Health Board Meeting – Happy Camp, California

Meeting Minutes – July 12, 2007

 

Meeting called to order at 5:01 pm, by Arch Super, Chairman

 

Present:

Arch Super, Chairman

Robert Goodwin, Board Member (5:11 pm)

Florrine Super, Secretary

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Alvis Johnson, Board Member

Sonny Davis, Board Member

Roy Arwood, Board Member

Florence Conrad, Board Member

 

Absent:

Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairman

 

Quorum is established.

 

The Health Mission Statement was read aloud by Roy Arwood.

 

Approval of Agenda for July 12, 2007:

Florrine motioned and Florence seconded to approve the agenda with changes, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Approval of Minutes June 11, 2007:

Florence motioned and Florrine seconded to approve the minutes of June 11, 2007, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Guests: none at this time.

 

Old Business: none at this time.

 

Directors Reports

 

1. Chris Kleeman, IT Manager:

Late, no written report provided. When Chris arrived he provided a report for the Council. He explained that he would like to purchase a back up satellite internet connection for both happy Camp and Orleans. The problems with Sisqtel are frequent and leave the employees with no service when their internet services are down. He hopes this would ease the use of service for both areas.

 

He updated the Council on departmental issues and tasks they are working on. The department is performing updates and handling computer issues as they arise and as time allows. The Orleans phone system has had minor repairs completing errors that had formerly been brought up.

 

The replacement server has been ordered for the Yreka clinic to help keep their system up and running.

 

Arch inquired if Laura and Erin had reviewed the contract for satellite services. The contract is for $1,198 and then an additional amount each year for the continued service. Chris believes that there will be more technical upgrades that will need to take place however at this time there are so many failures that it is causing slow operations. At this time neither Laura nor Erin have reviewed it but it is sole source. Laura inquired if the Sisqtel business would be dropped in order moving into business with this new service. Chris explained that with the new service you actually purchase time on the satellite and if the allotted time is at quota then it will slow down and be more costly. Mostly it is a supplemental service. He would like to keep both Sisqtel and the satellite link for service.

 

Roy motioned and Alvis seconded to approve procurement allowing for the purchase of satellite service in the amount of $4,776 per year and a one time fee of $1,198 to begin, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

Florrine motioned and Robert seconded to approve Chris’ report, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

2. David Eisenberg, PHN:

Re-application for the Diabetic grant for $157,544 has been presented and signed internally by staff. It is a reapplication that it is a renewal toward the diabetic funding that the Tribe currently receives.

 

Florence motioned and Sonny seconded to approve resolution 07-R-096 authorizing submission of the DM re-application, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

Florrine motioned and Roy seconded to approve David’s written report, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

3. Patti White, Database Administrator:

Patti provided her written report to the Council for them to review. There are no action items.

 

Roy motioned and Leeon seconded to approve Patti’s report, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

4. Vickie Walden, Dental Manager:

Vickie’s written report was provided to the Council. She has one closed session action item and it will be presented later. Her action item of procurement was not attached so it will be tabled to Wednesday for review.

 

Florence motioned and Florrine seconded to approve Vickie’s report, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

5. Lessie Aubrey, DQMCH:

Lessie announced that she finally spent money from her budget and now she is 26.6% overspent. She believes that this is due to an increase in wages and it was not allocated to her budget making it appear over budget to date. The increase for Norlyn was not included, but Laura does feel that it will be averaged out at the end of the year.

 

Lessie recently attended training in Chicago, IL on AAAHC which she found to be interesting and helpful.

 

Florrine inquired about providers for ICW and Lessie’s reference to have them pass a criminal background check as referenced in the Indian Child Welfare Act. Lessie explained that she needs further clarification on this finding, but is unable to locate the Act to review the guidelines. She explained that she was informed that the criminal background checks must be done on the medical and dental providers or the Karuk Tribe may be at risk to loose their funding. Lessie would like clarification on the ICW Act that states this is a requirement. The regulations will be reviewed and consulted with Barbara Norman on the issue.

