Karuk Tribe
Council Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Arch
Super, Chairman.
Roll Call
Present
Arch Super, Chairman
Florrine Super, Secretary
Leeon Hillman, Treasurer
Roy Arwood, Member
Alvis Johnson, Member
Wilverna Reece, Member
Absent
Leaf Hillman, Vice Chairman –
excused, on travel
Quorum is established.
Verna Reece read the mission statement of the Karuk
Tribe aloud for the audience.
Approval of the Agenda for February 26, 2009
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve the Agenda for February 26, 2009. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
1) Approval of
the Minutes for January 22, 2009
Verna Reece moved and
Alvis Johnson seconded to approve the Minutes for January 22, 2009. 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 2 pupitihara (Florrine
Super, Roy Arwood).
Arch made an announcement that Robert A. Goodwin has
been selected for the position of Self Governance Coordinator reducing the
council to 8 members until they make an appointment in May.
He also stated that they have a very long agenda so if
everyone can adhere to their time limits it would be greatly appreciated.
2) Russell
Attebery
Russell (Buster) is present
to address the group and speak to them about a sports training program for 5-18
year old children he has been running through the City of Redding Recreation
Department. He has branched out as a
sole proprietor to obtain grant funding to coordinate youth sports programs
with Native American Tribes throughout the area. He plans to hire local help to assist with
the programs such as 16 year olds to do officiating and refereeing for
events. He read the vision statement
aloud indicating what his plans are for the program.
He provided the group with
statistical information regarding youth sports programs and the benefits it can
provide to the children and his observations of watching the children learn
through participation in the program and developing their self esteem and
social skills.
He has business education and
grant writing background experience to offer to the program. He is also working with other organizations
to get his establishment set up. He
possesses his teaching credential and also a Bachelor’s Degree in PE and is a
recruiting scout for the Cincinnati Reds and participates in other youth sports
organizations.
He has a business plan for
the Tribe to consider as assistance toward startup equipment purchases. He would also like to work with the Tribe to
coordinate services for the local communities and some possible mobile
equipment that could be set up in different locations such as a batting cage,
etc. He would need facility use
assistance for clinics and events.
Arch would like him to
provide them with further information in more detail so that they can speak to
him further at a planning session; their next meeting will be March 19, 2009.
3) Mary-Jane
Bolton, Siskiyou
Mary is present along with
her helpers. She distributed information
to the audience and the members regarding their program and what they are
doing.
Betsy Emery is the
Mary spoke regarding their program;
she states she is new to the county but was born in McCloud so she is from
here. They will help the individuals who
participate to reach whatever educational goal they set for themselves and the
entire program is learner driven so it can go at their own pace and be
flexible. Some examples would be for
individual who want to learn to read or write better, obtain their GED, etc.
She encourages anyone who is
interested to either be a learner or a coach; they have forms for them to fill
out tonight.
Rinata is with the College of
the Siskiyous who works with their program.
She states it is great to see how an idea that they have can now be
developing. She works at the Yreka
Campus and also coordinates community education where community members can
train individuals in different areas where they have an expertise and others
who want to learn what they have to offer.
She encourages Tribal Members to get involved by telling stories as they
are all such great story tellers. They
are also expanding the Yreka campus to include the Rural Health Sciences
Institute to help train healthcare professionals with vocational education to
include the nursing, LVN, and CNA programs to Yreka beginning in the Fall.
4) Toby Reusze,
Substance Abuse Counselor
Toby is present to address
the audience and the Council; Lessie has requested that she share information
with the community regarding services that they are offering.
They have the AIR Program
which is a voucher program for up to $800 of services which are to be used
within 60 days. They have now opened the
She worked with
She states that other Tribes
have requested that she help them set up their programs as well.
Roy Arwood moved and
5) Carrie
Davis, Tribal Member
Not present.
6) Pam Risling
and Florrine Super, Youth Project
Florrine and Pam are present
to address the group and discuss a meeting they had today with Mike Smith to
discuss the American Indian Film Institute and the history of that organization
and what they do. Their goal was to show
native films without the negative stereotypes.
It takes place in
Florrine states that other
Tribes have requested the youth actually focus on a specific area. Florrine would like to know if the Council is
interested in moving forward with this project.
