Council Dispatch #169     June 8, 2023

 

Tribal Council

  • Len TwoTeeth gave an update on the request for a policy waiver for a background check. Because of the circumstances and issues we are dealing with, it was unadvisable to waive the policy, so they are looking at other options to see if they can do a temporary relocation for the individual in another position until the background check is completed.

 

Facilities Maintenance 

  • Leonard Michel informed council that the maintenance building has not had electricity for two and a half months, which makes it difficult for the staff to do their job. Mission Valley Power told Leonard that the problem goes from the meter to the shop and there is no reason to dig it up. Leonard requested approval to use the stick game arbor as is for the Standing Arrow Pow Wow. Mr. Michel does understand the liability the Tribes need to look at, but it has been like that for five years and they keep telling the community they cannot use it. Leonard does not believe it will fall down during the pow wow. Len TwoTeeth thought the plan was to demo the pavilion and use a tent. He suggested looking closely at making decisions about putting the community at risk.  Rick Eneas advised the plan was to demo the existing structure. SKMM has reached out to get some quotes and they have one quote so far. Rick’s main concern was timing and he was under the impression there would not be a problem to have it done prior to the pow wow. Rick was going to check with the insurance company, but his concern is that it may be an issue since the experts advised it is a liability risk. John Neiss advised it is all of the posts, not just two of them. The contractor poured the posts in concrete and they are rotting and sinking and getting crushed. Facilities Maintenance started addressing the problem right after it happened, but it was during COVID-19 and the engineers were not working. The structure has had a lot of movement in the past six months. They have done what they could as quickly as they could, but part of the issue was the engineer report and the cost. The bid to demo the structure came in at $200,000+ so SKMM was soliciting more contractors. Len TwoTeeth wants to see where we are at in two weeks. If nothing has happened, then he wants to revisit the matter. Council will request an update from SKMM at the next chairman’s meeting.

 

  • Len TwoTeeth informed John that the Elmo maintenance building has been without electricity for over two months and they need it fixed as soon as possible. John Neiss informed council that an electrician was engaged right away and there is a break in the wire between the pole and the building so a digger was hired and he has been waiting on the excavator. Rick Eneas can see if another program can assist with a backhoe. The contract will need to be adjusted since we are paying the  electrician to provide that service. Council requested an update next week.

 

  • Martin Charlo has been receiving some complaints about the tribal flags on tribal buildings being taken down. If we are not going to take care of them, we should take them down. If the flags are up 24/7 then they need to be lit. The flag at the Maintenance building is just flying in the wind. John Neiss will follow up. It would help the Facilities Maintenance staff if the programs would submit work orders so the department is aware of what maintenance issues need to be addressed.

 

  • Len TwoTeeth met with the Roads staff two years ago about trying to improve the access road into the Elmo maintenance facility. Len requested the staff to find a solution. The road probably needs to be put on the BIA road inventory. The road needs to be paved. Every spring the staff have the same problems battling to get to the building when it rains. John Neiss advised the Roads Department was going to come in from the lakeside. It went through the Tribal Lands Department and George said it was a money issue and the landowner did not want to give up the easement. Rick Eneas will ask Scott to give an update on whether it has been added to the inventory.

 

Natural Resources Department

 

  • Council approved by resolution submission of an application to apply for a noncompetitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $500,000.00. It is a planning grant and one FTE for up to 4 years would be hired. The program will apply for another noncompetitive grant that that is much more funding. Randy will seek out professional help to go after the additional money. Randy wants to see if SKMM can help them with the second phase of the grant. Martin Charlo suggested the grant application include a copy of the CSKT climate change priority resolution so the Environmental Protection Agency knows the CSKT is committed to climate change.

 

  • Randy Ashley informed council he sent to the Personnel Department an updated position description for the Climate Control Coordinator position that was previously occupied by Ryan Evans. Randy was surprised that what he was putting in for came up for advertisement, so he was unsure what would happen now since the person will get hired before Randy applies for the grant. Randy wanted to know what the Tribes’ plan is for that position. Renee Joachim, Personnel Department, responded that the Office of Tribal Member Services is advertising the position and it will be under the direct supervision of Tony Incashola, Jr. Len TwoTeeth will have Tony brief Randy on that job so everyone is on the same page.

 

Tribal Lands Department

 

  • The staff met with council for a Land Committee meeting.

 

  • Council took action to approve the request from Allen Fuqua for a letter of disinterest so he can do a gift deed in trust to his brother.

 

  • Council showed disinterest in purchasing the property from Brad Trosper and approved a letter of disinterest so the property can be put into fee status. After further discussion, the council rescinded the motion and action, and they tabled the issue on the five-day rule.

 

  • Council awarded the 2024 fireworks bid to Brad Pluff for the Polson site.

 

  • Council awarded the 2024 fireworks bid to Ginger Drake for the Ronan site.

 

  • Council denied the request from the Intertribal Infrastructure Group for an easement across tribal land for fiber.

 

  • Council awarded the Hot Springs rental to the elder.

 

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..