The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe in Washington recently filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city of Snoqualmie, claiming discrimination by Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, city staff and Snoqualmie City Council members including six councilmen and another taking office in January. The lawsuit accuses city officials of “intentional race discrimination” against the tribe, said Snoqualmie Director of Governmental Affairs Jerry Lamb. He said details regarding specific instances of discrimination “will be forthcoming through the court process.”
The lawsuit follows the city council’s move to discontinue sewer, police and fire services to the tribe’s Snoqualmie Casino. Court papers said, “Without sewer services, the casino will be forced to close indefinitely, threatening the tribe’s ability to offer core governmental programs and services to its tribal members.” The lawsuit also wants the city to admit it has discriminated against the tribe, declare it intends to continue providing sewer services to the tribe and pay an unspecified “award of actual, compensatory and punitive damages to be proven at trial.”
Said Lamb, “Essentially, the tribe is trying to protect a business which is a huge and vital part of the local economy. The suit is aimed at enforcing the existing agreements. The tribe is being singled out and treated differently. We’re afforded equal protection. Everyone is, right?” The casino employs 1,200 people.
In response, city officials denied the lawsuit’s claims of discrimination and violation of the tribe’s federal rights. They said the city has not terminated the agreement to provide sewer services, but rather has extended it by one year.
According to the lawsuit, in 2004, the city and tribe negotiated a seven-year agreement to provide “essential services” to the casino starting when it opened in 2008. But in 2014 the city began charging the casino higher out-of-city rates. The two parties met in July 2015 to discuss continuing the agreement, which expired in November. The city asked the tribe to provide funding for human services needs in exchange for extending the contract. The tribe refused and both parties agreed to a one-year extension in October. Soon after, city officials informed the tribe it “no longer wishes to be in a business relationship with the tribe,” according to court records. Lamb said, “That letter, it’s a kick you to the curb letter. The tribe has no choice but to protect itself.”
City officials noted, “The city of Snoqualmie is not the only provider of sewer treatment services for the Snoqualmie Casino. The Snoqualmie Tribe has other options, such as constructing and operating its own on-site treatment and disposal system. The tribe also refused to discuss a long-term extension to the sewer agreement. Instead, the tribe insisted on an extension for only one year.”
The tribe also negotiated a contract with Eastside Fire & Rescue for police and fire services and told the city it intends to cancel its contract for emergency medical services effective in 2016. Snoqualmie city officials responded that terms of the tribal agreement require one year’s notice for either party to cancel any part of it.
Earlier this summer, Snoqualmie tribal leaders fought against the city’s plans to build a roundabout on Tokul Road, claiming it would be too close to the tribe’s sacred Snoqualmie Falls. The city also is battling the tribe’s attempts to place more land into trust for a potential casino hotel expansion.
