Karuk Tribe
Council Meeting Minutes
December 18, 2008
Happy Camp,
The meeting was called to order at 2:14 PM by Leeon
Hillman, Treasurer.
Roll Call
Arch Super, Chairman – via
telephone
Florrine Super, Secretary –
via telephone
Leeon Hillman, Treasurer
Florence Conrad, Member –
arrived at 2:33 pm
Roy Arwood, Member
Robert Goodwin, Member
Alvis Johnson, Member – via
telephone
Verna Reece, Member
Absent
Leaf Hillman, Vice Chairman –
excused
Approval of the Agenda for December 18, 2008
Robert Goodwin moved and Verna
Reece seconded to approve the Agenda for December 18, 2008. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Approval of the Minutes for November 20, 2008
Robert Goodwin moved and
Verna Reece seconded to approve the Minutes for November 20, 2008. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Closed Session from 2:18 pm to 2:39 pm.
1) Chuck
Sutcliffe
Chuck is present to address
the Council and request permission to be able to cut some of the madrone at the
Ranch to use for firewood; Fred forwarded him to the Tribal Council for permission. Bob states their intention was to distribute
the wood through the LIAP Program for the low income community members. The Tribal Council would like to keep the
wood at the Ranch for distribution through that program.
There was a brief discussion
regarding who would be in charge of ensuring the wood is distributed and does
not go to waste. They need to work with Robert Attebery on that.
Chuck also states that
someone stole Sue Hillman’s wood from her driveway a couple of weeks ago and he
wondered if the Tribe could help with that; he states that the Church delivered
her a load of wood to her home and Leeon thanked them for that.
2) Scott Quinn
Scott is present to
distribute several items for their discussion; there is an MOA and a BIA Lease;
BIA is requesting changes and he has sent it back to them and it will not be ready
for approval until next month. The only
item ready for approval is the MOA to enter into the Lease. The MOA is between the Karuk Tribe and the
They would be leasing the
land to them for 25 years and there is assurance in the document that if they
uphold their end of the lease for the term, then it would be renewed as they
need assurance that their occupancy there is long term and secure so that they
can obtain financial support from a bank.
Bob feels that assurance that
at least one voting Council Member will be allowed to sit on the Arts Council Board
should be included in the Lease as an assurance that they have participation in
their governing body actions.
Laura was called in to
discuss her concerns with the agreement.
She states that she wanted to reiterate the ramifications of obligating
that land to them for 25 years which will limit their possibilities for use of
that land. They cannot exit out of the
lease without purchasing the building that is constructed which could be a
substantial amount of money.
Another thought Laura had was
for them to construct their facility on the land downtown where the community
park is being located at this time for another location. They feel that is too small for what they
want the facility to be. The other
property in town is too expensive.
Bob does not believe that
having this facility will hurt them as long as they still have a say in what
goes on at the property. Bob clarified
how the in-kind in exchange for the lease payments would work for the Tribe. Laura states the in-kind value would likely
be the fair market value that they can use from the Tribe as leverage to assist
them with seeking grant funds.
The hope is that the
agreement helps both sides, they have to consider the fact that there may be
differences which arise as membership or leadership of the
Alan Crocket and Mike Hentz
were present on behalf of the
The aspects included in the
site plan are a ceramic/sculpture studio, residences, digital media/photography
center, children’s work area, café/kitchen, gallery/bookstore/administration
space, conference/banquet/library/performance movement arts center, shared
cabins, courtyard and outdoor seating area, sculpture garden and outdoor
classroom, teaching meadow, herb garden, native plant gardens, kitchen gardens,
parking and a second phase including additional artists cabins.
Scott presented them with a
copy of the most current MOA for their consideration; he will be requesting
Tribal Council approval of that document.
Alan states they are very happy with the agreement and how it is worded
and how solid it makes the agreement. He
sees what a great potential this activity has for the community and the area
for everyone; he is very excited to see it happen and how the collaboration can
work.
Bob asked if Katy had
submitted any conceptual drawings to them about what the buildings would look
like. Mike states that they have been
very cautious with expenditures of their architectural dollars to spend them as
wisely as she can; until they had a site and solid agreement, she has not moved
into that phase of design.
There was discussion
regarding the small cabins and what those will look like and what types of
lodging will be available. Some are very
simple, small only accessible by foot-trails.
The others are nicer accommodations for artist and performers who stay
at the facility and the rental fees will be commensurate with each of the types
of lodging. Scott states it is similar
to the cabins at Sandy Bar Ranch for those who visit and come there for
presentations/workshops/etc. The cabins
would be building projects to learn how to build a round-wood facility while
constructing a piece of the facility and gathering the materials by thinning
the forest above that site as well.
The Board has not had a full
discussion on these site plans and there are things missing that will need to
be changed on the plan.
Alvis suggests that Scott talk
to Dion about if they need to enact a Commercial Business Ordinance for the
Tribe prior to beginning this relationship.
Laura asked if this will be a commercial business or a non-profit. It is better to look into it first before
getting too far into it. Mike states
that there are many things that need to be done and hoops they must go through
to make this a reality but this is an excellent first step in the right
direction.
