SAC AND FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
Special Tribal Council Meeting – November 22, 2019, 9:00 AM
Sac and Fox Tribal Chambers
- Meeting called to order at 9:44 a.m.
- Roll Call
Presiding Officer: Dawson Davenport, Chairman; Drayton Roberts, Vice Chairman; Delonda Pushetonequa, Treasurer; Members: Jarvis Bear, Clinton Bear, Zane Old Bear
Absent: Eric Kapayou
Staff present: Bessie Scott, Oliviah Walker, Tamara Mauskemo, Jay Finch, Bill Thurman, Jacob Molitor,
Tribal members: Francesca Papakee, Derice Argon, Trevor Mauskemo, Jason Jefferson, Korinda Timberwolf, Keith Davenport, Becky Youngbear, Dana Davenport, Lynn Morgan,
Ascertainment of Quorum- A quorum was ascertained with 6 council members present
Tribal Council Issues
Chairman-Dawson Davenport stated the special meeting was called due to a lot of concerns raised along with a lot of things that have been taking place by a councilman. Some of the actions going on are threatening the integrity of our tribal council and it is enabling our ability to govern. He is holding up notice of decisions, he is threatening our tribal employees. He has created a lot of unnecessary tension in the work environment and us as a tribal council. We have been distributed a packet from directors and individuals who have felt threatened by the councilman. They have felt like their jobs have might be in jeopardy. He is continuing to hold up tribal business. As I understand we are all here to move the tribe forward in a positive way. This type of behavior is taking us back and is hindering our ability to move forward and govern the tribe in a good way. I can’t move forward confidently as a council if our decisions aren’t being signed off, if the voices and votes aren’t being heard. It’s unfortunate that we have to be doing this morning. We cannot go on with this type of behavior, a lot of ethics have been violated. He took that oath and he has violated it in my opinion based on the facts.
Jarvis Bear- If you look at the code of conduct you can see access to and use of tribal information. He can access any information that all tribal members can access if he wants more information, he has to get tribal council approval. If you look at threats and intimidation, he has been intimidating our employees. We seen it this morning by threating Oliviah because she would not type something for him, she is not his secretary. He (Eric Kapayou) then said “What are you being insubordinate?” Oliviah stated “that’s not my job” I agree with her, he cannot come in here bossing anyone.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Also 2C job placement, we are not supposed to interfere with employment but he has promised a former employee her job back along with back pay. He also hired an outside counsel to replace the attorney general without any of our knowledge, he did that all on his own.
Dawson Davenport-We also go a letter from an employee staying he was going around saying he was the tribal chairman to get information and writing people as the tribal chairman.
Korinda Timberwolf-Eric came into tribal court on Wednesday right when we opened up at 8:10. He asked me to print out 5 sets of the 24 tribal codes and also tribal court rules. We told him it’s on the website but he stated it was down. So, we did it and told him it was 15cents per copy he said that the 3 sets where for councilmen, him and also his attorney Steve Campbell. We were wrapped up for all day with the printer, we had to wrap them in twine and box them because it was so much copies. It took up all day, we have stuff to do and we are not his secretary. As for the tribal court rules we could do that because it wasn’t that much. When he picked them up on Thursday, he had me sign a paper documenting he picked them up stating the date and time. He also stated not to tell Judge Bear or Judge Johnson but I could tell Judge Plummer. Also, not to tell anyone else that he was there getting that stuff.
Jarvis Bear-Right there he should not be involved with tribal court business we are separate entities; tribal council members can’t go over or do anything there because that’s off limits to us.
Oliviah Walker-I think there’s a reasonable requests and requests that come with disrespect threats and intimidation. This morning he came into my office to ask me to print something off for him that’s fine. He could not figure out how to send the attachment and I needed to get into this meeting. He refused to leave my office. Out here (main lobby area) there were multiple witnesses that seen him being super disrespectful. Like I said we don’t mind doing favors or reasonable requests for people but the way he has been weird and it’s been secretive. It seems as though their paranoia around everything. Everyone has referred him to Tamara, he claims Tamara is a leak and can’t be trusted. He has said that to multiple people. He has asked people at the front desk to print stuff off on letterhead stating he is the chairman and is trying to send it off to federal office, I’m sorry but that is fraud. We are not going to do that for him. Everyone who has been approached with these requests have reported it to executive management and we have reported it to the council.
