Karuk Tribe – Health Board Meeting

August 12, 2010 – Meeting Minutes

 

Meeting called to order at 4:09pm by Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

 

Present:

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Alvis “Bud” Johnson, Member at Large

Florence Conrad, Member at Large

Wilverna “Verna” Reece, Member at Large

Dora Bernal, Member at Large (late)

Charron “Sonny” Davis, Member at Large

 

Absent:

Arch Super, Chairman (excused)

Phil Albers Jr., Vice-Chairman (excused)

Florrine Super, Secretary (excused)

 

Quorum is established.

 

Agenda:

Verna Reece motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve the agenda with changes, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Meeting Minutes July 8, 2010:

Bud Johnson motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve minutes, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Director Reports:

1.) Daniel Pratt, TANF Director:

Daniel is present to review his written report with the Board. Daniel has three action items. The first one is out of state travel 9/20-23/2010 for the ATNI Conference in Washington for Daniel Pratt and Alphonso Colegrove. At this conference they will be working in groups to draft resolutions pertaining to keeping Tribal TANF operations unchanged or advancing funding, not allowing State control over reductions.

 

Sonny Davis motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve out of state travel for Daniel Pratt and Alphonso Colegrove to Washington, September 20-23, 2010, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

His second action item is for Alphonso to travel to Albuquerque NM, November 14-19, 2010 to present the resolution.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve out of state travel for Alphonso Colegrove to Albuquerque NM, November 14-19, 2010, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Daniel then went on to explain the Yreka TANF site and its new office location that they will be moving into very soon. The moving date is going to around September 1, 2010.  The location is in Yreka near Ellis Brooks in Yreka.

 

Daniel introduced Clarence Hostler to the group for an update to the Council on a sobriety camp that he is heading up, which is Daniel’s third action item. The total cost for the sobriety camp is $17,077 but he is looking for partnerships with other Organizations or Tribe’s for the camp that will help offset the cost. Daniel is hoping to have approval for the sobriety camp, and at this point approval of the broken out cost between the only two organizations that have agreed to participate at this time; the Karuk Tribe and Hoopa Tribe will be a split an estimated $8,000 per organization. Daniel did note that he is continuing to solicit other organizations to assist and partner in the event, thus reducing the costs even further. At this time Daniel will need the Karuk Tribe’s approval to obligate the funding and move forward for planning purposes.

 

Clarence explained the sobriety camp acknowledging that it is a commitment demonstrated and learned at this type of event and shows that dedication of change in a person’s lifestyle and direction to their family members, which also creates a spark to encourage other family members to become substance free. This is a four day camp, onsite, and provides food, shelter and items as necessary. Clarence’s experience with sobriety camps especially with Hoopa is to estimate the costs, and he found that the additional family members that attend are underestimated and he has now budgeted for this. He noted that there are speakers brought in and those experienced both personally and professionally explaining how they can connect with other participants and encourage sharing and openness to generating change. Clarence also noted that he is inviting other treatment centers and others that are in treatment. Those individuals are invited to sobriety camp to see how the support is and the change that is being encouraged.

There will be cultural activities, including sweat lodges and basket weaving. He has sought after and invited different backgrounds of cultural leaders to include in educating the attendees.

$8,538 is the most that the Karuk Tribe will contribute.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Verna Reece seconded to contribute up to $8,538 to support the Sobriety Camp, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

The last ATNI meeting was held in Sheldon Washington and it would be good if a Council representative went to the NCAI conference in NM. This will be held to discuss attendance with Dora.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve Daniel’s report, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Dora Bernal arrived at 4:26pm

 

2.) Eric Cutright, IT Director:

Eric is present to review his written report with the Board. He presented an action item. It is a contract to work with GSA to work toward better long distance services. The rates for long distance calling are high but with the contract he may be able to seek lower rates. The phone company may request that they pay for not having the contract any longer but there is no cost for the GSA contract. If the phone services change carriers by the end of this month then it won’t cost as much. The MOU number is 10-M-005 between the Karuk Tribe and United States General Services Administration (GSA). This isn’t for local calls but for long distance calling services only.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Verna Reece seconded to approve MOU 10-M-005, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Eric then distributed a contract with Shasta Services Inc in the amount of $107,427 for the generator project. Eric explained the contract and how there is a shortfall of $7k that is needed in discretionary funding possibly. Eric received all the bids and worked with the responsive bidders to reduce costs. There are two possible funding options for the $7k which could be some disaster funding that holds approximately $20k that Erin administers and Eric feels that this is fitting because that funding will keep all facilities open in the event of a severe power outage which generally closes all clinics and the administration complex. If the Council does not like the council discretionary option, or the disaster funding option, then the only other option is to refly the RFP.

 

Sonny Davis motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve contract 10-C-110 between the Karuk Tribe and Shasta Services, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to use the San Manual Donation for Disaster relief toward the shortfall of $7,093, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Eric then presented a membership contract with Health Alliance of Northern California (HANC) for Lessie Aubrey. There is a telemedicine agreement already but this agreement will be to join in other conferencing services. The cost is $1,800 for two facilities. The number is 10-A-050.