Laura states that this is a
very generous of the Tribe and in the past the Council has always been very
generous and at the time groups are very nice and appreciative at the time but
then down the road, they are not as agreeable.
She hopes that in the future everyone is still as happy as they are now
and that everyone continues to work together.
Alan states that he hopes they will be happier in the future and that
the open communication continues.
Agreement number 09-M-009 has
been assigned to the MOA agreeing that they will enter into the BIA Lease once
that document is finalized. It includes
some additional items that cannot be included in the Business Lease. Laura asked if since this agreement will
continue on for such an extended time period they should have an attorney
review the document to make sure they get what they want out of it. Bob feels that attorney review is not
necessary; they should be able to word it to include everything they want such
as being able to use the facility for gatherings such as Tribal events for
basket-weaving and cultural demonstrations.
Currently it only says they will be able to use it for the same reasons
as other community members.
One governing ability they
have is that they will adhere to all Ordinances enacted by the Tribe which can
cover everything from noise to occupancy.
Bob feels that having a Council Member on their Board will continue to
allow them to have input as well.
There needs to be language in
the BIA Lease that if they dis-band the organization it reverts to the Tribe as
well as if they wanted to sell it must go to the Tribe because of the Trust
status of the land.
Roy Arwood moved and
Scott’s next item is the
Residential Lease for the Ranch with Tribal Member #1861. It was not included with his report; he made
copies. The number assigned to the lease
is 09-RL-01. Erin and Laura have signed
off and all concerns have been addressed in the document. Bob asked if the land is specifically
described with GPS points to designate the location. Resolution 08-R-137 has been assigned; they
would like to reduce the size to ¼ acre rather than 2 acres. He has the coordinates specifically indicated
and will make the adjustments. Bob
suggests a ½ acre.
Roy Arwood moved and
Robert Goodwin seconded to approve Resolution 08-R-137 authorizing Residential
Lease 09-RL-01 for ½ acre at the Ranch.
6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (
He has one more item which is
a request to approve Agreement 09-A-005 with the Humboldt County Association of
Governments (HCAOG) in the amount of $25,000 to authorize a third party
agreement to allow for funds to be made available for project study reports
associated with proposed projects related to realignment and shoulder expansion
projects on Red Cap Road in Orleans.
Erin and Laura have signed off on the agreement.
Robert Goodwin moved and Alvis Johnson seconded to approve Agreement
09-A-005. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0
pupitihara.
Scott states there is a
Caltrans Auction on 1/10/2009 and he thinks he may be able to get a loader for
$15,000 to $20,000 and it could come from Ishpook Leasing if it were that low
of an amount. Leeon states he needs to
advertise that they are selling the rock by the yard to the public.
Bob states they need to have
a different process for rock that is being delivered so that the customer does
not have to drive out to the Ranch with their ticket; it is suggested that Pam
could call the Ranch and tell them how much is supposed to be delivered and
where they need to take it.
Scott would like to go down
to the auction and have authorization for up to $20,000 to purchase a loader if
he can get one. The Maintenance
Department wants to be involved in the purchase. Fred or John would travel with him.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Roy Arwood seconded to authorize travel to
3a) Jim Berry
Written report only, no
action items.
4) Sami
Difuntorum
Sami states that she has been
working on the upcoming stimulus package which will be signed in January by
Obama for energy projects. She provided
them an update on what is going on with that.
She distributed a copy of the memorandum regarding physical
infrastructure and the proposed federal stimulus package for their review. It was drafted by Paul Moorehead to the
National American Indian Housing Council.
Projects that will be funded
must be NEPA ready with environmental work already done; you are only allowed 125
days to start work and the project must be finished within one year. These will be competitive grants and the
applicants will need to be ready to go.
Scott submitted a couple, Sami submitted some for Housing. They do not want submissions from individual
Tribes they need to be submitted through the process outlined. Healthcare facilities may be a possibility
and infrastructure projects as well.
Projects that will create jobs are their priority.
Sami states the expansion of
the Happy Camp Complex is NEPA ready and could be submitted; rehabilitation on
the Yreka Head Start Building, possibly the Happy Camp Parking Lot
project. Another possibility is
retrofitting homes through the current NAHASDA funding formula which would be beneficial;
966 million would be authorized which is more than their base funding meaning
the Tribe would be eligible for close to 1 or 2 million dollars in one time
funds for Housing which would be wonderful for them.
Sami states that 9 of the 10
Tribes have signed onto the MOA for the Housing funding formula change. She has forwarded information to them
regarding what will happen if Siletz does not sign the agreement and the
California Tribes de-link causing them to lose money under either
scenario. She hopes they agree to sign
the MOA but has not heard back at this point.
5) Robert
Attebery
Robert is present to review
his written report and let them know how he is settling into the office and
getting organized in his new position.
There are three LIAP requests
for their consideration totaling $544.01 as they have spent their December
discretionary dollars from the Committee.
The LIAP Committee has done a phone vote to present this to the Council.
Consensus: To deny both requests.
Verna Reece moved and
Robert Goodwin seconded to approve Robert’s report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
6) Dion Wood
Dion is present to address
the Council.
He states they are working
toward updating their TERO Ordinance to preserve sovereignty and protect their
workforce in the future so that there are Tribal laws for the staff not only
policies. He provided them drafts to
review and then discuss in the future.
With their permission he would begin working with the TERO Commission to
have a draft by January for the Council to review.
He had one seat available on
the TERO Commission and received three letters; Dave Nelson has since resigned
and so he is requesting permission to re-appoint Dolores Voyles and then select
one of the other two individuals to fill Dave’s vacancy. The TERO Commission recommends re-appointment
of Dolores Voyles and Babbie Peterson.
Arch feels they should re-advertise for two more weeks to seek an Yreka
individual for that vacant seat which Dave left since he lived in Yreka. Dion would like to have Dolores re-appointed
today and then re-advertise for an Yreka representative if the Council would
like to do that.
Verna Reece moved and
Dion updated them on the remainder
of the items in his report. Another item
is regarding the travel outlook for TERO and Childcare and remaining involved
in advocacy for his program; there is at least one meeting each month. He does not plan to attend them all. He is requesting travel to
Verna Reece moved and
Robert Goodwin seconded to approve travel to Seattle, WA, January 20-22, 2009
for Dion Wood. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0
pupitihara.
Robert Goodwin moved and
7) Ruth Rouvier
Ruth has three procurement
requests for approval to fulfill her grant deliverables. There will be five of each item purchased to
be used by the Master/Apprentice teams including a laptop, video camera, and
audio recorders.
The laptops are from Capitol
Business Machines in the amount of $7,020; the video cameras are from B&H
Photo Video Pro Audio in the amount of $1,995; and the audio recorders are from
B&H Photo Video Pro Audio in the amount of $2,944.75. All purchases are from the Language Program
Grant.
Robert Goodwin moved and
She has one more item which
is that the deadline for the teams is tomorrow and she would like a Council
Member to participate in the selection of the teams next week if possible on
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 when Susan is in Happy Camp. Alvis,
Sara will email Council about
that review on Tuesday once she gets a time from Ruth.
Verna Reece moved and Arch
Super seconded to approve Ruth’s report.
4 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
8) Laura Mayton
Laura requested permission to
close an account that has a balance of less than $25 and has for many years at
Scott Valley Bank. She needs two
signatures on the closure authorization for the bank.
Consensus: To close the inactive account at Scott Valley
Bank and transfer the balance to the main account.
Another request is regarding
the CATG conference call fees and coding them to discretionary. Shouldn’t those be paid from the membership
fees received from the group members?
The costs are nearly $150/call.
Arch states there is a meeting in January for the group;
Robert Goodwin moved and
9) Hester
Dillon
Hester has two action items.
The first is approval of a
grant to the Cheney Foundation for the
Robert Goodwin moved and
Verna Reece seconded to approve Resolution 08-R-118. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Her second action item is approval
of an invoice for the radio attorney number 398-000 in the amount of $746.89;
Verna asked for an update on the radio project and what that means and what
their plans are. Hester gave her a brief
history of the application process and where they are at.
Robert Goodwin moved and Roy
Arwood seconded to approve payment of the invoice. 6 haa, 1 puuhara (
She also went over
informational items that she has been working on as well. One of them is average tuition costs for
sending students to college; she distributed a spreadsheet with this
information to them for review.
Another item is an annual
summary for their review regarding grant applications submitted from May 2006
to Present and their status.
10) Remaining
Reports
Hector Garcia, Earl Crosby,
Jennifer Goodwin, Erin Hillman, Dave Wrobleski, TJ Day, Fred Burcell, and Sara
Spence’s written reports were all included in the packets. They all contain no action items for approval
tonight.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Closed session from 5:37 pm to 6:45 pm.
Consensus: Tribal Member #2257 was referred to Indian
Health Service for assistance with septic and water assistance, including
additional information regarding the need for a fast response. They were also referred to Eddie Davenport to
determine if refinance loans are a possibility through the Karuk Community Loan
Fund.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Arch reminded Employee #5541
that all travel outside of
Robert Goodwin moved
and
Consensus: For Arch and Leaf to become more involved in
Self Governance matters until the position is filled. Alvis states he will help as well if
necessary.
Medical/dental assistance
cases presented by Arch Super will be forwarded to CHS for handling through
their process.
Consensus: For Robert
Attebery to continue research on the request for assistance from Tribal Member
#949.
Consensus: Not to
compensate TANF employees for hours not worked due to being sent home early.
Consensus: To deny the request from Tribal Member #2851
to utilize Tribal vehicle.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Florence Conrad moved and
Arch Super seconded to authorize travel for Florrine Super and Roy Arwood to
Sacramento, January 22, 2009 for CRIHB meeting.
5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara (Florrine Super, Roy Arwood).
14) Requests
None at this time.
15) Phone Votes
16)
Informational
None at this time.
17) Committee
Reports
None at this time.
Next Meeting Date:
January 22, 2009 at 5PM in
Meeting adjourned at: 6:46 PM.
Submitted by,
___________________________________
Leeon Hillman, Treasurer Recording
Secretary, Sara Spence