Council Dispatch #191     September 5, 2023

 

Walk Ins

 

  • Brian Lipscomb informed council that the USS Montana will receive an award from the Montana Historical Society. The ceremony is next Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., at the rotunda at the capital. The Brothers Drum Group will attend. Council was invited to go. Bing Matt and Carole Lankford showed interest in attending.

 

  • Brian Lipscomb, Energy Keepers, Inc., informed council that he submitted an agenda request to meet with the council next Thursday to present the annual operating plan. Brian can meet with the council before then if they want input on the strategic plan. Chairman McDonald scheduled the discussion for 2:00 p.m. today.

 

  • Alberta Bertsch informed council that her son is getting a homesite in Dixon. She is trying to buy him a trailer and she has been unable to get necessary information from the Lands Department regarding the requirements for a trailer house. Alberta was told the trailer is too old and has an addition. She requested a copy of the policy, but she was told it was a management decision. Alberta cannot afford to purchase a new trailer house, and due to the homelessness happening she would like approval to move the trailer to the homesite. Willie Birthmark, Tribal Lands Department, researched this matter and was told that in 2005 the council approved a policy that trailer houses had to be 1984 or newer, but the requirement is not contained in the Lands Ordinance. There are age restrictions for trailers. If the council waives policy and the trailer passes the inspection, then it could be moved to the homesite. Tony Incashola, Jr., Tribal Resources Management, spoke to the department head about this matter last week and was told the issue is the fire risk for trailer houses older than 1984. The Lands staff plans to do a visual and structural inspection. Willie Birthmark will follow up and conduct the inspection. Mike Dolson would like the 2005 council action so the Lands Ordinance can be modified.

 

Tribal Council

 

  • Terry Pitts informed council that Delores Adams is having issues with dogs and she is afraid to walk to the mailbox to pick up her mail. Terry wants the Game Wardens or law enforcement to contact Delores. There are some dog owners that do not control their dogs. Willie Birthmark, Tribal Lands Department, has been to that area several times dealing with packs of dogs creating a nuisance. The owners are cited for public nuisance. The Lands Ordinance has language regarding dog issues, but he does not know if there is a vicious dog section in the ordinance.  Willie will follow up.

 

  • Carole Lankford informed council that Christine Nervy sent a letter regarding skateparks. Christine is interested in helping us get a handle on the skateparks that are planned. There is going to be a Ronan/Pablo district meeting tomorrow and it will be discussed. She is not asking for pay, but with this kind of project Carole thinks the Tribes need to pay her something.

 

  • Carole Lankford asked about the low cost block contribution that Energy Keepers, Inc. gave back to the Tribes. Carole has had people asking about it since they are not eligible for LIHEAP. She asked in the past that we get ahead of the game on this issue. The council said they would distribute it to the membership. Now it is getting colder and she has not received any update on who will be eligible for that funding.

 

  • Carole Lankford received a copy of a letter that Bob Strauss sent to the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Subcommittee about the State’s handling of the Medicaid agencies in their review of the system in determining Medicaid eligibility. A million children were improperly disenrolled from the Medicaid program. The state agency is reviewing their system. Carole will share the letter with council.

 

  • Carole Lankford informed council that Mary Lou Sorrell lost a small dog from a big dog in the neighborhood. Carole called Salish Kootenai Housing Authority, but it is not located in a housing unit.

 

  • Chairman McDonald received a schematic from Mission Valley Power regarding the consumer low cost block of power, and he will share that information with Greg so we can figure out what kind of rebate or supplement we can allocate to each tribal member household leader.  Carole Lankford requested a copy of the signed PL 280 document. Chairman McDonald will follow up with the Legal Department.

 

Financial Management

 

  • Council took action to reallocate unexpended funding in the pow wows and celebrations budget to contribute $3,500 to the Seventh Generation Pow Wow on September 8-9, 2023 and contribute $3,500 to the Veterans Honoring and Pow Wow that will take place on November 4, 2023.

 

  • Council took action to provide $5,000 for any sobriety event or any other activity the council approves in fiscal year 2024.

 

  • Council approved a resolution for setup and signatory authority for the bank account at Eagle Bank in Polson called CSKT Opioid Settlement. Council will be part of the strategic planning for the funds.
  • Council approved a resolution for setup and signatory authority for the investment account at LPL Financial via French Wealth Management titled: CSKT Opioid Settlement.

 

  • Greg Spahr will meet with the tribal council this Thursday regarding BTFA request for index amount on the third mandatory payment for water compact, which should be about $19 million. He is getting ready for fiscal year 2024 and prepared a letter for the release of the next $90 million mandatory payment. Greg will present a resolution and a letter requesting funding to be released from the water compact budget allocation. Greg will be bringing forward a request for $10 million for the Section 7B activities, including purchase of pipe or other equipment. Chairman McDonald requested a breakdown on how the irrigation betterment compact funding is spent on an annual basis, including the salaries and project timelines. Greg will follow up.

 

  • Chairman McDonald informed Greg that through the Economic Development Office, the 477 funding can be used to write a business plan for the tribal plaza in Elmo. It can also be used to purchase equipment. Len TwoTeeth wants to see a plan in place and a checklist of things we need to follow and track so we can keep the project moving on what we need to accomplish on a weekly basis. He wants to start moving dirt no later than next spring, if possible. Greg Spahr reached out to SKMM and is working with them to provide the roadmap to move forward.

 

Personnel Department

 

  • Council appointed Shawn DeFrance to the Shoreline Protection Board for a three-year term.

 

  • Council appointed Jableau Arlee to the Forestry Advisory Committee for a two- year term.

 

 

 

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..