The Rundown...
- Sunday January 17, 2010 - The first tribal council meeting of 2010 (which
had been rescheduled from January 6, 2010) was slated for nine items on
the agenda. Of the nine items, two were stricken from the agenda (credit
service balance contract, Badger care Plus reimbursement contract), three
were added (resolution to give officers access to bank accounts, general
account finance contract, wetland quality control). After a moment of
silence, The financial report was presented by Treasurer Burns. In addition to
the reading of the financials, copies were made available for viewing to tribal
membership in attendance. Council member Corbine raised concern about
disbursing financial information to membership in this fashion. Membership
stated it was no different than the financials being read aloud. Upon viewing
financials, the copies were returned to council. Membership raised concern
over various programs now dead because of 2008 audit being incomplete,
such as; Healthy Lifestyles. Chairman Wiggins stated "we need to get the
blame game over with so we can get back to business". Tribal council also
advised membership there are carry over funds which may be utilized until we
receive more funding. Membership also had concerns about the success of
some of the casino enterprises. Chairman Wiggins informed the membership
of another gaming commission meeting in the works for the end of the month,
at which time, they will be addressing some of these concerns. Membership
also raised questions about daycare; accounts receivable/billing? Is daycare
revenue statement a true reflection or is it inaccurate? Tribal council stated it
is a possibility. Chairman Wiggins also mentioned the tribe will be taking a
more proactive approach in regards to vending services, cigarette contracts,
office supplies, etc. by using buying power as leverage. Membership
questioned the tribal vehicle policy. Chairman Wiggins stated policies are in
place and proper protocols are being followed and he also sent a memo out to
department heads as a reminder. Membership raised concern over a certain
CD which only three council members had access to (ex-chair and two other
members who are now deceased) and what's being done with it. Treasurer
Burns stated the council is looking into it and they have requested an activity
report from the bank in regards to the CD. There was a discrepancy in
approval of last meetings minutes concerning the usage of the word "rogue" in
describing the prior administration. Chairman Wiggins requested it be
changed to "previous" instead. Chairman Wiggins spoke briefly about the
Beloit Casino Informational Meeting and brought the membership up to speed
in regards to the Beloit Project. Chairman Wiggins stated the general purpose
of the special meeting was to get the information out to the community.
Chairman Wiggins also informed membership of the council's recent meeting
in St. Croix and that they will also be meeting with the Ho-chunk Nation. No
agreements have been signed. The previous application is off the table and
non-existent. If we wish to proceed, a new application will be required.
Chairman Wiggins also took a moment to apologize to the membership for the
postponement of the regular meeting, as the tribal council didn't have enough
information about the agenda to make any decisions about the agenda. He
further stated adequate steps have been set into place to ensure this type of
situation won't happen again. During the five minute sessions, tribal
membership voiced several concerns. Amongst the concerns brought forward,
was the casino's current hiring practice. Membership complained that it seems
the casino is still using the same "revolving door" with certain people in
regards to the hiring procedure. Certain "favorable" people are hired and
leave, then are immediately re-hired, while others are blacklisted and hear
nothing after continuous applications. Chairman Wiggins agreed there is a
"breakdown in the hiring process". Currently the department managers
choose applicants from a hiring list and hire them at their discretion. Chairman
Wiggins stated this current practice is "inherently flawed" and an analysis and
revision of the policies and procedures needs to be "kick started". During the
five minutes, tribal council was also asked about the possible formation of a
gaming commission board in the future. Chairman Wiggins stated that with
much thought and work, it was indeed a possibility. He also informed
membership the council will be holding regular gaming commission meetings.
Membership reminded council of keeping gaming and regular tribal business
separate. Chairman Wiggins stated these meetings will be overseen with
business integrity. Tribal member demanded 76% dividend payout. Member
further stated over half the casino revenue gets rolled into the tribe's general
account, when in fact, each enterprise should have it's own reserve fund
established and the monies allotted to each enterprise, per the corporate
charter. Therefore, member is requesting a 19 year historical account of the
casino revenue and demanding a 76% declaration of dividend capital returns
be given back to the people. Chairman Wiggins stated there is no argument
with the corporate charter and historically there is no question as to the
wisdom of the councils that have sat before this administration. Chairman
Wiggins asked to stop for a minute and question what was asked; what kind of
impact would this have on the people and community? Tribal council was also
asked about the status of the "departing packages". Chairman Wiggins
informed membership that letters have been sent and all parties involved
should have received them. Of the letters sent, the tribe received three
responses. Zero money has been returned and current negotiations are in
place with the ex-treasurer (Bernard Lemieux). Membership also brought up
the illegal checks which were cashed at the IGA Store. Treasurer Burns
informed membership there were two checks totalling $9.200 and four felony
counts involved. She further stated the Ashland County Sheriff's department
will be investigating after the 1st of the month. Council passed motion of
resolution to allow newly elected officials access to tribal bank accounts. Also
on the agenda was the Verizon Cell Tower contract. Company representative
informed the council that the contract provisions are negotiable and Verizon is
willing to work with the tribe. Currently the contract states Verizon would install
6 antennas on our tower and pay us an annual lease fee set at $19,000,
which is "slightly above industry standard". The structural analysis report
came back "OK" and pending council action, work on the tower should
commence sometime this summer. Membership asked if there would be any
discount in service made available to tribal members. Verizon rep stated that
is a possibility. Currently there is only one other carrier on the tower. No action
taken at this time, decision could be made by the next regularly scheduled
council meeting in February. Next on the agenda was the annual report for
Headstart, which was presented and approved. Tribal attorney Erick Arnold
presented land tax payment issues. One land tax was approved to pay and
the other was tabled due to border discrepancies brought up by membership.
During the meeting there was also a water quality control presentation.
Specialist was looking for permission from tribal council to form a coalition with
Northland college, who was applying for research grants to help fund the
testing of excess nutrients in our tribal waters (Denomie Creek, Bear Trap).
Permission granted by council. After the presentation, Chairman Wiggins
announced the tribe will be taking a much firmer stance in regards to the
protection of our sloughs. The regular session ended around 10 PM before
going into executive session. You may view the entire agenda for January's
meeting by clicking here
