NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH
VILLAGE TELECONFERENCE
3-3-04 10:30 am

The teleconference was called to order at 10:35 a.m. 

Participants Present
Julia Cleveland 
Brenda Scott   
Johnetta Cleveland
Karen Jackson              
Harry Douglas 
Ethel Weber
Roger Clark
Robert Mulluk             
Roy Sun
Roger Clark  

Staff Present:
Lee Stoops
Helena Hildreth
Martha Whiting

Noorvik – Robert Mulluk Jr. welcomed everyone.  The wellness group met with John Schaeffer, who came to Noorvik to get it organized.  They are working on the goals and objectives.  They are still trying to start cultural activities and have plans to go fishing this weekend.  The plans for the wellness group is to meet every Monday and get everyone involved.  Lee Stoops came to Noorvik to meet with him on locating an Arts Building and to get youth and adults involved.  The Native community of Noorvik held a membership meeting, elected five members and already had their first meeting.  He had been in contact with City of Noorvik and was informed that the CDBG grant for the landfill had been approved for $500,000 and excess $250,000 to close the old landfill.  They plan to have more control over the operation.  The IRA is also busy planning for the Selma Newlin tournament.  All funds received from this event would be going to the education of our children.  Lastly, Mr. Mulluk will be advertising for the starting of Ray Jackson Memorial Dog Race.

Selawik – Mr. Roger Clark reported that Selawik is getting ready for the Friends Church Conference and the NANA Annual Meeting.  They are fixing the church and preparing the coffee house.  They would like to show church programs live from the cable so those that cannot make it to the services can watch it in the comfort of their homes.  He welcomes everyone to Selawik.  Ms. Whiting stated that the Regional Elders Council is meeting in Selawik on March 9, 2004.

Shungnak – Mr. Roy Sun reported that they are now completing their trail-staking project.  Mr. Tom Bolen is traveling there to meet with the Fire Department and that they are looking forward to it.  The wellness program is planning to meet very soon and the same goes for the activities program.  The annual meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2004.  Mr. Sun requested more information on the Ray Jackson Memorial effort program.

Karen Jackson announced her phone number 1-877-795-4501 if anyone needs more information regarding the Memorial program and her email is kjackson@maniilaq.org.  Ms. Whiting stated that the borough can put the information on their website.

Harry Douglas, City of Ambler, said the kids are meeting at the armory for skin sewing.  They are still working on Wellness program and on February 14 they had a successful carnival.  Mr. Douglas had a question for planning and asked what the status was for the City of Ambler who submitted a request for $5,000.  DOT is coming to Ambler this spring to do more soil sampling testing for extending the runway and apron this summer.  The Public Safety Commission is meeting tomorrow night in Kotzebue.  They made revisions to the water treatment plan they are building this summer.  They have not heard an update on 5 new housing units.  They were having trouble getting the two hundred PFD applications they ordered for the residents of Ambler and hope to receive them soon.  Mr. Douglas reported that the City council meeting is going to be held tomorrow, a week early because residents may be out of town for the Friends Conference in Selawik.  They are having a fuel problem in Ambler and have been out of gas for a month.

Julia Cleveland, Resource Specialist, reported that she has the PFD applications at her office and that she has been announcing to residents to apply online.

Ms. Whiting announced that she would be sending the meeting notes of the community meeting that was held in Ambler.

Johnetta Cleveland reported that the Airport project is going to start soon and Mr. Bolen is going to travel to Kobuk to discuss their Fire Department.  There have not been wellness meetings since John Schaeffer was here.  Mr. Stoops asked about the sewing machines that were sent there and if they made atikluks for the youth.  Ms. Cleveland replied that she wasn’t aware.

Brenda Scott reported that she hasn’t been in since last month.  Regarding the Assets training, Avis has been going to school everyday for an hour to assist the teachers.  Just their presence in school helped calm the kids down.  Ms. Scott reported that they are having Inupiaq Day this Friday.  The Search & Rescue crew searched for Connell Barr at the Kiiwalik Shelter cabin and they reported that it was in poor condition.  Ms. Scott stated that that cabin is in need of an antenna for VHF use.  Ms. Whiting stated that Danny Thomas is the SAR President at Maniilaq Association.  Ms. Whiting is finalizing the report from the community meeting that was held there.

Ethel Weber of Buckland reported that this summer they are going to build 6-7 new homes.  They are still working on getting running water and are working on the bridge for the purposes of building new housing.   The new clinic is almost finished and open house is scheduled at the end of the month and they are in the process of naming it.  The fuel storage facility tank is complete.  They are planning to go the Selma Newlin tournament.

Ms. Whiting is going to talk to Resource Specialists to see if they want GED tutor training in each village.  Ms. Whiting spoke of the need to have a GED tutor in each village and is planning to have training this fall for those in the community that would like to be a tutor.

Mr. Harry Douglas was wondering if the water and sewer symposium completed their report yet.

Roger Clark added that the City is experiencing shortfalls and asked if the borough can assist them for funds for subsidizing services in the villages.  Mr. Stoops stated that right now the Mayor’s Conference and AML is working with the legislature to create a village permanent fund dividend, called a community dividend.  It would be a way to help with the loss of revenue sharing.

The Mayor’s last teleconference is scheduled for April.

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

Northwest Arctic Borough Staff Directory

Northwest Arctic Borough
P.O. Box 1110 Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907)442-2500 (800)478-1110 Fax:(907)442-2930

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