The Breakdown
Bad River Gaming Commission Meeting (August 26)
The Bad River Gaming Commission (Aug. 26) kicked off with 13 items on the Agenda; 7 items in Regular session & 6
items to be heard in Executive Session.
Meeting called to order, all Board members present.
Moment of Silence observed.
Financials were read by Mrs. Santana and are available at the Chief Blackbird Center.
Regular Session:
1.) Monthly Report: Casino Lodge: Brian Mayotte - Casino Manager stated the month of July was a very good
month, possibly the best yet. Our casino had a large headcount. Manager made mention of several Casino promotions
and activities; Sizzling Summer, Stars & Stripes. We also headlined a Karaoke contest where our very own talented
Aurora Conley took home first place ($500). Currently we have 181 full time employees., 33 limited term. The current
average wage is $9.08/hr. We have 446 active machines. Table games for the month included; King of the Hill, various
poker tournaments. Profit for the month was $608,000. Headcount for the month was 29,716. Management stated we
are working on compliance audits and internal controls. The Regulatory Commission is here. We do have some IRS title
13 compliance issues. Work packets were given to Mrs. Smart, looking to set up a working session. Mr. Mayotte stated
we are currently dealing with the budgeting process & upgrading the MIS equipment; this will entail a cost of
approximately $3,000. We are transitioning to Coke next month. If Council/Commission wishes to order more, then let
management know. Currently working on codes for the marquee. Also working on our bathrooms, projectors, sign
podiums. Also designing a new snack bar, estimated cost would be approximately $20,000, this will be done in-house to
curb cost. Also looking to make our west side sign more user friendly. Collaborated a wish list and submitted it to Mr.
Nemec. Our Hotel revitalization keeps coming up, Management stated we are working on it ‘portionately’, doing a little at
a time and ‘spreading it out just like Council wanted.’
Discussion initiated by Chairman Wiggins as to the effects of mandating these jobs to just Tribal Membership (making it
more accessible to tribally owned businesses). Also discussed finding qualified personnel tribe-wide.
Management discussed the Falls Lounge Grand Opening and ways to get publicity, press, etc. There will also be mugs
and t-shirts possibly.
August 4, there was a brownout in our Casino which affected our computers as our servers went down. Mr. Lucas was
going to present this info to Council tonight, however he is not here. Mr. Principato (Mechanical Maint.) offered a brief
summary of the cause and effect of the ongoing problem. It was explained that our current generator doesn’t possess
the capacity to supply both our Casino and our Store when our air conditioning ’kicks in‘. Our staff currently combats
this by manually turning our AC, in stages (rather than all at once & overloading the generator). It was further stated
that when our Store was built, we did not address the extra electricity need. Management is currently looking into a
monitoring system to alleviate the need to manually manage this system (est. cost would be $40,000). Mr. Hartwell and
Mr. Principato will be working together to check on possible funding avenues.
Management gave an update on the new Marketing Manager, stated this position will be reposted. Also there weren’t
enough qualified people for the Food Service Manager.
There was discussion on the Human Resource Manager position. Tribal Council felt angry with regards to the way this
was handled. Council felt this has been put off far too long, even after Council directive.
Membership informed there were (4) interviews for this position.
(2.) Monthly Report: Moccasin Trail Stores: Joe Bates - Management spoke about possible ideas for Store
changes. Discussed projects worked on; budgets, scanning clerk position; to ensure proper pricing. Mentioned some
issues involving passwords & numbers for our Store employees, this is being addressed. Also provided an update
regarding Inventory Proposals, hopefully we will be presenting this for approval by the next meeting. Mr. Bates
professed the continued success of the Store’s new hours & our 10% discount Thursday. Also made mention of our
weekly in-house sales, flyers & emails. Mr. Bates would like to thank everyone for a good Pow Wow. Stated it was a ’
real good weekend’., as our Store brought in $53,000 in sales; nearly $70,000 collectively. Also looking for proposals
our new Store sign/logo.
Motion to approve Casino/Store Monthly Reports carries.