 

A membership fee for the one year use of the services in the agreement is $1,277 that runs from July 1st to July 1st the following year for conclusion of one calendar year of membership.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve agreement 10-A-050, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve membership fees from Third Party in the amount of $1,277, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

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

 

3.) Vickie Walden, Dental Office Manager:

Vickie stood up and introduced Dr. Milton from the Yreka facility. Dr. Milton stated that things are moving well at the facility in Yreka. He had a learning curve for the EHR but he is getting it. He practiced in Redding CA. He has experience in hospital and clinical settings and is extremely excited to begin work at the Yreka clinic.

 

4.) Chad Tiraterra, RPMS Site Manager:

Chad is present to review his written report. He had his monthly reports attached including clinical workload reports and clinical data for each site. He had no action items.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Chad’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

5.) Mike Edwards, Children & Family Services:

Mike is on travel but his report is included in the packets for the Council to review.

The resolutions will be tabled to Thursday’s planning meeting.

 

6.) Vickie Simmons, Clinical Operations Manager:

Vickie is present to review her written report. She explained the high lights in her report from the month. The Orleans diabetic luncheons are having 7-10 regular attendees. There are a few people that show up to listening sessions on how to prevent diabetes. She is only having about 2 attendees for the Happy Camp area and she is asking for input on how to get more participants. The H1N1 vaccine clinics have been great and they are turning out well, increasing the amount of community members that are receiving the vaccination.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Vickie’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

1.) Rick Hill, KCDC Grant Writer:

Rick is present to distribute and seek approval of change orders regarding the Head Start building in Yreka. The modification is for $2,370.95. It is amendment (1) to 10-C-081. The funding will be coming from Head Start funding that was written for the remodel project.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Dora Bernal seconded to approve amendment (1) to 10-C-081, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Rick then presented amendment (2) to contract 10-C-081 in the amount of $37,735. This amendment is for spending extra funding that was available from renovations and moved to upgrade the playground area and install sprinklers.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve amendment (2) to 10-C-081, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

He went on to present a Head Start bathroom remodel for ADA compliance. It is contract 10-C-109 with Park Young in the amount of $5,812.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Verna Reece seconded to approve contract 10-C-109 with Park Young in the amount of $5,812, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Rick then presented a change order for the contract to 10-C-109 (1) for an additional $4,045.80 for the Happy Camp bathroom remodel because they found dry wall rot when they went to complete repairs.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Dora Bernal seconded to approve amendment (1) to 10-C-109 for $4,045.80, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Rick’s final action item is a pacific power agreement for the installation of a pole that will service the new modular that will house KCDC. They are hoping to be in the building by September.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve 10-A-051, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

2.) Sandi Tripp, Land Department:

Sandi is present to seek approval of her action items for the Tribal Council. She presented an update on change orders to the Anavkaam Construction project. Sandi presented change order (8) to contract 10-C-070 in the amount of $1822.50. She also had change order (9) to the same contract in the amount of $800. Change order (8) is to change out an existing box that had a water valve from plastic to concrete. Also, adding a chain link fence to the pump house.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve the change order (8) to 10-C-070, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

The next action item is change order (9) for $800 is due to additional work on Highway 96, concluding that there clearly be marked painting for legal moving off the highway.

 

Bob commented that Caltrans is mistaken regarding the legality of what they are citing and what they are referring to is incorrect.

 

Florence motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve amendment (9) to 10-C-070, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

3.) April Attebury, Tribal Court Administrator:

April is present to seek approval for her action items. Tanya distributed brochures for approval by Tribal Council that they are hoping to have distributed at the Tribal Reunion.

Florence Conrad motioned and Verna Reece seconded to allow the publication of the brochure, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence also personally thanked April and Tanya for their hard work.

 

For the NCTCC there are two representatives from each Tribe. Florrine and Arch both sit on that coalition and Florrine is on leave. Florrine is unavailable and Arch rarely shows up. He attends for phone conferences and via phone and is available for phone votes but attendance isn’t working so well. The meetings rotate every six weeks and there can be one representative that attends. The next meeting is September 15, 2010 in Eureka. April would like to have another representative of the Council step in.

Consensus: Florence Conrad will cover for Florrine until she returns from leave.

 

April then announced that there was discussion on the office space in Yreka. April was asked to discuss this with TANF and she did. April wants to ensure that she still has approval to have this office space.

Consensus: to allow April to move into the Elders room in the Yreka building.

 

4.) Earl Crosby, Watershed Restoration Coordinator:

Earl is present to review his action items with the Tribal Council. He has an agreement to present for approval. The agreement is 10-A-052 in the amount of $39,720 for heavy equipment rental for road decommissioning in the Camp Creek drainage area.

