Minutes: April 30, 2019

SAC AND FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA

Tribal Council Meeting – April 30, 2019, 5:00 PM

Sac and Fox Tribal Chambers

  1. Meeting called to order at 5:02 p.m.
  2. Roll Call

Presiding Officer:  Anthony Waseskuk, Chairman

Tribal Council present:  Adrian Pushetonequa, Vice-Chairman; Delonda Pushetonequa, Treasurer; Troy Wanatee; Apollo Davenport; (Jarvis Bear arrived two minutes into the meeting).

Absent:  none

Staff present:  Bessie Scott, Executive Director; Jay Finch, Attorney General; Oliviah Walker, Deputy Executive Director; Yolanda Pushetonequa, Tribal Council Non-Voting Secretary and Executive Assistant.

Visitors: Matt Bear, Shoshonis Brown, Leigh Lasley, Allison Lasley, David Wanatee, Marjorie Buffalo.

  1. Ascertainment of Quorum – A quorum was ascertained with 5 council members present.

Jarvis Bear entered at 5:04 p.m.

  1. Agenda approval

The Chairman asked for any changes or additions to the agenda. One item was accidentally omitted. A community member request is inserted as “Item D.” Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa to approve the agenda. Apollo Davenport seconded. Vote: 6 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

  1. Minutes – April 5, 2019

Motion made by Apollo Davenport to approve the minutes for April 5, 2019. Adrian Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

  1. Reports – none
  2. New Business
    1. David Wanatee – Request to Reorganize Meskwaki Annual Powwow Association

David Wanatee explains that no volunteers have stepped up to take the lead as Chair of the Meskwaki Annual Powwow Committed after Christina Blackcloud’s recent resignation. He said there is a need for more community members on MAPA. There are currently 4 members on the powwow committee, but he cannot be in the chair at this time. Meetings are the first Monday every month. Anthony Waseskuk stated that we will put out a call for volunteers to serve as the MAPA president. David also states that there is a need for having a second signatory person as a back up on the checking account just in case he is unable to conduct business. Anthony Waseskuk states he will serve as the secondary alternate signature.

  1. Marjorie Buffalo – Election Committee Interested Persons

Marjorie reports that Tamela Davenport and Harlan Brown are interested in being on the committee. She has a letter from Harlan and Tamela informed her verbally. She feels this is urgent since there are two vacancies and there is a special elections process underway. Yolanda Pushetonequa provides an update on Election Committee communications. Avis Bear Bass, a committee member, informed Yolanda that an election committee meeting has been set for May 2 and the committee will be meeting regarding the special election. Marjorie states the sooner the two vacancies on the election committee can be filled, the sooner there can be quorums more easily met.

Motion by Delonda Pushetonequa to appoint Harlan Brown and Tamela Davenport to the Election Committee. Troy Wanatee seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

They will be sworn in tomorrow, May 1, at 12:00 p.m.

  1. Matt Bear Request – Incident at MSS and Concern About Board

Matt presents a timeline regarding incidents involving a student at the Meskwaki Settlement School. Matt reports that on April 25, 2019 one of his children was the recipient of mistreatment by a staff member. Matt states that the child was pinched on the arm and pushed by a staff member on three occasions. Solutions were discussed by the school and the family, and the main goal is to have the student(s) finish the school year. He said he asked what the policy is regarding physical handling of students and the response was that there is zero tolerance for corporal punishment at the school. The Superintendent had informed the family there would be an investigation and they’d be provided a copy of the investigation. Matt reads from the child welfare code and the definition of a delinquent child. The Behavior Specialist’s report included from the child, “my teacher is mean to me.” Matt stated he looked for school policies but could not find any and referred to some older school board policies. He highlighted the responsibilities of the school, personnel, the evaluation of the Superintendent, duties of the principal. He stated that earlier in the day of discussions with the school, there was an agreement to remove the teacher, but later that day it was decided by the school that the teacher would not be removed. Matt stated that he did not receive communications and response from the school at the time of his letter to the Council, but just about 90 minutes prior to his attendance at today’s meeting, he did receive a letter.

Matt is requesting to have the Teacher Aid removed from the elementary building due to the fears that his child experiences when being near the staff member; and he is requesting reinstatement of the school board for the 2020 school year. Matt stated there needs to be more parent and community engagement in the school and we lost that when the school board was eliminated.

Anthony Waseskuk, states that the reinstatement of the school board has been discussed and he feels it is important to consider it now. Apollo Davenport says it’s an important issue and we need to consider the reinstatement of a school board. Due to the scope of the needs of the school it would be good to have a school board. Shoshonis Brown asks if the Council was informed of an accusation of child abuse. They stated they received some information about this from Human Resources.

Motion by Apollo Davenport to limit Luann Lawrence’s duties to just the High School side of the school pending further investigation. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

  1. Leigh Lasley Request

Motion by Delonda Pushetonequa to enter Executive Session at 5:58 p.m. Seconded by Apollo Davenport. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion passed.

Motion by Delonda Pushetonequa to exit Executive Session at 6:09 p.m. Seconded by Adrian Pushetonequa. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion passed.

  1. Housing

Oliviah Walker, Deputy Executive Director, states that the Housing Policies and Procedures are ready for adoption. She asked if any community members here today have comments. Leigh Lasley asks if the proposed minimum income requirement will be posted for a public comment period. Discussion takes place on how to get policies approved but allow for comments. Allison Lasley asks if the policies could be approved today without that section and then post just the new financial requirements portion for public comment. The issue of protection of financial records is brought up. Jay Finch states we should probably put some language in about how the financial information will be safeguarded.

Motion by Apollo Davenport to approve the revised Housing Policies not including section 3-1 (c) and to have the section 3-1 (c) posted for public comment for 30 days. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 3 yes, 2 no. Motion carried.

Motion by Apollo Davenport to approve Resolution 11-2019 To Authorize and Approve the Meskwaki Housing Program Policies and Procedures Manual & Changes to Title 16. Property Article II Assignment of Tribal Land. Seconded by Delonda Pushetonequa. Vote: 3 yes, 2 no. Motion passed.

Motion by Delonda Pushetonequa to lift the Housing moratorium. Seconded by Troy Wanatee. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion passed.

Delonda Pushetonequa exited the meeting at 6:49 pm.

  1. Human Resources – MNPD Issue

Motion by Jarvis Bear to enter Executive Session at 6:59 pm. Apollo Davenport seconded. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

Motion by Apollo Davenport to exit Executive Session at 8:19 p.m. Jarvis Bear seconds at 8:35 p.m. vote: 4 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

Motion by Jarvis Bear to approve the new wage scale for MNPD with minor revisions discussed. Seconded by Apollo Davenport. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

Jarvis requests to have a work session set up between the MBCH General Managers and the Gaming Commission soon within the next two weeks in the evening time.

  1. Media Release – FEMA Funding

Bessie Scott reads the proposed media release regarding the President’s approval of a declaration of disaster assistance.

Motion by Jarvis Bear to approve the Press Release regarding FEMA. Adrian Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

  1. Attorney General Matters

 

  1. Resolution 12-2019 Resolution to Request Law Enforcement Assistance from BIA

A meeting was held today with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to request that they provide support for additional officers. Troy Wanatee requests to specify that resolution include the language that tribal laws are enforced.

Motion by Jarvis Bear to approve Resolution 12-2019 Resolution to Request Law Enforcement Assistance from Bureau of Indian Affairs as amended. Troy Wanatee seconded. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

  1. Resolution 13-2019 Authorizing the Tribal Chairman to Waive Sovereignty for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.

MBCH has had a longstanding relationship and a master agreement has been in placed with Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. The master agreement was renegotiated recently and Aristocrat is requesting the ability arbitrate thus needs a limited waiver of sovereign immunity.

Motion by Apollo Davenport to approve Resolution 13-2019 Authorizing the Tribal Chairman to Waive Sovereignty for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Jarvis Bear seconded. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

Jay Finch reports he got a call from Alex Schuman from KCCI who wants to do a story on sovereignty and the 1948 issues. Jay suggests allowing this coverage as it might be a good idea to educate. Tom Jochum should be included.

After May 29th day time work sessions will be possible. 10:00 to 1:00 will be the target for summer time work sessions.

Next meeting is set for: May 15th at 5:00pm.

  1. Adjourn

Motion made by Apollo Davenport to adjourn. Jarvis Bear seconded. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.