BAY MILLS — The Bay Mills Executive Council met Feb. 23 with all members present.
Tax Accountant Sara Harvitt recommended changing the policy on non-resident cigarette purchases at A.O.T. for tribal members who live below the Mackinac Bridge or west of Newberry. She said that non-resident members should have the same quota as resident members — up to four cartons or 80 packs in a 4-week period. These purchases would be tracked by signed invoices at A.O.T. The council approved this new quota system.
Harvitt also told the council that some small problems had arisen with the system itself. The current computer is time-specific. For example, if someone buys cigarettes on Saturday at 2 p.m., they can't buy again until the following Saturday after 2 p.m. Harvitt suggested the council change the program to run on a 6-day week, allowing people to purchase cigarettes on the seventh day at any time. Another problem is when a member turns 18, the computer will not allow them to purchase cigarettes until the following day.
Harvitt said that it is very costly to make changes to the system. The last changes that were made cost almost $2,500, though they were quoted a price of $500 for updates. Secretary Greg Parker suggested they meet with System Administrator Jake Brown and make a list of anticipated changes before bringing the issue back to the council.
Health and Human Services Director Laurel Keenan addressed the board about how to handle people who have had Personal Protection Orders (PPO) placed against them through tribal court when the order says they are no longer allowed on the Ellen Marshall second floor. Because the behavioral health, education and some administrative offices are located on the second floor, the individual may still need these services. The providers would have to leave their offices to meet with people. Tribal Chairman Jeff Parker said they could not change court orders but Keenan may prevail upon the court.
This issue came about because a person recently entered the second-floor offices and verbally and physically assaulted someone. Keenan said that the second floor is vulnerable because there are no alternative exits. If someone were to become violent, employees can lock their office doors but would be trapped inside.
The behavioral health staff suggested some physical changes to the building, possibly a locked door with buzzer. Clients would see a receptionist through a window who would buzz the person into a private waiting area with a locked door leading to the offices. The receptionist would contact the service provider and let them know who is waiting for them and the service provider would take necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and the safety of the rest of the staff.
Substance Abuse Counselor Audrey Breakie said that behavioral health's clients are in “crisis mode” and can be unpredictable. If the staff could be forewarned about who is entering the offices, they could have an extra person sit in on sessions to offset volatile behavior. She said that although they can't plan for everything, controlled access to the floor would help.
Modification of the reception area would not only increase safety for employees but privacy for clients. Protective Services Worker Mark Karzon said that though some people are court-ordered to receive services from behavioral health, others voluntarily request services. Those who are there willingly often feel like they have no privacy due to the open waiting area; everyone who walks by can see them there.
Jeff Parker said he would like to see some cost estimates before the council acts on the issue.
The council approved a contract for Audiologist Sandy Walen, who conducts hearing screenings for the Bay Mills Child Development Center, Ojibwe Charter School and Ellen Marshal Center. The contract specifies 14 days per year at $480 per day.
The council tabled a request by Quality Improvement/Risk Management Coordinator Char Hewitt for a salary increase of $2.90 per hour. Chairman Parker suggested Keenan talk to Hewitt and bring another offer to the council.
Clinic Coordinator Walt Parish recommended replacement of dental equipment. He said that the hand tools were brand new when they came into the building, but years of use and various repairs have made them dangerous. He said that serious injury could occur if part of a drill were to fall off while the dentist was using it in someone's mouth. A proposed grant could pay for the estimated $20,000 worth of tools. Chairman Parker said they should get updated costs from Dentist Dr. Quereshy and order the tools before someone does get hurt. He said they can worry about how to pay for it later. Greg Parker suggested a yearly maintenance and replacement schedule for dental equipment.
Brimley High School requested use of Wild Bluff Golf Course for the high school golf team. Greg Parker asked if they would rent the course or pay for tee times and what times they were asking for. Chairman Parker said the golf team plays during the spring season but he didn't know the hours.
Greg Parker said he didn't see a problem with allowing the team to use the course, since they did last year, as long as it doesn't interfere with Wild Bluff activities.
The recommendation was questioned due to Brimley's refusal to allow Bay Mills Ojibwe Charter School students to play sports on Brimley teams.
“Just because the Brimley School Board wants to have an attitude of non-cooperation doesn't mean we have to,” the chairman said. “Two wrongs don't make a right.”
Greg Parker suggested finding out how many charter school kids were being excluded from sports and possibly come up with a deal.
Vice Chairman Allyn Cameron said that they have to support their kids who still attend Brimley School but that the Brimley board is hanging sports over their heads to keep parents from enrolling their children in Ojibwe Charter School.
“We've been pretty cooperative over the years,” he said. “It's kind of maddening sometimes.”
The council decided to table the issue until they find out how it went last year with Wild Bluff and have time to think on it.
The council approved a gaming waiver for a tribal employee and reaffirmed phone votes for the approval of a raffle license for the Deb Parish benefit, donation committee recommendations and a resolution for the STOP grant.