She states it would be eligible for TANF program funding. Arch states the budget assigned to that is a
very high amount which they would need to review in more detail prior to making
a decision and possibly have additional information. Pam states Mark Smith would be able to come
and speak to them directly about it if they have questions. Florrine also has DVD’s with samples of the
projects they have worked on. It is
suggested that they coordinate a date and time to get him on the Planning
Agenda to discuss this further. Pam
states she will work on that.
7) April
Attebury, Tribal Court
Not present.
8) Jim Berry,
KCDC
Jim is not present he is
still working on the audit; Patti Brown was present to provide an overview of the
written report. Financial reports were
also included for their information.
Patti reviewed her written
report on the Head Start Program. She
thanked
Arch requested that she schedule
a meeting with
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Jim and Patti’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
9) Jennifer Goodwin,
Education
Jennifer was present along
with her student helper, Pihneftuuf Elston.
She thanked the Library staff for attending the meeting tonight to get
the word out regarding the program.
She reviewed her written
report and highlighted several items.
She has been attending many meetings lately. She continues to work with the Indian Club at
Pihneeftuuf introduced
himself to the audience; he is a sophomore at HC High School and has been
working with Jennifer for the past 8 months.
He has been working with her to prepare statistical information regarding
the education program and what the unmet needs have been which is over
$400,000! He states that the program
helps as many students as possible. He
states he looks forward to continuing to work with the Tribe and learn about
the programs and services provided.
She states she does not have
any action items; she would like to meet with them during the dinner break for
closed session.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Jennifer’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Florrine asked that the Youth from the last Leadership
Conference introduce themselves to the Tribal Council and the audience. She states there will be training in March on
how to run a meeting, become a leader, and the history of the Tribe. Once they learn how to run a meeting and
operate, they will give the Tribal Council and programs input on youth
activities and programs they would like.
There are other members not present tonight. Arch states that the kids are really getting
involved and will also be learning the language for their meetings as well.
10) Robert
Goodwin, Self Governance
His written report was
included in the packets.
Bob thanked the Tribal
Members and the community of Yreka for the support he has received over the
past seven years on the Tribal Council and in the elections. He states he spent his first week in
The first is the AFA with BIA
for their Fiscal Year 2009 funding. If
the draft is signed tonight it can be sent to BIA for review in
Leeon Hillman moved and
Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Agreement 09-A-015 between the Karuk Tribe
and BIA as well as the Addendum for the IRR.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
He asked if there were any
questions on his written report which was submitted. He states that next month he and Arch will be
attending the TBAC Meeting in DC to continue pursuing the funding available to
Tribes through the ARRA.
He states that he also
received an email today regarding the comments being received regarding the
gathering language being proposed at this time.
He submitted comments and forwarded those to the Council for review.
Harold Tripp also has a
request for discretionary funding for three individuals, for four days, not to
exceed 4 days for work to be done at Ferry Point. Arch states that there is quite a bit of
information that goes along with this request.
Bob states it could be done through a phone vote tomorrow so that
additional information can be provided.
Harold predicts it would not exceed $1,000; they would also need a
couple of loads of dirt as well. Arch
will discuss this further with the Council in closed session this evening.
Florrine asked if Bob and
Arch could stop by the new Head Start Director’s office while they are in DC
next month regarding that program and introduce themselves to her; she will get
them information and could possibly set up an appointment for Thursday morning
when they will have time.
Verna Reece moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to accept Bob’s report.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Arch also requested their
approval for travel to
11) Robert
Attebery, LIAP
Robert’s written report was
included and he provided them with information regarding what he has been doing
and what has been happening in his department.
He states that he has been
contacted by BIA regarding HIP funding available, he worked with
He states tonight he has
applications for the HIP program for interested individuals to fill out for the
program. The program is very
competitive, and very few people get approved, but they are still encouraged to
submit applications.
Verna Reece moved and Roy
Arwood seconded to approve Robert’s report.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
12) Erin
Hillman, Administrative Programs and Compliance
Moved to end of Agenda as it
is written only.
13) Dion Wood,
TERO
Dion is present to review his
written report.
He states the ARRA which was
just passed included funding for Childcare and will be coming down to the Tribe
for FY 2009; it also included Quality Funds but those will only be distributed
to States and Territories; he will be working on that.
He reiterated what Patti
reported regarding collaboration they have been working on with different
agencies. He states that he is
developing kits to give to the families to improve the quality of services
provided by the care-takers and expand their services.
