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The
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon [Ordinances]
Last
amended: 2003
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ORIGINALLY
ADOPTED: 8/25/93 |
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DATE
AMENDED: 6/1/94; 2/1/95; 8/6/97; 5/12/99; 3/22/00; 4/20/01;
10/23/02; 3/19/03 |
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RESOLUTION
NUMBER: 054-93; 033-94; 067-97; 060-99; 042-00; 064-01; 191-02;
068-03 |
Tribal Council Ordinance
Tribal
Code § 220
(a) AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE:
(1) The authority for this Ordinance is found in the Grand Ronde
Constitution, Article III, Section 1.
(2) To set forth uniform policies and procedures to promote effective
performance of the responsibilities of the Tribal Council, to facilitate
orderly and productive meetings and efforts in conducting Tribal
business, and establish clear expectations of Council members.
(b) BACKGROUND: The Council has set forth the structure
and roles of Tribal Government, providing for delegations of responsibilities
and authorities to various work units of Tribal government.
The Council has reserved to itself the legislative responsibility
and authority, and other responsibilities and authorities not specifically
delegated by law.
It is the intent of the Council that this Ordinance provides guidance
to present and future Councils in carrying out their efforts and actions
in accomplishing the role of Tribal government and provide for continuity
in conducting Tribal business.
(c) APPLICABILITY: The provisions of this Ordinance
shall apply to all Tribal Council members.
(d) TAKING OFFICE:
(1) Beginning of Terms: Within one week of certification
of the election by the Election Board to the Tribal Council Chairperson,
the newly elected Council members shall gather in the Tribal Council
chambers for the administration of the oath of office by the Chief
Judge of the Tribal Court, provided that prior to the appointment
of a Chief Judge, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Agency Superintendent
responsible to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community
of Oregon shall administer such oath. The oath of office shall be
as follows:
"I,
__________, do solemnly swear that I will uphold the Constitution
and laws of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community
of Oregon, that I will serve the Tribe to the best of my ability,
that I will work for the entire membership of the Tribe, that
I will responsibly represent the Tribe, that I will carry out
the directions of the Tribal Council, that I will declare when
a conflict of interest could affect the performance of my duties
on behalf of the Tribe, and that I will perform all duties required
of me by the Constitution and laws of the Tribe."
Immediately
upon the taking of the oath of office, Council members shall begin
their terms of office. No Council member shall be a Tribal employee
during his or her term of office.
(2) Reprimand: A Council member may be reprimanded by the
vote of a majority of the nine (9) members of the Council, for significant
failure to perform the duties required by the Oath of Office (Section
(d)( 1)) or for failure to comply with the Tribe's drug testing
policy in accordance with Section l of this Ordinance; provided
that no Council member may be reprimanded unless he or she has first
been given a full and fair opportunity to respond at a regular meeting
of the Council to the basis of the proposed reprimand. Upon the
issuance of a reprimand by the Council, the contents of the reprimand
shall be published in the Tribe's newspaper and posted in the Tribal
Community and Governance Centers.
(e) VACANCIES ON TRIBAL COUNCIL:
(1) Manner of Vacancies: A tribal council seat may become
vacant in the following ways:
(A) Death, disability, or resignation of a Council Member;
(B) Failure of a Council Member to attend regular meetings on
three (3) consecutive occasions without a written excuse accepted
by a majority vote of the other members of the Council, according
to the terms of Article VI, Section 6 of the Tribe's Constitution.
(C) Recall of a Council Member pursuant to Article II, Section
1 (d) of the Tribe's Constitution, for improper conduct or gross
neglect of duty.
(2)
Filling Vacancies: In the event that a tribal council seat
becomes vacant between elections, said vacancy shall be filled according
to the terms of Article VI, Section 6 of the Tribe's Constitution
and the term of the replacement shall expire at the same time the
original incumbent's term would have expired.