Dawson Davenport-Again he approached me before the meeting and asked me to sign this request to allow documents and has been coming up to me to sign off on stuff. But I can’t do that.
Oliviah Walker-Again just to add on to that there’s is nothing to hide, if you guys want documents we will provide them to you we just need an agreement from everybody. I know that information was given at the fiscal work session on Monday night that would have covered everything that he is requesting on the side. I don’t know how many other work sessions this week that were scheduled that he didn’t show up to.
Delonda Pushetonequa-2 work sessions and a meeting at the casino he did not show up to.
Bill Thurman-Fiscal’s preference is that council requesting documents would be provided at work sessions so that everyone gets the same rights and access to the information and if you decide you want more details it may be requested at that time and its all documented and in closed form. So that it may not be distributed publicly.
Dawson Davenport-To my understanding we can look at stuff in the office with someone present with no phones/cameras, we can view those documents openly. But to bring that out of here like he was trying to do, where would that information go? Tribal and financial information.
Jarvis Bear-From what I understand he is trying to send it to his own hired lawyer for whatever reason.
Oliviah Walker-It’s our job as executive management that we have a work environment that feels safe and we feel protected, were we feel like you’re not going to lose your job the next day. This whole week as been fear based, we’ve had comments from people at the casino and here that have said if this is the political atmosphere were working in we don’t want to stay. We’re going to completely dismantle our work force to make people not feel confident that they’re not going to have a job the next day that’s a big concern to me. The second is do fact finding, the rumor is going around that Eric came in with a hit list of people he wanted to see terminated. Its very concerning, if you’re here to support the community your reasonable you do fact finding you move forward in the way that’s that up hold the constitution, codes, and bylaws. Not to mention the oath that tribal council took I’m not seeing that happen with him and its very disappointing.
Delonda Pushetonequa-For me at the very least he should be removed as the secretary and the employee liaison. At the most asked to resign because if this an indication on what we’re going to be going on for the next four years that’s not ok, we cannot operate like this it’s only been one week.
Dawson Davenport-Actually it’s only been two days.
Delonda Pushetonequa-That’s what I’m saying he already had a lawyer, promised people jobs, and was already trying to terminate people without tribal council approval.
Jarvis Bear-Or without just cause.
Jarvis Bear motioned to remove Eric Kapayou as employment liaison and secretary. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Other council members did not want to vote.
Clinton Bear-Are we were going to question him before we start that.
Zane Old Bear- Is there is a list of everything he requested?
Delonda Pushetonequa-Yes it’s in the packet you were all distributed at the beginning of this meeting. Dawson stated he also brought a letter in right before the meeting.
Council members started reviewing interactions submitted by employees between themselves and Eric Kapayou.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Right now he’s asking Amy Dye to print a letter on tribal letterhead.
Drayton Roberts-If he came and requested this documentation he would have been given it?
Oliviah Walker-Yes, if he let Tamara know he wanted these documents she would have notified all of council and gave all of council the documents requested.
Tamara Mauskemo-He has not asked me for any of the stuff he is asking other people for.
Delonda Pushetonequa-If he would have come to the work sessions he would have gotten all the stuff he is requesting.
Oliviah Walker-He has been telling people the phones are bugged here and if you have any conversations with anyone to record it. He is approaching everything like there is a big conspiracy and he’s going to be the champion of the people once he roots out people. I’m not trying to say it jokingly; I’m being very serious. I just don’t understand the approach there’s no need to disrespect our staff or to work with all of you to get this stuff done.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Why be sneaky about it?
Oliviah Walker-The big thing that concerns me is him trying to ask someone at the front desk to print something on letterhead saying he is the chairman to a federal office requesting information. Its completely unethical. It’s fraud.
Bessie Scott-That right there could be a criminal act.
Korinda Timerwolf-I was wondering why I couldn’t tell my boss he came in to request that, when it’s open to anyone on the website. He made me feel really uncomfortable as a new hire and if he’s in here why I feel really nervous to say anything.
Delonda Pushetonequa-See that’s not ok. Nobody should feel that way in their workplace.
Dawson Davenport-Especially our tribal members.
Zane Old Bear-And this letter was from yesterday?
Delonda Pushetonequa-The last letter is from Anneka she wrote it today.
Oliviah Walker-It happened yesterday afternoon. Is when he requested that.
Zane Old Bear-So is that when he signed everything?
Delonda Pushetonequa-So that was when he signed the notice of decisions?
Tamara Mauskemo-Yes, after he signed the notice of decisions I grabbed them and left.
Drayton Roberts-And he didn’t agree with all that?
Tamara Mauskemo-Yes, I told him these are the notice of decisions you guys voted on and he said well I don’t agree with them. But you guys voted on them and they were passed. All I do is type up what you guys voted on, I can’t make other decisions. It’s not valid if I did them, I’m just recording what you guys are doing.
Bessie Scott-Shelly Buffalo came in stating she needed the notice of decision because we have the contractors here to start on the driveway. I told her well he hasn’t signed it yet. Shelly stated its going to cost us on a daily basis with their equipment there.
Delonda Pushetonequa-So it’s costing us money for him not to sign the notice of decisions. I don’t know if you guys are ok with that? But I’m not.
Zane Old Bear-What’s the letter to Mark Butterfield?
Bill Thurman-I don’t know what the letter is, he’s having it typed on letter head right now.
Jarvis Bear-Whatever the letter is, he needs to come to the council to get approval to send to any governmental agency.
Zane Old Bear-That’s why I’m asking. Where’s it at?
Delonda Pushentonequa-He gave it to Anneka.
Jacob Moliter-He’s having Amy type it right now. She was disagreeing with different things in it. She is not wanting to get fired so she’s doing it.
Delonda Pushetonequa-So you can go out there and see what letter is typing right now. Right now were sitting here in a council meeting and he’s having someone else write a letter that hasn’t gotten approved by the council. We have no knowledge of what he’s writing or asking for.
Clinton Bear-So if we remove him from that position what do we have to do?
Delonda Pushetonequa-We would just have to remove him from that position and I don’t know if he should be a liaison.
Jarvis Bear-He doesn’t have to be a liaison.
Eric Kapayou entered meeting at 9:52 am
Clinton Bear-I have a question in the thing you wrote (referring to Jacob Molitor) Why did you put me as one of the people you saw in the chambers? I was here after you got here.
Jacob Molitor-I seen a group of people sitting in the chambers and I thought I seen you.
Clinton Bear-Well maybe you need glasses then.
Eric Kapayou-I did not refuse to sign the IT papers I said NOT Yet!
Tamara Mauskemo-That’s fine but you refused to sign the notice of decisions.
Eric Kapayou-I said NOT YET!!
Oliviah Walker-Well it was a refusal in that moment. I was there with Tamara and I saw what happened. He said he was going to come back later around 1-1:30. She called him and he said he was in Williamsburg. Again these notice of decisions have been waiting for 9 days, we are waiting to start on construction we are losing money on this. The decisions have already been made by council. He should have just signed them, no problem. He shouldn’t be questioning them after its been discussed and decided on.
Eric Kapayou-But I signed them.
Tamara Mauskemo-You didn’t want to sign them. You said you wanted more information on them. But they were already decided and voted on. I also asked you to look at the minutes to proof them before the next meeting and you told me no, I don’t have to look at them until the next meeting.
Eric Kapayou-I told you I don’t have to sign them till the next meeting.
Tamara Mauskemo-Ok, I asked you to look at them, then you would see the stuff you voted.
Dawson Davenport-Anymore questions?
Drayton Roberts-So this has to be approved by everyone? Would we be able to call HUD? Could someone call HUD and ask if the information he is saying is true? Or what the report says is true? So everyone could hear it. Because this keeps coming up.
Jarvis Bear-Well we know it’s true. By one individual.
Drayton Roberts-Well everyone in the meeting wants to know what’s going on. Can we call someone?
Tamara Mauskemo-Yes, that’s what we were trying to do last Friday.
Eric Kapayou-This letter is certified we can fax it right now.
Dawson Davenport-Ring them up lets get this settled. Were finding out today. Let ask them this. Right now! Are you going to be happy?
Eric Kapayou-Yup!
Dawson Davenport-Will you stop your behavior?
Eric Kapayou-What behavior?
Dawson Davenport-Threatening our employee’s! Saying your tribal chairmen!
Eric Kapayou-What who said that!!
Dawson Davenport-YOU!
Eric Kapayou-To who?
Dawson Davenport-Quit playing
Eric Kapayou-Resistance!
Jarvis Bear-You’re the only one acting up!
