The Breakdown (Gaming Commission Meeting)
The Gaming Commission meeting held on Thursday February 25, 2010 was slated for 9 items on the agenda.
Of these 9 items, 2 were scheduled for open session while the remaining 7 were scheduled for executive
session. Two more items were also added to the agenda. After a discussion as to why the bulk of the meeting
was scheduled for executive session, 5 of the 7 items were removed from executive session and were allowed to
be presented in regular session. Meeting called to order. Roll call taken, all 7 Corporate Board Members present.
Tribal Council Portion
- After a moment of silence, Library Services Grant was reviewed. Council Member wanted more information on
grant application. Library Grant tabled until presenter, Hope Miller could be reached for further questions.
- Next, Edith Leoso (Repatriation Committee) was looking to apply for the NAGPRA Grant (Native American
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act). She stated the remains of 2 ancestral graves were excavated from
Madeline Island in the 1950’s and are now in Beloit Museum. We are looking to repatriate them and give them a
final resting place. This grant would also help pay for travel for other tribes along with us to meet at Madeline
Island. Grant would also help pay for wages and salaries for committee members. The grant application is due
March 3, 2010 and needs signatory before packet can be sent. Resolution passed for approval per final review
by Tribal Chairman and final scan by tribal attorney.
- Next, Tribal Member, Wesley Connors presented a historical tribal document to tribal council for possible
purchase. This document is a poster announcing a meeting scheduled for April 17, 1924. This meeting was a call
to order for all bands to choose leads and delegates of the tribes. This document is the only known historical link
of this meeting. Mr. Connors stated other tribes are interested in the obtainment of this document (White Earth,
L.C.O.). Mr. Connors was turned down last year by previous administration. Membership stated this document
may be invaluable because it demonstrates how we operated before the 1934 Reorganization Act. Resolution to
purchase historical document from Mr. Connors not to exceed $2,500.00 to be made in timely installments
passed.
- Next, Library Grant was heard, as Presenter, Hope Miller was reached for questioning. She stated she was
seeking the IMLS Grant, which is a standard grant in the amount of $6,000. This grant covers general services
for our library. Resolution passed to authorize grant submittal.
Gaming Commission Portion
- Casino Manager, Brian Mayotte, presented the monthly report for the casino. Reported that business was
slow due to winter months. Also the ongoing problems we’ve had with the check cashing has had a definite
impact on all of the casino enterprises. Casino reported $63,000 was spent on gift certificates due to check
cashing problem. Also reported check cashing will be fully operational within ten days. Casino Management is
working hard preparing for the busy season. Some discussion on Casino Promos and upcoming entertainment.
Discussed player tracking and new casino promotion. Spent $174,000 in direct mailing, but netted $516,933.64
in total profit. There was discrepancy on actual casino revenue/loss. Chairman of the Board stated the numbers
which reflected our total casino loss read at the last council meeting for the casino is actually not a true reflection
because monetary transfers to the tribe’s general account were actually reported as casino losses. Casino
Manager stated tribal transfers from casino for month of February was $266,912. Over $661,000 in tribal
transfers were made from October to January. Questions as to how player tracking and promo worked. Willy
Lucas stated player tracking was based on daily money spent. Top 7,000 players are broken down into groups
from top to bottom. Top of the group was $172 spent after promos. Bottom of the group was $23 daily. Casino
Manager reported casino currently has 221 employees, of those employees, 152 are actual tribal members.
Management also working on getting the new lounge up and operational. Discussions on storage and
entertainment scheduling. Management mentioned working with Tony Manila on getting boxing at the casino
again for May 22. Discussions on advertisement for enterprises. Management further stated casino is up 5%
from this time last year.
- Shareholders raised concerns about what was being done about the current casino hiring practices which
had been asked two meetings ago. Chairman informed membership nothing has been changed.
- Concerns about loitering in the Casino were brought up. Casino manager stated the loitering being committed
was mostly kids waiting for the bus. Manager is aware of the problem and actions are in place to minimize this.
- Voluntary layoffs and possible casino downsizing was also discussed. Chairman stated the board was looking
at all possibilities and will analyze all options that will bring “organizational efficiency” to the casino and it’s
departments. Casino Manager stated keeping tribal members working will be top priority.
- Some discussion on managerial training was also discussed briefly.
- Kathleen Craig, Casino Surveillance, was requesting the use of a truck to transport new digital equipment
(approximate value $1.6 million) which was donated by the Potawatomi Tribe. However she was unsure as to
when they will be actually transporting the equipment just yet. She stated this equipment will be vital as our
casino’s camera system is at full capacity. The new digital cameras will enhance the efficiency of quicker
retrievals for investigation purposes. It can also be applicable to the other tribal facilities. Casino management
stated the installation of these cameras will cost approximately $4,000 and about $650-$2,000 to transport, not
to mention the training involved. Approximate total transition to digital cost would be $10,000. Resolution to
provide trucking passed.
- Casino Management presented revised in-house rules for approval. Board members brought up
discrepancies on the exact wording of the rules. Corporate Board stated a little more work was needed on the
wording.
- Tribal Attorney, Erick Arnold, and Casino Management presented an ongoing contractual problem in regard
to the Aristocrat machines. Stated there are 28 machines involved, which make up 20% of the casino gaming
floor. 4 months of payments left (approximately $140,000 is still owed to vendor). Tribe was unable to make
end of year balloon payment. An $87,000 check which was sent to company by previous Treasurer (Bernard
Lemieux) in November had been garnished and wrote off. Company is withholding parts and threatening to pull
machines until contract terms are met. Shareholders questioned the Board, why had we let it get to this point?
Why had we not been paying from our Casino Revenue? Chairman of the Board stated to Shareholders that we
didn’t have the money to make payment.
- Slot Manager, Doug Kraft, and Casino Management were looking for Board approval to research 4 wide area
progressives. Stated these low cost machines will bring much needed excitement to the gaming floor. Board
Member was cut off by Chairman. Board Member stated she was tired of getting treated with disrespect.
Chairman slammed mic in front of her and told her to "go ahead and speak then". Board Member stated she was
cautious of tribe getting tied into “fine print” contractual stipulations. Casino Manager stated he doesn’t
necessarily like them but they are needed to remain competitive with surrounding casinos. Request approved.
- Barb Santana, Enterprise Accountant, was looking for a decision by the Board which had previously been
tabled in regard to her request for additional enterprise assistant book keeper position. Stated they are unable
to perform duties without this additional position. Already working Board mandated overtime. Concern was raised
as to statement Mrs. Santana made regarding no record being kept (signing in and out) when they go into
casino vault to resolve discrepencies involving the count. Is this a possible violation of Gaming compact/internal
controls? Chairman of the Board requested Casino Management look into this matter. The request for a Lead
Enterprise Assistant Book Keeper denied at this time. Request for another Enterprise Assistant Book Keeper
approved.
- The meeting went into Executive Session around 10 PM.