[HISTORY: Adopted by the Legislature of the
Menominee Indian Tribe as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Establishment of gaming authorities — See Ch.
90.
[Adopted 6-17-1999 by Ord. No. 99-11; amended in its entirety 6-6-2019 by Ord. No. 19-08]
For the purposes of this Charter, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
AUTHORITY
The tribally chartered business established by this Charter
titled the "Menominee Kenosha Gaming Authority."
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The body named in this Charter to provide for the management
of the gaming operation defined below.
COMPACT
The Gaming Compact of 1992 between the Tribe and the State
of Wisconsin dated June 3, 1992, and any amendments thereto and/or
successor compacts.
GAMING CONTROL CODE
Chapter
347, Article
III, Gaming Code, as it may be amended from time to time, or any superseding ordinance, including any ordinance enacted by the Authority under §
660-3 of this Charter and approved under IGRA.
GAMING OPERATION
The tribal gaming facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin, established
by the Menominee Tribal Legislature pursuant to the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act of 1988 and the Compact with the State of Wisconsin.
GOVERNMENTAL POWERS
Those powers of the tribal government which it engages in
as a federally recognized Indian tribe.
IGRA
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, together with any amendments thereto and any regulations
adopted thereunder.
TRIBAL LEGISLATURE AND MTL
The tribal governing body elected pursuant to the Menominee
Constitution and Bylaws, Section 3, Article IV, and their successors.
TRIBAL MEMBER
Any person included on the official roll of the Menominee
Tribe.
TRIBE
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
The purpose of the tribally chartered business, the Authority,
is to develop, construct, conduct, and manage a gaming business in
Kenosha, Wisconsin, as authorized by tribal law, the IGRA, and the
Compact.
Pursuant to Article XIII, Menominee Constitution, this tribally
chartered business shall have as its form of management a Board of
Directors.
A. Members.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 20-43]
(1) The Board shall consist of five members. Three members shall be members
of the Menominee Tribal Legislature, with no more than one Legislator
appointed from each class, unless there are no Legislators in a class
willing or eligible to act as a Director, in which case the Legislature
may appoint a Legislator from any class. If determined necessary by
the Menominee Tribal Gaming Commission, these Legislative members
shall maintain a valid gaming license. Membership of Tribal Legislator
members on the Board is coterminous with the current legislative term
of the appointed Board member. The two other members of the Board
must meet the following criteria:
(a)
Adult enrolled member of the Menominee Tribe;
(b)
Must be able to pass a background check, and, if determined
necessary by the Menominee Tribal Gaming Commission, maintain a valid
gaming license;
(c)
Demonstrated knowledge of and participation in Menominee Tribe's
efforts to develop a gaming business in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The term of members who are not current Menominee Legislators
shall be three years.
(2) All members shall be appointed by the Menominee Tribal Legislature by motion. If the Legislature determines that there are not persons available who meet the requirements of Subsection
A(1)(a) through
(c) the Legislature may choose to leave one or both of these non-Legislator Board member seats vacant.
B. Conflict of interest prohibited. Pursuant to Article XVII, Menominee
Constitution, Board members shall not make or participate in making
any decision which involves a substantial personal financial interest,
other than those interests held in common by all tribal members.
C. Powers of Board. The Board shall possess powers listed in Article XIII, Menominee Constitution, and shall be governed by limitations listed therein. The Board is hereby delegated all proprietary powers of the Tribe necessary to permit the Authority to discharge its obligations and to enforce its rights under this Charter and the power to enact and from time to time amend a gaming ordinance and implementing regulations to regulate the conduct of gaming on Kenosha property, provided that such ordinance shall not conflict with any agreement referred to in §
660-10 of this Charter, and provided further that such ordinance shall provide for a regulatory body separate from the Board. Until the Board enacts any such ordinance and it becomes effective, the Gaming Control Code shall apply to the gaming operation. The Board is also authorized to adopt such bylaws as the Board deems reasonable and to conduct all other activities reasonably necessary to implement the powers enumerated above or to further the business needs of the Authority.
