Churches and Ceremonial Ground Grant increase passed by committee

Morgan Taylor/Reporter

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Land, Natural Resources and Cultural Preservation Committee meeting was held July 13 at the Mound Building in Okmulgee.

All passed legislation is subject to the full council approval during the regular session.

LNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:

TR 21-106 Authorizing Principal Chief to execute a Programmatic Agreement among Elgin Air Force Base, the Florida State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Regarding the management of Historic Properties at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the resolution, which passed 4-0.

Agreement will recognize, protect, and preserve the interest of the MCN in any ongoing operations, maintenance, repair/replacement, alteration, new construction, demolition and ground disturbing activities within Elgin AFB or its area of potential effect.

NCA 21-078 Authorizing the expenditure of Federal Funding from the Tribal Transportation Program for the M. Berryhill Road construction project. Rep. Mark Randolph sponsored the law, which passed 4-0.

The estimated cost of the project is $988,200 with federal funds from the Nation’s Tribal Transportation Program to be used to pay for the project.

NCA 21-080 Approving the 2022 Indian Housing Plan. Rep. Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the law, which passed 4-0.

The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, Indian Housing Block Grant funds requires a tribally-approved Indian Housing Plan to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval of compliance at least 75 days prior to the end of the tribe’s fiscal year.

Upon approval of full council, Principal Chief would be authorized to submit the 2022 Indian Housing Plan to HUD for their approval.

NCA 21-081 Authorizing a special appropriation to purchase a lawnmower to be used for the Phillip Deere Round House. Randolph sponsored the law, which failed 2-3. The committee had a split vote of 2-2 with Reps. Joseph Hicks and Darrell Proctor voting against the legislation. The vote called for LNC Vice-Chair Rep. Thomasene Yahola Osborn to break the tie, which she voted against.

The Round House is located on private property and managed by the Deere family. The Round House is open to the public and since its construction in 2014 has been utilized in various ways.  The family is requesting funds for a lawnmower in the amount of $13,798.00 from the NC to help manage the yard maintenance.

NCA 21-082 Authorizing a budget modification in excess of 10 percent for the MCN Office of Environmental Services. Yahola Osborn sponsored the law, which passed 4-0.

The modification will reallocate funds to cover the increase in costs associated with the use of the Dumpster Containers Program and Portable Toilet Rental Program for churches and ceremonial grounds.

NCA 21-083 Amending MCNCA Title 5 2-104 entitled, “Church camp house/Ceremonial Ground camp/fellowship hall grant award requirements and restrictions.” Randolph sponsored the amendment, which passed 4-0.

Grant award total will be amended from $7,000.00 to $10,000.

Eligibility includes a completed application, a letter from the Ceremonial Ground Mekko or Pastor stating the need for assistance, a line item budget of total cost of repairs/renovation and no less that two itemized quotes that match line item budget for total cost of repairs/renovation.

The full legislation and meeting can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

On July 24, the National Council will hold a meeting July 24 at the Mound Building inviting two representatives from all churches and ceremonial grounds to discuss the newly amended law, NCA 21-083. Meeting will start with an invocation at 9 a.m.