Red Lake to Tap the Sun

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians will sign a formal agreement with the Winkelman Building Corporation and Innovative Power Systems, Inc., to design, engineer, procure, construct, and project manage solar energy projects for the three Red Lake casinos, various Tribal government buildings, and other locations, and approve the utilization of the Olson Energy Corporation for the financing of said solar energy projects. The signing ceremony will take place at noon on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at the Red Lake Government Center. (Council Chambers)

Installation of various photo-voltaic arrays will commence soon on Red Lake Nation buildings including Seven Clans Casinos at Red Lake, Thief River Falls, and Warroad, Red Lake Government Center, Red Lake Nation College, Humanities Center, Justice Complex, Comprehensive Health - Hospital and Nursing Home, and Boys and Girls Club at an estimated savings of over $1.6 million per year.

Agenda, Thursday, February 18, 2016

12:00 pm Noon

• Eugene "Bugger" McArthur, Jobs & Community Development Facilitator

• Dave Winkelman - Innovative Power Systems (IPS) and Winkelman Building Corporation

• Comments from The Olson Group Energy Corporation

• Comments from Winkelman Construction

• Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Chairman, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians

1:00 pm - Lunch and Social

Innovative Power Systems (IPS), of St. Paul, is one of the largest renewable energy design and installation companies in Minnesota. They have designed and installed hundreds of solar energy systems since 1991, by far more than any other contractor in state. They will provide all electrical, structural, and civil engineering on all sites and provide training for Tribal members in the solar energy industry.

Olson Group Plan; The Olson Energy Corporation has developed a financial plan to assist in addressing the financial needs for solar energy development. US tax law provides a variety of benefits to developers and owners of renewable energy projects as non-taxed entities such as units of government cannot benefit directly from these incentives.

Watch this for IPS solar information: http://youtu.be/nHLBDSutmeE

Solar Energy Resolution, Red Lake Band

Whereas, the Red Lake Tribal Council is the governing body of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, a Federally recognized Indian Tribe; and

Whereas, the Red Lake Tribal Council is committed to the preservation and conservation of our environment, protection of our lands from atmospheric contaminates found in coal energy creation, and overall protection of Mother Earth; and

Whereas, the Red Lake Tribal Council strives to improve the quality of life and provide employment via economic development for all Red Lake Band members; and

Whereas, the development of renewable energy, solar energy, will provide the Red Lake Nation a massive resource that has the potential to provide a steady source of revenue and drive the development of the Tribal infrastructure, increase our skilled workforce; and

Whereas, solar energy is pollution free, no loss of air and water quality, no polluting gases are emitted into the atmosphere, an energy source compatible with our Tribal beliefs of living in harmony with nature; and

Whereas, solar energy provides an opportunity for the Red Lake Tribal Council to provide employment and quality jobs for Tribal members, create a steady revenue stream, provide electricity to our People and businesses, diversify our economy and investments, and provide a clean, renewable source of energy; and

Whereas, due diligence has been done relative to the development of the Red Lake Nation Solar industry, the development of various solar energy projects, and the financing of such endeavors; now

Therefore, Be it Resolved, the Red Lake Tribal Council approves the submitted Letter of Engagement from the Winkelman Building Corporation and Innovative Power Systems, Inc., to design, engineer, procure, construct, and project manage solar energy projects for the three Red Lake casinos, various Tribal government buildings, and other locations as identified by the Red Lake Tribal Council; and

Be it Further Resolved, the Red Lake Tribal Council approves the utilization of the Olson Energy Corporation for the financing of said solar energy projects;

FOR: 10

AGAINST: 0

We do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly presented and enacted upon at the Regular Meeting of the Tribal Council held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, with a quorum present, at the Red Lake Nation Headquarters, Red Lake.