BAY MILLS — The Bay Mills Executive Council met March 22 with all members present except Vice Chairman Allyn Cameron, who was on vacation.
The council approved a resolution to sign the “Intergovernmen-tal Accord between Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in Michigan and the Governor of the State of Michigan Concerning Protection of Shared Water Resources.” The accord jointly commits the Michigan Indian tribes and the state to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of the Great Lakes ecosystem, to work together to clean up pollutants, eliminate exotic species, maintain and preserve water resource habitats and prevent these in the future.
The accord includes a biannual meeting of state and tribal representatives for review and strategy development, including recommendations for state, federal and tribal legislation and international treaties, coordination of permitting activities, and cooperation in the enforcement of water protection laws.
All Michigan tribes have been asked to make resolutions approving the accord, which will be officially entered into on May 12 at a special ceremony in Lansing.
Bay Mills CFO Mike Brooks came before the council to request upgrading the accounting system software, FundWare, in order to replace a 10-year-old system that is no longer supported. The conversion will cost $62,500, according to the tribe's controller, and executive council secretary, Greg Parker. The upgrade includes five new computers since the older computer models cannot run the new software. After ensuring that Accounting has been working with Human Resources on the proposed upgrade, most specifically regarding the Kronos timecard system, the council approved the expenditure.
After assuring that a senior household had a working furnace, the council tabled the senior's request for a new furnace so that the council could set up procedures for requests above $2,500. Formerly, the expense was approved at the discretion of the tribal chairman.
Chairman Jeff Parker presented an individual tribal member's request to purchase a disassembled walk-in cooler of the tribe's that is now in storage. However, a call from Facilities Director John Hutchinson indicated that the cooler may be in use for outdoor events. The council tabled the request until it can ascertain whether the cooler has a use.
Chairman Parker also presented a request from Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) and others that the tribe co-chair a Democratic Committee event, at the cost of $10,000. The council came to a consensus that it will grant the request, while acknowledging that the tribe will probably be approached for a similar Republican event to fund in order to maintain balance.
The council reaffirmed phone votes en masse that approved three gaming waivers and a 1-year waiver.