D. Meetings. The Board shall meet a minimum of four times a year. Additional
meetings may be held at the written request of two members of the
Board. Places of meetings shall be set by the Board or by the members
calling the meeting; provided, however, that such meeting places shall
be reasonably accessible for attendance by tribal members. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Board may hold meetings by telephone conference
when, as determined by the Chairperson or by the members calling the
meeting, it would be impractical to convene a meeting at which all
Directors or a quorum will be physically present. In addition, the
Board may take action without a meeting if a consent, in writing,
setting out the action so taken, is signed by the number of the Directors
required by this Charter to take such action.
E. Quorum. The quorum for any meeting of the Board shall be the majority
of the Directors then in office.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 20-43]
F. Notice of meetings. Seventy-two hours' notice of meetings shall be
given to Board members, verbal or written, unless circumstances, as
determined by the Chairperson of the Board, shall indicate a shorter
time.
G. Officers. The Tribal Legislature shall name the Chairperson of the
Board of Directors. The Board may name other officers from its members,
including a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, and may
define their duties.
H. Compensation. The Board may receive a reasonable compensation for
service on the Board; provided, however, that such compensation shall
not exceed the compensation provided for the Tribal Legislature. Compensation
under this provision may be revised on an annual basis.
I. Annual business meeting. The Board shall hold an annual business
meeting on the second Saturday of April for the purpose of informing
tribal members of the operation of the Authority for the past year.
This meeting shall be held in Keshena, Wisconsin, at a time and place
reasonably accessible to tribal members. In the event of failure,
through oversight or other compelling reasons, to hold the annual
business meeting as provided for herein, a subsequent meeting shall
be held within 30 days of written request from a tribal member. The
Board shall cause the management of the gaming operation to be present
at the annual business meeting.
Each present, former, and future member of the Board of Directors
shall be entitled to be reimbursed and indemnified from assets of
the Authority for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred
by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding of
whatever nature in which he may be involved as a party or otherwise
by reason of his having served as a member of the Board of Directors
or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by
him as a member of the Board (including settlement amounts approved
by a majority of the Board then in office other than those involved),
provided that the Authority need reimburse such Board member's legal
fees and expenses only if they are incurred after the Board has refused
to provide legal representation to the member at the Authority's expense.
No such reimbursement or indemnification shall be made in connection
with any matter arising out of the negligence or misconduct of such
Board members. Neither this section nor any action or inaction by
the Board under this section shall create any liability against the
Board or the Authority.
All income to the Authority from whatever source, including
all income from the Kenosha gaming operation, and any funds that are
advanced, granted, given, or loaned to the Authority, and any leasehold
interest held by the Authority, shall constitute assets of the Authority.
No tribal real property, whether owned by the Tribe in fee or owned
by the United States in trust, or personal property, other than that
listed above, shall be an asset of the Authority for any purpose.
A. General method of operations. The Authority shall be operated in
an efficient, businesslike manner in accordance with this Charter.
In addition, the Board of Directors shall:
(1) Establish an accounting system that is in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and is approved by an independent certified
public accounting firm chosen by the MTL.
(2) Cause an inventory of property to be taken as of the last day of
business of each fiscal year.
(3) Cause an annual audit of the Authority by an independent public accounting
firm chosen by the MTL.
(4) Prepare or have prepared an annual financial statement of the operations
of the Authority.
(5) Prepare or have prepared monthly and annual financial statements.
(6) Prepare a proposed budget, which shall constitute a plan of operation
for the Authority, prior to the beginning of each fiscal year.
B. Distribution of net profits. The profits of the Authority realized
from the gaming operation shall be disbursed by the Authority to the
Tribe each month, except that the Authority shall pay or retain such
sums as it is required to pay or retain under contracts entered into
with third parties, and the Authority may retain such sums as are
reasonable and necessary for incidental operating expenses for the
establishment and maintenance of reserve accounts in such amounts
for such purposes as the Board deems reasonably necessary and prudent.
