Karuk Tribe – Health Board Meeting

July 8, 2010 - Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 3:01pm by Chairman, Arch Super

Roll Call:

Present:

Arch Super, Chairman

Florrine Super, Secretary

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Florence Conrad, Member at Large (late)

Sonny Davis, Member at Large

Verna Reece, Member at Large

Dora Bernal, Member at Large

Bud Johnson, Member at Large

Absent:

Phil Albers Jr, Vice-Chairman (excused)

Quorum is established.

Mission Statement was read aloud by Dora Bernal, Member at Large.

Agenda:

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

Minutes of June 10, 2010:

Florrine Super motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve the regular board minutes of June 10, 2010, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Florrine Super).

Guests:

1.) Babbie Peterson, Senior Nutrition Program

Babbie is present to seek out of state travel to Denver CO for the first week of August 2010. It is for Title VI and they have asked that she provide training and the company is paying for her travel costs.

Leeon Hillman motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve out of state travel for Babbie Peterson to Denver CO August 1-5, 2010, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Directors Reports:

1.) Eric Cutright, IT Director:

Eric is present to review his written report with the Board. He has been offered the opportunity to receive internet service through the FCC, the rates are still being determined but one comparison is that the Council approved internet connections and the costs were about $45k per year and this new service may be only $7k per year. This is under review and approval will be sought once signed off.

Eric is reviewing law on phone outages and the comparison of services that are not provided and how many instances that go unresolved. There were 36 outages last year with little to no results on a solution. He is hoping to have better phone service to Happy Camp and Orleans.

The Parking lot project is moving fast and they accidentally cut lines to the outside offices of the administration. Maintenance installed a power pole and they were able to get service completed by later that afternoon.

Verna Reece motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Eric’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

2.) Vickie Walden, Dental Office Manager:

Vickie is present to review her written report with the Board. She announced that the electronic dental record developments allows for the selling of dental equipment that cannot be used for digital input for the dental x-rays and insertion into the electronic record. She is seeking approval to post the equipment for sale and staff has offered to post the sales notices and track it being sold. It is a Panarex and x-ray developer.

Florence Conrad arrived at 3:14 pm

Laura explained the purchase of the equipment and installations. She noted that if it is over $5k in value of then this would fall under different restrictions. Vickie is unsure of the specifics and will follow up on her request with Laura at a later time.

Vickie continued to explain electrical issues with the dental office and the dental technician has been onsite completing repairs and concluding fixes. Vickie will run an in house report on dental visits to have an overview with the dental staff.

Yreka has been sending activities reports per Vickie’s request moving forward as she does not travel to that site any longer. She accidentally reversed the budget report between the Yreka facility and the Happy Camp facility last month, so she noted that correction for the Council. The budget review with Laura noted that the dental program is on budget.

Florrine Super motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Vickie’s dental report, 6 haa, 0puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

3.) Lessie Aubrey, EDHHS:

Lessie is present to review her written report. Vickie announced that the State has funded H1N1 vaccine clinic and the Orleans facility has completed their clinic. There were 23 people but 50 shots were given to update children’s vaccines. The Orleans clinic immunization rate went up 40%. Lessie announced how the staff brought in the community members including snacks, prizes, and contests and then were able to provide the vaccine. It was overall a very good success.

There are some issues with ARRA funding and the Behavioral Health Department reviewed the expenditures finding that the health facility did spend the funding correctly and is now moving forward with 100% compliance.

She received notice that the IHS is accepting nominations for CHR’s to receive recognition. Lessie is nominating Roselynn Tungate for her services several years ago before there were any services in the Happy Camp area. Lessie read the biography for Roselynn and will be forwarding that information to IHS. The second nomination is Hazel Ward. Lessie then read her biography that she will be submitting to IHS.

Verna Reece motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve the nominations to be selected and sent to IHS, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Florrine Super motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Lessie’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

4.) Chad Tiraterra, Database Administrator:

Chad is present to review his report. He provided his caseload reports including clinical statistics reports. He provided an update on information including dental EHR, which the staff is still reviewing options for. Verna asked that Chad change his report to not have a background, because she can’t really read it.

Verna Reece motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Chad’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

5.) Mike Edwards, Family & Children Services:

Mike is present to provide an overview of his report. He thanked the Council for approving the purchase of the new vehicle for his department. He has yet to purchase the vehicle but they are working on having the paperwork completed.

His department has seen over 400 clients for the month of June.

He is still waiting for the State to provide information on the Title IVE case. Mike is still reviewing his QI report and findings. The department found that there is a lack of transportation which is keeping the cancellations high and he will keep working on a solution to the patient cancellation by whatever means the clients feel is a roadblock in keeping their appointments.

Mike has met with TANF and KTHA regarding similar clients and services offered by the programs to the clients.