Chairman Wiggins would like to see report from Smoke Shop so Council may ascertain our sale volume. Smoke, Vault,
Custodial & Surveillance are all missing reports.
(3.) Casino Internal Controls: Brian Mayotte; Jace Johnson - Seeking Council resolution to approve internal
control standards. Council advised of revisions made; ‘5 years’ changed to ‘7‘; ‘segregated wide-area’ changed to ’all
machines’.
(4.) Government Road Right-of-Way Resolution: Pat Nemec - Seeking Resolution to reaffirm right of way to Town
Of Sanborn. This had been done back in the ’30’s. However due to records loss in a fire, there was no Resolution on
file. Resolution read and passed.
(5.) Community Health Section Roof: Hope Miller - Bid for roof was discussed. Chippewa Construction was the
only tribal contractor. Contractor ’did a good job on the front portion’ of the roof. They did slightly overbid, however they
are allowed a 10% exception. Tribal Attorney advised ’in the best interest of the Tribe‘, we can choose regardless.
Discussion on bonding restrictions in regard to Native owned businesses/contractors. Attorney will look into these
issues in hopes of structuring with less restrictions in efforts to employ our Tribal Members. Motion to approve
Chippewa Construction carries.
(6.) Approval to Accept BIA Roads Garage: Cheryl Cloud - Seeking Council decision to add BIA Roads Garage
on to inventory list of assets. Some discussion on ground contaminants and removal of such contaminants. Also
discussed removal of underground storage tanks and contaminated soil. Discussed the pros and cons of taking
ownership of the structure. Program housing was debated, as was the condition of the structure. Motion to accept.
(7.) Aging - Contract Approval - Northern Bridges: Erick Arnold - Looking for Council decision to approve
contract with Northern Bridges program to reimburse the meals for 6 enrolled Members through state services. This will
ultimately mean we succumb to state term and give up waiver of our immunity. Tribe’s stance is, ’No Waiver.’ State’s
stance is, ’then no contract.’ Tribal Attorney advised Council not to enter into contract. No motion by Council to approve
contract.
Meeting went into Executive around 9 pm.
Bad River Gaming Commission Meeting (August 26)
The Bad River Gaming Commission (Aug. 26) kicked off with 13 items on the Agenda; 7 items in Regular session & 6
items to be heard in Executive Session.
Meeting called to order, all Board members present.
Moment of Silence observed.
Financials were read by Mrs. Santana and are available at the Chief Blackbird Center.
Regular Session:
1.) Monthly Report: Casino Lodge: Brian Mayotte - Casino Manager stated the month of July was a very good
month, possibly the best yet. Our casino had a large headcount. Manager made mention of several Casino promotions
and activities; Sizzling Summer, Stars & Stripes. We also headlined a Karaoke contest where our very own talented
Aurora Conley took home first place ($500). Currently we have 181 full time employees., 33 limited term. The current
average wage is $9.08/hr. We have 446 active machines. Table games for the month included; King of the Hill, various
poker tournaments. Profit for the month was $608,000. Headcount for the month was 29,716. Management stated we
are working on compliance audits and internal controls. The Regulatory Commission is here. We do have some IRS title
13 compliance issues. Work packets were given to Mrs. Smart, looking to set up a working session. Mr. Mayotte stated
we are currently dealing with the budgeting process & upgrading the MIS equipment; this will entail a cost of
approximately $3,000. We are transitioning to Coke next month. If Council/Commission wishes to order more, then let
management know. Currently working on codes for the marquee. Also working on our bathrooms, projectors, sign
podiums. Also designing a new snack bar, estimated cost would be approximately $20,000, this will be done in-house to
curb cost. Also looking to make our west side sign more user friendly. Collaborated a wish list and submitted it to Mr.
Nemec. Our Hotel revitalization keeps coming up, Management stated we are working on it ‘portionately’, doing a little at
a time and ‘spreading it out just like Council wanted.’
Discussion initiated by Chairman Wiggins as to the effects of mandating these jobs to just Tribal Membership (making it
more accessible to tribally owned businesses). Also discussed finding qualified personnel tribe-wide.
