feedback from Council and Tribal Membership.
Discussion on structure of the Meetings. Concern raised over Meeting Format. Secretary felt strongly in
keeping current format setup in regard to presentation; Financials, Minutes, 5 Minutes, etc. Tribal Member
stated he liked the idea of proposed Draft, but disagreed with meeting start time at 2PM. Member further
stated the time would be a great hardship on working Tribal Members who wished to attend our Council
Meetings. Tribal Operations Manager stated the time change was to cut costs and promote efficiency from a
Departmental standpoint and often times Department Managers were staying late for their presentations, thus
creating a double liability as far as time and working hours are concerned. Tribal Ops. Stated the new format
was to ensure old business was being handled as Membership is always inquiring about things asked at past
Council Meetings.
Off-topic heated debate ensued in regard to last night’s Regular Council Meeting. Membership felt the
Meeting set-up issue could have been handled better. Membership felt the Constitution wasn’t adhered to in
regard to the contents of the Agendas. Treasure felt today’s Special Meeting’s Agenda should have been
heard at last night’s Regular Monthly Tribal Council Meeting. Chairman stated everyone is entitled to their
own interpretation and opinion.
Member stated she didn’t feel that our Regular Monthly Meeting should have been designated for Housing’s
Personnel issues and nothing was accomplished because Membership only got to hear one side of last night’
s argument because the Housing Board could not speak on Personnel issues in Open Session. Chairman
Wiggins ask how one is to go about clarifying the importance of one Agenda Item over the other. Heated
debate continued. Member felt last night’s Agenda item was indeed one Personnel issue which was allowed to
supersede over many Regular Agenda Items. Council Member Greene stated she didn’t have a problem with
the Meeting. Council Member Corbine felt last night’s Agenda Item should have been held in Executive
Session.
Tribal Member asked if any other employee had a grievance would they be added and heard during the
Regular Agenda.
Member stated the Tribal Council has set a precedence last night and asked for fairness across the board for
all Tribal Members to be heard in such fashion.
Chairman Wiggins stated the Housing Board has leadership roles that affect the Community and its been
established the Council has Executive authority over the Housing Board, there is a communication problem
between the Council and Housing Board, and its also apparent the Board made some major decisions that
have caused disruption with the Housing Authority and the way it conducts business. So there was
justification for last night’s Meeting.
Tribal Member again asked if somebody has a Personnel complaint with anything, will they be allowed on the
Agenda in Open Session. Chairman answered with a question to Member, as a Member of the Housing Board
will they hear anyone who has an issue with the Housing Board. Tribal Member stated indeed the Housing
Board would hear the complaint. Chairman stated then there’s your answer.
Tribal Membership’s direct question remained unanswered.
Tribal Member felt after the initial work is complete on the draft of new meeting structure, a survey should be
taken to get Community feedback. Chairman stated the other option is just to keep things the way they are.
As a Council Member, the Tribal Secretary felt the format should be revised and looked at. Treasurer asked
Chairman if everybody will be allowed their own Meeting if they have problems or grievances. Membership
called for fairness across the boards. Treasurer’s question was unanswered.
Council will review and discuss New Meeting Structure Draft.
SMDC Agreement Resolution: Erick Arnold - Chairman moved for Agenda Item to be heard in Executive
Session as this is a sensitive issue because discussion involves strategy plan negotiations that don’t need to
go public just yet. Chairman did say however, we are approximately $1.18 Million in debt and in recent
negotiations we were able to re-price our current debt down $200,000.
Dental Plan: Deb Tutor - Presenter addressed the needs of the Community and our non-existent Dental
Care. Stated a couple of Dentists have raised interest in being involved with our new Health Clinic. There is
approximately $300,000 in new monies for Contract Health. Some of those Monies could be used for salaries
and Dental Equipment. Clinic could establish a client base for Dental Care and in time this venture will turn
into a money maker and actually become a “financial cushion” for our new clinic. There are two different
ways we can approach this venture. We could purchase a mobile dental unit or set up a dental office in the
new clinic. If we opted for the mobile unit we could have more chairs, which means more revenue. We could
also add a Dental Hygienist to our services, which in turn would bring in even more money. The other side is,
we do have room in the clinic to install one chair but we wouldn’t be able to see as many patients. Deb Tutor
felt if we were to proceed with this venture, she would be more inclined to opt for the mobile unit. She stated
the mobile unit could travel to various areas of our Community and provide care to more patients by
eliminating patient travel. Deb will still need some funding from the Tribe in this endeavor (approx. $150,000),
as she obviously cannot use all the Contract Health monies. Chairman thanked Mrs. Tutor for her proactive
approach. Dental Tabled until next Council Meeting.
Gypsy Moth: Doug Tutor - State is looking for Tribal Council permission to do flyby drop on two areas of
the Reservation (Jolmaville & Madigan) and administer a natural occurring soil bacteria, Btk (Bacillus
thuringiensis kurstakii). This will drastically cut down the destructive Gypsy Moth population. This service will
be of no cost to the Tribe. Motion to support Gypsy Moth Extermination Project passed.
Bingo Request (Head Start): Milisa Corbine - Resolution to allow charitable bingo on April 25 for Head
Start passed.
Raffle Request (Head Start): Milisa Corbine - Resolution to allow charitable raffle on April 25 for Head
Start passed.
Meeting went into Executive Session around 6 PM.
