Council Dispatch #167     June 5, 2023

 

Tribal Forestry

 

  • Council took action to authorize the department to apply for Forestry grant funding. The application was already submitted and the funding was awarded.

 

  • Council accepted the high bid from Dupuis Logging for the ES East Logging Unit Timber Sale.

 

  • Council accepted the high bid from Bitterroot Contracting, LLC for the ES Line Logging Unit Timber Sale.

 

  • Council accepted the high bid from Caldbeck Logging for the ES Hog Logging Unit Timber Sale.

 

  • Council accepted the high bid from Dupuis Logging for the ES West Logging Unit Timber Sale.

 

  • Len TwoTeeth was contacted by a tribal member wanting to know if there was any urban interface thinning projects by the individual’s. The ponderosa pine between the highway and the lake is growing and getting very dense, and the individual is concerned about fire danger. Len asked what we need to do to put that in the urban interface thinning project. Steve McDonald advised it is part of the issues they are having with the urban interface thinning. They are putting projects together all the time and that can be brought forward to the fire management people for assessment and evaluation so it can be put on the schedule. Steve will follow up.

 

  • Bing Matt mentioned the trees causing fire hazards in the Schley Homesites area. Bing would like the trees taken out so he spoke to the Lands Department about it, but there is no funding to remove the trees. Steve McDonald understands Schley is a high-risk area. The area is high on the priority list. There is a proposal to do some type of treatment in the Schley area due to the Ashley fire, and they are working through the NEPA process.

 

Natural Resources Department

 

  • Council approved by resolution the submission of a grant application to the US Bureau of Reclamation Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems. The funding will be used for lake trout suppression and shoreline erosion in Flathead Lake.

 

  • Council approved modification 3 to Contractor Agreement 21-155 with WWC Engineering, LLC, in the amount of $30,500.00, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $328,300.00, for the Falls Creek environmental assessment for the 31A Canal Chute Replacement project.

 

  • Council took action to approve a master service agreement with River Design Group for restoration work in the amount of $250,000.

         

Department of Human Resources Development

 

  • Council approved a resolution supporting the submission of a grant application to the Administration on Children, Youth and Families – Children’s Bureau Tribal Court Improvement Program, to solicit funds in the amount of $150,000 per year for a five-year project to be administered by CSKT.

 

Enrollment Office

 

  • Council approved a resolution authorizing the August 2, 2023 per capita distribution.

 

Tribal Health Department

 

  • Paul Phillips requested approval of the Men’s Health Fishing Derby on June 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Kicking Horse Reservoir; a waiver of the fishing license requirement; and a change of duty for employees to participate. The fish are too small for consumption so they would be taken to the compost in Ronan. Paul would need to provide a complete list of employees for the change of duty. Chairman McDonald suggested holding the Men’s Health Fair and a golf tournament at Salish Kootenai College. Tom requested that the request be reviewed/approved by the Reservation Fish & Wildlife Advisory Board since it is a licensing issue. Tom also wants it reviewed by Art since he is the Kicking Horse Restoration Biologist.  Les Evarts will follow up with the board. Council took action to tentatively approve the Men’s Health Fishing Derby, pending concurrence of the Reservation Fish & Wildlife Advisory Board and approval of the Kicking Horse Restoration Biologist. 

 

  • Council approved a resolution supporting a cooperative agreement with the Indian Health Service in the amount of $500,000.00 per year for five years to support food sovereignty.

 

  • Council approved a resolution to enter into a partnership with the University of Montana in the amount of $241,406.00 for the Empowering Rural Tribal Communities to Deliver and Sustain Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Program.

 

Tribal Credit Office

 

  • Council approved by resolution the updated Plan of Operation for the Tribal Credit Program. An additional loan product is being added that is called a CSKT Ag and Business Lease Improvement Loan. That type of loan is for business owners and agriculture producers to improve the leases they have with the Tribes and Tribal Lands. Tribal members will have the opportunity to improve their irrigation systems. Council requested this information be published in the Char-Koosta News.

 

  • Council approved a resolution updating signatory authority for the Eagle Bank accounts.

 

Financial Management

 

  • Council approved a resolution authorizing the budget allocations for the Arlee Pow Wow Committee. The reporting will be due in August.

 

  • Council approved a resolution authorizing the budget allocations for the Standing Arrow Celebration Committee. The reporting will be due in August.

 

  • Council received some inquiries about the employee retention pay. Greg Spahr responded that the payments are being processed today with an effective date of June 6, 2023. If employees receive their paychecks through electronic deposit then they will receive the retention pay through that method; if employees receive their paycheck by a paper check, they will receive the payment via a paper check. There were a number of employees that contacted Greg about their SSI payments. Those individuals will opt out of the incentive pay and their check will be returned so they will not be disqualified from their Social Security or SSI benefits.

 

Economic Development Office

 

  • Council approved a resolution for S&K Business Services to submit an application to the United States Economic Development Administration for the Economic Development Administration’s Planning Grant.

 

  • Council took action to designate the former Morning Star 38 acres as a meat processing facility.

 

  • Council took action to petition the city of Ronan to annex into the city sewer and water system.

 

  • Council took action to approve submission of the EDA grant.

 

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..