(f) OFFICERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL:
(1) Election of Officers: The officers of the Council shall
consist of a chairperson, a vice-chair, and secretary. At the Council
meeting to elect a new chairperson, the Chief Judge of the Court
shall chair the meeting until a new chairperson is elected; provided,
however, that prior to the appointment of a Chief Judge the Bureau
of Indian Affairs Agency Superintendent responsible to the Tribe
shall chair such meeting until a new chairperson is elected; provided
further that neither the Chief Judge nor the Agency Superintendent
shall have the right to vote. Officers of the Council shall be elected
by a majority vote of the members of the Council. A Council member
may nominate a fellow member for office. Such nomination must be
seconded by another Council member or the nomination will be deemed
withdrawn. Notwithstanding Subsection (h)( D) 4, all Council members,
including the Chairperson, may vote for officer positions including
a position he or she is nominated for.
(2) Terms of Officers: Except as provided in Section (f)(
4) below, the officers of the Council elected pursuant to Section
(f)( 1) shall hold office from the time of their election as officers
until their current term on Council expires.
(3) Duties of Officers: The officers of the Council are hereby
assigned the following duties and responsibilities:
(A) Chairperson: The Chairperson is the chief spokesperson for
the Tribe, represents the Tribe by name and title, corresponds
with other governments and entities on behalf of the Tribe and
carries out the following duties;
(i) Calls for and presides over regularly scheduled meetings
of the Tribal Council, General Council and other meetings considered
necessary to conduct Tribal business.
(ii) Coordinates with other work units and communicates directions
from the Council.
(iii) Approve the agenda 24 hours in advance of Council meetings.
(iv)
Presents and explains the position of the Tribe on all matters
of importance.
(v)
Delegates tasks to members of the Council to assist in Council
efforts.
(B)
Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chairperson in the
duties of the office and carry out the duties of the Chairperson
in his/ her absence.
(C) Secretary: The Secretary ensures the accurate recording of
all Council meetings and decisions, certifies minutes, Resolutions,
Ordinances and other actions of the Council, and carries out other
responsibilities as directed by Tribal law.
(i) Reviews minutes of Council meetings, and ensures accuracy
prior to presentation for approval; certifies approved minutes
and ensures posting at Tribal Offices.
(ii) Certifies content and accuracy of Resolutions and Ordinances.
(iii) Reviews and advises the Council on record keeping practices.
(4)
Removal of a Tribal Officer From His or Her Office: A Council
officer may be removed from his or her office for significant and
continued failure to perform the duties of his or her office, upon
the vote of a majority of the members of the Council. Upon receiving
a motion for removal of a Council officer, the Council shall provide
the said officer at least two (2) weeks notice from the date of
the motion to prepare an answer to the charges contained therein,
and the officer shall be given a full and fair opportunity to respond
at a regular meeting of the Council to the basis of the motion for
removal. Upon the removal of an officer, a new officer shall be
elected immediately to fill the vacant office; provided that the
new officer's term of office shall expire at the same time as the
original officer's term of office would have expired or on the date
when the new officer's current term as a Council member expires,
whichever shall occur first.
(g) EXPECTATIONS OF TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS: All Council
members are expected to:
(1) Attend all meetings of the Tribal and General Council unless
excused from such meetings.
(2) Provide input on all matters coming before the Council, stating
beliefs and providing alternatives and recommendations in all decision
making.
(3) Support all Council decisions.
(4) Carry out assignments on behalf of the Council in a timely manner.
(5) Serve on Tribal committees as designated by the Council.
(6) Act in a professional and ethical manner and provide a positive
community role model.
(7) Promote cooperation and teamwork between the Council and all
other work units and Tribal members.
(8) Avoid interfering with other work units, directing employees
or others except as authorized by the Council.
(9) Maintain impartial decision making attitude; keeping personal
and family matters separate.
(10) Avoid personal involvement in employee matters.
(11) Upholds the Tribal Constitution.
