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10/22/2020 10:28 AM

Upcoming Meetings
Full Calendar

10/22/2020
Tribal Council Meeting - 9:00 AM
Agenda
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10/23/2020
Election Board Work Session - 5:00 PM

10/24/2020
Election Board Meeting - 9:00 AM

Burial Board Work Session - 9:00 AM

Gaming Authority Work Session - 9:00 AM
Gaming Authority Meeting - 10:00 AM

News

10/21/2020 - Aanii Citizens. Please find that the Citizens Only Portal has been refreshed and revised.
You will find the Portal link on the Tribal Website main tool bar. The Portal is a great go-to source for review of Public Documents such as Policies, Minutes and Certified Motions as well as a variety of other non-confidential documents and reports. There are also links for review of non-confidential Tribal Council and  Tribal Council Committee Work Session/Meeting documents, Documents for Comment, Corporate Charter documents and a host of various Reports, Agreements, Memorandums and Directives. The site is password protected, but easy to set up in just a couple of steps. Please enjoy this site as we continue to update.
If you do not find something you are looking for, please contact us at tribalcounciladmin@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov or 231-242-1403 so we can further assist you as this site is still a work in progress. Miigwech.

10/20/2020 - Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Phase II of the LTBB Reopening Plan has been extended to Saturday, January 2, 2021.
Access to Government Buildings :

• Government buildings will be open to citizens needing to conduct business by appointment only.
• No social visiting or group socializing or gatherings are permitted.
• Citizens are encouraged to continue to conduct business by electronic means whenever possible.
• Temperature checks and questionnaire are required for citizens and guests entering the buildings.
  • All citizens and guests to use main entrance doors and to remain at check-in/check-out stations until department personnel can be called to come escort them to and from the department providing services.
  • All citizens and guests are to practice social distancing, wear masks, and use hand sanitizer station when entering and exiting the building.
  • Vendors will continue to use their usual delivery entrances.
• Office hours will be Monday thru Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

10/19/2020 - Biindigen Gas & Diesel Fuel pumps down starting Tuesday, 10/20/2020 , due to the installation of REC fuel being added, the gas & diesel fuel pumps will be down effective October 20. This process will take about 2 weeks.
All inside sales (ex. Cigarettes, snacks, etc.) will remain open.
We will keep you informed on when the pumps will be up and running.

10/15/2020 - The Land and Reservation Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 7:00 pm to discuss a Ground Lease between LTBB and Odawa Economic Development Management Inc., Lot 5 South.
Agenda

10/13/2020 - The LTBB Department of Commerce (DOC) would like to remind all Resident Tribal Members to please submit all Requests for TCEs prior to making the actual purchase(s). Due to the many areas of verification that occur with a TCE Request, DOC has up to 96 hours to process a completed Request once all backup and necessary information has been received – provided there are no issues found during the verification processes or circumstances that happen beyond our control (i.e., power outages, etc.). Please make an effort to submit your Requests within the 96-hour timeframe so that there is a sufficient amount of time to complete the verification processes. While we do understand that sometimes this may not be possible – this should be a last resort situation and we ask that you please reach out to us as soon as possible if you do have a unique circumstance that does not allow you to submit your Request in advance.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the TCE process – please contact the LTBB DOC office at 231.242.1584 or by email at DOC@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov . Miigwech – Hayden Hooper, Department of Commerce Director .

10/12/2020 - FoodCorps Service Opportunity at Groundwork Can you help us spread the word? It's an 11.5-month position working in schools to create lifelong healthy eating habits. Immediate opening, applications accepted til Oct 16! https://foodcorps.org/apply Serve your community, get kids excited about healthy food, learn new skills, and join a network of changemakers. Contact jen@groundworkcenter.org for more info, and check out this video: “ A Year of Service, a Lifetime of Impact ,” asks three FoodCorps alumni about how their experiences with FoodCorps led them to exciting and meaningful career opportunities post-service. Share widely in Charlevoix and Emmet counties!

