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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2022)
sNok signflz NOVEMBER 1, 2022 5 Grant may fund 10 electric vehicle charging units on Tribal campus By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Tribal Council approved applying for a U.S. Department of Energy grant during its Wednesday, Oct. 26 meeting that, if received, would fund the installation of 10 electric vehicle charging stations on the Tribal campus over a five-year period. The federal grid resiliency grant would allow the Tribe to purchase two charging units a year. The solar-powered units are standalone and do not require infrastructure or utilities to serve them, according to the staff execu- tive summary. In addition, they can also provide backup power during power outages. According to the manufacturer, Beam Global of San Diego, the units are already in use by Google, New York City and in the state of California. The current unit price is approximately $65,000 each. Tribal Council member Kathleen George said during the Tuesday, Oct. 25, Legislative Action Commit- tee hearing that she is “excited” to see the Tribe investing in electric vehicle charging technology. She added that Spirit Mountain Casino also will be investing in electric vehicle charging stations to help make the technology widespread throughout the state of Oregon and also in rural areas such as Grand Ronde. In other action, Tribal Council: • Re-appointed Lori Sterling and Kalene Contreras as alternates to the Election Board with terms expiring in March 2024; • Appointed Flicka Lucero to the Enrollment Committee with a term expiring in March 2024; • Approved the Housing Depart- ment purchasing two properties in Grand Meadows that are HUD Section 184-guaranteed proper- ties at the discounted rate of $10 per property. The owners have defaulted on their loans and the lenders have assigned the loans to the Housing and Urban Devel- opment Department; • Approved the Housing Depart- ment purchasing new housing management software from Yardi based in Santa Barbara, Calif., for approximately $25,000; • Approved the purchase of the 12.36-acre Lynn Freeman prop- erty at 28075 McPherson Road. Tribal Council OK’d a purchase price of $265,000 during its Sept. 7 meeting; • And approved Tribal Court Chief Judge Patrick Melendy signing a memorandum of understanding with the Tribal, State and Fed- eral Court Forum that has been updated to include the federal court as a member and allows the forum to hold more than one meeting annually. The original Tribal and State Court Forum was created in 2016 when the Oregon Justice Department and nine federally recognized Tribes in the state signed a memoran- executive session brief- ing from Finance Officer Chris Leno regarding next year’s draft budget. The meeting will be hy- brid on Zoom and with in-person attendance al- lowed in Tribal Council Chambers. Also included in the Oct. 26 Tribal Council packet were two approved authorizations to proceed that appointed Tribal Council member Bren- da Tuomi to the Spirit Mountain Community Fund Board of Trustees through September 2023 and approved applying Contributed photo for a $500,000 grant from Tribal Council approved applying for a federal the Oregon Department Department of Energy grant that, if received, of Education’s Office of would fund the eventual placement of 10 solar- Equity, Diversity and In- clusion to fund expanded power electric vehicle charging stations on the Tribal campus over the next five years during its capacity and services in the Tribe’s Youth Enrich- Wednesday, Oct. 26, meeting. ment Program. To watch the entire meeting, visit dum of understanding. the Tribal government’s website Tribal Council also approved the at www.grandronde.org and click agenda for the 11 a.m. Sunday, on the Government tab and then Nov. 6, General Council meeting, Videos. which will feature the traditional We want to hear from you! The Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center Comment Box is located at the entrance of the Health & Wellness Center, next to the drinking fountain. Share your experience, good or bad with us! Baker Technical Institute Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Heavy Equipment Operator Training This course is for participants who want to train on Dozers, Wheel Loaders, Excavators, and more. Students will learn, both in our high tech CAT Simulator mobile classroom and in the field, running equipment side by side with our experienced instructors. This training will prepare you for a great career! SAFETY CHECK • • • • • Get help installing a car seat or booster seat from a certified child passenger safety technician. Find the right car seat or booster seat for your child’s weight, height, and age. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/carseatclinic1122 3-week course - some type of construction experience is preferred Must be 18 years of age and enrolled in the TERO skills pool Must sign a contractual agreement that you will complete the course A valid driver’s license is required Some travel is required Course Dates and Times: Simulated Training - Tribal Campus November 7-18, 2022 7:30-4:30 Monday-Thursday, 7:30-Noon Friday (No training on Veterans Day) Land Lab - Knife River Outdoor Arena, 35973 Kennel Rd SE, Albany December 12-16, 2022 7:30-4:30 Monday-Thursday, 7:30-Noon Friday Register for training by calling 503-879-2188 or email tero@grandronde.org •A Different Kind of Education•