Tribal Council Emergency Special Meeting – March 16, 2020

SAC AND FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA

Tribal Council Emergency Special Meeting – March 16, 2020

Sac and Fox Tribal Chambers

Code Section 1-3105 Emergency Public Tribal Council Meeting (b) (3).

  1. Special Emergency Meeting called to order at 3:24 p.m. due to the COVID-19.
  2. Roll Call

Presiding Officer:  Judith Bender, Chairwoman

Tribal Council present:  Drayton Roberts, Vice-Chairman; Delonda Pushetonequa, Treasurer; Clinton Bear, Jarvis Bear; Zane Oldbear; Vern Jefferson

Staff present: JoAnn Youngbear, Interim Executive Director; Rudy Papakee, Health Clinic Director; Jay Finch, Attorney General; Lowella Balderas, Interim Tribal Secretary

  1. Ascertainment of Quorum – A quorum was ascertained with 7 council members present.
  2. The Chairman called emergency special meeting March 16, 2020 to discuss the coronavirus and does the Tribal Council agree to hold the meeting. It was unanimously agreed by all tribal council members present to hold the special emergency meeting.
  3. JoAnn Youngbear, Interim Executive Director, presented Senior Center closure and food home deliveries for our elders that will take place for 4 (four) weeks. Announcements will be made through media and mail

Motion made by Delonda Pushetonequa for home deliveries only for the Seniors Services and closing the Senior Center to seniors.  Clinton Bear seconded. Vote: 6 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.

  1. Casino Closure-Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel will be closed for business on Tuesday, March 17th at 12 am (midnight) due to the coronavirus. It was agreed by all Tribal Council members and management of Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel to close the casino for 4 (four) weeks.

Motion by Jarvis Bear to close casino except for essential staff on March 16, 2020 at midnight and have all employees paid and to re-evaluate next week on March 25, 2020, due to coronavirus.  Clinton Bear seconded.  Vote:6 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried. 

  1. Meskwaki Travel Plaza will remain open-this will be re-visited on March 25, 2020.
  1. Meskwaki Settlement School-The school is on spring break this week and will remain closed for the next 3(three)weeks. Willie Barney has a plan set already and will notify staff.

Motion by Jarvis Bear to close Meskwaki Settlement School for 3 (three) additional weeks after spring break, paid leave for employees, also providing lunch for MSS students and STC studenst who are tribal members and descendants.  Delonda Pushetonequa seconded.  Vote: 6 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

  1. Any meetings scheduled that have over 25 people will be cancelled, guidelines by CDC will be followed.

Motion by Delonda Pushetonequa to reschedule the casino meeting that was scheduled for March 17, 2020.  Drayton Roberts seconded.  Vote: 6 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

  1. Tribal Ops will be closed and will be re-evaluated on March 25, 2020.

Motion by Jarvis Bear to close Tribal Operations except for essential staff for 2 (two) weeks to be re-evaluated on March 25, 2020.  All employees will be on paid leave beginning March 18, 2020.  Vern Jefferson seconded.  Vote: 6 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

  1. Discussions-Suggesting made to have Facilities clean office buildings. Press release will be done to notify the community.  Memo to Dirk Whitebreast to have food left over from Casino to be delivered to Seniors or MSS.
  2. Adjournment

Motion made by Jarvis Bear to adjourn.  Drayton Roberts seconded. Vote: 6 yes, 0 no. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.