10/08/2020 - Aanii Citizens, please find attached a copy of the Appropriations and Finance Committee recommended draft copy of the Appropriation of Funds 2021 FY Operation Budgets for your review.
A Public Budget Hearing will be held on October 13, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. via  Zoom and an agenda will be posted.
On October 22, 2020 Tribal Council will motion to approve the FY2021 Annual Budget and on October 23, 2020 the final FY 2021 Annual Budget posted to Tribal Website.
Appropriation of Funds 2021 FY Operation Budgets DRAFT

10/01/2020 - Under “Project: America Strong” , FEMA distributed cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19 first to essential workers in tribal nations back in April. FEMA again introduced the program for tribes to protect their communities. Through our relationship with FEMA and their liaisons, LTBB was able to procure masks to distribute to tribal members and households.

As we continue to reopen and live our daily lives, it’s important to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep members in our communities healthy and safe. Wearing a cloth face covering, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands are good practices that will continue to protect us, our families, and neighbors.

09/11/2020 - Tribal Transportation Improvement Plan 2021-2024 Draft posted for public comment

09/09/2020 - Legislative Documents Posted for Comment Updated

09/03/2020 - Copper Ammunition Swap
NRD has a limited supply of Copper ammunition available to swap their lead ammunition for. So please let our tribal hunters know that we have safe ammunition available to swap out for their toxic lead ammunition. I have put together some facts about the dangers of lead ammunition as well as a link for FAQS. http://www.huntingwithnonlead.org/FAQ2015.html
There is no safe level of lead. On impact, lead bullets lose a apportion of their weight, spreading toxic fragments into game meat and into gut piles that are left behind.
Lead is a poisonous metal that has already been removed from paint, gasoline, and plumbing. So why not remove it from ammunition to keep it out of our food?
It is recommended that pregnant women and children should avoid eating games shot with lead ammunition. Using non lead ammunition removes risk. Even small amounts of lead can affect the nervous system, cause anemia and increase blood pressure. Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning it can parentally lower IQ and cause learning disabilities and aggressive behavior.
Repeated exposure to the toxic metal causes a raft of health problems including brain damage, high blood pressure, and anemia. Lead is found in bullets as well as the explosive that ignites gunpowder. When a bullet is fired, it gets so hot that that lead actually vaporizes.
Bald eagles and other animals are poisoned when they eat lead fragments in carcasses and gut piles. Scavengers will feed in groups and many species will share one carcass. One carcass can poison multiple birds and other animals.
Recent studies find that animals such as Bald Eagles are dying from lead poisoning and have higher lead levels during hunting season than any other time of year. Apparently, they are encountering lead through the remnants of bullets left behind in unclaimed animal remains.  This leftover lead can also be a problem for people in the form of contaminated meat brought back from the hunt.
The dangers associated with lead have inspired some ammunition companies to look for safer alternatives, and some ammunition companies have begun producing copper bullets. They hold together better and they don’t leave behind a toxic residue.
We have had some bald eagles found sick with lead poisoning on our reservation. So this is a problem here and this is something that we can all work on to protect our environment, its creatures and ourselves.

08/24/2020 - Motion made by Councilor Tamara Kiogima and supported by Councilor Melissa Pamp to approve the following dates and deadlines in accordance with the Tribal Government Budget Formulation and Modification Process Statute, and rescinds any previously approved Budget Calendar dates and Deadline for the 2021 Annual Budget:
-September 8, 2020 Approval of the General Fund Budget Allocation to Governmental Branches (Regularly scheduled Appropriations and Finance Committee Meeting 9:00 a.m.)
-September 29, 2020 Branch/Department 2021 Annual Budget submissions to Treasury Office (Office of Finance and Revenue), including General Fund Budgets, Cost Recovery Budgets and Grant / Federal Contract Fund Budgets.
-October 1, 2020 Determination of any deletions or additions to Governmental Branch proposed budgets, and Governmental Branches Budget hearings (Special Appropriations and Finance Committee Meeting via Zoom at 9:00 a.m.)
-October 8, 2020 Tribal Council receipt of proposed 2021 Annual Budget, and posting of proposed 2021 Annual Budget made available for Tribal Citizens. (Regularly scheduled Tribal Council Meeting)
-October 13, 2020 2021 Annual Budget Public Hearing at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom (Special Appropriations and Finance Committee Meeting)
-October 22, 2020 Tribal Council approval of 2021 Annual Budget (Regularly scheduled Tribal Council Meeting)
-October 23, 2020 Final 2021 Annual Budget posted to Tribal Website
Vote: 8 - Yes, 0 - No, 0 - Abstained, 1 - Absent (Secretary Julie Shananaquet)
Motion carried.