The Board may, by specific written agreement with any party,
consent to suit against the Authority in its capacity as a tribal
business upon any contract, claim, or obligation arising out of its
activities authorized by this Charter and may waive the requirement
of exhaustion of tribal remedies in such suits, provided that any
such waiver of sovereign immunity shall limit the recovery of money
damages to the undistributed or future net revenues or other assets
of the Authority. Subject to the provisions of this Charter, the Authority
is authorized to pledge, mortgage, or otherwise encumber its assets
as security for debts and to acquire, sell, lease, exchange, transfer,
or assign personal property or interests therein. In no event shall
any assets of the Tribe, including tribal forest land and other tribal
land, be subject to any obligations of the Authority. The Tribe does
not consent to be used in its own name by means of this Charter.
Subject to the requirements and limitations of §
660-10, pursuant to the vested power of the Tribal Legislature set forth in the Menominee Constitution and Bylaws, the Tribal Legislature shall have the power to amend this Charter by ordinance.
Subject to the requirements and limitations of §
660-10, pursuant to the vested power of the Tribal Legislature as set forth in the Menominee Constitution and Bylaws, the Tribal Legislature may terminate this Charter; provided, however, that notice of any such action of termination, and the reasons for such action, shall be posted in accordance with applicable tribal law for a period of 30 days, in addition to notice given to the Board of Directors. In the event that this Charter is terminated as provided for above, the Board of Directors shall promptly relinquish all books and records of the Authority to the Tribal Legislature or its designee.
A. Amendments. During any period in which an indenture, compact or other
contract entered into or binding on the Authority is outstanding or
in effect which recites that it is entered into in reliance on this
section, the Tribal Legislature shall give notice to all parties to
any such contract of intent to amend or repeal the Charter at least
30 days prior to the amendment or repeal. In addition, as part of
the Tribe's guarantee of any indenture, compact or other contract
entered into by the Authority, amendment or repeal of this Charter
shall require the written consent of all parties to such agreements.
For the purpose of this provision, an indenture, compact or contract
is outstanding or in effect only if it has received all of the regulatory
approvals required by law.
B. Nonimpairment of contracts. Notwithstanding any other provision of
tribal law, the Tribe agrees through the issuance of this Charter
that it shall enact no law impairing the obligations of contracts
entered into by the Authority in furtherance of the development, construction,
operation, or promotion of gaming on the Kenosha property. Neither
the Legislature nor any committee, agency, or other official body,
and no office or official, of the Tribe shall, by exercise of the
police power or otherwise, act to modify, amend, or in any manner
impair the obligations of contracts entered into by the Board without
the written consent of the nontribal parties to such contracts. Any
such action or attempted action shall be voided ab initio.
C. Contract with the tribe. This Charter constitutes a contract between
the Tribe and the Authority, and it cannot be amended or repealed
except according to its terms. Parties to contracts with the Authority
which state that they are entered into in reliance on this section
are deemed to be third-party beneficiaries of this Charter, and the
provisions of this section are deemed to be part of the Tribe's guarantee
of such contract.
A. Principal place of business. Initially, the principal office of the
Authority shall be located in the Tribal Office Building, Menominee
Reservation, in Keshena, Wisconsin. As soon as it is practical after
the Kenosha property is acquired by the Tribe, the principal office
of the Authority shall be located on the Kenosha property, and the
Board of Directors shall maintain offices there. The Authority may
have such other offices as the Board of Directors may designate and
as the business of the Authority may require from time to time.
B. Agent for service of process. The Board of Directors shall designate
an agent of the Authority for the purpose of accepting service of
process. The business address of such agent shall be the principal
office of the Authority. Until the Board of Directors designates such
agent, the Tribal Secretary shall serve as such agent.
C. Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a seal of the Authority.
D. Duration. This Charter shall remain in effect in perpetuity unless
revoked according to its terms.
[Adopted 1-3-2008; amended in its entirety 6-6-2019 by Ord. No. 19-08]
This Charter is issued to a tribal business to be known as "Menominee
Indian Gaming Authority," hereinafter referred to as "MIGA."