 

Florence motioned and Florrine seconded to approve Lessie’s report, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

6. Joe Snapp, Substance & Alcohol Abuse:

Martha explained that IHS has moved all its funding and pooled it to fund only two treatment centers in Southern California. It passed with a vote of 42 yes to do this and 0 opposed. Martha explained that the time frame was July 1st to have the resolution returned opposing this vote and action, but it was extended to tonight to ensure the Karuk Tribe was afforded the opportunity to respond. If the funding is pooled together then the decision can not be up for re-discussion for a period of five years. Joe also believes that the treatment model is ineffective and Joe would like IHS to reconsider their model and their plan.  Robert would like to know if the three largest tribes in Northern California were at the vote due to it directly and negatively affecting the three largest tribes in the State. Robert would like to send a stern letter along with the resolution clarifying that this vote was not appropriate and he would like to have some inquiries on Federal funding. Having the delegates make this decision without discussing it with other tribes, the largest tribes, should be clearly outlined. Robert would like to also quote Congresses statements authorizing the purchase of two YRTC’s in California.

 

Lessie explained that during her years of employment and most recently past in the position of EDHHS she understands how this situation has affected the Tribe. In the years past this has come up and has been worked on over and over with little or no resolution. The Tribe has always been declined and denied, but she would also suggest moving the funding to Tribe’s with attainable goals rather than their YRTC’s suggested by IHS.

Robert would like Joe to insert his expertise in a letter objecting to this new development. Also offering an alternative is more productive than just objecting to the plan presented. Robert would like to add some comments to the resolution submit to IHS.

 

Robert motioned and Florence seconded to approve resolution 07-R-101 along with a letter explaining KTOC’s opposition, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

There was discussion on CAIR funding covering collection debts. The policy clearly outlines that CAIR may not be used prior to eligibility dates. This poses a problem for the CAIR clients that owe the Tribe money within other programs. A policy revision is suggested to excuse the Substance and Alcohol Abuse program from the delinquent list. This discussion will be tabled to Wednesday.

 

The Oak Knoll Committee decided to go with the architect that KTHA uses, Joan Briggs. Joe contacted several engineers, but none are interested in the project or already have full schedules. A price has not yet been received from Joan but her previous amount was $1,500.

 

Florence motioned and Robert seconded to approve Joe’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

7. Martha Schrock, EDHHS

Martha explained the recent visit with Brett McCook, and his recommendation is that upon his second site visit that the Karuk Tribe will be allowed to implement EHR at the sites. The reviewer was nice and complimented the Tribe on several of the program activities, but she was concerned that it was noted the Tribe will be allowed to move to EHR instead of just moving toward it and implementing it.


The next EHR meeting will be next Wednesday and at that time they will begin to review budgets and hardware needs along with financial needs. This information needs to be shared with the grants office and the fiscal department for preparations on the needs.  

 

There have been four peace making sessions in the last month with staff.

 

The remodeling project is coming along and she noted her appreciation for T.J’s assistance as he is doing very well and is really receptive to the staff’s requests.

 

Martha explained the 3rd party revenue report. There have been comparisons with the billing departments submitting a lot of billing and the increase of visits vs. the loss of doctor’s salaries this is keeping the budget well within line items.

 

There have been some issues with RPMS patches and this has created some errors in billing, but the funding should be posted soon as the issue was identified and handled.

 

The CHS funding allotted is not enough to allocate into surgery services, but the funding is spent on a wide variety of levels of care that sustain the patients by providing medications, labs, x-rays and several other specialty services. The CHS department has been successful in maintaining their budget, but over the years more and more medications and outside services does not allow for the levels of care to increase.

 

There was a meeting yesterday on CHS line items to attempt to stabilize the CHS fiscal year. Martha is reviewing the budget and contemplating removing coverage of over the counter medications and also tightening the budget for the next fiscal year. She has reports being pulled on the current over the counter medications that are the highest cost and will review those along with benefits to determine removal of coverage.