(h) AUTHORITY TO INDEMNIFY:
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (4) below, the Tribe may, in
its discretion, indemnify an individual who is made a party to a
proceeding because of conduct by the individual while he is or was
a Tribal Council member against liability for reasonable expenses
of litigation, including, but not limited to, costs, any judgment,
and other reasonable costs of defense, incurred in the proceeding
if:
(A) he conducted himself in good faith; and
(B) he reasonably believed:
(i) in the case of conduct in his official capacity with the
Tribe, that his conduct was in the Tribe's best interest; and
(ii) in all other cases, that his conduct was a least not opposed
to the Tribe's best interests; and
(C)
he had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(2)
A Council member's conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan
for a purpose he reasonably believed to be in the best interests
of the participants in and beneficiaries of the plan is conduct
that satisfies the requirement of Subsection (1)( B)( ii).
(3) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction, or upon a plea of no contest or its equivalent is not,
of itself, determinative that the Council member did not meet the
standard of conduct described in this Section.
(4) The Tribe may not indemnify a Council member under this Section:
(A) in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the
Tribe in which the Council member was adjudged liable to the Tribe;
or
(B) in connection with any other proceeding charging improper
behavior under the Tribal Ethical Standards Ordinance in which
he was determined to have violated that Ordinance.
(5)
The Tribe may pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred
by a Council member who is a party to a proceeding in advance of
final disposition of the proceeding if:
(A) the Council member furnishes the Tribe with a written affirmation
of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct
described in (a) above;
(B) the Council member furnishes the Tribe with a written undertaking,
executed personally or on his behalf, to repay the advance if
it is ultimately determined that he: 1) did not meet the standard
of conduct in (h)( 1) above, 2) is adjudged liable to the Tribe,
or 3) is found to have violated the Tribal Ethical Standards Ordinance
in a proceeding brought under the that Ordinance; and
(C) a determination is made that the facts, then known to those
making the determination, would not preclude indemnification under
this Subchapter.
(6)
The undertaking required by Subsection (h)( 5)( B) must be an unlimited
general obligation of the Council member but need not be secured
and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make
repayment.
(7) Determinations and authorizations of payments under this Section
shall be made in the manner specified.
(8) The Tribe may not indemnify a Council member unless authorized
in the specific case after a determination has been made that indemnification
of the Council member is permissible in the circumstances because
he has met the standard of conduct set forth above. The Tribal Council
must make this determination by majority vote of a quorum consisting
of Council members not at the time parties to the proceeding. If
a quorum of the Council cannot be obtained under this Subsection,
then this determination shall be made by special legal counsel selected
by majority vote of a quorum of the Council (in which selection
Council members who are parties may participate).
(9) Authorization of indemnification and evaluation as to reasonableness
of expenses shall be made in the same manner as the determination
that indemnification is permissible.
(10) Indemnification of Officials, Employees and Agents:
(A) An Official of the Tribe who is not a Council member is entitled
to indemnification to the same extent and in the same manner as
a Council member.
(B) In its discretion, the Tribe may also indemnify and advance
expenses to an employee, or agent of the Tribe who is not a Council
member, consistent with public policy, by general or specific
action of the Tribal Council or by a contract approved by the
Tribal Council.
(i) INSURANCE: The Tribe may purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of an individual who is or was a Council member, Official,
employee, or agent of the Tribe, or who, while a Council member, Official,
employee, or agent of the Tribe, is or was serving at the request
of the Tribe as a Director, Officer, partner, trustee, employee, or
agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan, or other enterprise, against liability asserted against
or incurred by him in that capacity or arising from his status as
a Director, Officer, employee, or agent, whether or not the Tribe
would have the power to indemnify him against the same liability under
Section (h).
(j) TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETINGS: Tribal Council meetings
shall be conducted as follows:
(1) Meeting Procedures: The Constitution sets out certain procedural
meeting requirements. The following additional, specific requirements
are established as a supplement to those requirements, to provide
for orderly meetings and informed decision making. These additional
requirements shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the
Constitution:
(A) Quorum: Pursuant to Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution,
a quorum requires the presence of five (5) Council members. The
Council may conduct Tribal business only when a quorum is present
to vote on a specific matter. In the absence of a quorum, the
Chairperson (in the Chairperson's absence the Vice-Chair, and
in the absence of both, the Secretary) shall announce the lack
of a quorum; the Council may discuss relevant issues and hear
from members of the Tribal Community and the general public but
shall take no action.
