Karuk Tribe of California
Tribal Council Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2005
Orleans, California
Ayukii,
The meeting was called to order at 5:10 PM by Arch Super, Chairman.
Roll Call
Arch Super, Chairman
Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairman
Florrine Super, Secretary
Leeon Hillman, Treasurer
Roy Arwood, Member – late 6:17 PM
Florence Conrad, Member
Robert Goodwin, Member
Robert Grant, Member
Alvis Johnson, Member
Quorum is established.
Florrine Super read the preamble to the Constitution aloud.
Approval of the Agenda for February 24, 2005
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve the Agenda for February 24, 2005. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
1) Approval of the Minutes for January 27, 2005
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve the Minutes for January 27, 2005. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Florrine Super).
2) Alma Mendoza-Navarro
Alma was present to report back to them and thank them for sponsoring her and Luke Supahan to attend the Youth Leadership Academy in San Diego in November. She told them about her activities at the Conference. She also announced that they are having a Taco Fund Raiser in Yreka to raise money on March 18, 2005. She requested an extension in the due date to repay the money they owe to the Council. They would like another two months making the new due date April 30, 2005. Arch states they can consider that during closed session. Arch asked how the Youth Health Board would go along with the Karuk Tribe and their government. Florrine states she has spoke to them about being involved in the Youth Leadership Program that the Tribe has funding for.
3) Angela Allgier
Angela and Elsie were present to address the Council along with Patti of the Orleans Community Services Club to request assistance to cover the insurance that they purchase each year for community events such as the translator, free TV, old timers picnic, parade, easter egg hunt, ballet, children’s theater, etc. The cost is $1,000. They are trying to do fund raisers and have paid the insurance but it wiped out their budget. In the past they have covered it through fund raisers but the costs keep going higher and higher each year, about $100 per year. Arch asked if they have approached any other agencies in the area for assistance. They state this is their first step and they are planning fund raisers also to try and raise money. Leaf states they usually take requests such as these and discuss them in closed session and they can notify them of the decision. They just paid it and now have only $15 in their account so they have no dollars to continue the events that are going on.
4) Bari Talley and Laura Lee George
Bari was present to address the Council and thank them for everything they have put into the community and their support in her home building project. She would like to alert them to a financial crisis at the Orleans Elementary School. There have been huge budget cuts to the school system and with no representation on the Klamath Trinity School Board they are very vulnerable to lose funding with no one to stand up for them. She let them know what the current staffing at the school is and what their accomplishments have been. She gave them an overview of the Tribal presence in the school. There is a proposal to bus some of the students to Hoopa and cut a teacher due to the low enrollment. The Hoopa School is not as good of a school and there is not a Tribal presence at that school. She would like their support and involvement at the School Board Level to avoid them being ignored in the school system. She would like them to consider establishing an Advisory Committee to look into these issues and also suggests the possibility of the Tribe supplementing funding for a teacher at Orleans Elementary School as the Yurok Tribe does for the Weitchpec School.
Leaf states that all of these items are very true and are a huge concern for the Orleans school and they are very vulnerable due to no representation on the school board. The seat is currently vacant and it is scheduled to be vacant until November.
Laura Lee George was present to address the Council. She works for the Superintendent of Schools and is the Business Manager that handles budget issues. She distributed to them a copy of the declining enrollment status of the district. She highlighted the Orleans School and reviewed the dropping numbers. She explained the school is paid based on the enrollment and the number of days they attend school. She went over the dollars received and the dollars spent. She also reviewed future projections for the funding and the increased impacts this will have. She is told that for California their budget cuts are unprecedented this year.
She is interested in any innovative ideas or collaborations they can suggest to ensure the future success of the Orleans Elementary School. Leaf asked if the current staffing level is sustainable with the funding available. She states it is based on the Average Daily Attendance rates.
Bari suggests attempting to increase the number of students in the school to be able to maintain the staff they have, if the lose a teacher now; there will be more students that go to another school. At the Orleans Elementary School on March 9, 2005 from 5-7 PM there will be a meeting where these issues will be discussed further and upper level staff will be there to develop an Administrative Plan to deal with the budget shortfall.