The purpose of MIGA is to operate the Tribe's gaming operation
conducted within the Menominee Indian Reservation as defined by the
1854 Treaty and the Menominee Restoration Act ("Reservation") in order
to generate revenue to fund the governmental operations and programs
of the Tribe.
A. This amendment reorganizes the existing Menominee Indian Gaming Authority.
MIGA, as reorganized by this Charter, shall continue to hold, control,
manage and operate all properties, operations, obligations, contract
rights, licenses and other rights and inurements of the Menominee
Indian Gaming Authority as established pursuant to Tribal Ordinance
No. 97-06, adopted by the Tribal Legislature on March 4, 2004, and
shall automatically, upon the effective date of this Charter, succeed,
without need of any further act or instrument, whether of conveyance
or otherwise, to all interests whatsoever of its predecessor in interest
in, and to hold, control, manage and operate, all such properties,
whether tangible or intangible, operations, contract rights, licenses
and other rights and inurements of said predecessor in interest.
B. In furtherance of the provisions of this section, all valid and binding
contractual and other obligations of said predecessor in interest
existing on the effective date of this Charter are hereby assumed
by MIGA, which shall accordingly be obligated to perform in full each
and every such contractual or other obligation heretofore entered
into or assumed by said predecessor in interest. Moreover, each and
every party to any such contract, instrument, document or agreement
(other than said predecessor in interest) shall be a third-party beneficiary
of this section and all other pertinent provisions of this Charter,
and MIGA shall, upon the effective date of this Charter, automatically
succeed to all such preexisting contractual and other obligations
without need for any further act or instrument, whether of assumption
or otherwise, in favor of any such third-party beneficiary.
MIGA is and shall remain a subordinate instrumentality of the
Tribe, which maintains sole proprietary interest and responsibility
for the gaming operation conducted pursuant to this Charter. As an
instrumentality of the Tribe, MIGA enjoys an autonomous existence.
For the purpose of this Charter, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
COMPACT
The Compact between the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
and the State of Wisconsin dated as of June 3, 1992, as amended from
time to time.
GAAP
Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
as promulgated by the Government Accounting Standards Board, or such
other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the
accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to
the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
GAMING
Any and all activities defined as Class II or Class III gaming
under IGRA or any other gaming activity authorized under the Compact.
GAMING ASSETS
A.
All cash, cash equivalents, receivables and other assets generated
by the gaming operation and all personal property and assets acquired
by MIGA and used in the gaming operation after the date of this Charter;
B.
To the extent not included in Subsection
A, all assets and personal property, and any interest therein, held, controlled and managed by MIGA at the date of this Charter; and
C.
All proceeds, income and profits from any of the assets referred to in Subsections
A and
B of this definition; provided, however, that gaming assets shall not include:
(1)
Any real property held in trust in the name of the United States
for the benefit of the Tribe or held by the Tribe in fee or restricted
fee status wherever located;
(2)
Any personal property constituting assets of the Tribal Gaming
Commission for the proper discharge of the Tribal Gaming Commission's
regulatory responsibilities under the Tribal Gaming Ordinance; and
(3)
Any personal property benefiting MIGA primarily because of its
use in connection with the Tribe's provision of essential governmental
services, such as those related to health, safety and welfare.
GAMING OPERATION
A.
All gaming operations of the Tribe conducted within the Reservation.
B.
Any and all other gaming-related development and operations,
including but not limited to related retails sales and associated
hotel, resort or entertainment facilities, conducted within the Reservation.
MIGA
The Menominee Indian Gaming Authority.
NET REVENUES
Gross revenues of the gaming operation less amounts paid
out as, or paid for, prizes and total operating expenses as determined
in accordance with GAAP.
RESERVATION
The Menominee Indian Reservation as defined by the 1854 Treaty
and the Menominee Restoration Act.
RESIDE ON OR NEAR
Having a permanent home on the Reservation or within 20 miles
of the exterior boundaries of the Menominee Indian Reservation.
