The July Business Committee meeting of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma was held on July 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the AOA building. Chief Leroy Howard presided over the meeting. All BC members were present except for Katie Birdsong. The meeting opened with a presentation by Scott Edwards, lead attorney for the tribe in the Dilliner v. Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma lawsuit. The case was heard before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. On a vote of 10-1, the court ruled for the tribe and dismissed the case on grounds that the tribe did not wave their sovereign immunity. This should end this matter for good.
Rick Smith, casino general manager gave a brief report on the casino. He presented no financial but made some general remarks regarding higher revenue during the July 4th weekend. He also reported that the Grand Lake Casino Lodge opened on July 1st. The Lodge had 10 reservations for the 1st, but five cancelled do the algae scare. On July 2nd, 26 rooms were occupied. The remaining four rooms were not available as furniture for the rooms did not arrive.
A report from the Cigarette Factory confirmed sales remain slow. Sales for the last three months are within a few hundred cases of one another each month. Six new accounts have been added in the last three months but sales volume takes time. While we expect to see major accounts added to our customer list in the next four weeks, expenses need to be reduced until those sales are realized. As a result, we will begin a 32 hour work week across board beginning next week. Cash flow issues will make payment of FDA and ATF taxes difficult.
Jerry Barber updated the committee on efforts to secure a deal with a nine member whole consortium. The deal hinges on Indiana. Before they will discuss an agreement they must first receive a $50,000 bond. That’s the hold up on this project. In New York, the state courts have upheld tax on sovereign smoke shops. That means the tribe must make sales nation to nation. Barber also discussed International sales with a possible agreement with Wal-mart. He feels that the past three months have been spent building sales so the next three months can experience a gain in sales.
The report from the smoke shop showed a net sale of $39,901.92 for the past month. Sisco also stated that his group would again provide children’s activities for Green Corn Expense for this activity would be around $700.
The gaming commission reported that the internal audit was almost complete. A request for bids for an external audit has been sent to 8 firms. The tribe has received 7 back and expects the last bid by the end of the week. It is felt that a different firm is needed. When one firm becomes familiar with how a business operates they could inadvertently overlook important data.
At this point the minutes from the June 28th meeting were read and approved.
Next, Flora Elmore presented a resolution that would allow the Business Committee to develop a new matrix for those eligible for heating and cooling assistance. She reported that funds were available and felt that the federal government would approve new, more relaxed guidelines. The resolution passed with all in favor.
Chief Howard then reported that he was approached by James Fransisco who offered to sell 40 acres adjacent to the west boundary of our tribal lands for $1000 an acre. Geneva Fletcher questioned if we had an appraisal. Chief Howard assured the committee that the land would appraise higher. Jim Spicer asked if we had the land surveyed to insure that we were indeed receiving 40 acres. The answer was no. It was the opinion of the Chief that appraisals and surveys take time and that if the tribe did not act soon they would probably lose the opportunity. A motion to spend the $40,000 passed with all in favor.
Fletcher next questioned the committee about expediting the move from the Miami office to the Grove facility. Dennis Sisco indicated it would take between 30-60 days to complete the move. The committee by motion agreed that the move should begin immediately with the tax office to begin business in Grove as soon as possible. The remainder of the move will continue as space becomes available and will be complete in no more than 60 days. This was approved by all.
This completed the open part of the meeting. At this time the committee went into closed session.
Following is a brief recap of written reports filed with the committee.
Paul Barton reports that the Language class is organizing a Culture Camp for tribal youth. This activity will be a joint effort with the Safe Families program. The Culture/Historic Preservation committee has made several presentations at area events. Paul is leading an effort to establish a Tribal Historic Preservation Office through the National Park Service. The ANA grant proposal is in review. The proposal seeks funding for a single year program.
Amanda Arnold submitted the report for Enrollment and CHR. The office processed 5 new enrollment applications. The Low Income Energy program has funds available, and there is funding available for caregivers of the elderly and for grandparents carrying for grandchildren. The AOA is providing health screenings every other Friday. The Community Health Representative has arranged for 4 transport and 3 medication requests.
Logan Lines indicated that the newsletter will go to the printer this week. He also reported that the revision of the procurement policies will be complete and reported on in the near future. The public relations office has also been working with the Second Chief in preparation for Green Corn.
In a written report, Roberta Haralson indicated that the Wellness Center Project is complete. She also reported that the Auxiliary Power Source project is complete. The next step is to develop and implement a Maintenance program. The tribe was notified on March 25th that the Elder Nutrition Center Facility grant was approved for another cycle. She also noted that the tribe has been approved to have another deep well dug. A final
item in her report is that the tribe has purchased a van via Pelivan Service and is currently working on a schedule of free service for the area.
The Government Specialist office is working on Sex Offender Registry Requirements, Tribal Criminal History Program grant program guidelines and identifying needs in the policies that will support the tribe’s decision to monitor sex offenders on Tribal land as is required by the Adam Walsh Act. This new law goes into full effect in July. The office also received notification of an award for the basic library grant. The tribe was also notified by letter of two grant applications that were rejected by the Department of Energy. One was to retro-fit the AC/Heating units on the existing clinic in Miami. The second was to complete a feasibility study to determine the viability of a wind turbine manufacturing plant on tribal lands.
Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking reported 6 new clients in June. This office had booths at General Council and at the Children’s Powwow. Classes in Domestic Violence Awareness are offered by this office.
Lana Lines, director of Housing filed the following figures for June:
Rental and Emergency Assistance 2 families
Down Payment Assistance 2 families
Rehabilitation and Modernization 2 tribal homes
Burial Assistance 0
REACH – 8 applications for cooling assistance
General Assistance – Limited funding available to tribal members
The housing programs have received notification of FY 2011 funding allocations.
Geraldine Teehee, director of T-VI reported that the Community Center was opened 18 days in June. The center served 969 meals. The Community Center is opened Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Breakfast is served every other Friday at 9:00 a.m. The Community Center is now hosting Bingo on Monday afternoons from 12:15 – 2:00 p.m.
The CCDF program continues to process monthly claim forms for the area daycares. They have completed working on the CCDF plan for 2012-2013.
Curt Lawrence, ICW representative reports that there was no change in the number of children in tribal custody.
The Substance Abuse Program had 95 contacts for services during the month of June. The office had 11 new intakes, 2 clients completed treatment successfully, and 8 follow-ups were completed. The office conducted 4 Smoking Cessation Classes. The offices reports that 40 children have signed up for the Summer Youth Camp.
The next meeting should be August 2nd.