There is currently a vacant seat and there were three people from Orleans interested but the Board vote was split at two different meetings and it was not filled by the deadline that goes along with the election timeline so the next opportunity to appoint another trustee will be in November.
Dion would like the Education Committee to work with them and attempt to work on ideas and possibilities for them to work with the Tribe. Leaf states he would like refer the Forest Reserve Funding issue to the Education Committee to develop recommendations to move that forward as that is something they can have an influence on in a quick manner. He states that he knows that this issue is not only felt in this school district but affects Siskiyou County also. He would like them to hold a meeting and address that issue and he would also like them to look into the issues and possibly attend the meeting on March 9, 2005 and to bring forward recommendations to the Tribal Council on this issue. Dion states they will need to call a meeting as soon as possible to address this.
Bari would like someone that is appointed to attend the meetings on a regular basis to keep aware of the issues with the school. Leaf states Josh Saxon has been attempting to obtain the seat on that Board and would like him involved in those discussions as well. She states they can also sign up to receive packets and agendas for the School Board Meetings so that they know what is going on.
6) Laverne Glaze
Laverne was present to address the Council and discuss the upcoming basket weaving camp that they have scheduled. They have never requested anything except for firewood and the time that is volunteered to help but they have a monetary request for the T-shirts this year. The cost would be for 100 T-shirts at about $12-15 per shirt so it would be about $1,200-1,500. The Forest Service usually covers this expense but they don’t have the dollars this year. Leaf asked if she can get the current cost from the Forest Service. They are done through the Forest Service on their own government printing company. The shirts usually have Tribal art on them and that artwork is donated. They suggest she talk to Sandi about the company they used for the DNR shirts and see what they cost. If she can get an actual amount they can discuss it on Wednesday.
7) Old Business
None at this time.
8) Jennifer Goodwin, Education Program Coordinator
Jennifer was present to address the Council. She has nothing to add to her written report but is present in case they have any questions. She also provided some comments on what is going on in the Orleans School and a recent meeting she attended where it was discussed and she attends the School Board Meetings as often as she can and will work with the Education Committee to see what they can do.
Leeon Hillman moved and Leaf Hillman seconded to approve Jennifer’s report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Roy Arwood arrived at 6:17 PM.
9) Erin Hillman, Contract Compliance Specialist
Written report only, not present.
Leaf Hillman moved and Robert Goodwin seconded to approve Erin’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
10) Laura Mayton, Chief Finance Officer
Laura was present to address the Council and ask about the discussion that was held at the last Health Board meeting regarding the transfer of some programs to KCDC due to Indirect Cost issues and there were some Council Members that wanted to meet to discuss this further. She asked them if there is an available date for this to explain it in more detail. It is suggested to do it prior to their next Health Board Meeting at 3 PM.
She has a question regarding the policy on credit cards and the fact that it states no personal use. They currently allow them to slide and then have the amount reimbursed. She suggests that they enforce this policy for credit cards.
Consensus: To enforce the credit card policy as it is written. For a cell phone overage charge them the first time they go over the minutes and then turn the phone off the second time they go over.
She also reminded them that the current policy for credit card receipts is that they must be submitted within 5 days and if it is not reconciled they are not to go on another travel.
Robert Goodwin moved and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Laura’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
11) April Attebury, Tribal Court Administrator
April was present to address the Council. Darlene’s report was included in the packet and she distributed John Jerry’s report to the Council. She states they have been in the process of moving and are now up and running again with Internet and telephones. The new address is 201 South Broadway in Yreka.
Darlene requested out of state travel to Atlanta, Georgia, April 14-19, 2005 for the 2005 National CASA Conference. The training is mandatory for the CASA Program but there is not funding to cover the expenses so she requested it be paid by the Council. The cost would be $1,678.79. She might be able to get a lower rate for the lodging also or share a room with someone. They can discuss the request at their Wednesday meeting.
She states their fund raiser at the Basketball Tournament raised $535 for CASA and it went very well. They also have additional fund raisers scheduled and will be doing a co-fund raiser with the Youth Health Advisory Board. There was discussion regarding the possible establishment of an actual non-profit organization called the Friends of CASA to do fundraising only and be a non-profit agency through KCDC.