He states the next CCDF
Tribal/State Workgroup meeting for Childcare will be held March 31-April 3,
2009 in
He will be attending the
National Indian Child Care Association Board Meeting in DC, March 9-13, 2009;
he will be meeting with the Head Start and Childcare Bureau’s as they have both
been invited to a joint meeting so that they can speak to each other.
He states that TERO will be
helping coordinate Flagger Training in Happy Camp March 12-13, 2009 to provide
certification to interested members.
Scott and Sandi have coordinated this and there were only 40 spaces
available that are all taken; they are maintaining a waiting list at this
point. It is better training than in the
past with expanded information. They
will be holding the training at Headway and having lunch with the Seniors that
day.
He will be distributing a
draft update to the Wage Ordinance at the next Council Meeting; he has been
working with Sami on this project.
The TERO Ordinance revisions
continue to move forward; he has solicited feedback from the directors and
hopes to present a draft of that next month as well. It will include items such as Safety, EEOC
language, etc. to help strengthen their Tribal Ordinance.
He has been working with the
Hoopa, Yurok, and Smith River TERO Departments to collaborate with them on what
they are working on as well as to have more collaboration. He will email invitations to those meetings
to the Council as well.
He thanked the Library staff
for attending and encourages the membership to become involved and become
mentors.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Dion’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
14) Sami
Difuntorum, Housing
Ann is present to briefly
review the information contained in Sami’s report.
They did the final
walk-through on the Shivshaneen project.
They are nearly done with the
They awarded the A&E
services contract for the Yreka apartments, they are working on painting the
homes in
Ann states the formula
allocation has been finalized and they will receive $600,000 in additional
funding for FY 2009.
Verna Reece moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve the Housing report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
15) Hester
Dillon, Grant Writer
Hester was present to review
the written report for their department.
She has an invoice for
services on the radio project through December 31, 2008 for $115.60 which
requires approval by Council because it is discretionary funding. She states they have secured call signs for
Happy Camp and
Leeon Hillman moved and
Florrine Super seconded to approve the invoice from discretionary. 4 haa, 1 puuhara (
She also has a follow up item
regarding a phone vote last week for the EHR grant which was submitted; she
just needs Arch’s signature on the Resolution for that grant.
Rick submitted an IMLS Grant
for the People’s Center and
Their office has been
relocated to the modular; they are the first office on the right across from
Contract Health.
They continue to work on the funding
for the
She has also been working
with Natural Resources regarding the Energy Grant; there are some match
requirements that need to be worked out and some sustainability issues that
need to be discussed. At this point it
does not appear they have the resources to submit the grant due to the match and
the technical statistics needed. A
consultant would be necessary for those stats and there is no funding to hire a
consultant and they do not know if they can get a consultant to provide the
needed information in time for this grant either. She is still waiting for the information from
Winzler & Kelly but Ramona has stated it would not be the right
information. This is the Energy Grant
that Sami was interested in that they have been waiting for. She hopes to hear from Erin and Sami when
they return next week to see if they have information regarding this.
Leeon Hillman moved and
Florrine Super seconded to approve Hester’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
16) Ruth
Rouvier, Language
Ruth is present to review her
written report with the Council.
She has a couple of updates
on their activities. She states last
night was the second class in Happy Camp; they had 12 students and she feels it
went very well. She is learning and
hearing more language daily so that is good.
The
She has spoken to
COS now has a policy that if
a high school student wishes to attend a college class, they can have their
principal sign so that they can potentially attend the class without any
costs. Ruth states that college courses
for high school students also count toward both their high school credits and
college credits.
She gave an update on the
Native Language Teacher Credentials regarding licensing to teach Language
classes in the
She states 15 people attended
the Language Restoration Committee Meeting on January 25, 2009 in
She requested approval of
revised Contract 09-C-033(R) with Charlie Thom for 130 hours for the Master
Apprentice Language documentation project.
It was previously approved by phone vote but has been revised to change
the terms from 150 hours to 130 hours and change the duration from three years
to one year.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Contract 09-C-033(R). 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
She received a request from
the Tuscarora Nation of Indians of the
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Ruth’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
17) Laura
Mayton, CFO
Moved to the end as it is
written only.
18) Earl
Crosby, DNR
Moved to the end as it is
written only.
19) Scott
Quinn, Land/Transportation
Scott is present to review
his written report.