 

Robert motioned and Sonny seconded to approve the position description for the FNP/PA position, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Martha would like to more effectively recruit via job fairs and attending recruitment events. National Health Services Core Conference is coming and she believes it may be beneficial for her to attend to more actively seek possible employees for the Tribe. She explained that venders set their booths and attempt to sell the location and recruit actively those professionals that could provide services to the Tribe. Due to the HRSA funding there is an automatic designation of a shortage area and that qualifies the Tribe to bypass a scoring system. Laura explained that there were previous employees in Happy Camp that had loan repayment services for providing service to the local area and that may be an avenue to pursue. Laura will review that employee file to determine any information that could assist Martha.

 

Florence motioned and Roy seconded to approve out of state travel August 9, 2007 for Martha Schrock to Tampa FL for recruitment / job fair activity, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Robert motioned and Sonny seconded to approve travel to UC Davis for Arch Super July 16-20, 2007 and Martha Schrock July 18-19, 2007 for TANF training from discretionary, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Florrine Super).

 

Florence motioned and Leeon motioned to approve resolution 07-R-100 authorizing submission to PSA 2 area agency in the amount of $32,297, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Robert Goodwin).

 

Barbara shall send Hester Dillon a request for an update on a $15,000 grant.

 

Florence motioned and Robert seconded to approve procurement from Babbie Peterson and authorize the purchase of kitchen appliances in the amount of $5,533.42, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence motioned and Florrine seconded to approve Martha’s report, 6 haa, 1 puuhara (Robert Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

Laura Mayton provided an update on the TANF objectives. Laura and Dion revised the proposal from the Karuk Tribe and the revised documents were sent to the wrong person. The letters and back up documents were sent to these persons and at the same time the State sent the Feds a letter. The State sent different information regarding not agreeing on the source documents, and not willing to accept them, however the Tribe provided documents from the State accepting that information. So, thus the Federal Government is receiving all correspondence with the State to the Federal Government. Laura is happy about this information. The 604 number was submitted and numbers that could actually substantiate was an additional 89 cases. As it stands the process is looking very well, but she is hesitant to be so optimistic. Bob stated that Julie who is working with the Tribe was helpful in assisting the Karuk Tribe and understands that the State has been overlooking Tribe’s and mistreating them.

 

Closed Session:

Consensus: to table request from Tribal Member # 4249 to Wednesday.

 

Consensus: travel policy shall remain in effect for Council at this time.

 

Consensus: to table travel request from Tribal Member # 897 to Wednesday.

 

Florence motioned and Roy seconded to approve travel for Florrine Super to Sacramento, CA. July 20, 2007, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 3 (Leeon Hillman, Alvis Johnson, Florrine Super) pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to table request from Tribal Member # 3016 to Wednesday.

 

Consensus: to table request from Tribal Member # 5688 to Wednesday.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve $912.80 from discretionary to Peirce Mortuary for funeral costs of Tribal Member # 01124, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Florence Conrad).  

 

Consensus:  for employee # 2267 to forward NAGPRA information to the Vice-Chairman for him to review and make a determination.

 

Florence motioned and Robert seconded to approve contract 07-C-061 between KTOC and Leubbon, Barnhouse and Johnson LLP, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to table request from Tribal Member # 538 to Wednesday.

 

Roy motioned and Florence seconded to approve the room cost for Florrine Super during the 2007 reunion, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 2 pupitihara (Robert Goodwin & Florrine Super).

 

Meeting Scheduled: Booster Club, July 30, 2007 at 10 AM, in Yreka.

 

Consensus: to table contract to Wednesday.

 

Next meeting date: August 9, 2007 at 5 PM in Happy Camp, CA.

 

Leeon motioned and Roy seconded to adjourn meeting at 8:56 pm, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

_______________________________

Arch Super, Chairman

 

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider