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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2005)
4 NOVEMBER 1, 2005 Smoke Signals Wednesday, September 28, 2005 5 p.m. Meeting was called to order by Tribal Council Chairwoman, Cheryle Kennedy. A quorum was present. Present was Angie Blackwell, Jack Giffen, Jr., Cheryle A. Kennedy, Reyn Leno, Chris Mercier, Jan D. Reibach, Wink Soderberg, Kathleen Tom and Wesley "Buddy" West. Invocation was done by Wesley "Buddy" West. PREVIOUS MINUTES APPROVEAMEND Reyn Leno moved, Jack Giffen, Jr. seconded to approve the Septem ber 14, 2005, Tribal Council regular meeting minutes as presented. Mo tion carried 8-0-0. NEW BUSINESS LEGISLATrVE ACTION COMMITTEE Compensation of SMGI's Marketing Director. Jan D. Reibach moved, Angie Blackwell seconded to adopt Resolution No. 151-05 ap proving the merit salary increase and contract terms recommended by the Spirit Mountain Gaming, Inc.'s Board of Directors for Sharon Farrell, SMGI Marketing Director. Discussion followed. Motion carried 7-0-1. Reyn Leno abstained. Tribal Investment Accounts Signature Authorization. Jack Giffen, Jr. moved, Reyn Leno seconded to adopt Resolution No. 152 05 updating the Tribal Council members and officers authorized signa tures on the Tribal investment accounts. Discussion followed. Motion carried 6-0-2. Angie Blackwell and Chris Mercier abstained. H Tribe's UBS Bank USA Line of Credit Transaction Signature Authorization. Wink Soderberg moved, Wesley "Buddy" West seconded to adopt Resolution No. 153-05 updating the authorized signatures for the Tribe's UBS Bank USA Line of Credit Transactions. Motion car ried 6-0-2. Angie Blackwell and Chris Mercier abstained. Family Preservation and Support Services Grant Application. Reyn Leno moved, Wesley "Buddy" West seconded to adopt Resolution No. 154-05 approving the application for the Family Preservation and Support Services Grant to the Oregon Commission on Children and Fami lies on the amount of $8,600 in order to provide Tribal families with in home support services and pre-placement preventative services. Discussion followed. Motion carried 8-0-0. B General Council Meeting October 9, 2005, Agenda Items a. Program Report b. Door Prizes $250 (1 at $100 and 3 at $50) Reyn Leno moved, Angie Blackwell seconded to adopt a motion approv ing the General Council Meeting October 9, 2005, agenda items as pre sented. Discussion followed. Motion carried 8-0-0. ANNOUNCEMENTS (Council members attending... Listed in BoldItalics) The University of Oregon extends an invitation to the Tribe to help the University to welcome Wilma Mankiller as the 25th occupant of the Wayne Morse Chair of Law and Politics beginning during the fall quar ter, 2005. Event: On November 10, 2005, the University is hosting a program on Women in Tribal and Community Leadership with a roundtable discus sion. RSVP requested. Angie Blackwell, Cheryle Kennedy and Kathleen Tom. National Indian Gaming Association Mid-Year Membership meeting is scheduled for November 14-15, 2005, in Hollywood, Florida. Registration(s), lodging(s), and airline arrangements need to be made. Angie Blackwell and Jack Giffen, Jr. NOTICES On Veteran's Day, Friday, November 11, the National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial extends an invitation to send a Veteran or a Tribal representative to participate in a flag ceremony for the grand open ing of the Destination: the Pacific signature event. The event to be held at the Historic Parade Grounds at Fort Stevens State Park in Warrenton, Oregon. RSVP requested. On Saturday, November 12 the public is invited to the grand opening ceremony for the Lewis & Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition opening at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon. Cheryle Kennedy plana to attend, if schedule permits. Upcoming Events in Grand Ronde Grand Ronde Restoration Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, Novem ber 20, 2005. Meal schedule to be served from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Spirit Mountain Casino in the Bingo Hall with Grand Entry to follow at 3 p.m. For more information, please contact Dakota Whitecloud 1-800-422-0232 ext. 1309 or Jackie Provost at 503-879-7724. OTHER BUSINESS Councilwoman Kennedy stated that the council was aware of a flyer had been distributed warning Tribal members that council planned to decrease the Elder pension plan, Per Capita payment, and the supple mental disability payments to Tribal members. Chairwoman Kennedy reported that the council has not even discussed the 2006 Calendar Bud get and has not made any decision or discussed decreasing those benefits. The Chairwoman further announced that the Finance division is compil ing departmental information for council's review of the budget, which is scheduled to begin October 13, 2005. On November 6, 2005, the General Membership will be presented a budget hearing on the proposed 2006 