Karuk Tribe of California - Health Board Meeting

December 13, 2007 - Meeting Minutes

 

Meeting called to order at 3:06 PM by Arch Super, Chairman

 

Present:

Arch Super, Chairman

Florrine Super, Secretary

Alvis Johnson, Member at Large

Florence Conrad, Member at Large

Sonny Davis, Member at Large

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer (3:35 PM)

 

Absent:

Robert Goodwin, Member at Large

Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairman (travel / excused)

Roy Arwood, Member at Large (travel / excused)

 

The Health Mission Statement was read aloud by Florence Conrad, Member.

 

Agenda:

Florrine Super motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve the agenda with changes, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Minutes of November 8, 2007:

Florrine Super motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve the minutes of November 8th, 2007, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

1.) Guests: Sandi Tripp, DNR Director:

Sandi is present to seek approval for a proposal 07-R-161 to the EPA. It is GAP funding that will be used for fiscal years 2009 & 2010. It is funding that keeps a lot of the infrastructure together. It contributes to environmental educations, new stewardship program and in the amount of $300,000.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve resolution 07-R-161, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Old Business: Set meeting date with Stephanie will be tabled to Closed Session.

 

Director Reports:

1)      Vickie Walden, RDA:

Written report provided, not present.

 

Florrine Super motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Vickie’s written report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

2.) Joe Snapp, Substance & Alcohol Abuse:

Written report provided, not present.

 

Alvis Johnson motioned and Florrine Super seconded to approve Joe Snapp’s written report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

3.) Patti White, Database Administrator:

Patti is present to provide a verbal update to her written report already submitted. Prior reporting requested out of state travel for RPMS training, but she is revising that request, removing it.

 

There was a slight drop in patient visits and that was contributed to the clinic move, but it is up and running a little smoother now.

 

Patti emailed her training report for the travel she attended on OSHPOD and UDS reporting. Suzanna will take this task over as a portion of the business officer report, and Patti will work with her during the transition of the duty.

 

Patti has one action item. In doing her annual evaluation of her staff, she is presenting changes to the data entry clerk position descriptions. Revisions of committee participation have been updated including standard compliance and performance improvement. They are wording changes.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve the updated data entry clerk position descriptions, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Patti’s report, 5 haa 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

4.) Chris Kleeman, IT Manager:

No written report, not present. Chris will be moved further down in reporting awaiting his arrival.

 

5.) David Eisenberg, PHN:

David submitted his written report, but is presenting updated information as an action item.

 

David presented information on direct relief international. The services are collected for free all shipping, and list of items that are available for the patients through the clinics is sent to them, and they compile what is available to send. The track record is that this organization receives approximately 75% of what organizations need to distribute to their individual clients. The Tribe’s obligation would be to distribute the items free of charge with no discrimination, but compliantly. A contract is needed as a part of the donation portion. Laura Mayton and Erin Hillman have signed off as part of the Tribe’s internal process.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve agreement 08-A-006, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

David thanked Robert Attebury for providing training to the Medford Boy Scouts and providing insight on the tribal culture and ceremonies to the children.

 

The diabetic grant has not been funded to date. An email was received on November 28th, 2007 explaining that the funding may only be received to urban programs.

 

For EAPC there is the new requirement of income verification and as of November the Health Program is running at 80% under use of the grant; at that rate the Health Program will have to refund money. David would like to brainstorm ideas on spending this funding. David prefers to not return any funding, but to use it as services for clients that definitely need it. David believes that the EAPC grant is manageable.

 

Arch inquired if the diabetic grant is obligated to the Tribe. David explained yes, it just isn’t able to be drawn down yet. Services are being provided and bills are being paid, but at some point there needs to be drawing down to cover those expenses.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve David’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

6.) Lessie Aubrey, DQMCH:

Written report provided, not present.

 

Florrine Super motioned and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Lessie’s written report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

7.) Martha Schrock, EDHHS:

Written report provided, not present.

 

Florrine Super motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Martha’s written report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florrine and Florence’s membership for CRIHB expires December 30th. There needs to be approval of the Council delegating them both for CRIHB as representatives.

 

Alvis motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Roy Arwood and Florrine Super as CRIHB delegates with Florence Conrad as an alternate, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

5.) Chris Kleeman, IT Manager:

Chris arrived at 3:30 PM. He provided an update on the Yreka building. He believes that he will have to insert equipment to provide internet availability. He has been trying different angles with AT&T, the local Cable Company, and Telephone Company. He has a call in attempting to contract more internet providers to see if some wireless options will work, which are scheduled for the 28th. Someone didn’t tell him that there were going to be medical staff at the facility, so he is working on that aspect as they are having to travel to the other sites to do their data entry currently.