(B) Chairperson to Preside: During a Council meeting, the Chairperson
(in the Chairperson's absence the Vice-Chair, and in the absence
of both, the Secretary) shall preside over meeting in the following
manner:
(i) Calls the meeting to order, at a place and time designated
by the Council;
(ii) Keeps order during meetings, including providing for an
orderly process of recognizing all speakers wishing to address
the Council, including Council members;
(iii) Calls for and recognizes motions and seconds, and conducts
voting on motions;
(iv) Calls for and conducts the vote to adjourn;
(v) Summarizes discussions and debates prior to a vote;
(vi) Other duties as necessary to conduct orderly meetings and
informed decision making.
(C)
Addressing Council: Any person present at a Council meeting, including
Council members, wishing to address the Council may do so, subject
to the following provisions. Speakers shall be recognized in turn,
in an orderly manner, provided Council members shall have priority
over others present.
(i) The Council welcomes input from General Council, staff,
or guests present. No one will be denied the opportunity to
speak. However, the person must request the floor, and the Chairman
will recognize them.
(ii) Persons speaking are not to be interrupted except for clarification.
(iii) When voicing a complaint, persons will speak in a civil
manner. The Council will not tolerate personal attacks on anyone.
(iv) On an agenda matter, Roberts Rules of Order shall serve
as guidelines. This will ensure that all interested persons
will have the opportunity to present their stand on any issue;
either for or against.
(v) Issues not being addressed on the agenda must wait for "Other
Business."
(vi) People should be an example for the next generation or
anyone who looks to us for guidance.
(vii) When the number of attendees requires the use of a Public
Address System, each speaker wishing to address the Tribal Council
must use a microphone. Otherwise, the Tribal Council will not
consider the comments.
(viii) Under the Tribal Constitution, the Tribal Council reserves
the right to adjourn any meeting conducted by the Council. If
malicious attacks are made against the Council and Staff, instead
of asking constructive questions or voicing concerns relevant
to Tribal operations, the meeting may be adjourned.
(D)
Voting: A vote on a particular issue shall be binding when the
following procedure is followed:
(i) A quorum is present when the vote is cast;
(ii) A vote shall be taken when a Council member makes a motion
and the motion is seconded, provided the Chairperson
may not make motions or seconds, except the Chair may
call for a motion and second in order to assist in conducting
business;
(iii) After a motion and second, the Chairperson shall call
for a vote, either by voice or raised hands. The results shall
be recorded; number for, number against, and number abstaining.
A Council member may have his or her specific vote on a matter
included in minutes;
(iv) The Chairperson may not vote, except when necessary
to break a tie;
(v) A motion shall be considered approved and binding if there
is a majority vote, except in matters where, as required by
the Constitution, a larger than majority vote is required;
(vi) The matter voted on cannot be a matter outside the authority
delegated to the Council under the Constitution.
(k) TRAVEL POLICY: Council members traveling on official
business shall be subject to the following requirements and procedures,
to adequately account for travel expenses and avoid actual or apparent
impropriety in the use of Tribal funds.
(1) Air Travel: When required, the Tribe will pay for "coach"
rates, unless "coach" rates are unavailable, or a Council
member is physically handicapped, the Council may then allow first
class travel.
(2) Lodging: Council shall pay for lodging at the government
rate, unless that rate is unavailable within a reasonable
distance of the meeting being attended.
(3) Credit Card Policy: Credit cards will be issued to travelers
designated as signers on Tribal accounts.
(A) Financial Responsibility: Individuals receiving credit cards
will be required to sign for them, and assume direct responsibility
for all expenses on the account while the card is under their
responsibility. Any unauthorized or disallowed expenses shall
be the personal liability of the traveler and must be reimbursed
within five (5) days. The individual is not responsible for any
charges accrued on the card after it is returned.
(B) Allowable Expenses: Tribal credit cards may be used only for
commercial transportation, hotel lodging, and meals with official
guests of the Tribe. Individuals must request a travel advance
for other meals and anticipated costs prior to traveling, provided,
however, that if the individual is unable to obtain a travel advance
before departing, he/ she may use their Tribal credit card.
