Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2022)
12 MAY 1, 2022 Smoke Signals 64 first-quarter employees account for 796 years of service By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer Although large indoor gather- ings are still not occurring at the Grand Ronde Tribe because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that hasn’t stopped the Human Resources De- partment from honoring employees on a quarterly basis for their em- ployment longevity with the Tribe. First-quarter honorees hired in either January, February or March were led by Procurement Assistant Kelly Leno, who reached 32 years of service to the Tribe. Records Administrator Kim Mueller and Gaming Commission Licensing Manager Julia Papen were honored for 27 and 26 years of employment, respectively. Other employees notching 20 or more years of employment with the Tribe include Health & Wellness Billing Supervisor Sunni Ulestad, 24 years; Purchased and Referred Care Supervisor Melody Baker, 23 years; Employee Relations Manag- er David DeHart and Compensa- tion/HRIS Specialist Becky Mode, 22 years each; Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Angela Sears, 21 years; and Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight, Information Systems Web Administrator Wil- liam Mercier and Tribal Attorney’s Office Manager/Paralegal Kerrina Mishler, 20 years each. Employees with five or more years of service are honored quar- terly. In non-pandemic times, staff receives a breakfast in the Tribal gym and General Manager David Fullerton reads off the list of names and employees receive a check, handshakes and occasional hugs Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals file photo Records Administrator Kim Mueller receives a hug from Tribal Council member Denise Harvey after being recognized for 24 years of service during the Employee Service Awards event held in the Tribal gym in April 2019. This year, the Tribe recognized 64 first-quarter employees for a combined 796 years of service, and Mueller reached 27 years of service to the Tribe. from Tribal Council members. Other Tribal employees honored included: 19 years: Higher Education Program Coordinator Joshua Clift. 18 years: Social Services’ Port- land Area Office Tribal Services Representative Lisa Archuleta and Early Head Start Family Educator Shawn Bobb. 16 years: Full-Charge Bookkeep- er Debra Nolen and Employment Specialist Toni Mercier. 15 years: Spirit Mountain Ca- sino Employment Specialist Jessy Powley. 14 years: Health Information Supervisor/Privacy Officer Desiree Allen, Natural Resources Con- struction Supervisor Bart Bryant, Dental Assistant Rachel Clark, En- NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS These Notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural require- ments for activities to be undertaken by The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (CTGR) Engineering and Planning Department. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about April 22, 2022, the CTGR will submit a request to HUD for the release of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG B18SR410530) funds under Title I of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, to undertake a project known as Language Education Building Project, for the purpose of constructing a new 6,642-square-foot, one-story school building, and an open and largely flat vacant lot. The new build- ing, comprised of six classrooms, an administrative office area with break room, restrooms and other support areas, entry and circulation space. The work will also include excavation, site grading and site utility connections to existing utility lines in the street. Other site improvements include a new 13-space, asphalt paved parking lot with approach drives, as well as associated concrete curbs, sidewalks, and storm drainage. Landscaping of the area around the new building, parking lot and street-side medians and adjoining areas is also included. Location (Address): 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 Estimated Total Cost: $3,448,000 Grant Amount: $500,000 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The CTGR has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact State- ment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Assessment (EA) on file at the Public Works Department, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR, 97347 and may be examined or copied weekdays (8) A.M. to (5) P.M. The EA will be available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to: Ryan Webb, Engineering and Planning Manager The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde OR 97347 U.S. mail requests must be postmarked no later than May 10, 2022, to meet the Request for Release of Funds date of May 10, 2022, reporting date rollment Officer Nick LaBonte, Day Shift Housekeeper Rosie Saldivas, Gaming Commission Compliance Analyst Tyrell Soderberg and Nat- ural Resources Senior Administra- tive Assistant Michele Volz. 13 years: Purchased/Referred Care Health Care Specialist Kayla Leno, Groundskeeper Joseph Gram- mer and Hydrosystem Compliance Specialist Lawrence Schwabe. 12 years: Shipping and Receiv- ing Clerk Seth Mercier and Rental Housing Coordinator Leon Ramos. 11 years: Employee Relations Specialist Sean Barton, Chinuk Immersion Preschool Assistant Ha- lona Butler, Employment Program Manager Michael Herrin, 477/ Employment & Training Specialist Khani Schultz and Dental Hygien- ist Erin Muchmore. 10 years: Gaming Inspector Dal- ton Robertson, Historic Preserva- tion Manager Briece Edwards and Young Child Wellness Project Man- ager Alexandria Warren-Masters. 9 years: 477/Employment & Training Specialist Tiny Gibbons, Child Abuse Investigator Shauna Hastings, Adult Foster Care Care- giver Brianna Leno, Risk Analyst Patricia Mercier, Vocational Reha- bilitation Administrative Assistant Angella Schultz and Swing Shift Housekeeper Sean Sell. 8 years: Tribal Police Officer Tyler Brown, Groundskeeper Joseph Kel- ley, Chinuk K-5 Immersion Teacher Jade Colton, Adult Foster Care Caregiver Pearline Metzker, Web Specialist Jordan Smith and Dental Secretary Whitney VanArsdel. 7 years: Tribal Police Officer Rod McAllister, Community Health Driver Stephanie King, Post-Ele- mentary Chinuk Wawa Teacher & Outreach Coordinator Zoey Hols- claw and Housing Administrative Assistant Lacy Leno. 6 years: Staff Accountant Sheree- na Bates, Emergency Management Assistant Brandy Bishop, Nurse Jeannette Cavan, Senior Help Desk Technician Mark Donahoo, Spirit Mountain Community Fund Grants Coordinator Jim Holmes and K-12 Enrichment Coordinator Washie Squetimkin-Anquoe. 5 years: Instructional Assistant Joshua Biery, Employee Relations Coordinator Jeri St. Onge, Health & Wellness Clinic physician Randy Blome, Tribal Police Officer Kalim Mercier and Teacher Aide/Bus Monitor Shawna Freeman. Additionally, the EA will be available via a file sharing link by e-mail- ing Ryan Webb at Ryan.Webb@grandronde.org. Please place “Request to Review EA” in the e-mail subject line. An e-mail reply will follow with a link to the file sharing website. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any interested agencies, groups or persons disagreeing with the decisions are invited to submit e-mail comments to Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and to Tom.Carney@hud.gov. This publication is in response to the COVID-19 National Disaster, and we are publishing under the Emergency Provision at 24 CFR 58.33 which allows Tribes to publish the combined Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (FONSI/NOI-RROF) simultaneously with the submission of the RROF to HUD. The funds are needed on an emergency basis due to a de- clared disaster. All comments received by May 10, 2022, will be considered by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and HUD prior to the release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. RELEASE OF FUNDS The CTGR certifies to HUD that Cheryle A. Kennedy in her capacity as Tribal Council Chairwoman consents to accept the jurisdiction of the federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s acceptance of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and allows the CTGR to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde certification for a period of 18 days during the simultaneous comment period under the emergency provision of 24 CFR Part 58.33. Objections may be submitted to HUD on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; (b) the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be submitted to the HUD-designated e-mail address: Tom.Carney@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.