TRIBAL GAMING ORDINANCE
Tribal Ordinance No. 93-30, adopted as of March 4, 1999,
as amended from time to time and as approved by the National Indian
Gaming Commission.
TRIBE
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
MIGA shall have all the powers of a chartered tribal business pursuant to Article XIII of the Menominee Constitution and all powers necessary to hold, control, manage and operate the gaming operation for the purpose listed in §
660-13 of this Charter. MIGA is specifically authorized and empowered to:
A. Acquire property in its own name and to pledge, mortgage, lease,
or otherwise encumber interests in such property as security for debts
and to acquire, sell, lease, exchange, transfer, or assign personal
property or interests therein;
B. Hold, control and manage all gaming assets and pledge, mortgage,
lease, or otherwise encumber gaming assets, provided that MIGA is
not authorized to pledge, mortgage, lease, or otherwise encumber tribal
lands or interests therein;
C. Consent by specific written agreement with any party to sue and be
sued in its capacity as an instrumentality of the Tribe upon any contract
or obligation arising out of its authorized activities in any court
of competent jurisdiction and to consent to arbitration or mediation
of disputes;
D. Consent by specific written agreement with any party to waive any
requirement of exhaustion of remedies in Tribal Courts;
E. Receive, collect and own all revenues and pay all expenses and expenditures
arising from or relating to the gaming operation;
F. Purchase, take, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire, own,
hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, loan, pledge, or otherwise
dispose of and otherwise use and deal in and with shares or other
interests in, or obligations of, corporations, associations, partnerships
or other entities, or individuals, or direct or indirect obligations
of the United States or of any other government, tribe, state, territory,
governmental district or municipality, or of any instrumentality thereof;
G. Make and enter into contracts in furtherance of MIGA's purposes and
to incur liabilities, indebtedness and other obligations, including
the issuance of guarantees and the borrowing of money at such rates
of interest as MIGA may determine, and to issue its notes, bonds,
debt securities and other obligations and secure any of such obligations
by mortgage or pledge of all or any of its property, franchises, revenues
and income;
H. Employ contractors, consultants, agents, managers, advisers, attorneys
and accountants;
I. Lend money, invest and reinvest its funds, and take and hold real
and personal property as security for the payment of funds so lent
or invested;
J. Conduct its affairs, carry on its operations, hold property, and
have offices and exercise the powers granted by this Charter;
K. Develop, design, construct, equip and finance the gaming operation
and associated development and refinance, improve or expand facilities
for the use of or as may be useful to MIGA;
L. Hire, supervise and terminate employees, consultants and agents of
MIGA and define their duties and fix their compensation;
M. Make and alter bylaws, not inconsistent with this Charter or with
the laws, ordinances, and regulations of the Tribe and the United
States, for the administration of the affairs of MIGA; and
N. Open and maintain such deposit and securities accounts with banks,
securities intermediaries and other financial institutions, whether
located within or without the State of Wisconsin, and to deposit therein
any or all revenues of the gaming operation, which accounts shall
be separate from other accounts of the Tribe, and no assets in the
accounts of MIGA shall be commingled with the other assets of the
Tribe.
O. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter, MIGA is specifically
not authorized to create debt or other obligations outside the normal
course of business that would have the potential to significantly
reduce the net revenues transferred to the Tribe, unless the assumption
of such debt or other obligation is authorized by the Tribal Legislature.
The form of management of MIGA shall be a Board of Directors.
A. Board of Directors.
(1) Number of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of five
Directors.
(2) Initial Board of Directors. The initial Board of Directors shall
be composed of the following persons who shall serve in that capacity
until the date listed after his/her name, unless he/she resigns or
is removed prior to that date:
Petronell Martin
|
August 18, 2008
|
Eugene Caldwell
|
February 8, 2008
|
Betty Jo Wozniak
|
May 31, 2009
|
Karen Washinawatok
|
February 8, 2008
|
Richard R. Dodge
|
May 17, 2010
|
(3) Power and duties. The Board of Directors shall exercise all the powers
and be responsible for all the duties of MIGA as set forth in this
Charter and the ordinance adopting this Charter. The Board of Directors
will determine the manner in which it will exercise its authority
and responsibility for the management of the tribal business and the
manner and extent to which such powers will be delegated to agents
and employees of MIGA.