Dawson Davenport-You’re the only one being a fool! There are people in the room scared because of your behavior and your actions! You can’t be threatening people. What’s wrong with you?
Eric Kapayou-Who did I threaten?
Jarvis Bear-Oliviah
Eric Kapayou-I asked her to type me a letter, I had to get Amy to do it!
Oliviah Walker-Then you threatened me with insubordination, you threatened people in the finance office. You’ve been bullying people in IT, the court, finance, and executive. You have not been utilizing Tamara as your tribal council secretary, like we have been requesting you to do. And now you have everybody here you can request the information.
Inaudible
Dawson Davenport-You’ve violated your oath; you’ve been threatening people. We have pages of people that you have threatened and intimidated.
Eric Kapayou-Who did I threaten?
Delonda Pushetonequa-We just said, the employee’s. Your interfering with employment. Threatening to fire people, promising people jobs with back pay, replacing the attorney general, hiring your own attorney.
Inaudible-Bessie Scott-Yesterday you did.
Eric Kapayou-When?
Bessie Scott-On the phone. You called in.
Eric Kapayou-Well I asked you for that information
Bessie Scott-Yes and that’s what I sent to everybody asking if this was coming from you guys as a whole? So we can start gathering all this information.
Eric Kapayou-I did let them know.
Drayton Roberts-Yeah you kept texting us and informing us of what you were doing. But we kept going on with you know… My thing now we had reports last time. We tried to get a HUD person on the phone. I’m not really sure of where the number of 750,000 came from. He was informing us. I’m not going to lie, that he was doing this. But we let him go on. I mean if he believed in all this missing or misplaced money, he was going to do it with or without our support.
Delonda Pushetonequa-That’s the issue.
Drayton Roberts-That’s what I’m saying we have this report, let get someone from HUD. Let’s get this done.
Jarvis Bear-But there’s more than 4 people on the council that need to know what’s going on. I don’t care if you think were compromising or not. You’re the one that compromising.
Eric Kapayou-I’ve only been on for one week.
Jarvis Bear-And look what you’ve done!
Eric Kapayou-What have I done?
Delonda Pushetonequa-You hired your own attorney, you promised people jobs.
Eric Kapayou-inaudible
Delonda Pushetonequa-But you hired him. You were going to put him as the AG on your own.
Eric Kapayou-He’s assisting me. Sorry if I’m one step ahead of you guys every time.
Delonda Pushetonequa-You’re not even including us. That’s the problem you’re going on your own doing this. You’re not the council, you’re not the chairmen.
Eric Kapayou-I’m just trying to get this info.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Then you come to the work session. We had one on Monday you didn’t come.
Eric Kapayou-Who’s supposed to tell me about that? I didn’t know about it. I heard you went Minnesota too, I could have went.
Delonda Pushetonequa-There was a text sent out. There calendar invites.
Jarvis Bear-You should have signed for your phone then
Eric Kapayou-Did you guys go see HUD up there? I would have paid for myself!
Jarvis Bear-Yes it was for the housing authority board.
Delonda Pushetonequa-That was a conference that he signed up for before.
Jarvis Bear-I don’t need to tell you where I go.
Delonda Pushetonequa-But you can’t do that. This has already been investigated and dealt with.
Jarvis Bear-And your still crying around, cause your talking to someone.
Eric Kapayou-There’s 4 new councilmen that wasn’t here when that guy came down for a visit. I’d like to hear what he has to say and what these guys have to say.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Then you could have asked for work session and had that guy come down here to answer all your questions. Instead of doing all this stuff, trying to fire a bunch of people and hire people on your own. You can’t do that!
Jarvis Bear-There’s a reason why you only call 4 of them all the time.
Delonda Pushetonequa-You have to let all of us know. We can all talk about it. We can do work sessions; you can ask those questions.
Jarvis Bear-Instead of trying to use their votes for you hidden agenda.
Delonda Pushetonequa-4 people does not make a quorum.
Eric Kapayou-I let them know. I forward them everything so they know what’s going on.
Jarvis Bear-Who knows?
Eric Kapayou-Them 4.
Jarvis Bear-Were on the council too and you’re not chairman.
Eric Kapayou-I never said I was chairman.
Jarvis Bear-Not what I heard. I heard it two times now.
Eric Kapayou-From who?
Delonda Pushetonequa-You had it on letterhead yesterday to get sent off to Mark Butterfield.
