MVSKOKE RESERVATION- On Dec. 5, the Land, Natural Resources, and Cultural Preservation Committee held a subcommittee meeting. Legislation passed from the meeting will go on to the regular session meeting, unless otherwise noted.
The committee addressed the following legislation and appropriations, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
Ryal Community Baptist Church received a Muscogee (Creek) Nation Emergency Assistance Grant in the amount of $8,850. The funds will be used to replace and repair the floor in the fellowship hall and the foundation. Grant funds will go toward repairs using Bell’s Construction.
Butler Creek Baptist Church received a Muscogee (Creek) Traditional Church and Ceremonial Ground Grant in the amount of $46,374.03. The funds will go toward replacing the heat and air conditioning units, repairing and replacing the bathroom, and repairing the foundation.
TR 23-123 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a separate memorandum of understanding with nine Oklahoma cities for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights of-way constructed or improved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation program passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Charles McHenry.
Before the discussion and vote could proceed, a motion was made to amend the agenda to accurately reflect the legislation. TR 21-123 was changed from “nine Oklahoma cities,” to “the city of Clearview.”
The city of Clearview with the MCN will engage with the Box Culvert Repair Project, which assists in the repair and replacement of the existing box culvert on main street. Utilizing USDA grants, the MCN will only need to supply labor.
NCA 23-152 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 22-070 (a law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal recovery funding for the benefit of the Tiny Homes Program) passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Rep. McHenry.
This amending legislation opens the MCN Tiny Homes Program to all Muscogee citizens. The previous legislation specified “support for elderly citizens who experience short term homelessness.” The amendment strikes the adjective, “elderly”.
NCA 23-153 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $654,090 awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of the Office of Environmental Services passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Galen Cloud.
The Office of Environmental Services received a Partnership Performance Grant from EPA. It will allow the office to monitor air quality and radon around the Tulsa and Muscogee areas.
NCA 23-157 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of ARPA funds in the amount of $104,870 received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the benefit of the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Joseph Hicks.
This legislation was previously brought to council under NCA 23-079, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Hicks. It passed committee with a vote of 4-0, but failed in the regular session with a vote of 5-10. During discussion, Rep. Hicks emphasized that the improvements made to the stock pens will benefit Mvskoke agriculture students for decades.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