 

Sonny Davis motioned and Verna Reece seconded to approve agreement 10-A-052, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Earl was contacted by USFS regarding additional work that was needed to be done. The Tribe would get an additional $108,000. The resolution number is 10-R-092 to the USFS and Watershed management.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve 10-R-092, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

5.) Robert (Bob) Goodwin, Self-Governance Coordinator:

Bob is present to distribute a letter to President Obama based on the Tribal Advisory Budget Meeting, regarding funding reductions that are upcoming. The resolution that he had drafted regarding the letter may have changes or variances from the usual resolution and he will be seeking approval of that one time change. The problem is that there is a proposed 7% funding reduction and Bob is hoping to have the resolution and a letter drafted to ask that the Native American funding NOT be cut. In last years Congress they formally made an apology to the Native American community and Tribes but if they aren’t going to acknowledge it then he is hoping to address that in a strong letter from the Karuk Tribe along with the resolution. He will present the final resolution back to the Council at their next Planning Meeting.

Leeon asked about Bob understanding the Trust status issues for the Yreka clinic. Bob would recommend that Dennis discuss this with the Dept of Interior to see if or when Dennis can attend the court process. Leeon and Florence want to let Dennis know right away that this is a priority for the Tribe and the City of Yreka is opposing it and there needs to be some assistance in court. Bob will ask Dennis how much he believes it will take to oppose the City of Yreka’s opposition in court and also to determine the amount of court time Dennis anticipates. Bob will have a conversation with Dennis and report this information back to the Council at their Planning Meeting or if time sensitive then it will be done by phone vote.

 

Requests:

1.) Nikki Hokanson, Happy Camp High School Coach:

Nikki is present to request assistance from the Happy Camp High School. Nikki noted how great the Volleyball Team is this year and noted that the kids need some assistance. The Happy Camp Booster Club is replacing uniforms, but they will not provide additional assistance. Nikki has a niece that can get a 40% discount from her employer, if the team can get enough funding to purchase warm-ups that will be used by the students in volleyball and basketball. The team needs a total of $2,500 which will cover the expenses of the volleyballs, ball cart, and warm ups. Nikki is hoping that the KTHA kid’s sports fee will be paid from KTHA, which is unconfirmed, and then she is asking assistance from the Tribe’s Booster Club for Native American players. She is hoping to get the $2,500 assistance in the form of a loan from the Council, and he would like to have the girl’s complete fundraisers to pay that money back. She wants them to earn the money but having the funding upfront would benefit the team at this time. This will be tabled to Thursday’s Planning Meeting.

 

Committee Reports:

1.) Florence Conrad, Council Member at Large

Florence provided information to on the USFS meeting. Barbara will make copies for the Council boxes. Florence then presented a TANF Code of Ethics that the TANF Staff are going to begin working on for implementation with their staff. Also Florence brought TANF information back for Dora as the other representative.

 

Closed Session:

Due to the complaints and advice of the Ceremonial Leaders the Tribal Council once again, advised Tribal Member #506 that there will be no action until following the ceremonies, and they will not directly be involved in disagreements, separating themselves from political and religious disputes, they will administer the funding for the project, but only support ALL Ceremonial Leaders working together to find a solution that is suitable for the Tribal Members and families.

 

Tribal Member #2408 presented information regarding her husbands care and is asking that the Health Board overturn the provider’s disciplinary action. This was tabled to Thursday for the EDHHS to complete an investigation and present findings back to the Health Board.

 

Consensus: to accept the investigation done on employee # 9543, as done by the Peer Review process.

 

Florence motioned and Dora seconded to uphold the BOC eviction regarding KTHA Tenant #CM, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to deny request from Tribal Member #295.

 

Florence Conrad excused herself from the meeting at 8:39 pm.

 

Consensus: to refer request from Tribal Member #633 to the KCLF Program.

 

The Tribe’s CFO provided an overview of audit findings and has reviewed an action plan with the Tribal Council to reflect bringing findings into compliance, immediately. Verna motioned and Bud seconded to approve the KTHA Corrective Action Plan, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve out of state travel for Laura Mayton to Jersey City, New Jersey September 14-15, 2010, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve the ILMS grant as submitted, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: for the IT Department to seek other options of a laptop for the Election Committee.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve stipend and mileage for two election committee members to have a booth at the Tribal Reunion, 3 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Dora Bernal).

 

Bud Johnson motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve paying a regular Election Day stipend to Tribal Member #399 for work on August 2, 2010, 4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Dora Bernal motioned Bud Johnson seconded to approve contract 10-C-111 between the Karuk Tribe and Kathleen Davis, 3 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Sonny Davis).

 

Consensus: to deny dinner receipt as presented employees that their recent dinner meeting was not authorized and the entire amount shall be deducted from employee # 4687.

 

Dora Bernal motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve three months severance and revision (1) removing item #10 in agreement 10-A-045, 3 haa, 1 puuhara (Verna Reece), 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: for employee # 0506 to review bonding and painting contracts that were approved by the Council to verify compliance.

 

Next Meeting Date: September 9, 2010 at 3pm in Happy Camp, CA.

 

Bud Johnson motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to adjourn meeting at 10:14PM

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

________________________________

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider