Question & Answers to Rama Open Council Meeting Held Oct. 25, 2010 at 7pm

Approximately 25 people were in attendance including the entire Chief and Council.

On the agenda was Arnold Snache's letter asking to discuss the Chief and Council salaries and severance packages.

Added to the agenda was Christmas bonuses, grants and proposals, what happens if Chief and Council committed a criminal offense, and economic development.

The Chief started the meeting by stating she makes $135,000 annually, plus they (Chief and Council) receive an allowance for travel after each election. 

The Chief further stated that Chief and Council have agreed to a reduced travel/gas allowance, and an immediate salary reduction.  The decreases are going to be announced at the next Rama Finance Meeting.  The date of this meeting is to be determined, and is tentatively set for November 25th.  The reason for not sharing the cuts were that Chief and Council wanted to let all the members of Rama know at the same time. 

Anna Petrick (Anna) asked the Chief to clarify which community she belongs to -- Orillia or Rama.  The Chief responded with she was born in Rama, was she (Anna)?  Anna stated that she was not born in Rama but that she has lived in Rama since 1975, which is a lot longer than the Chief has lived in Rama.

Shawna Snache (Shawna) asked "When did the clothing allowance start?".  The Chief responded that it was started before she was elected.  The Chief further added, that Chief and Council (C&C) make a good salary.  It's going to grow.  That's how it has grown substantially.  I'll let Council interject when they wish.  C&C over see the businesses. 

Anna asked if C&C received $6,000 each year for Christmas bonuses, and the $4,000 trust distribution, and vacation, which all totals to approximately $20,000 for the month of December.  The Chief stated that do receive all that.

Shawna asked if the bonuses were based on their salaries.  The Chief stated they go through salaries each budget time.  Shawna asked if they do the same for Council.  Councillor Larry Shilling (Larry) stated that it is a lot of work.  Shawna asked if that was really true.  He responded yes, they work 5 to 6 days a week. 

Councillor Ronald Douglas (Ron) stated he was not there to debate with anybody.  We have made deductions.  We were not told to, we just chose to.  As far as the numbers and the policies, many were put in place before some of us got here.  The scope of the work was unrealized and misunderstood (by the membership).  This is not being said with a with a mean spirit.  Mentally (the work is challenging).  To some it may not be agreed to.  We cannot sleep at times when difficult decisions are to be made.  It can make us sick.

Anna responded that "we all do".  She works at Casino Rama and knows all about stress of the job.

Ron added that they (C&C) cannot turn it off.  A lot of information to learn.  I have heard that some Councillors had heard material several times and still have trouble understanding certain information.  We look at funding agreements, reporting, policies, and we go out into the community to address community concerns, and there are other parts of the job.  Is it worth it?  I'm not sure.  But it's not easy.  Someone said (not C&C, nor Rick) but this person said -- There is nothing that will prepare you for the work that lies ahead of you.  -- The scope of work by other First Nations is not the same as ours.  There's is no less important, however, we have many more responsibilities.

Councillor Byron Stiles (Bryon) chimed in -- the amount of work there is.  Other First Nations meet once a month.  We meet once a week (large binder full of material) and community needs such as health and housing and individual things.  We have to develop policies.

Shawna:  What policies do C&C follow.
Chief answered with a remuneration policy for sure, we make and pass policies, spent months and months on the education policy, housing policies.

Sara asked if there was a cap for mileage.  Yes, there is a cap.
Anna:  Do you (C&C) have to show receipts.  Chief said no.  Anna added that they should return what they don`t use.  The Chief said she still has her 1999 SRV which she bought before she became Chief.  She doesn`t even have the time to purchase a new vehicle.  She puts so much effort in her job.  She had her windshield replaced twice.  She has more dings in her doors from people open car doors around her vehicle. 
Q:  Anna asked doesn`t the allowance just go for gas. 
A:  Chief said it was a vehicle allowance. 
Comment:  Sara said the mileage allowance is $40 per km and that $500 a month is great.  We are actually saving money. 
A:  Chief said although she appreciates Sara`s comments, she stated that she charges mileage if she attends a meeting in Toronto for example. 
A:  Ron stated that if they were to submit a mileage claim for short trips, (all receipts get handed in) it would exceed the $500 allowance they receive.  It would also be a lot of paperwork.
Q:  Anna asked Ron if walks to work. 
A:  Ron said no, he walks during his lunch breaks though.  I drive a lot.  There`s merit there.
The catchment area is Barrie.  They charge mileage for trips outside Barrie.
Q:  Dawn Ireland-Noganosh (Dawn) asked if there is a mileage allowance and a travel allowance.
A:  yes.
Q:  Dawn asked how do you justify your salaries and severance packages.  This needs to be shared with the community.  Orillia has a committee that reviews their Council`s salaries.
A:  Ron asked or do they review recommendations.
A:  Dawn said salaries are not comparable.
A:  Ron stated that he did not set salaries before he started.  The Mayor of Orillia and other municipalities have a different level of responsibilities. 
A:  Chief said C&C is going to provide a comparison of the responsibilities of the City of Orillia Council and Rama`s C&C.  So far, 55 areas of responsibilities has been conservatively identified for Rama.
Q:  Dawn asked if we could see Orillia`s responsibilities and see how C&C compare them.
A:  Chief said we are not privy to Orillia`s list and we are not sure how they set up their portfolios.  On daily basis, we are responsible for fire and police policies.  This is not a 5 day a week job, it is 24 hours.  Rick (Morano)`s father was on the City of Orillia Council and has supplied some information of their responsibilities.
Q:  Dawn asked if a committee could be set up in Rama so we can have a say.  It just means you are more transparent.
A:  Chief said you make very valid points.  Again, just as an example, some Councillors in Orillia are retired.  Also, they have other jobs and have time for a second job.  We have a jammed full schedule.  Days are jammed packed.  Example, land claim settled...almost 2 years since new settlement was sent to them.  Going through a process.  New meeting with Minister.  We only have a week or so to deal with this, and we had a full agenda.  Yes, we have a lot of staff, good staff.

Comment:  Anna said she liked Dawn`s suggestion.

Chief said she is not sure who is on their committee.

Q:  Anna said no bias, but C&C say they run a multi-million dollar facility (Casino Rama), but are you guys just getting the rent money.
A:  Chief said yes come post 2011, but until now, we`ve been having meetings, and we secured an agreement.
Q:  Sara said thanks for doing that reduction.  C&C do work extremely had and many of them have one income.
Comment:  Arnold Snache (Arnold) said Gina`s husband works, Byron`s wife works, `Ron`s wife left her job.
Q:  Sara asked if C&C have pension plans. 
A:  Chief said they do.
Q:  Arnold asked if pension plans are the same as other staff.  Standard Life.
A:  Chief said yes.
Q:  Sara asked what the severance policies were.
A:  Byron said he answered this question during candidates night in front of everyone.  We get 2 months for every year served.  It is capped at 10 years, if elected into C&C for 5 years (at 2 year terms).
Q:  What is that amount.  Based on C&C`s salary.
A:  Some other First Nations may make you take a severance pay when you leave a job, Larry gave up 15 years seniority, Gina did too (left a job), and so did Byron.
Q:  Anna asked if all the other employees get $6,000 bonus too.  Should go by seniority.
Comment:  Dawn said she got $300 bonus and did not get a clothing allowance.  She said she was having trouble accepting C&C`s answers and asked that the committee she suggested be considered.
Q:  Shawna asked why don`t we have 12 councillors (1 councillor per 100 members) as it would cut the workload in half.
A:  Byron said other First Nations who have 12 councillors and they have trouble reaching decisions. 
Q:  Shawna said it is not about what is convenient for C&C.  It is about what is convenient for the community.  Delegate more to the community.