Council Dispatch #161     April 27, 2023

 

Tribal Council

 

  • Chairman McDonald reminded council that the sign dedication ceremony at Grant Creek is next Monday in Missoula, at 2:30 p.m., with the County Commissioner and the Mayor. The Ronan Clinic dedication is next Thursday afternoon.

 

Tribal Executive Office

 

  • Michael Hsu, Barry Wides, and Ammar Askari, Comptroller of Currency Office, met with council as part of their Montana Indian Country Tour. The Comptroller of Currency Office supervises banks and ensures that national banks and federal savings associations operate in a safe and sound manner, provide fair access to financial services, treat customers fairly, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Topics discussed included financing, credit, fair access to financing, financial literacy, financial inclusion, affordable housing, and small business development. The Native American Finance Officers Association and the Native Community Development Financial Institutions Network provide training and advocate for good economic policies, capital, and resources for native communities.

 

Early Childhood Services

 

  • Council approved a resolution to request funding from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start for Head Start and Early Head Start and expansion funding.

 

  • Council approved a resolution to request funding from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start for the annual cost-of-living adjustment and quality improvement funds.

 

Mission Valley Power Utility Board

 

  • Council took action to approve a letter to John Hairston, Bonneville Power Administration, requesting to permanently remove the Hell Roaring Resource from Mission Valley Power’s total retail load.

 

  • Council took action to approve a letter to John Hairston, Bonneville Power Administration, requesting to temporarily remove Boulder Hydro from Mission Valley Power’s total retail load.

 

 

  • Council took action to approve comments to Bonneville Power Administration on the regional policy to expand the definition of those utilities that can qualify and benefit from Tier 1 rates.

 

Natural Resources Department

 

  • Council took action to go with the recommendations of the staff and approve the low bids for the Jocko Irrigation Canal to Pipe Project K-Canal System Materials Bid for phases 1 – 4. The bids closed on April 17, 2023. 

 

Tribal Lands Department

 

  • Council approved the advertisement of the 2023 Fireworks bid packet.

 

  • Council considered a request from Agricultural Lessee # 4039 for a five-year extension through December 31, 2031 at the current lease rate. The lessee was awarded a five-year lease in May 2021 for $2,000, and that lease expires December 31, 2026. The lessee plans to disk up 30 acres and replant with pasture mix, and plant oats, peas, and barley as a nurse crop.  The lease contains 60 acres and the Tribes own 97% of the property.  Council took action to deny the request.

 

  • Council took action to hold off on making a decision on the 2023 Spring Bids until additional information is obtained.

 

  • Council approved a sole source contract with Manuel Marquez through September 30, 2024. A contract is required in order to pay him for services already rendered to deal with a water issue at the Black Bear Ranch.

 

  • Council approved a sole source contract with Nicholas Hogan to provide appraisals on an as-needed basis.

 

  • Council took action to approve a five-year temporary closure of the Elmo burned area for recovery of resources.

 

  • There was discussion regarding the Moiese Road easement. The original easement on record with the county is where Crow Creek enters the river. The easement needs to be modified to reflect the current route. Council approved the modification to the easement.

 

 

NOTE:  The official Council Minutes will contain more complete details about lengthy discussions and should be considered the official record of Council. Dispatches are written from notes taken live and may occasionally contain partial information, over-simplified characterizations or an occasional error. Council reviews and corrects the draft minutes before approving as the official record.  Comments (both affirmations and concerns) are part of change and are expected and encouraged. Along with any specific comments, please also share what you would like to hear more about in upcoming communications. The email address for comments is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..