(C) Disallowed Expenses: Under no circumstances shall purchases
of personal property, entertainment, or other personal expenses
be charged to the account.
(D) Limit: The credit limit on each card shall be five thousand
($ 5,000.00) dollars.
(E) Number of Cards Issued: Only one (1) card shall be issued
to each Tribal Council Member.
(F) The sovereign immunity of Council Members alleged to have
violated this section is waived to the extent of the liability
set out by this section.
(4)
Car Rentals: Travelers may rent automobiles when necessary,
provided a minimum of three (3) persons actually use the automobile,
except less than three (3) persons may rent an automobile if necessary
and no other means of transportation is available. Travelers shall
not rent luxury automobiles unless no non-luxury vehicles are available.
(l) DRUG TESTING POLICY: The Tribe recognizes that drug
and alcohol abuse is a significant problem in the Grand Ronde Community.
The Tribe is committed to providing a drug and alcohol-free working
environment for its employees, customers and the surrounding community.
In keeping with this commitment, the Tribe has established, under
its Personnel Management Ordinance, a "zero tolerance" drug
and alcohol-free workplace policy. Each Tribal
Council member shall comply with the procedures set forth in the drug
and alcohol-free workplace policy including submission to any drug
testing conducted pursuant to the policy.
(m) SEVERABILITY: If any provision of this Ordinance
is found to be invalid under applicable law, that provision shall
be severed from this Ordinance and the remainder of the Ordinance
shall remain in full force and effect.
(n) SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY: Nothing in this Ordinance shall
be construed to have waived the sovereign immunity of the Tribe, any
Tribal entity, department or program, or any Tribal official or employee,
except as specifically and explicitly described herein.
(o) LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE:
(1) Creation and Purpose: The Tribal Council recognizes that
before resolutions and motions can be prepared for many of the issues
it addresses, the Council needs to meet with Tribal staff and others
to carefully examine an issue and develop appropriate legislation
which is responsive to the issue. In order to provide for a thorough
and orderly analysis of issues, the Tribal Council establishes the
Legislative Action Committee (" the Committee") to study
and make recommendations to the Council on issues, requests, and
other matters before the Council.
(2) Membership: The Committee shall consist exclusively of
the nine-member Tribal Council.
(3) Committee Chairperson: The Tribal Council Chairperson
shall appoint members of the Tribal Council to serve as the Chairperson
for one or more meetings of the Legislative Action Committee. If
the Chairperson for a meeting is absent, then the senior-ranking
Tribal Council officer will serve as the Chairperson for that meeting.
If no Council officer is present, then the Council member with the
most years of service on the Council shall serve as the Chairperson.
The Chairperson may participate in the discussion of any issue before
the Committee, provided he or she does not deny another Committee
member the opportunity to discuss the issue. The Chairperson may
also vote on a recommendation of the Committee.
(4) Committee Meetings: Meeting times and places of the Committee
shall be determined by the Committee Chairpersons. The times and
places of Committee meetings shall be posted in the Tribal Governance
Center in a location generally accessible to the Tribal membership.
This notice will also advise Tribal members of the procedure for
presenting an issue to the Committee. All meetings shall be open
to the Tribal membership, except the Committee may discuss matters
in executive session in the same manner as the Tribal Council. The
Tribal Council may adopt further rules for the governance of the
Committee not inconsistent with the provisions of the Tribal Constitution
and Tribal Code.
(5) Recommendations of the Legislative Action Committee:
The Committee may recommend items for the Tribal Council meeting
agenda to the Tribal Council Chairperson by an affirmative vote
of five (5) members of the Committee. (Nothing herein shall prevent
three or more Tribal Council members from requesting that an item
be added to a Tribal Council meeting agenda under Article III, Section
3( c) of the Tribe's Constitution, however, such request shall be
independent of any vote of the Legislative Action Committee.)
I certify this to be a true copy of the Confederated Tribes of the
Grand Ronde Community of Oregon Tribal Council Ordinance.
__________________
Tribal Council Secretary
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