April presented Contract 05-C-027 with Stephanie Dolan. It was presented and discussed at the meeting on February 16, 2005 but was not formally approved.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Contract 05-C-027 with Stephanie Dolan. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve April’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
12) Dion Wood, TERO/Childcare Director
Dion was present to review his written report with the Council. He has no action items but needs to set up some meeting dates. The CSD funds have been allocated that were given to TERO; he would like to help with writing that grant next year. CIMC has changed the focus of their OJT funding, if a full time position cannot be secured at the end of training they do not want to fund positions. They are using some funds for AVT also so he is working with people to get that.
The Tribal Business Alliance has come to a stand-still. They want the Tribe to sign an agreement that they will not share information they obtain from them but the Tribe does not agree with those terms. He is trying to get them to come to Happy Camp so they can work out details if possible.
Cultural Monitor training is March 21-22, 2005 in Orleans. Tribal Members will need to call Dion to get on the list so that there are monitors available for construction projects. They hope to have 10 in each community.
He really wants to see collaboration for tutoring with Housing next year as it did not go smoothly in Yreka this year. April asked if the Tribe can work with other agencies such as YMCA and other places that do tutoring in the community also.
Dion states that looking at Hoopa’s numbers the Karuk TANF grant projections are huge (multi-million dollars). Bob asked if he has met with other Tribe’s to see what their staffing plans are for their TANF programs. Laura states they need to be clear on the Indirect Cost Rate because if the State does not pay the full rate, it may need to go through KCDC. He would like to set a planning meeting within the next couple of weeks to discuss this further and do some planning. It will need to be monthly meetings also. March 4, 2005 at 10 AM in Happy Camp was set. He also needs to schedule a meeting for the Tribal Tax Authority also; it can be after the TANF meeting.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Dion’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
13) Chris Kleeman, Information Technology Manager
Chris was present to address the Council and do a verbal report. He states the RPMS server is up and running and some glitches have been worked out. Tele-medicine equipment will be installed Monday. He is trying to keep viruses under control. He asked if there is any additional information they need from him regarding the wireless network plan he distributed to them at the Yreka Council meeting. The last of the interviews for the IT Department will be held tomorrow to make a final decision. He will be doing a second interview to administer a hardware test tomorrow and also one interview that couldn’t be done last time.
The wireless network was about $12,000 to 17,000 with the potential to develop into a business for the Tribe. Chris said that Sami said Housing will split the costs with the Tribe based on the amount they will use the equipment; he states it would be about 1/3. Leaf proposes that Housing pay 50% of the costs. He states they would regain the dollars within 18 months. He discussed and explained the security measures that will be put into place to ensure the security of the Tribe’s data. Items such as this have to be purchased through Ishpook Leasing and then leased back to Indirect. He has sent in a letter of intent for the Tide’s Grant and is waiting to hear about the full proposal and if they will be invited to apply. Most of the site work can be done with the Maintenance Departments of the Tribe and Housing. They would like to see detailed numbers and then do brainstorming on what it will cost and what they can do and how they can pay for it. They can then take that to the Housing Authority.
Robert Goodwin moved and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Chris’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
14) Toni McLane, Head Start Director
Written report only, not present.
Florrine Super moved and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Toni’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Leaf requested that the non-federal share of $15,375.68 be clarified to explain what it is and where it is coming from.
15) Trista Parry, Grant Writer
Written report only, not present. Sara states the Library Grant is not ready and will have to be a phone vote on Monday.
Florence Conrad moved and Florrine Super seconded to approve Trista’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
16) Scott Quinn, NEPA/Land Manager
Written report only, not present.
Florence Conrad moved and Florrine Super seconded to approve Scott’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Bob asked about the status of the Bunker Hill MOU that was forwarded to the Wednesday meeting. Leaf states the document and the location looks acceptable to him if the Council approves of the document. He is comfortable with approving it and then submitting it to Cal Trans. Resolution 05-R-14 was assigned to the Cal Trans MOU for Bunker Hill
Robert Goodwin moved and Leaf Hillman seconded to approve Resolution 05-R-14. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
17) Susan Gehr, Language Program Director
Written report only, not present.
Robert Goodwin moved and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Susan’s report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Florence Conrad).
18) Lisa Aubrey, LIAP Program Administrator
Lisa was present to review her written report which she handed out to the Council. She has no action items to present. Florence apologized for not being at the LIAP meeting on Tuesday.
Lisa states they may be able
to get funding for two homes in Fort Jones through HIP but does not know at this time. One
would be a replacement home; the other would be a modular. BIA has requested
cost estimates but not guaranteed funding at this time.
Robert Goodwin moved and Florrine Super seconded to approve Lisa’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
19) Hector Garcia, Self Governance Director
Written report only, not present.
There were three action items on his report; two for travel and one to join CNIGA. The travel was discussed at the February 16, 2005 meeting and the decision was to send written comments to the Portland meeting and travel was approved for Hector and one other individual to attend the meeting in Washington, DC. The Washington, DC meeting has since been canceled.
Directive: For Self Governance to review the information on CNIGA and then prepare a recommendation for the Council as to whether or not they should joint the organization, what it costs, and what they will receive for their contribution.
Florrine Super moved and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Hector’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
20) Wes Valentine, Executive Director of Health and Human Services
Wes was not present but sent an announcement with Sara that they received their Medi-cal number for the Pharmacy today! They can now bill for the Medi-cal prescriptions. There is no effective date referenced in the letter and as soon as the Pharmacy software is updated to send the electronic bills they will send in the back-bills that have been held since the Pharmacy opened.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Wes’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
21) Sandi Tripp, DNR Director
Sandi was present to distribute additional items for the DNR Council report.
Sandi would like permission to do a one-page mailing announcing the International Day of Action for Rivers on March 14, 2005 in Sacramento. She has funding to cover the postage but will need assistance from Enrollment to get them ready for mailing. Leaf would like to send DNR staff up to put the labels on and fold them.
Leaf Hillman moved and Robert Goodwin seconded to approve the flyer and mailing through the Enrollment Department. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
She requested approval of a proposal to BIA in the amount of $57,775 for the Integrated Resource Management Plan.
Leaf Hillman moved and Robert Goodwin seconded to approve Resolution 05-R-15 for submission of the Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP). 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
She requested approval of Contract 05-C-029 with Kier Associates, not to exceed $10,000 for the period of February 24, 2005 through June 30, 2005 from 5060-13-7600.00 funding. It is to provide water quality analysis work to compile data regarding nutrient loading in the Klamath River, produce a nutrient budget for the Klamath River, and produce a final report with findings.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Contract 05-C-029. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Her next item is approval of Resolution 05-R-16 for the Annual Funding Agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation.
Robert Goodwin moved and Leaf Hillman seconded to approve Resolution 05-R-16. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
She presented Contract 05-C-031 with the Pelican Network/Jack Ellwanger not to exceed $7,035 for the period of September 1, 2004 through January 31, 2006.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Contract 05-C-031. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Contract 05-C-030 with Will Harling not to exceed $25,000 for the period of March 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006 was presented for approval.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Contract 05-C-030. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Directive: For Sandi to have Will Harling schedule a time to do a presentation for the Tribal Council on his work.
She also presented Contract 04-C-036, Addendum #1 with Will Harling in the amount of $1,200 to perform one additional task on that Contract for the period of January 2, 2005 through March 30, 2005.
Robert Goodwin moved and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Addendum #1 to Contract 04-C-036. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
She states they have started procurement for two vehicles. The first is to trade in the Envoy and the second is to replace a truck. The funding is there but the procurement is not finalized at this time. They also have plans to procure a new jet boat and an 8’ migrant screw trap and those items will be coming through for approval in the near future. Laura states Sandi needs to review the BIA Compact budget to make sure there are adequate dollars to cover the new vehicles first.
She requested out of state travel for March 3-4, 2005 for four DNR staff to attend media training in Portland, Oregon.
Florence Conrad moved and Robert Goodwin seconded to approve out of state travel, March 3-4, 2005. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
She requested a mid-month meeting for March. March 18, 2005 at 10 AM was set.
Leaf Hillman moved and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Sandi’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
22) Sami Difuntorum, Housing Director
Written report only, not present.