Mike noted that ICW next meeting is July 13, 2010 in Happy Camp. Assembly Bill 1325 went into affect July 1^st and he continues to review it hoping that it becomes less confusing. He has attended three trainings and the State still seems unprepared for how this is going to work for Tribes and how to work with Tribes.

Mike noted that there is a live scan machine that is going to be purchased by the Department of Justice and it will be housed in Dion’s office or Sara’s. They continue to monitor the compliance that must be met in order to use the machine.

CAIR is budgeted at $39k and the expenses are at $55k. Mike noted that there is a typo in this number, that the budget is in fact not overspent.

Florence Conrad motioned and Florrine Super seconded to approve Mike’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

6.) Vickie Simmons, Clinical Operations Administrator

Vickie is the new hire for the Health Program taking on several duties from Karen Daniels due to Karen’s resignation. She provided an overview of the report that covers June.

Vickie noted that there is no information on the CHR and Elders workers as they may be confused on who they report to at this time.

Karen had a notation of the ACQI reporting on HIPPA Compliance and Verna asked for that information and it be distributed. Vickie did obtain that information and forwarded it to the Tribal Council regarding the HIPPA laws regulating healthcare.

Verna Reece motioned and Dora Bernal seconded to approve Vickie’s report, 7 haa, puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

7.) Daniel Pratt, TANF Director
Daniel is present to provide a report to the Board. There was a TANF staff Meeting that has been canceled and the meetings haven’t been working, then Daniel is brainstorming times to work with the Board to ensure scheduling conflicts don’t continue to happen. Thursday’s are best for Dora and the other TANF representatives.

Daniel has met with the Tribal TANF coalition and the State. As anticipated State legislature has rejected Governor Schwarzenegger’s cuts to State programs but he is allotted 15% to cut and he will do those, but the federal funding that is passed through from the State will not be hindered. The State may issue IOU’s and the budget may be signed in October or November. This was the process last year and the staff along with the Tribe’s CFO is familiar on how to deal with the reimbursement process.

Daniel thanked the Tribal Council for approving the new software purchase and he believes that the program will be very happy with the new software.

Daniel would like to have the Council’s approval on Quartz Valley’s resolution to become part of the Karuk Tribal TANF program. This will increase numbers but Quartz Valley will have to do their own data collection in order to justify their numbers. Daniel doesn’t believe that this will hurt the Tribe’s program and the increased caseload will not hinder the staff. Arch asked if this affects the funding source that is given to the Karuk Tribe. The Karuk Tribe will receive more funding based on the negotiated amount with inclusion of the Quartz Valley clients. Daniel noted that the Yreka area has an unemployment rate of 10 or 11% and the Happy Camp area is more like 70% so the Tribes are exempt from the “time out” of services. Leeon asked what the chances are that the State attempts to negotiate a lower number of clients based on use of the program. Daniel anticipates that the State will try to reduce the amount but Daniel believes that they will review guidelines and have an understanding of the employment rate and how that affects the TANF clients.

Florence motioned and Sonny seconded to approve the resolution but the motion did not pass due to clarification that the resolution must be on the Karuk Tribe’s letterhead, issued a number through the Karuk Tribe and approved by the Tribal Council; accepting Quartz Valley’s purposed resolution. This was tabled to the Thursday Planning Meeting for final presentation.

Leeon Hillman motioned and Florrine Super seconded to approve Daniel’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Employee Non Health:

1.) April Attebury, Tribal Court
April is seeking approval for out of state travel for staff for August 16-20, 2010 for the Circles of Care. Staff traveling includes Joe Snapp, Chuck Lent, and Robert Attebery. Holly already sought approval for herself previously but she will be traveling with this group as well.

Leeon Hillman motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve out of state travel for April Attebury, Chuck Lent, and Robert Attebery August 16-20, 2010 for Circles of Care training, 7 haa, puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

April noted that in the past she was able to take youth as well, but the youth council has not selected who could attend yet. She would still like to seek some youth council to attend so she would like approval pending their determination on who should go.

Florrine Super motioned Leeon Hillman seconded to approve up to 4 youth council participants to attend the youth conference, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara (Florence absent for vote).

Tanya is attending a conference in Sacramento CA for her position. Patricia Hobbs is a Tribal Member but an employee of a different organization. She is attending the same conference as Tanya and to reduce travel costs, April is seeking approval for Patricia to travel with Tanya and be added to the Tribe’s insurance.

Leeon Hillman motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve allowing Patricia Hobbs to travel in a Karuk Tribal vehicle and be added to the vehicle insurance for this trip, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

April then announced that she would like to seek approval to add extra duties to an existing employee and compensate the wages from an available budget.

The pay will be $20.79 to $25.99 per hour for the SAMSHA COCIV Project. Discussion moved to closed session for the Council to review.

