Council Dispatch #194     September 14, 2023

 

Tribal Education Department

 

  • Council approved a change of duty, with supervisor approval, for tribal employees to participate in Tribal Education Family Night on September 20 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

  • Jennifer Finley had received a request that there be a bio for each tribal council representative posted on the website and she suggested that their interviews be included on that site so people can learn about them. Jim Malatare told Michelle the Youth Council held a great pow wow. He wishes more youth would join.

 

Walk-In

 

  • Buck and Rose Morigeau informed council of issues regarding their living situation and they would like to transfer their homesite lease to the McFarley property located in Arlee. That property is owned by the Tribes and has been unoccupied for several years. Chairman McDonald advised there is a conservation easement on the property and the conservation management plan must be followed. Tom is not aware of any of those properties having a house on them. Mark Couture, Tribal Lands Department, was contacted by Law & Order about the property being vandalized.  Homes on the BPA properties are always removed. Tom Sheridan will be removing the house from that property. Buck and Rose were referred to DHRD for possible assistance from ARPA funds.

 

Tribal Council

 

  • Mike Dolson attended a planning meeting for the Transboundary Conference. There is still a need to have participation on the women’s panel.

 

  • Ellie Bundy announced the CSKT Tribal Health Response Project will be holding a community meeting in Hot Springs on September 27, and there is a request to have a council presence there. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m.

 

  • Martin Charlo announced there will be a Beartracks Bridge Pow Wow on October 9 in Missoula. There is a call for vendors. Anyone wanting more information can contact Martin Charlo at 406-274-6892 or Jennifer Trahan.

 

Financial Management

 

  • Council took action to renew a sole source contract with Linda Putney, CPA, LLC.

 

 National Science Foundation

 

  • Regina Sievert, Sandra Richardson, Caroline Blanco, and Kristen Hamilton gave an overview of the work that the foundation does and requested input on how to work better with the CSKT. The group met with the Natural Resources Department about available funding.

 

Mission Valley Power

 

  • Council approved the 4 yearend funding requests and authorized the use of tribal letterhead.

 

  • Council approved the multi-year rate increase recommendation to be implemented in January 1, 2024 to support a capital reserve to increase funds to enable the utility to increase system investments in deferred maintenance, fix the top 5 substation assets that are identified as very poor condition and poor condition, to increase the emergency reserve which the BIA recommended, and to keep up with costs that the utility does not control, like equipment, materials, union wages, and some operating costs.

 

  • Council approved contract modifications for TWAC meters.

 

  • Council approved modifications to the contract with HRD Engineering Services.

 

S&K Technologies

 

  • Chad Cottet informed council that SKT held its annual presidents meeting this week and he introduced the presidents to the council.

 

 

 

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..