Eric Kapayou-Yeah, it’s right here.
Delonda Pushetonequa-This one was just know typed up. The one you had yesterday said chairman.
Eric Kapayou-Where? I’d like to see that letter.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Why so you can fire that employee? Because she told on you.
Eric Kapayou-No! I’d like to see that letter though.
Delonda Pushetonequa-You were the one that wrote it.
Eric Kapayou-I didn’t write no letter yesterday.
Jarvis Bear-You were trying to.
Eric Kapayou-This is the first time. Amy typed this for me.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Yeah just now you made her. Ask your secretary she here for you.
Oliviah Walker-And you asked someone yesterday to type it up for you.
Jarvis Bear-Amy’s not here for you.
Eric Kapayou-I don’t know how to do this stuff, put it on letterhead.
Jarvis Bear-Its written up right there, who did that for you?
Eric Kapayou-I told you Amy just did this for me. Amy Kapayou.
Delonda Pushetonequa-Why is she doing that for you? That’s not her job.
Eric Kapayou-I asked Oliviah to do it and she wouldn’t. Is that insubordination?
Delonda Pushetonequa-Why are you telling people to do stuff for you? That’s not their jobs.
Jarvis Bear-Right here is your secretary! That’s her position.
Oliviah Walker-He was in my office he asked me to print off copies of whatever. He could not get the attachments off the email. But they were a handful of forwards from other people that revised letters for him. So he didn’t write it himself.
Conference call made to Mark Butterfield.
Tamara Mauskemo-This is Tamara from the Sac and Fox tribe we are here during an actual council meeting. I’m not sure what this council member is trying to request so I am going to put him on the phone.
Eric Kapayou-I am a tribal councilman and the tribal council secretary and I have a letter that I wrote for you. I was trying to send it to you but I’ll read it to you. Dear Mr. Butterfield I am a tribal council member for at the Meskwaki Nation. I am writing you as I have some concerns about the Meskwaki Housing Authority. I have received information from community members and former staff about a very large draw down of 750,000 was made. I’m not sure of the exact date of the draw down. I understand this draw down set off a red flag from HUD and HUD started calling the tribe stating this draw down needed to be replaced immediately. My understanding is that the money wasn’t replaced for over two months and 550,000 was replaced and not 775,000. HUD asked where the rest of the money is and was told they were remodeling with the 200,000. I’m asking you to send a rep in this position for the draw down and any communication with the tribe and any other ongoing investigating reports. And I understand ICWA did investigate this matter. I would like emails from HUD, staff letters and other media communication. I also want to know if the tribe is facing any disallowance cost from this incidence are there any disallowed costs in the past 10 years? Inaudible. Has ?? be receiving any documentation from Meskwaki Housing like yearly IHD and maintence inspection reports? A former staff said that in March 2019 HUD was given a corrective letter of these findings. Have these 27 findings been satisfied? I would like to know when the last HUD site visit was done. If you have any questions, please call me at 641-481-0424. Sincerely Eric Kapayou.
Mark Butterfield-Inaudible. I’ll go through your request point by point. There is a response sent to Avis Bear on September 23 and it summarizes what we found and what we request. Some of the findings have been corrected. Some things still need to be done. As far as what you are asking about the 750,000 withdrawal, there was. HUD money only lets you drawl down money that you need to pay bills that you have and expenses that are justified. It was requested back. The request was 750 three times more then what you normally get. Inaudible. It was questioned why such a large amount was needed at that time. All but 250 was deposited back into the account, that was going to be used for the program to rehabilitate the apartments. Inaudible. Mary White is here in my office she has been working with the tribe on these findings.
Mary White-Last Friday a warning letter went out about the findings that didn’t get closed. Inaudible.
Mark Buttefield-If you don’t have a letter of the findings we can send another so you have something to work with. Inaudible.
Mary White-They were submitted on time but there were still a few corrections needed. That’s what we were are working on is how to get those corrected.
Bill Thurman-My apologies Mary I thought those have already been submitted. I will make sure those get submitted today.
Mary White-I understand (inaudible) we just need to get those corrections made, it’s just a matter of rewording it.
Mark Butterfield-The other question about the audit. The Meskwaki Tribe is below our thresh hold for a mandated audit which is 750,000. Inaudible. So the grant is under our thresh hold. Mr. Kapayou? We don’t have an audit because it’s under our thresh hold.
Tamara Mauskemo-Are you done?