 

In Orleans he has reset their server and it is almost complete.

 

Chris is glad that he went on vacation. Gerry did a great job handling everything in his absence. Patti did well too. He only received small calls while on leave and they were easily remedied over the phone.

There is currently a position being flown for an IT Director. The EHR technician is being prepared to be flown. Things are looking up in general to the IT department.

 

The CHR’s are moving offices, and will require that they have RPMS use. The data is crucial to have as it is requirement. Chris has ordered antennas to assist in finding a signal to mount the antennas for the Yreka building. This will also provide the potential to share high speed internet within the KTHA units in Yreka. Sami Jo has mentioned that that is something that she would like to provide, and if it works well it may be used in other areas. The cost was relatively small around $1,900 per unit. Patti questioned if the data would be encrypted and Chris will ensure that it is.

 

Chris explained that KCDC has had severe problems and he has spent three days fixing their server issues.

 

Weather will affect the antenna concept for the Yreka building. Rain, water and snow may drop the signal dramatically, but he has purchased amplifiers to increase the signal strength preparing for that possibility. Chris’ biggest worry is that at certain distances there may be interferences with reflected signals. Chris will have to evaluate that and to mitigate that he will redirect which direction the antenna is pointed.

 

Once the system is in place, there is the possibility to transfer phone calls between Yreka, Orleans and Happy Camp.

 

Arch asked how long the project will take. Chris explained that weather is a big factor and will be within the next year. Chris is really concerned about working to get RPMS up and running. There is a small budget that may be expended up to January. Next week he will have a much clearer idea of what is involved for each satellite to install at the Yreka building. To install the equipment it could take three to four days, but if it doesn’t work then he will have to re-evaluate other ideas. He explained that this isn’t his only project; he for example, was working on the issue with KCDC which took several days.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Chris’ verbal report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

8.) Chuck Lent, LCSW:

Chuck is present to review his written report. He has hired two persons and there may be some position revisions for the Naa Vura Ye Shiip program. Chuck explained the frustration with not connecting to RPMS from his office is a serious loss in productivity. He hopes that in the future it is understood that the connectivity be complete to ensure documentation is taking place. Chuck is attempting to work with Chris to ensure things remain productive.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Florrine Super seconded to approve Chuck’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Committee Reports:

1.) Michael Thom, Election Committee Chairperson:

The tribal election of 2007 was successfully closed Tuesday night.

The Sergeant at Arms is usually paid $150 a day. The persons that contribute to this process are on a fixed income, and the financial contribution for their services would negatively impact their situation. Michael would still like to acknowledge them by providing them with an allowable gift, such as two Wal-Mart gift cards.

 

The Election Committee will send April Attebury a thank you card for serving while a member of the Committee has to step aside.

 

Overall the Election committee has internal conflicts, but they are being worked out and operating smoothly.

 

Closed Session:

Florrine Super motioned and Alvis Johnson seconded to uphold the CHS denial for case # 177 and pay from Third Party, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to uphold CHS denial for case #183 and pay $1,700 from Third Party, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve the senior meal delivery driver position for Happy Camp, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve 08-A-005 education agreement including obligation within in the organization for two years, not specifically same position, but with the Tribe, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to offer position to #PR at current rate of pay; if not accepted, then the position will be re-flown.

 

Leeon Hillman motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to purchase two $50 gift cards for two sergeants of arms for the 2007 Election, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Alvis Johnson seconded to implement the Karuk Tribal TANF program as is with numbers presented back by the Federal Government , 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: request to assist incarcerated Tribal Member will be tabled to Wednesday.

 

Florence left the meeting at 5:06 PM

 

Leeon motioned and Alvis Johnson seconded to allow the suspend loan payment from Health Board stipend for Tribal Member # 538, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Leeon Hillman motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve a loan to Tribal Member # 1895 in the amount of $2,000 with payments of $50 monthly beginning February, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to have Laura Mayton review travel policy comparing it to the Federal guidelines for perdiem related to training.

 

Florrine Super motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve credentialing and privileging for Dr. North, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florrine Super motioned and Alvis Johnson seconded to contribute $150 to Tribal Member # 3164 for her educational trip from discretionary, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Next Meeting Date: January 10, 2007 at 3 PM

 

Florrine motioned and Leeon seconded to adjourn meeting at 5:46 PM, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

________________________________

Arch Super, Chairman

 

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider