SAC AND FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
Tribal Council Meeting – February 21, 2018, 5:00 PM
Sac and Fox Tribal Chambers
Meeting called to order at 5:13 p.m.
Roll Call
Presiding Officer: Anthony Waseskuk, Chairman
Tribal Council present: Adrian Pushetonequa, Vice-Chairman; Delonda Pushetonequa, Treasurer; Troy Wanatee, Jarvis Bear; Harvey Davenport Jr.
Absent: Gerald Sanache
Staff present: Bessie Scott, Interim Executive Director; Nakomis Maher, Deputy Executive Director; Jay Finch, Attorney General; Bill Thurman, Comptroller; Allison Stewart, Executive Assistant/Tribal Council Secretary; Jessica Bear, Tribal Court; Jeff Schrock, Police Chief; Azadeh Tavakoli, Human Resources Director; Dirk White Breast and Jon Papakee, MBCH Managers
Tribal Members: Jerod Pushetonequa, Christina Black Cloud
Visitors: Maurice Johnson
Ascertainment of Quorum – A quorum was ascertained with six Tribal council members present.
Agenda approval
The Chairman asked for any changes or additions to the agenda. Motion made by Adrian Pushetonequa to approve the agenda as presented. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Minutes – January 31, 2018
Harvey Davenport commented that he didn’t say he was going to attend RES, he said he would inform us later in the week if he would attend and would like that part amended. Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa to approve the minutes for January 8, 2018 with Harvey Davenport’s correction. Troy Wanatee seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Reports – none
Old Business – none
New Business
Gerald Sanache Resignation
Gerald Sanache submitted his resignation from the Tribal Council on February 15, 2018. Motion made by Harvey Davenport Jr. to accept Gerald Sanache’s resignation and to order the Election Committee to hold the Special Election. Jarvis Bear seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Housing Policies & Procedures Amendments Approval
Jarvis Bear said there needs to be some changes in the Realty section of the policies as well as the Housing section. Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa to table the Housing Policies & Procedures for further discussion during a work session. Troy Wanatee seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Associate Judge Appointment
Chief Judge Jessica Bear presented a recommendation for a replacement Associate Judge to fill a vacancy. Pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 3, Sec. 5-2301 (a), the Tribal Court shall be comprised of at least three Judges for a four year term. This position has changed from part-time to full-time out of the necessity of the court cases. Motion made by Harvey Davenport Jr. to accept the recommendation of the Chief Justice Buffalo and Chief Judge Bear. Harvey Davenport Jr. rescinded his motion.
Motion made by Jarvis Bear to go into executive session. Harvey Davenport Jr. seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Meeting went into executive session at 5:49 p.m. Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa to come out of executive session. Jarvis Bear seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Meeting came out of executive session at 5:57 p.m.
Motion made by Harvey Davenport Jr. to approve the recommendation from Chief Justice Buffalo and Chief Judge Bear to hire Maurice Johnson as an Associate Judge. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Election Committee Chairperson Appointment (Not on the Agenda)
The Election Committee does not have a Chair and one needs to be appointed. Motion made by Jarvis Bear to appoint Christina Black Cloud as the Election Committee Chairperson. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Blue Stone Strategy Group Approval
The group will be conducting a survey within the community and make suggestions for land use and potential businesses that may be established. Motion by Jarvis Bear to approve the contract with Blue Stone Strategy Group. Adrian Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel Scholarship Program Approval
Jon Papakee presented a proposal for casino sponsored scholarships where the casino would cover the cost per semester for four students, two Meskwaki High School students, one South Tama High School student and one Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel Employee team member with at least 10 years of continuous service and a graduating senior. A scholarship committee will be established and consist of six department directors with oversight of general management who will administer the award. The award will be $1,500 per semester for each student limited to an accredited 4-year school or accredited 2-year vocational technical school. The Awards Committee will ensure that the criteria for each applicant is met and each award recipient meets the criteria while in their higher education institution. Motion made by Jarvis Bear to approve Tribal Resolution 2-2018 Creation of the MBCH Scholarship Program. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
MBCH Management Contracts Approval (Executive Session)
Discussed during executive session, no action taken.
MNPD
International K-9 Approval
Jeff Schrock is requesting to restart the K9 program and purchase replacement K9 after having to let the handler go and the dog would not work with anyone except the handler it trained with. The cost for replacement is $12,000 which includes the cost of handler training. The costs is allocated in the department’s 2018 budget. Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa to approve the purchase of a replacement K-9 in the amount of $12,000. Adrian Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Motion made by Jarvis Bear to go into executive session. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Meeting came out of executive session at 6:27 pm. Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa to come out of executive session. Adrian Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Meeting came out of executive session at 7:50 pm.
Additional Police Officer for MBCH Approval
Motion made by Adrian Pushetonequa to approve hiring an additional Police Officer to be on duty at the MBCH. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried. Jarvis Bear would like to set up a rotation schedule at the casino so all officers are kept abreast of situations.
Meskwaki Clinic Pharmacy Expansion 3rd Party Billing Approval
Rudy Papakee is requesting to expand the pharmacy to allow for more room for equipment and supply and to provide privacy for consulting with patients. He is also requesting to utilize 3rd party revenue for the cost of the project. Rudy will bring back the estimated project costs for approval before beginning the project. Motion made by Harvey Davenport to approve the Pharmacy project and to utilize 3rd Party Billing to cover the costs. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
Attorney General Matters (Executive Session)
Motion made by Jarvis Bear to table the Attorney General matter. Jarvis Bear rescinded his motion. No action taken.
EMTs on the Meskwaki Settlement (not on the agenda)
Jerod Pushetonequa is requesting authorization to establish Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) on the Meskwaki Settlement and is asking the Tribal Council for authorization. He will need a license for the agency, a medical bag and other equipment. Jeff Schrock and Jerod Pushetonequa will meet with Prairie Island Tribe who has already set up and EMT program to ask for their assistant in setting up the program. They will get policies and as much information as possible to provide a proposal to the council.
Adjourn
Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa to adjourn. Troy Wanatee seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.