Chairman COVID-19 Update 4.11.2020

Last Updated: Friday, 17 April 2020 22:09 Published: 17 April 2020 Hits: 153

https://www.facebook.com/WTChairman/videos/2497665140451160/

Department Updates during State of Emergency

Last Updated: Wednesday, 15 April 2020 23:03 Published: 15 April 2020 Hits: 139

April 14th, 2020
Department Services
Update to Tribal Membership
This document serves as a Public notice update on Washoe Tribal Department services during
the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. These Departments are currently operational during
this National pandemic to provide services to the Washoe Tribal Membership, Members of the
Washoe Communities, and those involved with the Washoe Tribe organization.
The Washoe Tribal Health Center encourages everyone to:
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
 Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
 Put distance between you and other people.
 Stay home when you are sick.
 Clean and disinfect frequently, at least every 2 hours, any touched objects
(including cell phones, remotes, keyboards, telephones, office supplies, etc.) and
surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
 Make sure that any sanitizer you are using—hand or surface—has either a
minimum of 60% alcohol or is specifically labelled to kill viruses. Anti-bacterial
or germicide products will not kill/destroy COVID-19.
Tribal Police Department:
- One Officer has committed nearly 100% of her time dedicated to keeping up with
COVID-19 both with the Tribe and local EOC meetings etc.
- Office staff has been directed to come in two times a week to get the bills paid and things
filed as necessary.
- The Domestic Violence building has been closed as staff has been working off site; they
can still be reached by phone. The building will be opened for members only in times of
an emergency. Two of the Domestic Violence staff members have been volunteering with
the Elder Center and aiding them where they can.
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 2 of 9
- Patrol has been business as usual. Schedules change from week to week depending on
calls for service and needs of the community.
- In the midst of all this we were able to hire 2 new Officers.
- The Clinic is borrowing one of WTPD side by side UTV’s for their Emergency Operation
Center (EOC) to be able to get back and forth to the Clinic and Clinic EOC.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Zack Westbrook, Washoe Tribal Police
Chief at (775) 691-6712
Non-Emergencies please call Washoe Tribal Dispatch at (775) 783-7233
Emergencies please call 911
Tribal Health Center:
- Washoe Tribal Health Center hours of operation have changed to 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Monday through Friday
- Non-essential appointments, such as well child checks and annual preventative health
appointments are being cancelled and will be rescheduled to a later date. Our office will
be contacting you once we know when we can begin scheduling again. Please know that
this decision was not made lightly and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have
caused you, or your family. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate together
through this ever-evolving situation.
- If you have a scheduled appointment and have not been contacted to cancel your
appointment, please call the clinic the day before your appointment to confirm that
you are still going to be seen.
- We are still seeing patients in our walk-in clinic daily until 3:30 pm.
- Dental and Optometry are open and scheduling for urgent dental and eye concerns.
Please call and talk to these departments to get an appointment time
- The Clinic is requesting that all prescription refills be called into the Pharmacy
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at 775-552-3879. The Pharmacy will be filling
a 90 day supply of all essential medications. But will also be limiting supplies of over the
counter medications, pain medications, and acute care medications.
Safety, health, and wellness of all people is the top priority of the Washoe Tribal Health
Center during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Andrea Lawrence, Interim Clinic
Director at (775) 265-4215
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 3 of 9
Tribal Court:
- Court operations remain in full effect.
- The Court is solely doing telephonic hearings (over the telephone) and using Web Ex
online meeting systems. All documents are accepted and submitted by mail and or email,
and fast efficient communications by telephone and or email.
- If you’d like to submit documents, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Shannon Guerrero, Court Clerk at (775)
265-7024
W.U.M.A.
- Washoe utility management authority is currently working as normal.
- All three staff are working 40 hours a week, or more if needed.
- Department is working hand and hand with contractors and community members in all
four communities
- Making sure that the potable water is still being delivered to businesses and community
members homes.
- Below are some current duties of WUMA staff:
 Daily monitoring of public water systems
 Daily monitoring of all treatment plants
 Routine sampling and reporting for all 6 public water systems
 Working hand and hand with state lab
 Responding to water and wastewater leaks and working with community members
 Maintaining disinfection levels in water systems
 On call even after hours to take care of the communities
 Wastewater monitoring and sampling
 Working hand and hand with IHS and contractors on new well and water projects
 Routine preventative maintenance on all water and wastewater systems
 Customer service for water quality and customer concerns.
 Water disconnections/ service restoration on service lines
We are working hard provide clean and safe potable water to our Washoe communities,
and still taking every precaution to stay safe and healthy in this time we are in.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Leonard Pitts Jr., WUMA Manager at
(775) 515-5336
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 4 of 9