2.) Jaclyn Goodwin, Grant Writer/Resource Developer:
Jaclyn announced that the grant writer has selected a concept of the ICDBG funding opportunity. The two previous options were presented and discussed with the Tribal Council and it is now time to plan a direction to move in to ensure the grant is drafted for what the Council is hoping to accomplish. Laura noted that Jaclyn should update the Council on the lack of funding from ANA and the possibility of the Council selecting a different project with that information. Jaclyn explained that there was discussion of the education center in Happy Camp having the ability to apply the ICDBG grant to assist that shortfall but Jaclyn found that to not be true, so that avenue is not feasible. Sue anticipates the funding notice to announce soon so the staff needs to begin working on the project that the Council chooses.

Consensus: for the Grant writer to work on the ICDBG grant for the Orleans facility.

Requests:

1.) Robert Attebery, LIAP Administrator:

Robert is present to request an additional $500 from Council discretionary for the remaining month of July. The Council provides $1,000 per month to the LIAP Committee and this month they are low.

Florence Conrad motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve an additional $500 from discretionary for the LIAP committee, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Robert then asked about funding availability for ceremonies.

The Tribal Council provides health and safety items such as port-a-potties, garbage containers and water access for tribal ceremonies. Robert doesn’t need to have the health and safety items but assistance with food is much appreciated. This will be tabled to closed session.

Informational:

1.) Florence Conrad, Council Member at Large:

Florence provided a report on the Dam Removal Meeting held in Yreka last night. Florence thanked all the people from Yreka for attending and especially those who traveled from out of the area. There were four attendees representing the Tribe which were Leaf, Florence, Craig and Molli. There is another meeting in Orleans next week and she would like to see the Council Members present. Florence noted that it was sad that there was not very much support for the staff who worked on this for years and she hopes to have a better turn out in Orleans. There was a man with a doctrine and footage with recreational concepts and he noted that when there is no recreation then it’s just a river. He noted too that the fish kill wasn’t from the blue green algae but from a methamphetamine dump from the Hoopa area. Florence explained that this is the type of misleading and ridiculous information that is passed throughout the communities and having the facts shared by the Tribe will ensure adequate and factual information is distributed.

Closed Session:

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve resolution 10-R-068, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara,

Bud Johnson motioned Leeon Hillman seconded to approve resolution 10-R-078, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Verna Reece motioned Sonny Davis seconded to approve resolution 10-R-079, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Informational: Tribal Members addressed the Council to voice disagreement over Council’s recent decisions. Tribal Members: 13, 1245, 434, 1232, 650, 3242, 1740, and 107 covered several topics with the Tribal Council. The Tribal Council did not respond to personnel matters but listened to a variety of concerns and addressed items that were brought to their attention. Concerns over following Indian Preference was noted with conclusion of a policy development coming soon; concerns over Tribal Members not allowed to voice concerns was responded by the Council explaining the availability of meetings and open door policy throughout the Tribe. Other concerns over not receiving adequate information was commented by Council to continue to stay in touch and involved with the Tribe and to continue to bring issues forward. The Tribal Members maintained frustration with the Tribal Council but thanked them for the time to speak their issues.

Florrine Super motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to uphold the Council’s decision to terminate employee #1487, 5 haa, 1 puuhara (Verna Reece), 1 pupitihara (Florence Conrad).

Florence Conrad motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve agreement 10-A-045, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Florrine Super excused herself at 7:40 pm

Consensus: to deny request and instruct employee #3770 to post vacant position.

Consensus: for Tribal Member #744’s complaint to be investigated according to the Health Programs policies and procedures.

Consensus: to table credential files to Thursday’s planning meeting.

Consensus: to table the loan request from Tribal Member #2815 to Thursday’s planning meeting.

Consensus: to review Ihuk Summer Camp proposal at Thursday’s planning meeting.

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to write off $5,291.05 in uncollected claims, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Verna Reece motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to provide a $.50 per hour pay increase for employee # 6981, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara (new job description must be drafted and that must be approved).

Consensus: to have the Council Members review the constitution and be prepared for review at Thursday’s Planning Meeting.

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve travel for Dora Bernal and Florrine Super to Pala CA for TANF training, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Consensus: for Council Members to prioritize meetings that are within their area and especially recognize the staffs continued efforts to move the Tribe forward and the need of continued support and guidance from the Tribal Council.

Consensus: to seek additional TERO Ordinances for review and ask that the TERO Director provide time to complete answer and question time with the Tribal Council.

Consensus: to ask employee # 7931 to co-sign for Tribal Member loan.

Library request for funding: died for the lack of a motion.

Consensus: to approve a revised agreement with Tribal Member #3747 allowing for $25 monthly payments until paid in full.

Consensus: to seek clarification on laptop purchase and payment from Tribal Member #538.

Next Meeting Date: August 12, 2010 at 3pm in Happy Camp.

Bud Johnson motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to adjourn meeting at 8:43 pm, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Respectfully Submitted,

________________________________

Arch Super, Chairman

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider