Council Dispatch #195     September 19, 2023

 

Tribal Council

 

  • Ellie Bundy informed council that she was contacted by a community member about the Community Center kitchen in St. Ignatius. They are redoing the parking lot at the Long House and need to use the kitchen and gym. They are having a difficult time determining who is in charge of the facility. Maintenance does not get in the kitchen very often and there is a lack of equipment in there. It is not sufficient to cook meals for wakes. The Fitness Center has nothing to do with the upkeep and cleaning of the kitchen so she wanted to know who does. Nobody knows who’s in charge of the kitchen. She mentioned the possibility of having the Maintenance folks properly upkeep the gas ovens, exhaust fans, and deep fryer. Len TwoTeeth will follow up with Lisa Shourds.

 

  • Carole Lankford mentioned an issue going on with an employee and the funeral staff when the Community Center is closed for a funeral. Len TwoTeeth commented there is no reason for the staff to have that attitude and he will follow up with Joe Durglo. Martin Charlo did not know why we wouldn’t have the staff working in the building do this. The facilities in St. Ignatius are open seven days a week, so why couldn’t those people that get sent home due to the facility being closed for a funeral could be there deep cleaning and doing things and helping out. Ellie Bundy mentioned the need to acknowledge the individuals that volunteer to cook and they have no equipment or supplies to work with and the stoves do not always work. It is frustrating for the cooks.

 

  • Carole Lankford informed council that she was contacted by an individual. The individual was told to get Dire Need to pay her power bill, but she has to become delinquent first. When the bills get higher she will not be able to afford to pay them and she is not eligible for LIHEAP. She was hoping the Energy Keepers, Inc. dividend would help offset her bill. Once the individual applies for $500 from Dire Need after she becomes delinquent, Carole asked if she would receive the entire $500 or just the delinquency amount. Len TwoTeeth responded that the policy is to pay vendors directly.  Len advised we will help her out the best we can and let her know how that policy works.

 

  • Len TwoTeeth informed council that S&K Gaming is holding their annual retreat at The Lodge in Whitefish tomorrow and Thursday, if any council members are interested in attending.

 

Montana State Senate Candidate

 

  • Danny Tenenbaum introduced himself to the council and let them know he is a democratic candidate for the Senate District 46. The district covers the southern one-third of the reservation in Lake and Sanders Counties. Mr. Tenenbaum currently serves as an Associate Justice of the Tribal Appellate Court. He wants to have an open line of communication with the Tribes. He has served in the state legislature and worked on housing legislation, mental health and warm springs facility, and wants to build on that experience to pass bipartisan legislation on core issues facing everyone in the state. Medicaid expansion is expiring and he wants to work on that issue. There are things that will come up involving Flathead Lake and it is important to have a strong voice to make people understand treaty rights and tribal sovereignty. If he is elected he will stay in contact in the people he represents. He holds events in the communities. The council members discussed topics of interest to the Tribes and referred Mr. Tenenbaum to the Tribal Lands Department to obtain a permit to post political campaign signs on tribal property.

 

Natural Resources Department

 

  • Council took action to approve a letter of support for the application for funding from the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant. The funding will be used to complete the US Highway 93 corridor improvements. The funding amount has not been determined yet, but it could be up to $68 million for the construction and design. CSKT will partner with the Montana Department of Transportation on this project, if funded. The application will go out next week.

 

  • Len TwoTeeth would like Scott Johnston to get scheduled on a future council agenda to provide an update on some projects. He wants an update on the walking trail from Elmo to Big Arm and some other projects. Len will get him scheduled on the agenda in the near future.

 

  • Council took action to authorize the department to acquire a 38’ gillnetting boat for trade of a 28’ boat and $50,000. There is sufficient funding in the existing budget. They fish and process daily and employ 12 people.

 

Financial Management

 

  • Council approved the purchase of capital equipment consisting of two patrol vehicles for Fish & Game. The department had an unexpected failure of a vehicle. The cost is $100,000 and there are sufficient funds in the existing budget.

 

Tribal Health Department

 

  • Council approved a one-year contract with Moving Mountain Therapy Center to provide physical therapy to children and occupational therapy one day per week for a not-to-exceed amount of $275,000. It was not advertised because this company specializes in pediatrics. The department checked with the Indian Preference Office and there were no tribal businesses that provide this type of service.

 

  • It was the consensus of council to send a tribal flag to the Spokane Veterans Honoring. Laurence Kenmille will be attending the honoring so he can take the flag with him.

 

Department of Human Resources Development

 

  • Council approved a change of duty, with supervisor approval, for tribal employees to attend the Enhanced Drug Identification for Parents training on September 21, 2023, at the Kwataqnuk Resort Casino from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served. Len TwoTeeth thought it was an important training and he suggested inviting both Elders Committees to the training session. Karen did not have a list of employees that plan on attending but she can provide one.

 

Tribal Education Department

 

  • Council received a request to approve the revised Collections Policy for Three Chiefs. The policy was last updated in the 1990s. No action was taken; the request was tabled until Thursday to allow time for review.

 

 

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