Cal endar budget. A comment period will follow until December 15, 2005. Council will then decide on the proposed budget or consider amending same. Council Vice-Chair Blackwell reaffirmed that no one has discussed or suggested changes. Council member West shared comments that the flyer was circulated without a signature of the drafter. Marcia Bolton 1187 asked the Council about: A rumor that council has plans to severely reduce the amount of this year's per capita payment, reduce the Elders pension, and the elimination of the supplemental dis ability payments to Tribal members. Discussion followed. What council planned to do about Lila Musso 4873, Ms. Bolton's daughter, who has not received funding for medical needs related to her injury. Health Di rector Michael Watkins, Physician James Wilbur and General Manager Cliff Adams met on September 15, 2005 to consider available options for Ms. Musso. Inquiries have been made but, no financial assistance has been received by the family at this time per Ms. Bolton. Valorie Sheker-Robertson 2236: Asked for authorization to act on behalf of the Royalty Special Event Board in fundraising activities. By full consensus of Council authorization was given. Asked for ap proval for the Royalty Special Event Board and 200506 Queens to travel out-of-state attending a pow-wow held at the Tacoma Dome over the 2nd weekend of October. Funds are available within the Board's budget. Wesley "Buddy" West moved, and Reyn Leno seconded to adopt a motion authorizing the out-of-state travel as presented. Mo tion carried 8-0-0. Asked for permission to set up a meeting between Tribal Council and members of the Royalty Special Event Board to clarify the expectations of the 200506 Royalty Court and Board mem bers. By consensus of council, Ms. Sheker-Robertson was directed to contact Lauri Smith to set up an appointment. Asked why the Elders were unable to travel in the newly purchased bus this past week. Discussion followed. Vice Chair Cherie Butler of the Elders Commit tee stated that only eight (8) of the original twenty (20) traveled. Therefore, the Elders' decided to take the smaller van. Then shared her thoughts on the rumor regarding reducing the Per Capita, etc. Karen Plunges 1117: Stated that neither of the Haller or Gleason families drafted the letter circulated regarding the reducing of Per Capita, etc. Stated that there is service favoritism to some families in Tribal pro grams. Asked that the council review the fairness of funding usage, in particular, with the Education program. Thanked the members who of fered prayers for her daughter stationed in IRAQ, who is scheduled to be home in a month. Betty Bly 3544: Inquired whether council member Chris Mercier was recording the meeting for placement on the web. Discussion fol lowed. Council member Mercier stated that Tribal Council meetings are open to the public and therefore open for recording purposes. Inquired as to whether Dr. Wilbur James had received authorization and fund ing to travel to Louisiana to aid in disaster medical relief. Chairwoman Kennedy advised that the council had donated $15,000. Council mem ber Jack Giffen, Jr. stated that Dr. James is currently in Louisiana dis tributing diphtheriatetanus shots. Asked when Spirit Mountain Gaming, Inc. will be giving a report to the General membership. Gen eral Manager Adams proposed contacting the General Manager Randy Dugger for an update to be given at the October General Council meet ing. Shared her comments about the rumor on reducing the Elders' Pen sion. Ms. Bly suggested that the Elder's pension should be adjusted with any cost of living given to employees, also. B Lottie Child 1695 stated that employees of Spirit Mountain Casino have not received a cost of living adjustment. Merit recognition to non directors is a certificate only. She then asked the council to consider amending casino employee incentives for their work efforts. B Angella McCallister 2793: Thanked the council for the benefits re ceived. Asked that the council take a more active involvement over needs andor policies against Tribal members. Asked that there be no posting of letters regarding Tribal business posted within the clinic. B Joseph Plunges spouse of Karen Plunges 1117 spoke to comments made by council member Mercier on the web. Discussion followed. Coun cil member Blackwell stated this had been addressed in Tribal Court, with the case dismissed. fl Pam McDaniel 2579: Asked whether Tribal members, who are tak ing classes on the Grand Ronde campus, could have meals provided. Chair woman Kennedy asked the General Manager to look into the possibility of providing a meal for students. Stated that she has chosen not to apply for any open positions at Spirit Mountain Casino due to the handling of Tribal members. B June Sell-Sherer 735 asked whether all the positions had been filled on the Ethical Standards Ad-Hoc Committee. Chairwoman Kennedy ACTIONS continued on page 5
