May 19, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
3
Grand Meadows manufactured
home subdivision update
There are still misunderstandings about Grand Meadows, so we hope that the fol
lowing information will help clarify certain issues for tribal members.
First, the Tribe and the Housing Authority are following the Strategic Plan and the
Housing Plan and are on schedule with the development of Grand Meadows and the
HUD-funded rental housing for Elders. The other new tribal buildings such as the
Wellness Center and the Administration Center are on a separate schedule and do not
impact the housing development.
No homes may be placed on the Grand Meadows site until the land is in trust. The
interest rate for the mortgages will be determined when the land has completed the
process of going from fee status to trust status (June), and we can proceed with the
ordering of homes, lease agreement, appraisals, and finally the loan closing approxi
mately three to four weeks thereafter. The interest rate will be determined based on
the market rate after more of these steps are completed, and we are working to obtain
these loans below the market rate.
The lease rate for Grand Meadows will be $200 per month. The term will be 25
years plus a 25 year automatic renewal. This amount includes water, sewer and
garbage service (approximately $75 per month at this time), and the land lease ($125
per month to cover common area maintenance, repairs and landscaping, insurance,
management expenses and replacement reserves). This lease rate is below other
developments of this type, and it will remain stable over the entire term of the lease,
in spite of rising utility and other costs.
The Tribe has committed approximately one million dollars to construct this 37-lot
subdivision and landscape the common areas. This is approximately $27,000 per lot,
and the Tribe will not recover these costs from the residents. This is a substantial
contribution to an individual homeownership situation. In addition, some tribal mem
bers going into the development were on the waiting list for the Tribe's Down Pay
ment Assistance program, and will be receiving a $ 10,000 down payment.
Tribal residents of Grand Meadows will not pay any property taxes, and they will
not have to pay state income tax if they work on the Tribe's reservation.
The "park package" is a term used to describe the site improvements and other
necessary work to complete the set-up of the homes so they are ready for occupancy.
These items include a permanent foundation, utility connections, gutters, driveway,
sidewalk, steps or decks, and landscaping. The cost of this package will vary de
pending upon the individual lot requirements and the resident's desires for "extras"
regarding the quality or size of improvements. The mortgage company requires that
a licensed contractor do the work. Current construction estimates from contractors
are approximately $15,000 for a typical double wide home. Costs will be higher for
triple wides, extensive landscaping, garages, etc. This cost is a typical homeowner
expense, and can be financed through the mortgage. These improvements and the
value of the land will be considered in the appraised value. If the home is sold, the
seller will recover the value of these improvements.
The total monthly payment for a resident with a $50,000 mortgage (which includes
the park package costs) plus the $200 lease payment would be $584 at a worst case of
8.5 interest, or $567 at 8 interest. For a $65,000 mortgage, the total monthly
payment would be $700 (8.5) or $677 (8).
There have been requests that Tribal Council pay for the residents' park package
improvements. The Council continues to be united in'its belief that it would be unfair
to the general membership to provide individual financial assistance to the residents
in addition to the funds already spent on the development. This development was
designed to provide affordable housing, not low-cost housing for low income house
holds. Affordability is defined as paying no more than 30 of gross income for
housing costs. Applicants who have been approved for financing are within this
guideline. Another measure of affordability is the cost in comparison to other com
parable housing in the market, and comparable housing is significantly more expen
sive due to property taxes and the cost of land. The Housing Authority will be devel
oping housing that will meet the needs of low income tribal members in the coming
years, beginning with the HUD-funded rental units for Elders which will be designed
this year.
Life Flight,
continued from front page
The Spirit Mountain Community Fund was formed this year under a historic gaming
compact between the State of Oregon and the Grand Ronde Tribe. The Tribe annually
contributes 6 of its net profits from the Casino to the Community Fund, which will be
used as grants for community projects in eleven Oregon counties. The estimated amount
for the Spirit Mountain Community Fund in 1997 is $2 million.
Members of the Community Fund Board of Trustees include Kathryn Harrison, Tribal
Council Chair; Ed Pearsall, Grand Ronde Tribal Council Secretary; Leon "Chip" Tom,
Grand Ronde Tribal Council member; Chuck Galford, Marketing Director for Spirit Moun
tain Casino; Oregon State Senator Kate Brown; Polk County Commissioner Ron Dodge;
and Portland-area busincsspcrson and civic leader Sho Dozono.
General meeting,
In addition to nominations, Cheryle
Kennedy and Health and Human Services
(HHS) staff gave a program report for
HHS. Cheryle spoke about the Health and
Wellness Center and said that announce
ments for positions including a pharmacist,
psychologist, and clerical job openings
have been sent out.
Bonnie Tom, Wellness Coordinator, an
nounced that a new Elders' Outreach Ad
vocate has been hired Jill Jcffers and
that Darlene Aaron has been hired to take
over Jill's old job in the Wellness Compo
nent. As Elders' Outreach Advocate, Jill
will travel around and visit Elders, ask them
what the Tribe can do to better assist them
with their needs, plan activities, and serve
as a representative between the Elders and
the Tribe.
Gene Kompkoff, an engineer working on
the Tribe's clinic project, said that it is
scheduled to open October 7, three weeks
ahead of schedule. The clinic will have
eight medical exam rooms, six dental exam
continued from front page
rooms, fifiecn counseling rooms, a treatment
room, a four conference areas. Gene and
architect Frank Whelan presented drawings
of the clinic, and explained the design, which
is in the shape of a medicine wheel.
Patti Tom-Martin announced the cutoff
date for the memory bricks that will be part
of the entrance of the clinic. (See front page
for details.) Memory brick orders will be
accepted until May 27. Mary Brickcll, Bill
ing Specialist, encouraged tribal members
to complete ODS health information forms
they received in the mail and send them back
to ODS in the envelope provided.
Bruce Thomas gave a Spirit Mountain
Gaming update, and said that the hotel con
struction should begin this summer, after it
is formally approved by Tribal Council. The
new games (roulette, Pai Gow, Let It Ride)
are all doing well. It will be a few more
weeks before crap games begin.
Door prize drawings were won by Dick
Gaston, Charlotte Gray, and Girol Nelson ($50
each). Jill Jcffers won the $ 100 drawing.
Willamina High School Class of '47
announces 50th reunion
August 15 and 16 there will be reunion gatherings for the Class of 1947. A no-host
banquet will be held at Spirit Mountain Casino beginning at 6:30 p.m. on August 15, and a
potluck picnic will be held in Grand Ronde on the 1 6th. Everyone will gather at the Alva
Doc Foiirtner Covered Bridge at 28630 Ackerson Road. It is suggested that folks with last
names beginning with A-K bring chicken or a main dish item to share, and folks with L-Z
names should bring a salad or side dish. Please bring lawn chairs if possible. For more
information, call 843-2244 or 876-3 124.
If you have recently moved or plan on moving, let us know so you won't miss a
I
einnla iceim of vnnr f aunritA nnuusnannr. Smnka Sinnafc is availahla tn nnvnnn at nn
v...a.v .www w . , i i t -
cost. Just fill out this form with your name and address, then mail it back to Smoke
Signals, Attn: Kim Mueller, 961 5 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347. I
E-Mail us via Internet tracynewsmacnet.com or kimnewsmacnet.com I
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