Tribal Elder Center:
- Program is not letting anyone besides tribal employees/business deliveries (maintenance
or Sysco) inside buildings during business hours for both sites, Carson and Dresslerville.
- Both Centers are not allowing any events on the weekend i.e. building rentals for parties
etc. Carson Community Council voted to uphold the closure of the Carson Senior
Center/Community Building.
- ALL elders were placed on homebound meal delivery services. Staff is not permitted to
enter homes, for the safety and well-being of the elders.
- Elder must be home to receive meals.
- The Elder Program is not able to leave meals outside any home, for any reason.
- Must be 60+, federally recognized and enrolled via sign-up sheet submitted to the
manager to be eligible for services. We will continue to take on new elders, we would
love to assist them!
- ALL hands on deck for staff, deliveries, driving etc. staff delivers hundreds of meals per
week. Thanks to admin there has been MUCH NEEDED assistance for the elders.
- A weekly call log has been created to better assist the elders. Elders signed up on this list
will be used during emergency times for the foreseeable future. It will be easier for the
department and tribe to respond to elders needs. (Elder Center Emergency Management)
- Emergency supplies are issued “as requested” due to limited supplies.
- Food bags have gone out to the entire program thanks to the Hung-a-lel-ti Community
Chairman’s efforts. The food was donated by the El Dorado Foodbank.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Darwin Holyan, Elder Center Manager
at (775) 265-6426
Environmental:
- WEPD is trying to balance maintaining essential services for Washoe communities, while
keeping Tribal Members and staff safe.
- The office is closed and all phones are routed to Department staff.
- Several WEPD staff members have been reassigned two days a week at either the clinic
or delivering meals for the Elders Center.
- All staff have been given PPE by both WEPD and the department they are assisting as
well as detailed instructions on their use.
- WEPD Recycling Manager continues to do curb side pick-up in all communities as well as
limited pick up at administrative buildings, elders and community centers, etc.
- Unfortunately, the 2020 Earth Day event had to be cancelled though we hope to
reschedule before the end of June to coincide with our grant cycle.
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 5 of 9
- All WEPD staff members have been given the necessary tools and technology to work
from home.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Susan Jamerson, at (775) 265-8600 ext.
11000
IT:
- Majority of IT staff are working from home. Three staff members are still working on
site. One at Tribal Headquarters and two over at the Tribal Clinic.
- Duties: Helpdesk, datacenter tasks to maintain all our infrastructure remotely, some work
at TANF offices in both CA & NV to assure staff can access their computer and phones.
- Main focus is to keep infrastructure running and planning for the disaster operations.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Paul Eckert, Interim IT Manger at (775)
265-8600 ext. 52807
Finance:
- Department is functioning staff of 11, generally there are only 4-5 persons in our
combined offices at any one time.
- Staff has the ability to work from home.
- Staff comes in on staggered days to accomplish tasks that cannot be achieved remotely.
- Department is still processing check requests and P.O. requests as normal as long as
they’re submitted in a timely manner.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Roberta Reed, Tribal CFO at (775) 265-
8600 ext. 10401
Social Services:
- The office is closed to the general public.
- For Emergency Assistance schedule an appointment to complete an application please
make sure to bring in your Washoe Tribal ID and income verification. Please do not
make an appointment if you have any flu like symptoms. Please call Corlinda Fettig at
775-265-8691
- Burial Assistance is available please call Corlinda Fettig at the above number.
- Food vouchers for Douglas County Tribal residents, please call Corlinda at the above
number. She will contact the staff at the food bank to ensure you and your family
received food and other needed items.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Stacy Stahl, Social Services Director at
(775) 265-8691 ex. 12012
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 6 of 9
Human Resources:
The HR Department has been very active in many different capacities with the COVID-
19 pandemic; some of the items we have worked on or assisted with are listed below:
- Following the Washoe Tribal Council State of Emergency, we have restricted access to
Essential staff only at the Tribal Headquarters Office.
- Asking for Tribal Members to make an appointment for services to protect themselves
and staff.
- No Public Access for Non-Employees to the Tribal Headquarters Building.
- Employees have access to the front lobby area for interdepartmental mail, questions, etc.
- Practicing social distancing of six feet for employees within the office and reducing the
number of staff onsite.
- Require the wearing of Masks in hallways and when interacting with other employees.
- Setting up WebEx Conferences for important meetings with off-site employees or outside
contractors.
- Scheduling reassignments for the Elder Center, Washoe Tribal Health Center, and
Essential Employee Childcare.
- Covering reassignments if scheduling conflicts occur.
- We will be participating in TERC Meetings and assist with the establishment of the
Tribal Headquarters Incident Command.
- Recruiting for essential job descriptions depending on the department’s needs.
- Ensuring HR questions are answered in a timely manner and receive confirmation for
follow up questions.
Any questions about the program, please call Sheila Crawford, Assistant Human
Resource Director at (775) 265-8600 ext. 10204
T.A.N.F:
- Operations of the program during the pandemic comply with state and federal guidelines
