Construction Management and Building Maintenance

Construction Management and Building Maintenance Departments were incorporated with the Public Works Division of the PBPN on January 2, 2008 by direction of the Tribal Council and General Manager’s office. The Public Works Director would therefore oversee the operation of these departments, and have direct access to the skills and experience of the departments in the new system of cooperation and assistance that was created on this date.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE DIVISION

The Building Maintenance Department’s mission is to manage, maintain, and oversee the commercial physical plant operation of the whole PBPN Reservation with the exception of the PBPN Casino. This incorporates 25 building sites on the 121 sq. mile reservation, wastewater repair, Prairie People’s Park, and ancillary/auxiliary services associated with a thriving community.

The Building Maintenance Department of the PBPN employs 21 people of different areas of expertise. A majority of the people have tribal affiliations.

It is the goal of this department to formulate and enact building maintenance and facility enhancement operations that exceed the following criterion:

• Support the people and operation of the PBPN Reservation;
• Maintain or improve the status of all commercial buildings on the reservation;
• Adapt to and incorporate technological advances for purposes of simpler operation and improved environmental efficiencies of the buildings;
• Educate the departmental employees in operation of these new technologies to best benefit the maintenance of these properties, as well as, to enhance the knowledge base of the individual employee to meet personal aspirations;
• To accommodate special requests and operations of the PBPN Reservation, such as Pow Wow’s, General Council, and so on;
• To maintain, improve, and create infra-structure around the commercial buildings;
• Provide assistance in expertise, manpower, physical assets, and project management to other departments of the PBPN;
• Snow removal for access to the buildings in the winter;
• Limb and snow/ice removal response for elderly and disabled;
• Mow and maintain landscaping in the summer;
• Mow and maintain yards and facilities for the elderly and disabled;
• Cemetery maintenance and mowing;
• Emergency response (TERC) as required and requested.

The Building Maintenance Manager is a shared position with the Construction Management position. This assists in continuity and accountability as new construction projects and rehabilitations that are addressed by the Construction Manager are then managed by the Maintenance Department at the appropriate time.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT DIVISION

The Construction Management Division’s mission is to oversee the new construction and rehabilitation of tribally owned buildings, wastewater, water supply, new road construction, estimation of costs on proposed operations, and assist other departments in management of the same within their own departments. The Construction Manager is the Tribal representative to ensure quality, integrity, and project management for the PBPN. This division employs only one employee.

It is the goal of the department to promote consistency and accountability in managing and associating with contractual entities as operations and improvements are made to the infrastructure of the PBPN. This interface acts as a clearinghouse point for contact by outside businesses and PBPN Tribal operation personnel as it relates to the construction process or other responsibilities bestowed on the Manager. This point of contact enhances the operational flow of the project(s), but most importantly, enhances greatly the quality and integrity of the project(s).

The following is a limited list of examples of projects the Construction Manager is associated with or is managing at this time:

• Rehabilitation of scattered home sites for the Housing Department of the PBPN to prepare for occupancy by Tribal members;
• Improvements up to paving of I Road to the Snows Church;
• Oversight of overlay coordinated by the Public Works Director with funding through the BIA;
• Proposed improvement of the Bingo Hall for expanded gaming;
• Assistance and planning for the proposed Reverse Osmosis Water Plant;
• Added proposed amenity operations to enhance the PBPN Casino;
• Commercial building improvement by specialty trades for improved operations;
• Proposed improvements for Tribal Elder housing;
• Assist emergency generator placements;
• Wastewater improvements in cooperation with IHS.

This department works closely with the Building Maintenance Department, General

Manager, Public Works Director, Road and Bridge Department, Housing Department, Purchasing, and the Finance Department to name a few.