(4) Appointment. The Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Tribal
Legislature.
(5) Qualifications.
(a)
At least two Directors, not from the same class, shall be members
of the Tribal Legislature.
(b)
All Directors shall be enrolled members of the Tribe.
(c)
All Directors shall reside on or near the Menominee Reservation.
(d)
All Directors must be able to pass a background check, conducted
by the Menominee Tribal Gaming Commission, and maintain a valid gaming
license.
(6) Term. The initial Board of Directors shall serve for a term in accordance with Subsection
A(2) above. Subsequent Directors who are Tribal Legislators shall serve a term that coincides with their three-year term of office on the Tribal Legislature in effect at the time of their appointment. All other Directors shall serve three-year terms.
(7) Quorum. The presence of not fewer than three Directors, at least
one of whom is also a member of the Tribal Legislature, shall be necessary
to constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors for the transaction
of business of MIGA. The act of a majority of Directors present and
voting at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of MIGA.
(8) Officers of the Board.
(a)
The Board of Directors shall have the following officers with
the following duties:
[1]
Chairperson. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall
be a Director who is a member of the Tribal Legislature and who is
designated Chairperson by the Tribal Legislature. The Chairperson
shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall
perform all duties incident to the office of the Chairperson of the
Board of Directors and such other duties as, from time to time, may
be assigned by the Board of Directors.
[2]
Vice chairperson. The Vice Chairperson shall be a Director who
acts in the capacity of the Chairperson in the absence of the latter
and shall discharge any other duties designated by the Chairperson
and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to the
Vice Chairperson by the Board of Directors.
[3]
Secretary/treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be custodian
of the seal and records and shall perform all duties incident to the
office of the Secretary/Treasurer and such duties as may, from time
to time, be assigned to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall, at the expense of MIGA, give a bond
for the faithful performance and discharge of the Treasurer's duties
in such amount, so conditioned, and with such surety or sureties as
the Board of Directors may require.
[4]
Other officers. The Board of Directors may appoint an Assistant
Secretary to perform the duties of the Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer,
respectively, in the absence of those officers.
[5]
Officers generally. All officers of the Board of Directors shall
be Directors. No Director shall hold more than one office at any one
time.
(b)
Appointment, removal, and vacancy. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall be designated in conformance with Subsection
A(8)(a)[1] above. All other officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Any officer, other than the Chairperson, may be removed as an officer by the Board of Directors whenever it believes it is in the best interest of MIGA to do so. Vacancies in any office, other than Chairperson, shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The Chairperson may only be removed from his or her office by the Tribal Legislature, and any vacancy in the office of Chairperson shall be filled by the Tribal Legislature.
(9) Removal. The Tribal Legislature may remove any Director for any reason
it deems to be in the best interest of MIGA or the Tribe.
(10)
Replacement of Director. Upon resignation, death, or removal
of a Director, the Tribal Legislature shall appoint a new Director
to fill the remainder of that Director's term of office.
(11)
Compensation. Directors may receive a reasonable compensation
for service on the Board; provided, however, that such compensation
shall not exceed the compensation provided to Tribal Legislators for
their service on the Tribal Legislature.
B. Effect of appointment to Board of Directors. Appointment to the Board
of Directors shall create no right of any kind to such office.
C. Reporting requirements.
(1) The Board of Directors, and any agent or employee of MIGA designated
by the Board, shall submit monthly reports to the Tribal Legislature
by the last Thursday of each month for the previous month and may
be subject to more frequent periodic reporting requirements if the
Tribal Legislature determines that such reports are necessary. The
report shall include, at a minimum, a current detailed balance sheet;
an income statement that includes a comparison with the same month
for the previous fiscal year; a comparative income statement for the
current-to-date and previous fiscal year; and a narrative report on
the activities of MIGA.