08/24/2020 - The LTBB Department of Commerce (DOC) would like to share information about an available grant program: stabilization grants being offered through the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). This is a grant opportunity in which 28 Native-owned small businesses will be selected to receive $5,000 to help with certain business needs due to the coronavirus pandemic. The funding has not yet been exhausted, so applications are still being accepted at this time. Below is a link to the NCAI website where the grant information is discussed. You will also find the link to apply on that page as well. Although this is not an LTBB program, DOC is available to help if you have any questions on this. Please call 231.242.1584 or email DOC@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov with any questions. Here is the link to the grant information: http://www.ncai.org/Covid-19/Get-Involved/apply-for-ncai-funding . Miigwech.

08/07/2020 - Executive Documents for Comment Updated

07/27/2020 - Today Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) announced they are now accepting applications from Tribal Citizens  for COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Relief CARES Act funding.
This funding is intended to help LTBB citizens respond to COVID-19 by providing economic support to those suffering from employment or business interruptions due to COVID-19-related closures.

Staff have been working tirelessly to ensure our community stays safe during this crisis and that citizens are provided some economic relief during these difficult times.  On July 23, 2020, Tribal Chairperson Regina Gasco-Bentley signed the appropriation of  the CARES Act  funding to provide Emergency Disaster Relief to all citizens.

Under this announcement LTBB will provide this program through Human Services Department.  The program is intended to be flexible and responsive to the needs and priorities of tribal citizens anywhere they reside.

Emergency Disaster Relief Assistance may cover a wide range of items such as  unanticipated additional expenditures for the following:  sanitizing supplies; personal protection equipment; increased food, utility and health-care expenses; and support toward severe economic dislocations brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. The form can be found on our Tribal website. If you need a form mailed to you please contact Human services at (231) 242-1620 and they will assist you.

COVID Application Emergency Living Assistance Form

06/25/2020
1.315 Bail or Conditions of Release
Amended LTBB RCP 1.315 06-24-2020

At arraignment, the Court shall address the issue of bail/bond and decide whether the defendant should be released on their own recognizance, or be required to post a cash or surety bond with the Court, and if so, designate the amount. The Court shall also determine whether any conditions of release are appropriate to the case, and order same. Conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Continue Reading Amended Court Rule...

06/25/2020
LTBB Tribal Court Administrative Order
COVID-19 RE-OPENING PLAN FOR THE LTBB TRIBAL COURT
Administrative Order 06-24-2020-05

Introduction
LTBB Government buildings have been shut down since March 16, 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. On May 18, 2020, we implemented Phase I of the government’s phased reopening plan. Phase I is currently scheduled to end on June 27, 2020. The overall goal of LTBB’s COVID-19 Multi-Phase Re-Opening Plan is to provide employees with as safe as an environment as possible and protect privacy, while providing governmental services to our tribal community. Phase II goals are to continue provide a safe environment for staff and the community while lifting restrictions for our governmental operations. Government operations will continue to strive to do our part to help flatten the curve in the State of Michigan and our tribal community. Health and safety posters and handouts related to COVID-19 are available for all employees upon request.
Continue Reading Phase II Reopening...

06/01/2020
LTBB has received funding from the CARES Act, and amongst other distributions – DOC will be administering a portion of these funds to Tribal Citizen-owned businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19.
DOC is seeking contact information (including name, phone number, and email) and proof of ownership (such as an SS-4, a Doing Business As filed with LTBB or any other government, or a copy of the last filed Business Tax return) to be emailed to DOC@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov for all businesses legally owned by LTBB citizens at 51% ownership or more who were negatively affected by COVID-19.
DOC is in need of this information by June 11th so we may send out the corresponding grant applications for funding.

12/16/19 - Per Tribal Resolution #102619-05 Promotion of a Living Wage, the calculations for the Living Wage are as follows...
Living Wage for January 1, 2020 Memo

12/09/19 - FAQ for the Medicare premium reimbursement program.

09/07/18 - LTBB NRD CWD Emergency Regulations for the 1836 Treaty Ceded Territory of Michigan Effective: 8-28-18
CWD Core Area: means the 5-County Core CWD Area which includes Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties all within the 1836 Treaty Area.
Full Memo | Map