to practice social distancing, intended to protect Washoe Native TANF Program,
(WNTP) staff and program participants from risk of illness.
- Currently, all site staff are working remotely from home with only one (1) in the San Jose
office and (1) in the Douglas office for proper connectivity and continued productivity.
- Program oversight by the WNTP Executive Director is maintained through daily contact
with WNTP staff and the Program Compliance Officer via email, texts, phone, and
virtual office capabilities.
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 7 of 9
- Daily program operations include contact with Tribal Administration, representatives
from the Administration of Children and Families, the Washoe Tribe’s Finance
department, and other Washoe Tribe representatives.
- Access to WNTP services are continuing to be provided at this time for program
participants. WNTP staff are working from their homes by utilizing a virtual office
program provided by the WNTP’s IT department.
Any questions about the program, please call Ray DiQuarto, TANF Executive Director or
Jo Ann Peck, Program Compliance Office at (775) 782-6320.
Planning/Project Management Department:
- Current staffing – one staff member (Rob Beltramo, planner/project manager)
- Planning/Project Management Department plans to provide all essential operations on a
prioritized basis and additional emergency operations and communications support to
Tribal and Community leaders and managers as requested/needed.
- Staff member plans to participate in daily TERC emergency operations conference calls
and other meetings and calls. Personal emergency go-kit with equipment and supplies is
maintained in field ready condition.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Rob Beltramo, Planner/Project
Manager at (775) 265-8600 ext. 10704
Roads Department:
- Roads Department currently has one staff member working.
- Roads Department operations normal.
- Incorporating Social Distancing measures.
Any questions regarding the program, please call Kenneth Cruz, Roads Department
Director at (775) 265-8600 ext. 10705
WRE/WDG Retail:
Travel Plaza:
- Social distancing. Reminding our staff and customers of the social distancing rule in
effect keeping at least 6 feet of distance between each other as much as physically
possible. (IT has some signs in process for us).
- Wiping down all touchable surfaces with disinfectants to help prevent the spread of the
virus. We try to wipe all surfaces every 20 minutes if possible. No less than every hour.
We have a staff member dedicated to this endeavor 5 days a week.
- Wiping the credit card keypad as often as possible try to do so after every transaction.
- We now individually wrap every item in the pastry case.
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 8 of 9
- We quit using the roller grill and the cold condiment station.
- We are now individually wrapping each lid for soda and coffee stations. We also wipe the
areas down with sanitizing solution at least every hour often every 20 minutes.
- Wiping with sanitizer the fuel dispensing handles and touchable surfaces at least every
hour.
- Scaling operations back to 16 hours a day instead of 24 hours. 5 Am to 9 pm.
- We have ordered 3 sneeze guards to protect the cashiers. They should ship by 4/10/2020
- We have ordered 2500 3 ply masks and 550 KN-95 masks which should ship after
4/9/2020. These masks will be for staff and to sell to the public.
- Staff has been wearing gloves, and masks 100% of the time they are working.
Mica Chevron:
- Stopped sale of grill items
- Stopped sale of fresh donuts
- Removed Open Condiments from Coffee Corner
- Placed Lids and Cups behind counter so employees can distribute for the customers.
- Required all employees to wear gloves and masks at all times.
- Have been disinfecting handles, pin pads, counters and all other regularly touched
surfaces. We are doing this at a minimum of every half hour.
- Order Safety Guard Shields to protect the workers. (Should arrive around April 28th)
- Ordered gloves, face shields, masks, etc. (Pending Delivery)
- I have provided all pertinent information to my employees and posted all required info
for their safety.
Carson Smoke Shop:
- Smoke Shop is closed to the public; drive-thru is open to make purchases.
- Store hours are as followed, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Store is closed on Sunday for Deep cleaning and inventory count and stocking.
- Store has 3 full time employees, and 1 part time employee.
- All staff are wearing masks and gloves as directed by Tribal Admin.
- Expecting more sales to increase with other businesses in the area closing.
Meeks Bay Resort:
- Meeks Bay Resort is closed indefinitely, by order of U.S. Forestry Department.
- Waiting for orders on when we can open operations.
919 US Highway 395 North – Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
(775) 265-8600 Fax (775) 265-9069
Page 9 of 9
Ranch:
- Ranching operations normal.
Maintenance Department:
- One employee of WTMD is coming into HQ in the mornings to unlock building and do
janitorial duties.
- The remainder of WTMD staff are on, on-call status.
- When a maintenance staff member is called out to duty he is provided PPE and directed
to maintain social distancing.
We here at Tribal Administration are taking this COVID-19 Virus seriously and monitoring the
situation constantly. We will be updating everyone as things change. If you have any questions,
please call the Tribal Office at (775) 265-8600.
Things seem to be changing daily as this Virus progresses across our Nation. In uncertain time
such as these, our Tribe must come together and look after one another. We as a people have
overcome overwhelming odds before, and we will do so again. - Vice Chairman, Rueben
Vasquez
We want to thank all the Department Managers and Vice Chairman Vasquez who collaborated
in putting this report together. It is necessary to keep everyone informed the best we can.
Please take the time to fully review the material. Help us to help you. Stay Safe Everyone. -
Washoe Tribal Administration and Chairman Smokey

