OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session at the Mound Building on Aug. 26.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-074 Confirming the nomination of Michael Flud to serve on the College of the Muscogee Nation Board of Regents. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Flud will serve a term beginning immediately, and will end on Sept. 30, 2029.
TR 23-075 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing contract with BVP LLC Contractors. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The contract will construct one home, which will cost $285,185.
TR 23-076 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The MOA will allow the Nation to explore opportunities for hemp operations.
TR 23-077 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a right-of-way agreement with the Oklahoma Natural Gas, A division of ONEGAS associated with the construction of housing units known as AKHVSE TUTCENEN (Three Ponds) Housing addition on behalf of the MCN. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The Three Ponds housing addition is awaiting the finishing stages of construction.
TR 23-078 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Okla. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 11-4.
The site will be utilized for the MCN Tax Commission office.
TR 23-079 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a software services agreement with Grayshift, LLC for the MCN Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The software will be used to extract data from certain devices for investigative purposes.
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 was adopted 15-0.
The property will be used to expand the land base.
TR 23-081 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a tribal broadband connectivity program grant application. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Funding will be utilized to support finalizing project designs, implementing the designs and launch broadband services.
TR 23-082 Authorizing the construction of three new child care facilities for the MCN Office of Child Care. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The new facilities will be located in Eufaula, Wetumka and Okemah. It will cost $6,985,612 to construct.
TR 23-083 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the economic development administration for the benefit of the Office of Emergency Management. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The funds will be used to increase the emergency management department and services.
TR 23-084 Designating the MCN Reservation as a Purple Heart Reservation. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The declaration honors military service members and sacrifices from Muscogee veterans.
TR 23-085 Authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (MNGE) to deposit additional funds in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos Insurance Reserve Fund. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, MGNE wishes to add $7,500,000 to assist with the master mitigation plan and prepare for expenses to prevent possible natural disaster damages and/or insurance denial.
TR 23-086 Authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (MNGE) to open a new gaming facility. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, MNGE desires to open a new gaming facility location at the Riverwalk in Jenks.
NCA 23-071 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) University of the Oklahoma Health Services Center, the Family Medicine Obstetrical Training Expansion in Residency for Tribal, Rural and Medically Underserved Communities in Oklahoma Grant. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Funds of $235,183 will be used to train 16 residents in the tribal rural area.
NCA 23-073 Amending MCNCA Title 35, 6-102 Entitled “Accountability”. Speaker William Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The amendment will not penalize school clothing participants who are foster children, or newly adopted if their parents did not return receipts from the previous year.
NCA 23-074 Authorizing the expenditure of the National Park Service Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) Grant for the Benefit of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The funds of $101,449 will be used to ensure the protection and preservation of valued Mvskoke historic and cultural resources.
NCA 23-076 Authorizing a special appropriation for the cost of necessary measures related to the protection of the Muscogee Sacred Site of Hickory Ground near Wetumpka, Ala. Rep. Harjo sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The appropriation will provide the needed $450,000 for legal defense and public relations services in regard to the ongoing court case.
NCA 23-077 Appropriating funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Okmulgee County, Okla. Rep. Harjo sponsored the legislation, which passed 12-3.
The purchase will cost $570,000.
NCA 23-079 Authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the benefit of the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which failed 5-10.
There are currently a number of MCN citizens utilizing the facilities for youth agriculture programs and shows. Opponents of the bill argued the cost did not benefit the usage.
NCA 23-080 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Oklahoma Highway Safety office for the benefit of the MCN LPD. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Funds of $40,000 will be used to purchase five LIDARS, overtime pay for law enforcement officers to perform high visibility enforcement, and travel costs to attend the project director’s training and the annual Traffic Safety Summit.
NCA 23-083 Amending MCNCA title 35, 12-103 entitled “Donation Guidelines”. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-1.
It was amended to add a subsection stating the committee may request any needed documentation from an organization requesting a donation exceeding the amount previously outlined in code.
NCA 23-084 Creating Title 6, Chapter 8, Entitled, “Muscogee (Creek) Nation Juvenile Delinquency Code”. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The act will provide procedures for all defined staff handling minors within the justice system to secure, care, protect and provide services to children while in custody of MCN Juvenile Delinquent residential care facilities.
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 was adopted 15-0.
Funds of $175,000 will be used for the expansion of high-speed internet (broadband) transmitted, variously, through 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 was adopted 15-0.
Grant funds of $271,137 will be used to ensure tribal facilities will not be impacted by critical weather, fire, floods, or outage events. According to the bill, it will implement new and improved controls, automation, communications, and infrastructure. It will train and increase the skills for the workforce. It will also address lacking, outdated, and failing energy infrastructure within the nation.
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 was adopted 15-0.
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 throughout the MCN reservation.
NCA 23-088 Anending NCA 21-156 (Articles of Organization with the Office of the Secretary of the Nation to form “Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC” under the MCN Limited Liability Company Act and Approving the operation agreement forth MNGE, LLC) as amended by NCA 22-017. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The First Amended Operating Agreement allows for the MCN to govern the affairs of the limited liability company and the conduct of its business. It can not be amended, except by duly enacted legislation.
NCA 23-089 Authorizing an appropriation for the construction of a new stage located at the omniplex in Okmulgee, Okla. Speaker Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The new stage will be utilized for entertainment. The total cost will be $230,092.81.
After the votes on legislation had concluded, Rep. Joseph Hicks made a statement regarding his past DUI charges in tribal court.
“Recently I had been struggling with some of my own personal struggles and demons linked to PSTD from my time at service, which lead me to seek comfort in alcohol. And as many more that have come before me, I’d like to express my deepest apologies to my family, who were affected the most, also to any others that were affected by my actions.” Rep. Joseph Hicks said.
For more information visit www.mcnnc.com.