He thanked Dion and TERO for
sponsoring the lunches for their Flagger Training in Happy Camp. He is ill and would like to only review his
action items this evening.
He is requesting travel to
Florrine Super moved and
Florence Conrad seconded to approve travel to Washington, DC March 23-27, 2009
for Scott Quinn and one Council Member.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
He states there is an annual
meeting with the HCTCC and NAAC; there will be a catered luncheon which will
require discretionary funding as it cannot come from program funds at
approximately $300.
He requested approval of
Resolution 09-R-023 supporting the California Tribes Position Paper for the
Transportation Authorization Act in 2010, to ensure continued IRR funding for
Safe and Reliable transportation facilities, regardless of ownership, for the
Karuk People, as well as other Community Members and Visitors. He requested a phone vote but they requested
additional information which was provided.
He also requested approval of
Resolution 09-R-028 authorizing the BIA to place roads and facilities listed
herein (Exhibit A) to the BIA Roads system for the purposes of completing the
2009 annual Indian Reservation Roads Update of the Karuk Tribe’s 1997 long
range transportation plan.
Verna Reece moved and
Yesterday they discussed
changes to the Election Ordinance which he distributed for their review and
approval at a later date.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Scott’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
20) Erin
Hillman
Written report only, on
travel.
Her report included revisions
to the General Assistance, CSD, and Finance policies. It is not necessary that they all be approved
this evening; they can wait until she is present to review the information.
Florrine Super moved and
Florrine Super moved and
21) Laura
Mayton
Written report only, she is
in Happy Camp with the auditors.
Sara read a written request
aloud regarding the mileage reimbursement rate.
Laura has recommended that they adopt the policy of paying whatever the
currently approved Federal Reimbursement Rate is for personal vehicle use
mileage at the recommendation of the IRS Consultant. If they pay an amount beyond that rate, the
difference could be taxable to the employee and possibly have to be covered
from discretionary rather than program funds.
This way finance can automatically adjust the rate as it fluctuates.
Leeon Hillman moved and Alvis
Johnson seconded to approve paying the currently approved Federal Mileage Rate
for POV use. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0
pupitihara.
Sara also announced that
there will be Audit Exit Interview at 10am on March 4, 2009 at Headway.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Laura’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
22) Earl Crosby
Written report only, on
travel.
Leeon Hillman moved and Alvis
Johnson seconded to approve Earl’s report.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
20) Fred
Burcell, Maintenance/Construction
Written report only.
Leeon Hillman moved and Florrine
Super seconded to approve Fred’s report.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
21) Sara
Spence, Human Resources
A written report was included
for review. Sara states she only has one
action item this evening regarding the health insurance plan renewal.
She states she received the
renewal package from Blue Shield on January 20 with a proposed increase to the
rates of 12.36%. She and Laura requested
further information from them regarding actual premiums paid and actual claim
costs for medical and prescriptions.
They indicated that the reasoning behind their increase percentage was
based on 1) national average increases, 2) the risk factor based on the fact
that 56% of the employees are over the age of 45, and 3) the higher costs due
to our rural location.
They challenged their
increase amount and submitted a counter-offer of 6%. Blue Shield then counter-offered with an
increase of 9.36%; they indicated that if the Tribe had a competitive quote
they would consider a lower rate. In the
Tribe’s rural location Blue Shield and Blue Cross are the only two competitors
providing the coverage needed for the group.
She requested the agent obtain a quote from Blue Cross to see what their
rates would be and they declined to quote for coverage based on past claims
experience when they were the Tribe’s carrier.
She states that considering
all of this information there are two options going forward which are 1) to
continue the current plan coverage at an annual increase of $72,131.40 (9.36%
increase), or 2) change the plan slightly at an annual increase of $49,714.44
(6.41% increase).
She states that both she and
Laura agree that in these economically uncertain times and considering the
budgetary restrictions the Tribe is facing that selecting Option 2 is a prudent
choice in order to continue being able to provide insurance coverage to the
employees for a reasonable cost.
Roy Arwood moved and
She states that is her only
action item for this evening.
Leeon Hillman moved and Verna
Reece seconded to approve Sara’s report.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
22) Requests
None at this time.
