Tribal Council sends TERO amendments out for first reading

Tribal Council voted to send amendments to the Tribe’s Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance out for a first reading during its Wednesday, July 1, meeting.

The amendments, among other changes, clarify the roles of the TERO Commission and director, set requirements for TERO involvement in various stages of the employment process, and address such issues as promotions, retention, succession planning and prohibition of retaliation.

The amendments will be advertised in two issues of Smoke Signals, seeking Tribal member comment, before returning to Tribal Council for formal adoption.

Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno requested at the June 30 Legislative Action Committee meeting that the Tribal Attorney’s Office prepare a summary of the proposed changes for the membership.

The original Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance was adopted by Tribal Council on Nov. 6, 2013. The ordinance is designed to create more jobs suited for Tribal members and ensure that Tribal members can participate in economic activities occurring on or near the Reservation.

Tribal Council also approved a resolution that waives three Tribal Building Code requirements for the arbor under construction at Uyxat Powwow Grounds. The three items, relating to fire alarms, plumbing fixtures and roof classifications, had to be waived before a certificate of occupancy could be issued.

Also included in the July 1 Tribal Council packet was a staff directive for the Tribal Attorney’s Office to bring proposed amendments to the Tribe’s Marriage Ordinance forward to a Legislative Action Committee meeting for a first reading, as well as authorizations to proceed for staff to circulate a draft letter to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown regarding protection of Tribal reservations and ceded lands from toxic spills to other Tribes for signature and an authorization for the Natural Resources Department to add a second Reservation fire patrol for this year’s fire season.

Tribal Council member Jon A. George and Land and Culture Department staff members Jordan Mercier and Travis Stewart performed the cultural drumming and singing to open the meeting.

The meeting, in its entirety, can be viewed on the Tribal website, www.grandronde.org, under the News tab and then click on the Video link.