OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Business, Finance, and Justice/Land, Natural Resource, and Cultural Preservation held a joint committee session on Aug. 22 at the Mound Building.
Passed legislation is subject to full council approval during the next regular session.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-080 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a deed for property located in Tulsa County, Okla. Representative Patrick Freeman Jr. sponsored the legislation, which passed 8-0.
OneFire Property Development, LLC is transferring the title of property located in Tulsa County to the Nation for land base expansion.
TR 23-081 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Grant Application. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which passed 8-0.
Funding will be utilized to support finalizing project designs, implementing the designs and launch broadband services.
TR 23-086 Authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (MNGE) to open a new gaming facility. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 9-0.
MNGE desires to open a new gaming facility location at the Riverwalk in Jenks.
NCA 23-085 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Interior Division of Economic Development, Office of Indian Economic Development for the benefit of the MCN Tribal Utility Authority. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 9-0.
The funds of $175,000 wil be used to perform a feasibility study for the expansion of high-speed internet (broadband) transmitted, variously, though DSL, cable modem, fiber, wireless, satellite and BPL.
NCA 23-086 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office for the benefit of the MCN Tribal Utility Authority. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 9-0.
Grant funds of $271,137 will be used to ensure tribal facilities will not be impacted by critical weather, fire, floods, or outage events. It will implement new and improved controls, automation, communications, and infrastructure. It will train and increase the skills for the workforce. It will address lacking, outdated, and failing energy infrastructure.
NCA 23-087 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Commerce for the benefit of the MCN Tribal Utility Authority. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 9-0.
Grant funds of $500,000 will be used to engage third-party consultants to perform a comprehensive broadband needs assessment and pre-construction planning activities through the MCN reservation.
Visit www.mcnnc.com for more information.