(2) The Board of Directors shall submit the proposed annual budget referenced in §
660-20A(6) to the Tribal Legislature for its review and comment at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year. The annual budget will also include the projected amount of revenue transfer to the Tribe, whether it be a percentage of profit or a fixed sum. The budget shall include a listing of any new indebtedness and investments anticipated for the upcoming fiscal year.
(3) Any budgets, reports, documents and other information provided to the Tribal Legislature pursuant to the requirements of this §
660-18C shall be deemed proprietary confidential business records and not tribal records for the purposes of Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Constitution and Bylaws, Bylaws II, Section 3.
D. Conflict of interest. Pursuant to Article XVII, Menominee Constitution and Bylaws, Directors shall not make or participate in making any decision which involves an entity, property, business, transaction, supplier in which the Director, his/her spouse, parent, brother, sister, child, in-law or relative of a first degree owns, controls, manages or directs any interest, other than interests held in common by all tribal members. Nothing in this Subsection
D shall prohibit a Director who is a member of the Menominee Tribal Legislature from making or participating in any decision of the Board which involves the Menominee Indian tribe.
E. Indemnification. Each present, former, and future member of the Board
of Directors shall be entitled to be reimbursed and indemnified from
assets of MIGA for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred
by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding of
whatever nature in which he may be involved as a party or otherwise
by reason of his having served as a member of the Board of Directors
or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by
him as a member of the Board of Directors (including settlement amounts
approved by a majority of Directors then in office other than those
involved), provided that MIGA need reimburse such Director's legal
fees and expenses only if they are incurred after the Board of Directors
has refused to provide legal representation to the Director at MIGA's
expense. No such reimbursement or indemnification shall be made in
connection with any matter arising out of the negligence or misconduct
of such Director. Neither this subsection nor any action or inaction
by the Board of Directors under this subsection shall create any liability
against the Board of Directors or MIGA.
A. Appointment of general manager. The Board of Directors shall appoint
a general manager of the gaming operations. The existing contract
with the general manager of MIGA is hereby ratified and confirmed.
Subject to the existing contractual arrangements with the general
manager, the general manager shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
The appointment of the general manager shall be subject to the issuance
of a tribal gaming license pursuant to the requirements of the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act, Public Law 100-497, codified as 25 U.S.C. §§ 2701
and 2702, as amended from time to time (IGRA), the Compact, and tribal
law.
B. Qualifications of general manager. The general manager shall show
an understanding of gaming operation principles and applicable law,
shall have a verifiable record of successful executive and administrative
experience, and shall have such other related skills as are deemed
necessary or desirable by the Board of Directors; shall have a verifiable
record of success in leading profitable business(es), have a demonstrated
ability to develop and sustain a work environment focused on driving
profit by positively motivating employees to deliver first class service
to customers.
C. Duties of general manager. The general manager shall exercise all
authority granted under this code and provided within policies of
MIGA approved by the Board. The general manager shall be responsible
for increasing revenue earned by MIGA, increasing transfers to the
Tribe, leading employees by example, and improving the customer experience
in all areas of the gaming operations to set MIGA apart from competitors.
The general manager shall:
(1) Manage and control the gaming operations subject to all applicable
federal, state, and tribal laws;
(2) Submit all contracts obligating MIGA by an amount in excess of $100,000
to the Board of Directors for approval, unless the Board, through
resolution, authorizes the general manager to execute contracts in
excess of this amount;
(3) Develop personnel policies and procedures which reflect the specific
requirements of tribal gaming on an as-needed basis, subject to the
ratification or approval of the Board of Directors;
(4) Conduct all accounting and fiscal matters pursuant to systems approved
by the Board of Directors;
(5) Make reports to the Board of Directors on at least a monthly basis
and more often if so requested;
(6) Prepare and propose a budget for each fiscal year which shall be
submitted to the Board of Directors for approval; and
(7) Perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall direct.
D. Reimbursement and indemnification. The general manager shall be entitled
to be reimbursed and indemnified by the MIGA for all legal and other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with any claim, action,
suit, or proceeding of whatever nature in which he may be involved
by reason of having served as general manager. Reimbursement and indemnification
under this subsection include amounts paid or incurred in connection
with reasonable settlements designed to curtail litigation costs.