23) Phone Votes
a)
Request approval
to authorize payment for Tribal Member # 0511 to receive rehabilitation
services pending BIA Social Services. Passed.
b)
Request approval
of resolution 09-R-013 authorizing submission of a grant proposal to the
c)
Request approval
to provide $350 assistance to Tribal Member # 1329 for travel. Passed.
d)
Request approval
of resolution 09-R-021. Passed.
e)
Request approval
of resolution 09-R-020. Passed.
f)
Request approval
of resolution 09-R-019. Passed.
g)
Request approval
of resolution 09-R-015 authorizing submission of a grant proposal to
PacifiCare/United Healthcare Inc. Passed.
h)
Request approval
for out of state travel for Sandi Tripp to Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, March 16-18,
2009. Passed.
i)
Request approval
of resolution 09-R-022 authorizing submission of a grant proposal to EPA 2009
Tribal Resource Conservation Funds. Passed.
j)
Request approval
of resolution 09-R-024 authorizing submission of a grant proposal to EPA.
Passed.
k)
Request approval
of contract 09-C-032 between the Karuk Tribe and Homer Bennett III. Passed.
l)
Request approval
of contract 09-C-028 between the Karuk Tribe and Florrine Super. Passed.
m)
Request approval
of contract 09-C-033 between the Karuk Tribe and Charlie Thom Sr., Passed.
n)
Request approval
of contract 09-C-037 between the Karuk Tribe and Marilyn Masick. Passed.
o)
Request approval
to pay for repairs to the DNR Ford truck. Passed.
24) Committee
Reports
The NCIDC Meeting Minutes
were included in the packets.
Closed Session from 8:25 pm to 11:25 pm.
Florence Conrad moved and
Verna Reece seconded to issue a directive to the Education, Elders, LIAP, and
TANF Program Directors requiring them to comply with information requested as
necessary for the 2009 HUD ICDBG Grant Application, all information is to be
forwarded to the grant writers by the end of March. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Consensus: To refer the request from Tribal Member #1343
to Housing for consideration of a payment agreement to cover the costs.
Consensus: To refer the request from Tribal Member #492
back to CHS for consideration to determine if this would be an eligible
expense. It will then be reported back
at the Health Board meeting.
Consensus: To refer Tribal Member #327 to NCIDC for
rental assistance; if ineligible they can reconsider the request.
Consensus: To table the request from Tribal Members
#1766 and #958 for consideration at the Health Board Meeting Thursday depending
upon the decision issued by the Housing Committee on Monday.
Consensus: To consider the loan request from Kevin
Peters at the Health Board Meeting.
Consensus: To approve the Panta Rhea grant via phone
vote once Employee #1653 has reviewed the proposal.
Verna Reece moved and
Leeon Hillman moved to reimburse
Employee #5541 $70.35 from discretionary for business expenses charged on the
Tribal credit card without receipts, motion died for lack of a second. The request is denied, the policy shall be reiterated.
A meeting was scheduled for
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 9 am at Headway to meet with Employee #5541 to
discuss the Dam Settlement progress.
Consensus: To forward the request from Tribal Member
#740 to CHS for consideration and report back at Health Board Meeting.
Consensus: To vote on the Newsletter at the Health Board
Meeting.
Consensus: To increase the purchase order amount for
Yreka Council Meeting food to $300 due to the higher number of people present
for dinner at those meetings.
Consensus: To obligate tribal resources to deliver
necessary dirt to Ferry Point for work to be done.
Consensus: To add the Room Use Agreement for the
Consensus: To deny the request from Tribal Member #1234
to attend a conference in
Consensus: To add the radio project to the agenda for
Consensus: To deny the request from Tribal Member #1521
for assistance.
Consensus: To deny the request from Tribal Member #1494
for shower renovations; the request can be forwarded to the Elder’s worker to
determine if they can locate any funding.
Consensus: For Council Secretary to continue to attend
the Head Start (monthly), NCTC (every six weeks plus special meetings), and
Circle of Care/Youth Council (twice monthly) meetings and receive stipends for
participation.
Roy Arwood moved and Leeon
Hillman seconded to request that Jim Burcell at KCDC do preliminary research
into alfalfa growing at the Ranch. 5
haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Consensus: To research the Head Start requirement for testing
the children for lead and iron in their blood.
Next Meeting Date:
March 26, 2009 at 5 pm in
Happy Camp.
Meeting adjourned at 11:29 pm.
Submitted by,
___________________________________________
Arch Super, Chairman
Recording Secretary, Sara Spence