November Report

Last Updated: Friday, 13 December 2019 00:58 Published: 13 December 2019 Hits: 544

Chairman’s Report

November

Hello Washoe Tribal Members,

Last month, I realized that giving my full report at Tribal Council Meetings was not working well enough to get the information out to the people. So, I made the decision to start putting my monthly reports on the Chairman’s Blog for everyone to access. I also want to be able to give a little more detail and explanation on what is being done. I know that I always wanted to know what the Chairman was actually doing, and not just “attended many meetings”. What does that mean anyway? Someone could attend a bunch of meetings and never say anything, or don’t bring anything back, which does not help the Tribe at all. So here’s my month of November report, to you.

· ITCN- I have been the appointed President for the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada for a couple of months now. The Washoe Tribe has the most votes on this board (5) and we fill all seats. ITCN is in a re-building stage and I provide leadership to assist in getting them back on track. Many of the Tribes in Nevada still rely on ITCN services that they cannot provide for themselves.
· Truckee Meadows Land Management Act- This is the new Washoe County Lands Bill. The old bill died a couple years ago and our current Senate representatives are bringing it back to the table. It is very important that we stay current on this, because we have the opportunity to reclaim lands that are original Washoe Territory, and have those lands put into Federal Trust. There is no actual bill put in place just yet, but we are working closely with Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto’s office to be kept up to date on what is happening with it.
· Executive Working Group- One of the first things I noticed at the beginning of my term was that the Tribe had no Economic Development in place. It was not in any job descriptions, nor was there any team to go over our business structure. So I created a small team composed of our Executive level positions, who have decades of experience in business and economic development, to go over the many opportunities that the Tribe may choose to move forward with. This team is going through the due diligence process and getting answers to these basic questions: Are any proposals would even be worth looking at? What would work best for the Tribe? Is the Tribe going to make money? We have also created a job description for an Economic Development Director position, which I hope to have approved by Council at the December Tribal Council Meeting.
· WaSheShu Casino- I have been in talks with the Poarch Creek Band of Indians (PCBI) about the Casino which we partnered with them on. It has taken me a little while to learn the complex structure that was put in place to resurrect the Washoe Development Enterprise (WDE) and is making more sense as I learn. I am in talks with PCBI to start a plan for the Washoe Tribe to take full ownership of the Casino. I understand that this was the idea from the start, but there was no actual plan in place. We are now formulating that plan and hopes to be in agreement very soon.
· Native Youth Conference- I gave an opening speech at the Native Youth Conference earlier this month. This conference is put on by our own Education Department and Staff. I think it’s very important to continue to provide our youth these types of opportunities to learn things that are outside the curriculum of the school walls. It also gives youth the opportunity to hear about holistic health and learning in other ways. I also want to note that the Washoe Tribe is one of the few who actually put on these types of youth events. They have become rare in Native communities.
· Budget Meeting- Tribal Council had an open Budget Meeting this month, to show where we stand as we start to close out 2019. I brought up a couple topics that may have made some people mad, but when I see money being wasted I am going to bring it up. It is my job as Chairman to address the areas that will affect all Washoe Tribal Members, and I will not remain silent when I find out the truth of things. I fully understand “common practice” and “that’s how we’ve always done it” mentality. But I didn’t run for Chairman to continue old practices that have kept us stagnant for decades.
· NNDA- Northern Nevada Development Association. This is an organization that the Tribe has been a part of for a few years now. I am using their resources to know what’s going on with regional development, recruit high level candidates for jobs, and network with the existing businesses in our area. Their annual meeting was at the Nevada Governor’s Mansion earlier this month. We made some good contacts and found resources that will help in implementing future organizational goals for the Corporation side of the Washoe Tribe.
· Housing Deeds/Titles- Home conveyances and receiving Titles for paid off homes has been an ongoing issue for the Washoe Tribe. I have been working with our Washoe Housing Department, BIA, and Congressman Amodeii in getting this fixed. The voice of the Washoe Tribe was so loud in Washington, DC that the Congressman came down himself to assess the issue. There are many fingers that can be pointed, but that doesn’t concern me. I just want the problem fixed and we are now very close to resolving this issue that has haunted us for decades. Home Titles should start coming out by early next year.
· Monthly Managers Meeting- Every month the Tribal Administrator holds a “Managers Meeting” that consists of all management and above employees within the Tribe. I attend most of these meetings, but not all. My role is to give them all an insight as to what to expect, and how to prepare for changes. Since being seated as Chairman, I do not conduct business in the same manner as was being done before. We are striving for higher standards, accountability, and enforcement of policy. Next year I also plan to start conducting “Leadership Trainings” for employees. We want to keep good people and provide more opportunities for Tribal Members.