Eric Kapayou-Yup.
Tamara Mauskemo-Ok, thank you Mark.
Mary White-Would you like me to send this report to you?
Eric Kapayou-Yes
Mark Butterfeild-Whats your email address?
Eric Kapayou-Send it to Jay Finch please.
Ended conference call with Mark Butterflied and Mary White.
Jarvis Bear-There you go what now? We only put back 550 because they let us keep the rest.
Bill Thurman-Yes there were expenses that had occurred. 750 was drawn down and 525 was returned two months later. You have operating expenses you have all these things that occurred during that time fund. This has been looked at 3 different ways. You had a strong audit done on this, you had an officer from HUD, you had an FBI investigation that’s been closed. I mean what do we want to kind of wind this down?
Eric Kapayou-I request the report Saunsoci wrote. I’d like to see that and I think the other guys would like to see that also.
Jay Finch-I don’t have that here. I don’t have a copy. Housing Authority might have a copy. The FBI has been concluded that there was no misappropriation of federal funds and they talked about with the US attorney office. We haven’t gotten an official letter.
Jarvis Bear-Right there that’s the source.
Dawson Davenport-Do you guys have any questions?
Drayton Roberts-I think; myself he should have came to everyone first. If we could have all just approved it and we all could have laid it out. Instead of you know, going through all of this. To me from other peoples points of views I don’t like that he’s threatening them, that he’s bullying them. There is some stuff in here that says he is raising his voice from not only one but multiple people.
Eric Kapayou-Only one I raised my voice to is Mr. AG here.
Drayton Roberts-That’s another thing we shouldn’t be raising our voices.
Jay Finch-I’m used to getting yelled at. Just kidding, yes we had a discussion.
Drayton Roberts-Anyways as I was interrupted. We shouldn’t have our workers coming in here being nervous like she said. Now she’s scared she don’t know what’s going to happen. Outside of council or in the community there is a lot of yelling in here all the time. And there shouldn’t be yelling in here from any of us. We should be able to talk to each other. I don’t agree with his actions myself. This could have went a different way. We did have a work session and he wasn’t there. You know we went through that. We was able to ask questions. I was able to ask my questions. That’s all I really have to say.
Clinton Bear-I don’t care too much about this HUD crap. I just want to get this over with.
Dawson Davenport-You got your answers though. Your concerns?
Zane Old Bear-Yeah I got my answers on Monday during the work session.
Dawson Davenport-So were done?
Jarvis Bear-My motion is still out there.
Dawson Davenport-We have a motion on the floor. You guys had your opportunity to discuss it and hear from multiple sources. Yet again. So we have a motion.
Delonda Pushetonequa-I already seconded it.
Clinton Bear-It was to remove him from secretary and employee liaison?
Delonda Pushetonequa-Yes.
Item
Motion made by Jarvis Bear to remove Eric Kapayou as Tribal Council Secretary and removed from employment liaison. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 1 no (Eric Kapayou). Motion carried.
Dawson Davenport-At this time I would like to let you know that you cannot be talking to these people anymore Shelly Saunsoci or Steve Cambell. You do not operate as the tribal council solely. Any communication will bring this back and ask you to resign from the council.
Eric Kapayou-I’ll just let the people know I’ll probably resign from the council maybe tomorrow.
Jarvis Bear-We accept.
Eric Kapayou-I took it as far as I could.
Tamara Mauskemo-So resignation starting tomorrow?
Eric Kapayou-Possibly!
Lynn Morgan-What’s bugging you?
Eric Kapayou-That there’s a process you need to follow and I was wondering where all the paper work for that was. That should have been submitted the day they took out that money.
Lynn Morgan-From HUD?
Eric Kapayou-Yup. Government money.
Lynn Morgan-But I thought that guy said it got returned expect 250,000?
Eric Kapayou-Yeah who has to pay for that Jay?
Jay Finch-Who has to pay for what?
Eric Kapayou-The 250,000. Does it come out of the tribes general account?
Clinton Bear-Isn’t that left over? We get to keep that right?
Eric Kapayou-Ain’t there a recall for the 250,00 short?
Oliviah Walker-They let us keep that for expenses.
Eric Kapayou-You have to have documentation for that. How come that wasn’t submitted for HUD the moment you drew it down?