No such reimbursement or indemnification shall relate to any expense
incurred or settlement made in connection with any matter arising
out of the negligence or misconduct of the general manager, as determined
by the Tribal Courts.
A. General method of operations. MIGA shall be operated in an efficient,
businesslike manner in accordance with this Charter. In addition,
the Board of Directors shall:
(1) Establish and operate under an accounting system that is in accordance
with GAAP and is approved by an independent certified public accounting
firm chosen by the Tribal Legislature;
(2) Cause an inventory of property to be taken as of the last day of
business of each fiscal year;
(3) Cause an annual audit of MIGA by an independent public accounting
firm chosen by the Tribal Legislature;
(4) Prepare or have prepared an annual financial statement of the operations
of MIGA;
(5) Prepare or have prepared monthly and annual financial statements;
(6) Prepare a proposed budget, in line with industry standards, which
shall constitute a plan of operation for MIGA, prior to the beginning
of each fiscal year; and
(7) Establish and maintain a fiscal year consistent with the Tribe's
fiscal year.
B. Distribution of net revenues. Subject to applicable restrictions
reflecting the terms of any contractual agreement entered into by
MIGA, all net revenues, after satisfaction of all liabilities, indebtedness
and other obligations then due, other costs and expenses of MIGA,
and after reserving such funds as may in the judgment of MIGA be required
for compliance with any terms and conditions of any contractual agreement
entered into by MIGA and the continuing operation of MIGA in the ordinary
course of its business, including required capital expenditures to
maintain the plant, property and equipment of the gaming operation,
shall be remitted to the general fund of the Tribe for disposition
by the Tribal Legislature on at least a monthly basis, provided that,
with the approval of the Tribal Legislature, MIGA may reserve such
additional funds as may be required for approved capital expansion
projects related to the gaming operation.
C. Records; inspection; audits. The books, records and property of MIGA
shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by authorized
representatives of the Tribe. The accounts and records of MIGA shall
be audited at the close of each fiscal year in accordance with the
provisions of the IGRA and the regulations of the National Indian
Gaming Commission. Copies of the audit reports shall be furnished
to the parties receiving copies of the financial and operating statements
and to the Tribal Legislature.
MIGA's assets shall consist of all gaming operation revenues,
earnings and proceeds of the same and whatever other assets it develops,
generates or acquires by other means and, to the extent not included
in the foregoing, all gaming assets acquired and owned by MIGA. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, for purposes of clarification and the avoidance of
doubt, upon transfer of funds or property from the accounts of MIGA
to the general funds or other accounts of the Tribe in compliance
with all contractual restrictions applicable to MIGA, such funds shall
cease to be assets of MIGA without the requirement of further act
or deed.
A. Compliance with laws. MIGA shall exercise the duties and powers delegated
to it under this Charter in conformity with all applicable laws, including,
without limitation, the Tribal Gaming Ordinance, all other laws or
regulations of the Tribe, the IGRA, and any applicable federal, state,
and local statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, codes and rules
and in conformity with the Compact.
B. Best interests of Tribe. MIGA shall at all times exercise the duties
and powers delegated to it under this Charter in the best interest
of the Tribe.
C. Policies and procedures. MIGA shall adopt such policies and procedures
as it may determine necessary for the orderly conduct of its business.
A. Principal place of business. The principal office of MIGA shall initially
be located at the existing Menominee Casino, Bingo and Hotel in Keshena,
Wisconsin, on the Menominee Indian Reservation. MIGA may have such
other offices as the Board of Directors may designate and as the business
of MIGA may require from time to time.
B. Agent for service of process. The Board of Directors shall designate
an agent of MIGA for the purpose of accepting service of process.
The business address of such agent shall be the principal office of
MIGA.
C. Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a seal of MIGA.
D. Duration. This Charter shall remain in effect in perpetuity unless
revoked according to its terms.