Management discussed the Falls Lounge Grand Opening and ways to get publicity, press, etc. There will also be mugs
and t-shirts possibly.
August 4, there was a brownout in our Casino which affected our computers as our servers went down. Mr. Lucas was
going to present this info to Council tonight, however he is not here. Mr. Principato (Mechanical Maint.) offered a brief
summary of the cause and effect of the ongoing problem. It was explained that our current generator doesn’t possess
the capacity to supply both our Casino and our Store when our air conditioning ’kicks in‘. Our staff currently combats
this by manually turning our AC, in stages (rather than all at once & overloading the generator). It was further stated
that when our Store was built, we did not address the extra electricity need. Management is currently looking into a
monitoring system to alleviate the need to manually manage this system (est. cost would be $40,000). Mr. Hartwell and
Mr. Principato will be working together to check on possible funding avenues.
Management gave an update on the new Marketing Manager, stated this position will be reposted. Also there weren’t
enough qualified people for the Food Service Manager.
There was discussion on the Human Resource Manager position. Tribal Council felt angry with regards to the way this
was handled. Council felt this has been put off far too long, even after Council directive.
Membership informed there were (4) interviews for this position.
(2.) Monthly Report: Moccasin Trail Stores: Joe Bates - Management spoke about possible ideas for Store
changes. Discussed projects worked on; budgets, scanning clerk position; to ensure proper pricing. Mentioned some
issues involving passwords & numbers for our Store employees, this is being addressed. Also provided an update
regarding Inventory Proposals, hopefully we will be presenting this for approval by the next meeting. Mr. Bates
professed the continued success of the Store’s new hours & our 10% discount Thursday. Also made mention of our
weekly in-house sales, flyers & emails. Mr. Bates would like to thank everyone for a good Pow Wow. Stated it was a ’
real good weekend’., as our Store brought in $53,000 in sales; nearly $70,000 collectively. Also looking for proposals
our new Store sign/logo.
Motion to approve Casino/Store Monthly Reports carries.
Chairman Wiggins would like to see report from Smoke Shop so Council may ascertain our sale volume. Smoke, Vault,
Custodial & Surveillance are all missing reports.
(3.) Casino Internal Controls: Brian Mayotte; Jace Johnson - Seeking Council resolution to approve internal
control standards. Council advised of revisions made; ‘5 years’ changed to ‘7‘; ‘segregated wide-area’ changed to ’all
machines’.
(4.) Government Road Right-of-Way Resolution: Pat Nemec - Seeking Resolution to reaffirm right of way to Town
Of Sanborn. This had been done back in the ’30’s. However due to records loss in a fire, there was no Resolution on
file. Resolution read and passed.
(5.) Community Health Section Roof: Hope Miller - Bid for roof was discussed. Chippewa Construction was the
only tribal contractor. Contractor ’did a good job on the front portion’ of the roof. They did slightly overbid, however they
are allowed a 10% exception. Tribal Attorney advised ’in the best interest of the Tribe‘, we can choose regardless.
Discussion on bonding restrictions in regard to Native owned businesses/contractors. Attorney will look into these
issues in hopes of structuring with less restrictions in efforts to employ our Tribal Members. Motion to approve
Chippewa Construction carries.
(6.) Approval to Accept BIA Roads Garage: Cheryl Cloud - Seeking Council decision to add BIA Roads Garage
on to inventory list of assets. Some discussion on ground contaminants and removal of such contaminants. Also
discussed removal of underground storage tanks and contaminated soil. Discussed the pros and cons of taking
ownership of the structure. Program housing was debated, as was the condition of the structure. Motion to accept.
(7.) Aging - Contract Approval - Northern Bridges: Erick Arnold - Looking for Council decision to approve
contract with Northern Bridges program to reimburse the meals for 6 enrolled Members through state services. This will
ultimately mean we succumb to state term and give up waiver of our immunity. Tribe’s stance is, ’No Waiver.’ State’s
stance is, ’then no contract.’ Tribal Attorney advised Council not to enter into contract. No motion by Council to approve
contract.
Meeting went into Executive around 9 pm.