Josh was present to distribute wording for Chapter 7 regarding the conditions that govern eligibility and continued eligibility for the Yreka Single Family Home Subdivision. The Council discussed the fact that they should apply this requirement to all Housing communities and those families could be relocated to the apartments if they did not qualify any longer. Leaf states they can send this suggestion back to Housing for further discussion. They can also review the minutes from Canyonville and review the opinion of the attorney as well. Josh would like to know when they decide. Bob states if there is a specific reason it was written this way he would like to know what the reason is and also what they decide.
Florrine asked about the designation for the foster family home in the Housing community. She understood the home was obligated for that purpose with no time limits. Josh was under the understanding that this would go back to the Housing Committee to decide what will happen if the foster family home does not work out. Florrine will discuss this at the meeting on the 7th.
Robert Goodwin moved and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Sami’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
23) Fred Burcell, Maintenance Director
Written report only, not present.
Sara distributed two additional items for Fred’s report; one being a request for procurement for an HVAC system for the Hazel Joyner home in the amount of $6,809 to be paid from HIP, CSBG, and Housing Preservation dollars, and the second being a request from the Automotive Shop to pursue obtaining quotes for a full-service shop truck.
Leaf Hillman moved and Robert Goodwin seconded to approve $6,809 from HIP, Housing Preservation Grant, and CSBG dollars. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Consensus: To allow the automotive program to look into prices for a full service shop truck.
Leaf Hillman moved and Robert Goodwin seconded to approve Fred’s report. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
24) Phone Votes
Robert Goodwin read the phone votes aloud to the audience.
a) Request to authorize submission of a funding agreement to the State of California for the 2005 CSBG direct in the amount of $42,000. Passed.
b) Request to authorize the submission of a funding agreement to the State of California, 2005 CSBG pass-through in the amount of $57,145. Passed.
c) Request to authorize submission of Resolution 05-R-10, a grant proposal to BIA for the Wildland/Urban Interface in the amount of $160,207. This grant is funding to complete fuel reduction on 172 acres around Happy Camp. Passed.
25) NCIDC Minutes
Informational.
26) Committee Reports
Bob gave a brief update on KCDC and their dissolution of the Karuk-SWA Partnership and the hiring of Ben Riggan as the Economic Development Coordinator.
Closed Session from 9:58 PM to 12:50 AM
Robert Goodwin moved and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Resolution 05-R-09 enrolling 5 new members. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Leaf Hillman).
Consensus: To decide on Tribal Member #2036’s request at the Wednesday meeting.
Consensus: To table Tribal Member #742’s request until the Wednesday meeting.
Robert Goodwin moved and Florrine Super seconded to approve writing off the balance of Tribal Member #970 account Joe verifies that he has successfully completed the program. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Directive: For Sara Spence to call Tribal Member #1141 and tell them the process for requests to cut firewood at Housing.
Robert Goodwin moved and Florence Conrad seconded to pay Council Members travel stipends for travel to training/conferences/meetings that is in excess of 4 hours one way or requires a flight. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Robert Goodwin moved and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Resolution 05-R-17 authorizing Tribal representation in Case SCJVSQ000183. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Consensus: Florrine will still plan the Tribal Reunion and get more staff involved to help. She will be paid stipends for the times that there are planning meetings held to discuss specific details.
Consensus: For Roy to take the additional information he has to the Housing Meeting for review and re-consideration.
Consensus: For Sara to send a letter to Tribal Member #1208 referring them to other agencies in the area for assistance.
Directive: For employee #1051 to determine where the AFA went and where the original copy is and respond in writing to the Council regarding this issue.
Directive: For Erin to do an investigation into what went wrong with the routing of the AFA and recommend a possible internal solution for that type of mail not being mis-routed again.
Consensus: To warn employee #1051 that if they misuse their Tribal credit card again it will be canceled.
Consensus: To give the Youth Group until April 30, 2005 to repay loan.
Florence Conrad moved and Leaf Hillman seconded to approve $1,000 to the Orleans Community Services Club for insurance coverage. 8 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Meeting adjourned at 12:55 AM.
Next Meeting Date: March 24, 2005 at 5 PM in Happy Camp.
Yootva,
____________________________
Arch Super, Chairman
Recording Secretary, Sara Spence