That is November in a nutshell. I am aiming to have better forms of communication real soon. Be on the lookout for a new Tribal Newsletter in your mailbox. And I am creating an email to allow everyone to voice your opinions and get your specific questions answered. I want to know how you think we’re doing. That’s myself (Chairman), Tribal Council, Community Councils, Administration, Everyone. I can’t fix a problem that I do not see. Be ready for those and I can’t wait to hear from you.

-Chairman Smokey

WTHC: COVID-19 Information

Last Updated: Wednesday, 11 March 2020 23:43 Published: 11 March 2020 Hits: 333

What is the Washoe Tribal Chairman?

Last Updated: Tuesday, 01 October 2019 00:04 Published: 01 October 2019 Hits: 807

WHAT IS A CHAIRMAN???

First, we must establish the definition of the Chairman of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Define what roles are responsibilities are bestowed upon the Chairman. For the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, the main responsibilities are:

1) President of the Washoe Tribal Government

2) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of all Washoe Tribal Corporation Enterprises and Non-profit Programs

3) Chairman of the Washoe Tribal Council

4) And most importantly… VOICE OF THE WASHOE TRIBAL PEOPLE

There are many more direct jobs that the Chairman has to do, like Economic Development, Government Lobbying, Public Relations, Creation and Development, Planning, just to name a few. Oh, and I cannot forget the numerous meetings throughout the year. Each one of these things listed can also be broken down into at least a dozen more jobs to accomplish the tasks that come about. So I guess you can say that the Chairman doesn’t get a whole lot of free time in his life… But hey, that’s what you sign up for! Haha!

As the current Chairman for the Washoe Tribe, I can only describe things to you based on my limited experience so far. Let me tell you, these first nine months have not been easy. There was no laid out plan for me to follow, and many of the years’ worth of records were very disorganized and hard to follow. We have been working hard to build a team of trusted individuals to head the administration of the Washoe Tribe. A team that is dedicated to putting the interests of the Tribe first. I must say that I am proud of our team and look forward to many positive changes in the near future.

Time is not on the side of the Chairman, as elected officials only get their four year term to learn about where the Tribe stands and take action to fix the issues. I am a man of action, but I know that we must take a cognitive approach to ensure that the actions we take will never become harmful to the Tribe, even years down the road. Tribal Leaders serve the people because we care about the future of our people and want to make an impact for the better of all. My approach may be a little bit different than my predecessors, but that’s the reason I was elected by the Washoe People. My approach is to do things that will be beneficial to the Tribe as a whole, and not only to certain individuals. As you may, or may not realize, I get a lot of negative feedback from this. But it’s okay, I will not let rumors, or personal negativity stop me from doing what’s right for all the Washoe People.

That’s about it, in a nut shell for now. Of course, I could go into much more detail, but that will come as the future of the Chairman’s Blog unfolds. We are also working on posting Administrative updates as well. There are so many things that are happening that it is hard to keep everyone informed of all the goings on within the Tribe, but we’re doing our best. We want to have a high level of transparency and keep the Tribe together in a good way. History has shown that we have been our own worst enemy many times. It’s time we Come together, Stay together, and Prosper together.

Respectfully,

Chairman Smokey

Chairman's Blog