Bill Thurman-There is a process there. Housing Authority has the authorization, I don’t have the authorization to draw down funds. Inaudible. The 750,000 was drawn down on February 2018. 525,000 was returned in May. The other funds were spent through HUD activities.
Eric Kapayou-Do you have documentation for that?
Bill Thurman-Yes we do, again it’s been reviewed by an external auditor, it was reviewed by HUD after that, and it’s been reviewed by the FBI. So you have 3 external sources to review all of this.
Eric Kapayou-I would like to know why FBI agents visited Ms. Saunsoci and Scheid. What do you guys know about that?
Bessie Scott-They are the ones that called them.
Jay Finch-She was terminated. So the FBI opened up an investigation. My understanding was that they came here. I didn’t know that they interviewed Scheid. But they came here for Janice in IT because they were asking for certain records. I found out about that I notified them and said look you don’t have to issue any subpoena or search warrants we will cooperate fully whatever you guys need and if you need to interview people just tell me who you want and we will set it up you can use the conference room. Then you can come in and knock people off you list of interviewing. What had happened was the FBI agent he eventually retired and became the chief of police. There was period were there was a lapse in the investigation and they hired a new guy and brought him in from California. He of course hit the ground running and so I talked to him maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago and said hey, is there an issue? What’s going on? Didn’t hear anything back until yesterday he confirmed he had met with the US attorney’s office in Cedar Rapids and they considered the matter closed and there were no federal funds they were concerned about.
Drayton Roberts-So it was really closed from the past FBI agent?
Jacob Molitor-There really wasn’t a lapse in the investigation it was done before and the communication just wasn’t there. Basically to the tribe saying this is not preceding. There was no crime here.
Lynn Morgan-So you basically saying it’s all resolved?
Bill Thurman-Yes, there was an audit with findings that are previously open. Some policies are outdated. The director position needs filled. There is one item with question in cost and its one that goes back some time. It’s believed that that number is going to come down substantially. Most of it is closed out with no additional cost to families. The other issues is ineligible families. We are working on justifying that. That’s what we are working on now.
Eric Kapayou-I have a question about Saunsoci. She has a letter that was omit her complaints? Did you guys let her speak? She has an audio of Mr. Bill here threatening her?
Jarvis Bear-We watched it, the tribal council reviewed it there was nothing.
Eric Kapayou-She has audio. I’d like to hear the audio.
Dawson Davenport-Illegal audio? She illegally recorded the council members?
Eric Kapayou-It’s on video I guess. I heard she submitted a complaint and Azadeh wouldn’t do it.
Jarvis Bear-Council reviewed it. It was up to the council and we looked at it.
Eric Kapayou-She worked here for 3 weeks and got fired. Why was she only here for 3 weeks?
Jarvis Bear-There are reasons why.
Eric Kapayou-I know she’s worked in HUD for 27 something years.
Jarvis Bear-That doesn’t mean she has a good attitude.
Eric Kapayou- I didn’t say anything about her attitude.
Jarvis Bear-Exactly, there were other reasons she got fired.
Eric Kapayou-I’d like to see that report. That you guys wouldn’t let her send.
Jarvis Bear-She submitted both of them.
Eric Kapayou-Well I’d like to see it.
Bill Thurman-I can get you a copy on Monday and the original draft monitoring report. And the report that everything has been closed out.
Eric Kapayou-I’d like fact finding on Mr. Scheid and Sauncosi
Jarvis Bear-About what?
Eric Kapayou-What happened here, whats going on.
Jarvis Bear-They just told you.
Eric Kapayou-You guys took out her statement. Why’d you take out her statement?
Jarvis Bear-Why you worried about her so much?
Eric Kapayou-I want to know her statement on the matter. If she was fired wrongfully.
Jarvis Bear-She wasn’t. Tribal council did it.
Dawson Davenport-You should have been at the work session.
Eric Kapayou-I want to see that report, I want to see her copy.
Dawson Davenport-I want to know your relationship with her. Since you so defiant and defensive of her. Why are you promising her a job? Well if she was fired wrongfully.
Oliviah Walker-You can’t do that.
Inaudible
Jarvis Bear Motioned to appoint Tamara Mauskemo as tribal council secretary non voting. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 0n no. (Eric did not vote) Motion carried.
- Adjourn
Motion made by Jarvis Bear to adjourn. Delonda Pushetonequa seconded. Vote: 5 yes, 1 no (Eric Kapayou). Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m.